The Dilemma of Gifts

For Sunday, February 8, 2015 – Mark 1:29-39 Jesus clearly is gifted at healing the sick and curing them of many diseases. Healing simply is his nature, so it makes sense that he becomes widely known for these merciful acts. In the synagogue, in the streets, in private homes—everywhere he goes, people need healing and […]

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 […]

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 […]