THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:14-23 “So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.” (Mark 13:23) Jesus speaks like a prophet, using strong language to make a point. Like a prophet, He also blends immediate and ultimate events, for dramatic effect. He refers to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) and…
Author: Norm
Spirit-powered witnesses!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:9-13 “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” (Mark 13:10) Apparently Jesus needs us for a job: to let people know the good news. Jesus’ followers (not just ministers) are sent to share the kingdom message. The Lord uses our presence in this dark world to spread the word….
Building what endures!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:1-8 “Do you see all these great buildings, every one will be thrown down.” (Mark 13:3) These were the first words I thought of on September 11, 2001. I don’t mean that God was punishing the US, or the people in the towers. But our grand buildings often represent our arrogance, our…
Hope for the oppressed!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 59 “Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules!” (Psalm 59:13) This song reminds me of the slave songs (‘negro spirituals’). They had no hope (humanly speaking) and endured unspeakable horror. Their only hope was to escape from this life… ‘Swing low, sweet chariot, gonna come…
The sin of pride!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Chronicles 25-28 “After Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” (2 Chronicles 26:16) Have you known of Christian leaders whose success went to their heads? One that I know very well – myself – has struggled with this. But before you look down on me, its probably true for yo as well….
Finally a good king!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Chronicles 21-24 “He promised to maintain a lamp for his descendants forever.” (2 Chronicles 21:7) This book is like a spiritual soap opera, with multiple plot twists and turns. But two lines of thought continue through the plot. God’s people keep messing up, and God hangs in there, despite their betrayal. For God is…
Invisible saints among sinners!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 12:38-44 “This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” (Mark 12:43) Who are the well known christians of our day? Who do people throng to see or hear, or to get an autograph from? Our world has its celebrities, but so does the church! But who does…
Reading the bible with Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 12:35-37 “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand!’” (Mark 12:36) In this story, Jesus is not showing off His bible skills for His audience. Jesus is using the scriptures the way they’re supposed to be used. “The Scriptures testify about me yet you refuse to come to me…
Getting closer than close!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 12:28-34 “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:34) The kingdom of God is when God-like rulers care for the world in love (Genesis 1). If all humans loved God and others, we would experience God’s kingdom on earth. But this is the big IF, and the reason our world…
Humble theology
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 12:18-27 “You are badly mistaken!” (Mark 12:27) I have to admit, this story of Jesus has always confused me. Isn’t marriage a part of God’s original creation design? And does Jesus mean that we will become angels, no longer human? But neither of these are Jesus’ main points; His main point is…