trying to find His way
Elijah is traditionally considered one of the greatest Old Testament prophets.He was known for championing monotheism and confronting kings.He was known for powerful miracles and a dramatic ascent to heaven.Malachi, later prophet, predicted the return of one like Elijah. “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of…
A big question for many people is about the reliability of the Jesus stories.There are some fantastic and hard to believe stories recorded in them.Luke himself was not an eyewitness, yet he believes them with certainty.In these opening words he explains that he did his homework.He received the stories from those who were eyewitnesses.He carefully…
This added line confirms what is said elsewhere. The disciples task was to go and to preach (show and share) the good news. It was not their job to perform signs; this was the Lord’s part. It was Jesus, not the disciples, who performed the miracles. “So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking…
These words added to Mark stand out as odd, and dangerous.Nowhere else in the Jesus stories is this mentioned.There are some possible connections to other parts of the BibleThere is the prophecy of Isaiah 11 about the coming of the Messiah.The Branch of Jesse will be Spirit-powered and make things right (Isaiah 11:1-5). “The wolf will live…
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…