The Authority of Love

For Sunday, February 1, 2015 – Mark 1:21-28 Jesus is a good teacher. Good enough, the scriptures say, that he “astounded” those in attendance at the synagogue, “for he taught them as one having authority.” Not as one having been given authority by another, but as one having authority. Something in Jesus’ manner carries an authority beyond […]

The Call Comes

For Sunday, January 25, 2015 – Mark 1:14-20 It is the longest journey we ever make—the one from general to specific. Taking up the ministry of John, who now has been imprisoned by Herod, Jesus continues to proclaim “the good news of repentance,” but he begins to clarify how this repentance will be not only a repentance of the heart, how it will move […]

Come and See

For Sunday, January 18, 2015 – John 1:43-51 “Come and see,” Philip says to Nathanael. “Come and see who this Jesus really is.” Philip has full confidence that in this one extraordinary, ordinary man, son of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth, can be seen everything they long for, everything promised by Moses and the prophets. […]

Fresh Start

For Sunday, January 11, 2015 – Mark 1:4-11 Begin again! John calls to people near and far. This is the first day of your new life! You can pass once more through the waters of birth, repent and be forgiven all you regret having done or having failed to do. The old you can be buried […]