Creative Space for Wanderers
Today we begin to read through Luke’s gospel account of the life of Jesus. Here’s an overview of where we will venture over the next several weeks: The Preface (1:1–4) The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus (1:5–2:52) The Preparation of Jesus for His Public Ministry (3:1–4:13) His Ministry in Galilee (4:14–9:9) His Withdrawal …
Read: In this remarkable conclusion to John Mark’s gospel, we read about the impossible, improbable, incomprehensible resurrection of Jesus! He has risen! Once again, the women take the initiative to do that which was uncomfortable at the very least: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices …
Read: As a rule, I don’t get real excited about New Year’s celebrations, but I am hopeful that 2018 will be a year of change, redirection, refocus, and rebuilding for the ministry that Jesus has in mind for me. That’s probably not very unique, but in the last 4 or 5 years, significant changes have …
Continue reading “Mark: Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus”
Read: It’s almost Christmas and here I am writing about the trials and tribulations surrounding Jesus’ last days walking around in skin. Sure, I know how the story ends, goodness, but it’s still a challenge thinking about the disciples and those that surely knew Jesus of Nazareth well. At this point in His earthly ministry, …
Read: One of the scenes portrayed frequently: Jesus and His disciples in the upper room to celebrate the Passover. This time, it’s quite different: the bread and wine were used to represent His body and blood. Our familiar “Lord’s Supper” begins not by eating the Seder meal, a tradition created after the time of Jesus …
Read: The emotional scene of the preceding verses leaves us with a sense of wonder about this woman who anointed Jesus and His proclamation that she is the one we will remember wherever the gospel is preached. Though unnamed, she symbolizes what it means to honor the Savior. John Mark is careful to point out …
Read: Yesterday we read the bookends to this story as a way of understanding their meaning. Today we’ll look at Jesus direct actions in the temple courts and try to process the entire scene, so many details in just a few verses! Prior to this chapter, we’ve read several times where Jesus performs a miracle …
Read: Today we’ll read the familiar story of another bold person that is miraculously healed by Jesus. This is the last healing recorded by John Mark as he is about to shift gears and focus on the final days of Jesus’s earthly ministry. Passover is coming–the HUGE festival that attracts thousands of faithful followers as …
Continue reading “Mark: Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight”
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”