John 2: 13-22 The temple was not meant to be a marketplace. The religious asked him what authority Jesus had to fashion a whip from cords and drive the sheep and cattle out of the temple and pour the coins of the money changers onto the ground and overturned their tables. He told them, “Destroy…
Crosses and Costs
Mark 8: 31-38 A husband says to his wife, “I don’t want to brag, but here it is February, and I’ve kept every one of my New Year’s resolutions. I’ve kept them in a manila folder in the back of my desk.” Some of us make resolutions like one man said to his friend, “There’s…
No Regret This Time
Genesis 9: 8-17; Mark 1: 9-15 Talking to a suntanned resident of New Mexico about the weather in Albuquerque, the tourist asked, “Doesn’t it ever rain here?” The native replied, “Mister, do you remember the story of Noah and the Ark, and how it rained forty days and forty nights?” “Of course, I do,” the…
Trust What He Says
Mark 9: 2-9 Transfiguration Sunday There was a voice from heaven at his baptism in the Jordan River valley that spoke, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. (Mark 1: 11)” On the mountain at his transfiguration in the presence of Elijah and Moses, a cloud overshadowed them and a…
This Is What I Came to Do
Isaiah 40: 25-31 Mark 1: 29-39 It was a very busy Sabbath day. Jesus fell asleep late and got up early the next day. We might say that’s what only Jesus would do. Have you ever been at a place in your relational life or professional life or when you were a child when you…
The Whole Package
Mark 1: 21-28 A bible commentary I read recently depicted Jesus in the gospel of Mark in three facets: preacher, teacher and exorcist. In our lesson today, he’s described as a teacher with authority, not like the scribes. We don’t know what he taught in the synagogue that day. Chances are he taught about the…
Fish Were Not Enough
Mark 1: 14-20 Jesus was proclaiming the good news of God, the gospel of the Kingdom. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” Repent, in the original language, means to think differently. Think differently about yourself, your neighbor and your community and believe…
Greater Things
1 Samuel 3: 1-10 John 1: 43-51 You will see greater things than these. I seem to be speaking to a congregation, a body of people in God who needs to hear greater things are coming. I’m sharing in a practically empty sanctuary amidst a pandemic that limits social interaction with a congregation. I’ve encouraged…
Baptized with Water and Holy Spirit
Mark 1: 4-11 John knew something greater was coming. John the baptizer proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People throughout the Judean countryside and all people of Jerusalem went out to John to be baptized by him, confessing their sins. He told those gathered to him he baptized with water, but…
Good News for a New Year
Matthew 2: 1-23 This is Epiphany Sunday in the Christian worship calendar. The liturgical season of Epiphany are days to draw worshippers to texts and images of light and splendor. We heard and read a text today that is not a birth narrative. The child and parents are no longer in the manger. Matthew wrote…
Psalm 102 in The Message 