The Secret's Out!
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Introduction
Introduction
Observations from time in Africa
Observations from time in Africa
This past week, I was fortunate to visit Ghana, Africa—a place I’d never been before. Before visiting, I had planned to read and study through the gospel of Mark. So, I read the first half on my way there, and the remaining half on the travels back. This unintentional reading pattern was actually providential in that it set my frame of mind for the things I would observe going into Ghana and it shaped my ability to interpret those observations through the remaining words of Mark I was destined to read.
During my time in Africa, I was also able travel through the town of Berekuso and the busy streets of Accra, where some of America’s familiar food chains reside like Pizza Hut and KFC. I was taken by nostalgic joy when I heard over the loudspeakers what sounded like Moses Tyson Jr. playing the well-known COGIC prayer chant, Yes during a lunch meeting at the Marriott Hotel. I witnessed and visited the stores of local tailors, woodworkers, and sellers of all kinds of products. I heard from students that will eventually change the world with cutting edge technology and advancements. One of my favorite experiences was visiting the last home of the pre-civil rights leader, WEB DuBois and reading through a few of the 1500 books he brought to Ghana during the last years of his life.
There were times I concluded the land and terrain was the most beautiful sites I’d ever seen. There were sites comparable to what I’d imagine must have been exemplary of the Garden of Eden. Then, there were times I was literally moved to tears because of the conditions and experiences of many individuals trying to accomplish one goal—life. And even through the toughness of pursuing this state of living, there were expression of optimism, drive, and joy. In fact, all one needs to do is visit the markets, and they will understand, in vibrant form, the paradox of life—every person in this world experiences—no matter where in the world you live.
As I reflected on what I’d read before entering Ghana, I saw Ghana as being more closely related to the times Jesus lived. I can no longer read the gospels with American eyes—a skeptical society who has abandoned its acceptance of the God who can breakthrough into the affairs of a society to create noticeable change; the place where God is continually pushed out with a resounding, “No, thank you God, we will take care of that ourselves.” When I read about Jesus’s walks and talks through the streets of Jerusalem and Galilee, I think about Ghana—a place that is highly religious, devoted to hard work, and hopeful with every reason to be hopeless.
The gospel of Mark is the earliest gospel account of Jesus’s earthly life, and it is the gospel that most scholars conclude is the basis for the other synoptic gospels: Matthew and Luke. Every gospel record has a purpose, and it is clear that Mark’s purpose for writing a gospel record concerning Jesus is to demonstrate His authority.
When the word authority is used, it means the right to govern a domain or sphere of influence—often a political or religious sphere. Mark’s purpose is to keep at the front of the earliest followers’ mind the power and authority Jesus has over the world and the lives of those who trust Him. Throughout the gospel of Mark you will find that He writes about Jesus’s authority over:
evil spirits
leprosy
paralysis
sin
tradition
storms
demons
time
hunger
water
nations
deafness
blindness [and]
the temple
Here’s what I learned from reading the gospel of Mark: Jesus’s solution for a world that is collapsing or a life that is breaking down is not His coming; it is His kingdom!
God’s Secret Kingdom
God’s Secret Kingdom
Many people can explain salvation, but very few people can understand and explain the kingdom. Therefore, there are many people who will go to heaven, but will also live way beneath the privileges that God has prepared for them on their way there.
Here’s the question: Most of us have been hearing God’s word, but has this message produced in my life? If the word about Jesus is not producing anything in my life, its the wrong message, and therefore is not the kingdom message that brings life.
Here are a few questions to ask:
How is the seed I’m sowing into my life impacting my spiritual life?
How are the seeds I’m sowing impacting my relationships?
How are the seeds I’m sowing effecting my finances? Health? Business decisions?
How are those seeds effecting my self-esteem? Mental health?
Are the seeds you sowing producing more than what’s sown?
Here’s how we know what’s being sown into us: What is sown into us is what we produce (Mark 4:20).