“The Old Testament God is all about Laws and rules. He’s harsh. The New Testament God is loving and kind, he is easier to follow because of grace.” How often have you heard something like that said? Does Mark 10:1-10 support or go against that assumption? Jesus is confronted by some of the Pharisees and… Continue reading Jesus on divorce … is he harsher than the OT Law? (Mark 10:1-10)
Tag: Biblical Studies
Removing barriers (Mark 10)
We are travelling with Jesus to Jerusalem to the Temple and towards the time of Jesus’s death and resurrection. On route Jesus will encounter those who seek to block and oppose him. We will also see the barriers that others face. First, we see Jesus confronted by the religious leaders seeking to test him. We… Continue reading Removing barriers (Mark 10)
Jesus satisfies (Luke 9:10-17)
I want to ask you two questions. We are heading into a difficult winter with rising prices, a cost of living crisis and an energy crisis. Even with the help offered by the government, many will struggle. Are you anxious as we head into the winter? Perhaps you’re thinking that even if domestic energy costs… Continue reading Jesus satisfies (Luke 9:10-17)
When heaven breaks in (Mark 9:1-13)
Jesus takes a few of his disciples with him up to one of the high points and there they are treated to a glimpse of his true glory. The emphasis in Mark’s Gospel is on his humanity as “the son of man” and frequently the command is for people not to go around talking up… Continue reading When heaven breaks in (Mark 9:1-13)
Get behind me (Mark 8:27-38)
Strong and shocking words from Jesus “Get behind me Satan”. Why does he use such strong language? It’s because he recognises in Peter’s response to his teaching that he must suffer and die one of the devil’s big temptations. Earlier we saw how the Pharisee’s demand for a sign echoed Satan’s encouragement that Jesus should… Continue reading Get behind me (Mark 8:27-38)
A second look (Mark 8:22-26)
I identify with the blind man healed in Mark 8:22-26. I’ve often sat in the optician’s chair as he’s moved lenses around pausing to ask “better here … or better here.” Ninety five percent of the time I find myself saying “about the same.” I used to worry that I was giving the wrong answer… Continue reading A second look (Mark 8:22-26)
Food shortage? (Mark 8:13-21)
After refusing to give the Pharisees a sign, Jesus heads off with his disciples across Galilee by boat. Once again we are faced with a bread crisis. The Disciples have only remembered to bring along one loaf of bread, that’s probably a small loaf so it’s not going to feed all of them. This seems… Continue reading Food shortage? (Mark 8:13-21)
Worth doing twice (Mark 8:1-7)
Sometimes I wonder what tone Mark expects us to read different episodes from his Gospel in and where the emphasis is. I imagine that 8:1 is meant to sound something like: “and the people ran out of food AGAIN.” We’ve been here before, and at first sight it looks like Galileans were poor planners. This… Continue reading Worth doing twice (Mark 8:1-7)
Halfway there? (Mark 8:1-9:1)
We are in effect at the mid-point of the Gospel here. The challenge then is whether or not people are beginning to see, hear and understand the truth about who Jesus is. In case the disciples have not learnt yet, Jesus offers a reprise of the miraculous feeding -this time with 4000 men (8:1-10). Even… Continue reading Halfway there? (Mark 8:1-9:1)
Song of Songs: Appropriate language for describing our relationship with Christ?
As I mentioned in my last post, some people balk at the language in Song of Songs as too sensual or sexual even to be appropriate to describing Christ’s love for us. Here’s one response: Perhaps they have in mind such lines as: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!For your love is… Continue reading Song of Songs: Appropriate language for describing our relationship with Christ?
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