What separates a true blue Man Utd fan from a fake one? A true blue football fan supports the team, irregardless of the results; He will always support and respect the manager's decisions and selections; He will cheer on the likes of Park Ji Sung and Fletcher in the same way he loves the the Rooneys and the Ronaldos... On the other hand, an armchair critic would stay away from real support and loves to be in a position of 'wait and see' - wait and see what actions to take on contingent of the outcome of the football match; he most likely like to criticize and make unnecessary comments throughout the course of the game - insights that found no impact in the dressing room; he most likely pops up when Man Utd lifts the Champions Cup , but would most likely to be out of sight when Man Utd is going through a difficult patch.
What's this post doing here?
In Mark chapter 11, i learn 2 lessons from the fig tree incident(v 12-25) and the incident where the pharisee challenged the authority of Jesus (v27-33)
(1) it is ok to "pray away" people who are disruptive in the growth of the church. Jesus' contrast in v22 (an often taken-out-of-context passage) points to the fig tree- which is essentially the Pharisees who are not bearing fruit in the kingdom- and Jesus actually rained a curse on them. Of course, this is not to be used casually. Our community should be a loving and gracious one. But when it comes to a stage where it becomes disruptive and unhealthy for the community, i think it is ok to ask God for a swift resolution. I prayed something like that twice and it had come to passed. In fact, i think the disruptive ones would seek a greener pasture elsewhere.
(2) Don't bother spending time to argue or to explain matters with those whose agenda is bathed with a critical spirit (v27-33). Faced with hostility, Jesus refuses to answer his opponents' question and exposes their ignorance and lack of sincerity. There will always be people who are in church who come here to question and point fingers out of their arrogance (and ignorance sometimes). While, of cos, there's grace and patience to handle these people, it is probably much better to leave them alone, rather then trying to get right with them. It is a form of grace extended to them as well. And pray that they will grow up so as to see they truth.
Well, we don't need armchair critics in church, we need real supporters...
* The basis of my view is made on understanding that Jesus is already in the final stage of his journey to the cross;i think much time has already been given for anyone(even the scribes and Pharisees) to come to repentance by this stage in the gospel. This chapter in Mark has been classified as 'judgement', hence the tone and urgency. I would on other days, promote grace, love and patience within the community. But if we were to take the bible ON A WHOLE, we do need also to consider these passages and see how it fits in with other themes (such as loving your enemies, accepting one another, being sensitive to others' needs).
Quoted from IVP QT Guides :
"SOME PEOPLE ASK questions because they want to know the answers. Others take malicious delight in posing unanswerable questions or in trying to trip up an opponent. Jesus often asked questions to get his hearers to think deeply for themselves. Learning to look behind questions to motives and learning to pose effective questions can help us all to be better evangelists and servants."
For Further Study:
http://www.ivpress.com/bible/mark/mark15.php
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