Category: Mark

Promise for All Nations

1 Kings 8:27-30, 41-43 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27) This question, asked by Solomon in his prayer of the dedication of the Temple, pushes our human understanding of God.  In early 1 …

Continue reading

In The Kingdom, Seeing is Doing

What to Expect in the End        The end of the world has been a fascination among Christians for most of the history of the Church.  Passages like our text this Sunday (Mark 13) are among those that excite the speculation of many readers.  Of course, the sun being darkened and the moon …

Continue reading

In The Kingdom, Seeing Is Doing

Mark 12:28-34      Those of us trained in the mindset of the Reformation have an aversion any kind of works or even ritual tied to our faith.  It is right to affirm the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 3:28, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”  …

Continue reading

Jesus Faces Rejection Too

     In the second half of Mark’s Gospel, we are introduced to a new situation.  Jesus faces rejection.  The first half he was questioned, but now his message is rejected and people turn their backs on Jesus.  The rich man receives the answer to his deepest question, but walks away.  The scribe answers correctly …

Continue reading