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Speaking Truth to Power May Cost You Your Head
The utopian thought we have with the “Occupy” movement (and other things) is the beautiful thought of “speaking truth to power.” It is so bold. Unless, of course, it’s not. Too often that phrase just really means, “I’m looking for a photo op.” Speaking truth to power costs. Ask Gandhi. Ask Martin Luther King, Jr. Ask Abraham Lincoln. (And Lincoln…
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Two Possible Responses to Jesus
In Mark 6 there are a couple of responses to Jesus. In vv. 1-6 the people familiar with Jesus didn’t think much of who he had become. They launched into stories of “I remember little Jesus when he was following his daddy around with a hammer…” In vv. 7-12 there is a different response. 7 He called for the Twelve…
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Desperate Times and Desperate Measures
A swarm of people were following Jesus, crowding in on him. 25 A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a lot under the care of many doctors, and had spent everything she had without getting any better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27 Because she had heard about Jesus, she came…
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The Willingness to Give Up the Distractions
When the Kingdom of God invades your life there is a decision to be made. The disciples hear the call of Jesus in Mark 1 and by the time he calls to them, they have determined he is worth it. They set aside the distractions of nets, and boats, and servants. Jesus was worth their full attention. The Kingdom comes…
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Demons and Authority
In Mark 1 there is the story of Jesus casting out the demon in the synagogue. While we focus on the power encounter, Mark focuses on the authority. Twice in the same story he mentions the authority of Jesus to teach. 22 The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal…
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The Leading of the Spirit
12 At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. (Mark 1:12-13, CEB) The Spirit did not lead very softly. The same Greek word for “force” is the same word used to talk about Jesus casting out…
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Sudden Winds
I met with my spiritual mentor yesterday and we both found ourselves in awe of the Word of God yet again. It was one of those times where I think, “Good grief! How many times have I read that and NOT seen this?!” The text was the end of Mark 4 and the beginning of Mark 5. The chapter break…
Tag: Gospel of Mark
