Author: Norm

“They had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” (Mark 6:52)As a Jesus follower, I still have a lot that I do not understand.I do not understand the miracle of the loaves.I do not understand Jesus walking on the water.I do not understand the use of spit and mud to heal a blind man.I…

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)As a Jesus follower, I look forward to my times alone with Jesus.Jesus also seemed to enjoy His time alone with His disciples.This was an especially challenging time, with His cousin’s death.Jesus hears about John’s death, and is overwhelmed by the crowds.He…

“John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.” (Mark 6:29)As a Jesus follower, I am thankful that Jesus is alive.Both John’s and Jesus’s disciples were troubled by their deaths.As disciples, their hope was in the rightness and goodness of their Rabbi.For them to die like this – beheaded, crucified – was…

“King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known.” (Mark 6:14)As a Jesus follower, Jesus’s Name is both well known and well loved.People were hearing about what Jesus did, and news about Him spread.They heard about His miraculous deeds of love and mercy.What they heard inspired and attracted many of them… but not…

“They went out and preached that people should repent.” (Mark 6:12)As a Jesus follower, repentance is a part of the journey of faith.But do I go around telling people to repent, like the disciples did?The answer is both no and yes. The word ‘repent’ is a translation of a compound Greek word metanoia.It literally means ‘to…

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few.” (Mark 6:5)As a Jesus follower, I look to Jesus with hope and expectation.This does not mean that He always answers my prayers as I ask.But it is not that Jesus cannot answer my prayers.Here in Nazareth Jesus could not answer their prayers.Because…

“Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).” (Mark 5:41)As a Jesus follower, I long to hear Jesus say these words.Not to me, but to people I am with who need waking up.I’ve been with a young child who was dying, and also when he died.With those dying with pain, or experiencing…

“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34)As a Jesus follower, I am drawn to Jesus by simple faith.Like so many who came to Jesus, my hope in Jesus is simple.I have a need, I’ve considered the options, and Jesus meets my need.I am aware of all…

By Rev’d Jon Swales I don’t want to be a Christianwho forgets how to feel—who hides behind answers,quotes verses like shields,and silences sorrowwith a song. I don’t want a faithof romanticised abstraction,where resurrection is polishedand the cross is theory.Give me something real—flesh and blood,grief and grace. I want to weepwith eyes wide open. Tears that…

“She came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.” (Mark 5:27)As Jesus followers, we have been cleansed, made clean, pure.Yesterday we saw unorthodox, desperate faith in action.Now we see the same, but even worse – disgusting faith.This woman was impure, like a leper, untouchable (Leviticus 15:19-30).She was sick, disgusting, someone to be avoided.She was…