trying to find His way
These words lay it out very plainly.If you accept Jesus (believe and be baptized) you will be saved.If you do not accept Jesus (do not believe), you will be condemned.Marks’s editor seems to be echoing what John wrote, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they…
Mark’s editor (whoever added these words) summarizes Matthew and Luke. “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:18-19) “And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)…
The women were afraid, stunned speechless, but they did believe.Two times the disciples hear the news, but they do not believe it.They didn’t believe it when Mary Magdalene told them.And they didn’t believe it when two others told them (see Luke 24). Those who add this longer ending borrow from Matthew, Luke and John.It is not…
What if Mark intended to end his account of Jesus this way?The women witness this great event, and then say nothing out of fear?Most men of the time would say, ‘typical, shows how unreliable women are!’Why would Mark leave the story hanging, since we know the story did go on? To me the most likely…
There is something odd about how Mark ends his Jesus story.The earliest manuscripts do not have verses 9-20.When only later manuscripts include words, they are suspected as additions.A later editor added something to make more sense of something odd.And the ending of the earliest manuscripts is, or seems… unfinished. In the shorter version, that Mark ends…
There is irony in this statement about Joseph.If his hopes were in Jesus, his hopes were now dead.I can imagine him struggling, questioning, grieving, despairing.I can imagine others snickering at Joseph as he did this.‘So much for your kingdom hopes, Joe, where’s your king now?’ This irony is felt every time Christians celebrate Christmas or…
In the Jewish temple, there was a room called ‘The Most Holy Place’.Though the whole temple was holy, this small room was especially holy.This room was where the symbol of God’s presence was kept.You might say, this was God’s room in the house, where God lived.This room was divided by a curtain, or veil, to…
In this moment, Jesus is echoing Psalm 22:1.But He is not quoting Scripture to teach a lesson.These words are familiar to Him because He learned them in Torah school.David was inspired to express out loud what he was actually feeling.And Jesus does the same; this is what he actually feels.And who can blame Him, given what…
I believe in Jesus as my Saviour BECAUSE He did not save Himself.This may seem strange, but this is how I see Jesus as good news.Jesus does not come wielding a blade, forcing people to kneel or be knifed.Jesus does not mobilize an army to do His dirty work for Him.Jesus does not make Himself…
What has become of humanity, that we would treat others like this?How can people sometimes be so cruel to others.When I think of my childhood, there were a few kids that I teased.I was a scrawny weakling, but I hung out with two big guys.Unfortunately some kids bore the brunt of our cruelty.This behaviour was…