The differences between cultures, nations, relationships, and a score of other factors of relationship are troublesome, so troublesome that they lead to differences of meaning and consequences. Those differences also lead to various negative responses including, jealousy, prejudice, conflict, and other negatives – even to warfare. The horrors of warfare in death, upheaval, destruction, mongrel conduct, disorder, and the like are deplored by all persons, but entered into because of human pride, revenge, misunderstanding, differences, ambitions and other factors made negative to international thought and conduct – that could have been managed without immense losses that conflicts inherit. After warfare, for example, the enemy becomes an ally. Following the War of 1812, the Americans and British have become significant allies; after World War II, the Japanese have become American allies and the Europeans have forged improved relationships between nations. American allies, China and Russia, after the World War II are at odds and competitive with American government. Governments were not meant to be competitive, but cooperative so to assure peace, and assist in meeting the needs of populations. The best government is that which serves for peace, safety and justice. Ups and downs of these massive human groupings are not only related to physical issues, but to language, interpretations, expectations, values, status, suspicion, fear, pride, competition and other factors that are seldom directly addressed in various attempts to unite peoples for the purpose of peace, and normality – for respect of life in the world.
The seventh chapter of Mark’s Gospel is a tour of differences in persons and groups. It begins with a group of leaders in Israel checking on Jesus to determine his loyalties and orthodoxy, to be tested in the way he ministered and to whom. Jesus and the disciples included Gentiles (non-Jews) who did not follow Jewish standards on various matters, like washing hands before eating. Jesus was adapting to the people without violating their faith, while the evaluators demanded legalism. A woman came, and Jesus noted the legalism. She countered, refusing to be insulted, and noting that the dogs eat the crumbs dropped by the children. Jesus approved her focus, which was his all along, and granted her request. Both the woman and Jesus objectively set aside the differences (cultural) and went to the need (physical/spiritual). In another instance, when the issue became so great that the Jerusalem analysts would wholly reject Jesus’ ministry and threaten it, Jesus took a man aside to a private meeting, and performed an astonishing double miracle on a deaf mute. To reduce the problem of resistance from those of his own culture, Jesus told some beneficiaries of his ministry to keep silent about such miracle experiences. Their joy at his ministry in their behalf was so extraordinary for them that they disregarded his order. The enthusiasm of Gentiles for the benefits they received likely contributed to a growing record that prejudiced authorities of Jesus’ culture, and that used against him, leading to his condemnation and crucifixion as a civic trouble-maker.
The events both private and public recited in the Mark 7 chapter informs us how differently the Christian thinks as related to the humanist, or even other religions that focus on individuals and truth. It is seen in the Apostle Paul who, in a dungeon and mistreated, is joyful. For God’s child to be persecuted is to be honored in the separation of the culture from distraction to faith. Or think of John Bunyan jailed for his faith, but wrote: I was at home in prison and I sat me down and wrote, and wrote, for joy did make me write. And, what did he write? Pilgrim’s Progress, one of the most read books. Let it be known that the caged bird sings. When I passed my eightieth birthday, the invitations to public ministry declined. I had enjoyed a world ministry, and magnificent pulpits, even secular conferences, as well as inter-action with students and faculties. I knew that age would make its demands, and took the way of private life when, on the death of my beloved wife, I wrote about life, not only these Pages, but also other scripts from humor to prayer. It was like a joy of decoration on the already sweet fleeting life. My study, like Bunyan’s cell, became for me a den of God. Perhaps only a few will read what I have written, but they are words to all peoples, relating to God’s love for all persons, in any culture, in any language – without regard to wealth, education, gender, race, nationality, status or time warp. These private years are among the best of my life. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020