02/13/18 - Mark 3

Feb 13, 2018 – Mark 3

If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Mark 3:25

The answer to our relationship problems is not in winning arguments, but eliminating divisions.

Stanford hospitals has a number of buildings, developed over the years at this incredible institution.  Two of the wings were built at the same time by different general contractors.  In the midst of the construction, it was discovered that the measurements were incorrect, and the building floors were misaligned, leaving a significant gap.  Government inspectors challenged the work and expected the contractors to tear down one of the buildings in order to make the correction.  But through negotiation, the building contractors were able to build a hallway ramp between wings so that the buildings could work.  That hallway ramp is a reminder that arguments don’t correct gaps, cooperation does.

Most arguments center around defending our positions, not seeking to eliminate gaps.  Trying to prove we are right may get our position heard, but seldom eliminates the gap between us.  If we are going to eliminate the gap, we must negotiate a ramp to connect us.  That doesn’t necessarily mean compromising truth or changing structures, but may mean figuring out how to deal with the reality and move closer together.

Jesus was being accused of satanic activity when people were being healed by His power.  While that may seem ridiculous to us, it is not beyond Satan to use miracles as a way of drawing people away from God.  But Jesus wasn’t healing to create a following for Himself, His healings were to bring glory to the Father.   Jesus wasn’t trying to divide the kingdom, His purpose was to unite it.  While the Pharisees were arguing to create a gap between themselves & Jesus, Jesus was working to close the gap between God & man. 

Relationships start with gaps.  Dating is trying to learn more about each other to reduce the gap between a guy and a girl.  Orientation is an organization’s effort to close the gap of knowledge between employees and the company.  And Jesus came to eliminate the gap between God & man.  Jesus could have won any argument, but instead He eliminated the division.

What if we approached arguments and disagreements the same way?  What if instead of trying to prove our rightness, we tried to reduce our separateness?  How about instead of trying to win the disagreement, we tried to eliminate the division?  Maybe we would discover a taste of what love is really about – eliminating the gap.

That hallway ramp in Stanford Hospitals is a constant reminder of true relationship, eliminating the separation between buildings.  The cross is also a constant reminder of true relationship, eliminating the separation between God & man.   Don’t be a divided house, build a ramp of unity.