The story featuring the question to Jesus about fasting is the third in a series of five stories of conflict (Mark 2:1-3:6). The first two stories (the healing of the paralyzed man, Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners) celebrate the power and scope of forgiveness in the kingdom (2:1-17), while the last two (theContinue reading “The Glories Of God’s Kingdom”
Tag Archives: Jesus
There’s Within My Heart A Melody
Our church had a singing recently. It was one of those where we had the opportunity to request our favorites. Only instead of calling out the name of the song, we called out the number in the songbook (as we always do). So on this particular occasion there was a flurry of “number calling” asContinue reading “There’s Within My Heart A Melody”
Kingdom Authority
One of the things Mark wants us to see in the first chapter of his gospel has to do with the kingdom authority Jesus possesses. The people of Rome knew all about kingdom power in the sense of “might makes right,” but Mark shows them something radically different in Jesus. With his quote of IsaiahContinue reading “Kingdom Authority”
Not Even Close!
The ecosystem Mark constructs in chapter one of his gospel is . . . well, it’s overwhelming. While chapters weren’t part of original text (they came later), nonetheless, what the Spirit guided Mark to include in the portion of his gospel we refer to as the first chapter is nothing short of amazing. If youContinue reading “Not Even Close!”
Fresh Faith (1)
In Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus refused to mix the new wine (teaching) He brought with the toxic stuff the Pharisees were dispensing. Whether it was His teaching on fasting or some other issue, He wasn’t going to try to fit His teaching and ministry in with theirs (as perhaps the disciples of John were attempting to do). Continue reading “Fresh Faith (1)”
“Do You Want To Get Well?”
Who else but Jesus? Would anyone else dare ask a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years if he wanted to get well? Insulting? It certainly could be taken that way, but that wasn’t Jesus’ intent Neither was it something spoken in ignorance of the man’s situation. The text tells us that His question was prompted byContinue reading ““Do You Want To Get Well?””
Two Kings And The School Of Suffering
It would be hard to read 1 & 2 Samuel (originally just one book), without getting the idea that the writer’s intent is to convey the events leading to a monarchy in Israel. Even more to the point, he would have us to understand how the Davidic kingship was established. That being the case, we see this theme pursued and developed through atContinue reading “Two Kings And The School Of Suffering”
The Chicken Sandwich Skirmishes
It’s been interesting to observe the chicken sandwich skirmishes, which are part of the marriage battle, which is part of what is incorrectly referred to as the cultural war. There is no such thing. It is the war between darkness and light. One of the things that continues to amaze me is how surprised disciples are in regardContinue reading “The Chicken Sandwich Skirmishes”
Scattered
I had been at the hospital visiting a dear friend who didn’t have much longer to live. As I stepped out into the parking lot, the cold bleak sky mirrored what seemed to me to be the mood of the world. Scattered across the pavement was what looked like a complete deck of playing cards. It struck meContinue reading “Scattered”
Drinking Or Pouring?
I heard someone relate his grandmother’s wisdom regarding the half full/empty glass. She said, “People want to know if the glass is half-empty of half-full. Well, to my way of thinking, it all depends upon whether you’re drinking or pouring!” There’s much in these words for the disciple of Jesus! If we take our behavioral cues from ourContinue reading “Drinking Or Pouring?”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 