In Joshua 5:13, on the eve of battle in Jericho, Joshua looked up and saw a man with his sword drawn. His first thought, as would mine be, was: are you for us or for the enemy? The man’s answer implied that, in fact, the wrong question was being asked. Instead, Joshua...
This is part 9 of a multi-part series on the book of Mark. Today, we’re in Mark 7:1-13. Traditions Traditions can be great, so long as they are a means to an end. They become a problem when the means are forgotten and all ends with a tradition. Some Pharisees...
This is part 8 of a multi-part series on the book of Mark. Today, we’re in Mark 6:53-56. Checking In In Mark 6:45, Jesus had his disciples get into the boat ahead of him and aim for Bethsaida; but by 6:53, they had crossed over and made land at Gennesaret. When...
This is part 7 of a multi-part series on the book of Mark. Today, we’re in Mark 6:14-29. Backstory King Herod heard as the word spread, which means it didn’t just spread among the poor but made it into the palaces. Jesus’ name had become known (6:14). Herod...
This is part 6 of a multi-part series on the book of Mark. Today, we’re in Mark 6:7-13. Relying on Hospitality Jesus had done just enough teaching to begin pushing his disciples out to make mistakes, not on their own but with another (6:7)—surely for both...
This is part 5 of a multi-part series on the book of Mark. Today, we’re in Mark 6:1-6. Rejection & the Hypostatic Union Jesus knew rejection and disdain. He knew the pain of not being accepted in his hometown. He went to Nazareth and was teaching in the...
