We’ve been reading through the book of Mark the past few weeks, and Brad Hooks,
Creative Arts Director Calvary Chapel Montebello in California, shares some thoughts on our reading in Mark chapter 3:

A House Divided
by Brad Hooks
Jesus told us that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Perhaps because Jesus used the example of the Devil’s kingdom we as the church have somehow managed to exempt ourselves from this instruction. Obviously though, the truth of this teaching applies to both kingdoms: darkness and light. If they’re divided, they fall. So why then are we as the body of Christ, the light on a hill, the salt of the earth, so quick to point our fingers at each other?

I think I know why. Pointing the finger at someone else makes us feel better about ourselves. So we play by the rules of the blame-shifting game most of the time. But as Christians this shouldn’t be the case.
For me though it often seems like it’s easier to love my enemies than my own neighbors. I mean, sure my enemies disagree with me, but they’re way over there somewhere. Much easier to love. My neighbors on the other hand are right in front of me. Every single day. And they can be a pretty mixed bag of nuts. And not the honey roasted kind, the unsalted package-been-open-5-years kind.
Bottom line. It’s time to stop finger-pointing and blame-gaming. It’s time to follow the Ying Yang twins advice instead and start shaking it like a salt shaker. And let’s get to it before our salt loses it flavor.
You can learn more about Brad Hooks on his website.

You can find all of the passages at BibleGateway.com.
And if you’ve missed some readings, here are the lists:

February 2010
January 2010
Are you joining me in the challenge to read the Bible in a year? Let me know how you’re doing!
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