Serving Bread

As a father, I have an emotional connection to the story of the desperate father in Mark 9. This man has probably done everything in his power to see his son healed from whatever disease or demonic power that has engulfed his son. So it would make sense for him to take his son to [...]

Does Jesus want people to understand his teachings and his purpose? And if so, what kind of people does he want to know who he is and what kind of posture should they have in response to him? Even the ones closest to Jesus don’t seem to understand him. The disciples are confused about what [...]

When I read the Jesus of the Bible and I compare him to the Jesus portrayed in my current world, it’s not too hard to see that there are often marked differences of interpretation. This chapter of Mark brings that to the surface for me. Here we see Jesus ministering to two individuals who participate [...]

Jesus must have been a very lonely guy. He was incredibly popular, but he must have been lonely. He visits his hometown only to find that he is not accepted by his own people. And though he’s not surprised by his friends’, family’s and neighbors’ responses, it is hurtful and lonely when the people who [...]

In chapter 5 of Mark, Jesus confronts three people with three ailments that has dehumanized them. The demoniac is isolated from community and has been overcome by a legion of demons. The woman has been unclean and bleeding for 12 years and the little girl is on her death bed. Each of these characters is [...]

The bulk of Mark 4 is Jesus teaching in parables. There’s five or six of them in this chapter, depending on one would interpret the story of the storm. But more on that later. The common question that stands out is “Why did Jesus teach in parables?” While some of the answer might be that [...]

In my early ministry years, I interpreted ministry as a job. But instead of doing the work of a corporation, I was doing the work of God. God was my employer who gave me the assignment on what I was supposed to do. Over the years, I realized that it’s inaccurate to use workplace imagery [...]

Jesus had a purpose in being sent by God. And Mark seems to be uncovering that purpose for the reader. It first began in Mark 1.38: “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” (That message being [...]

Inspired by my friend Ben who is studying and blogging through the entire Bible, I’ve decided to take the next season (however long that season will be) to study through the Bible beginning with the gospels. For 2012, I’m going to be working through the Gospels + Acts–which puts me at about 13 pages a [...]

I am preparing a sermon on John 15.4-11, where the main thrust of the sermon is on the imperative of abiding in Jesus. Until recently, I have read this discourse as an invitation to a mutual relationship with Jesus for the sake of fruit. My focus will often turn to ministry: If I want fruit [...]