Comments on: The Ten Best Ways http://www.northvalleyfriends.org/2006/09/07/the-ten-best-ways/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:22:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Scot Headley http://www.northvalleyfriends.org/2006/09/07/the-ten-best-ways/#comment-2 Scot Headley Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:32:07 +0000 http://www.northvalleyfriends.org/2006/09/07/the-ten-best-ways/#comment-2 Stan, you've challenged us with a fun exercise, "to look at Christ’s teaching in one of the gospels and identify which of the commandments are reflected in His words. How does Christ’s life and example fulfill the commandments?" I've begun reading the book of Mark this week. I went back and re-read chapter one this morning after I read your thoughts here. I am not sure if I will carry out the exercise in exactly the way you intended, however, here goes. In Mark 1 I read in several places that Jesus avoided bringing attention to Himself, his identity and his works. I notice in verses 23-25 while Jesus is dealing with an unclean spirit, the spirit identifies Jesus as the holy one of God, and Jesus sternly tells him to be quiet. After healing Simon Peter's mother-in-law, "...Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was (verse 34)." Also, in verses 36-38, Simon Peter reports to Jesus that everyone is looking for him and Jesus says to him, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." Finally, in verses 40-45, Jesus heals a man with leprosy and then, "Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 'See that you don't tell this to anyone'". Chris Hedges pointed out that the commandments "are our protection against the siren calls of glory, wealth and power that will ultimately dash us against the rocks". I am really impressed with the lenghts at which Jesus took to avoid the siren calls of glory and power. I have been thinking about how often I take the opportunity to bring glory to myself or to seize power over others. I am realizing that Jesus is calling me to avoid the situations and opportunities by which I would be overwhelmed with the sirens' call of power and glory. I look forward to reading the book with you all and learning about how to steer clear of the distractions and temptations that would pull us away from God's purpose in our lives. Stan, you’ve challenged us with a fun exercise, “to look at Christ’s teaching in one of the gospels and identify which of the commandments are reflected in His words. How does Christ’s life and example fulfill the commandments?”

I’ve begun reading the book of Mark this week. I went back and re-read chapter one this morning after I read your thoughts here. I am not sure if I will carry out the exercise in exactly the way you intended, however, here goes.

In Mark 1 I read in several places that Jesus avoided bringing attention to Himself, his identity and his works. I notice in verses 23-25 while Jesus is dealing with an unclean spirit, the spirit identifies Jesus as the holy one of God, and Jesus sternly tells him to be quiet.

After healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, “…Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was (verse 34).” Also, in verses 36-38, Simon Peter reports to Jesus that everyone is looking for him and Jesus says to him, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

Finally, in verses 40-45, Jesus heals a man with leprosy and then, “Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ‘See that you don’t tell this to anyone’”.

Chris Hedges pointed out that the commandments “are our protection against the siren calls of glory, wealth and power that will ultimately dash us against the rocks”. I am really impressed with the lenghts at which Jesus took to avoid the siren calls of glory and power. I have been thinking about how often I take the opportunity to bring glory to myself or to seize power over others.

I am realizing that Jesus is calling me to avoid the situations and opportunities by which I would be overwhelmed with the sirens’ call of power and glory. I look forward to reading the book with you all and learning about how to steer clear of the distractions and temptations that would pull us away from God’s purpose in our lives.

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