Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: As we finish chapter 11 today, we see Jesus and his disciples return to Jerusalem. As Jesus enters the temple courts, various religious leaders approach Him with malcontent on their minds: …while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By …
Read: The way John Mark collected these stories, Jesus just told the disciples He would be arrested, tortured, crucified, and rise again — then two of His closest disciples ask about being seated on his left and right. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in …
Read: Jesus is pretty clear in teaching here: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. Not just any millstone, but a large millstone to ensure you’re not …
Continue reading “Mark: Beware of Causing People to Stumble; Be Salty”
Read: The title of this passage is “Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time,” does indeed include the explanation that Jesus will be delivered into the hands of men, but this isn’t the main point of the text. The concern here centers on pride and position. To begin with, Jesus continues to show this select …
Continue reading “Mark: Jesus Teaches on Pride and Position”
Read: Before we get to the details about healing the boy, step back and imagine yourself being one of these people: As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. Would you drop all pretense and run to see Jesus? By this point in Mark’s account, …
Continue reading “Mark: Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit”
Read: Jesus begins to speak clearly about the suffering He must experience, the rejection from the leaders, and His crucifixion. Mark doesn’t provide a lot of details, just concise statements, but I suspect there were more details in the discussion between Jesus and the disciples, words that astonished them and shook them up. Peter had …
Read: It’s so easy to make fun of the disciples, their apparent ignorance, lack of insight and understanding, poor education, etc. Well, at least that’s my first reaction: The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the …
Continue reading “Mark: The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod”
Read: Another large crowd gathers to hear the amazing teaching from Jesus. It seems that people are predisposed to gathering to hear words of wisdom or to be challenged to improve or simply to learn about something. Our quest for knowledge is wired into our DNA, some more than others, but all have a desire …
Read: In this passage, Mark tells us that Jesus has relocated to the vicinity of Tyre, the bustling metropolis of His time, about 30 miles from Capernaum — a significant distance to walk, to find some rest and perhaps focus on teaching His disciples. For perspective, our daughter and husband live about 21 miles from …
Read: The Pharisees and some teachers of the law…again. This time, the approach is simple, pick a rule that surely everyone knows: you must wash ceremonially before eating! Most of the words in this passage are in red letters in my Bible, the words of Jesus. Mark explains the idea of washing before eating in …