THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 1:9-18 “Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.” (Esther 1:12) Pompous king wants to show off his trophy wife, she refuses and he goes into a fit of rage. Part of the context of this story is the abused status of women in the world…
Where true greatness lies!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 1:1-8 “This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush.” (Esther 1:1) The Persian king Xerxes the Great (486-465 BC) was known as the King of kings. He ruled from India to Egypt (Cush), and upward into Greece. God isn’t…
Easter 2016
Easter joke!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 16:1-8 “Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!” (Mark 16:6) And here we have the Easter joke! No, I’m not saying the resurrection is JUST a joke. The joke is on Satan, who thought he had won. Mark seems to end his version of Jesus’ life with a quick ‘punchline’…
Mourn with those who mourn
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:42-47 Joseph… waiting for the kingdom of God… rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.” (Mark 15:43,46) There have been many times when I have had my hopes dashed. Anticipating something good, or praying desperately for a miracle! Joseph had to roll the stone over his hopes for the kingdom…
Jesus Son of God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:37-41 “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) This Roman centurion does not have a deep understanding of ‘Son of God’ theology. A ‘son of God’ was a chip off the old block, someone that was just like their father. He sees everything that happens to Jesus, and hears…
Into the darkness… a light!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:33-36 “‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mark 15:34, Psalm 22:1). Ever since humans turned against God, darkness has filled the world. This world, created a kingdom of light, has become a dominion of darkness. War, injustice, deception, crime, abuse, murder, sexual sin, despair… death. God becomes human, and enters…
Alleluia! What a Savior!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:25-32 “‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself!’” (Mark 15:31) The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘The Lord Saves’. As the Messiah, Jesus came to save humanity from the curse of sin and death. Many people were saved from difficulty (sickness, demons, death). This is what He was being mocked about –…
Carry the cross with Jesus
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:21-24 “Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” (Mark 15:21) We don’t know who Alexander and Rufus are, but Mark thinks his audience does. This implies they were a part of the community of…
Love stands brave!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:16-20 “And they began to call out to him, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’” (Mark 15:18) I remember singing a chorus in the 90s, ‘All hail King Jesus!’ I may not have always sang it with full understanding, but I didn’t sing it in mockery. This abuse would have been painful to Jesus…