When we last heard from Mark, he was reporting on Jesus’ conversation with the Judean mucky-mucks who wanted to know why the disciples were eating without washing their hands? Why were they not following “the tradition of the elders?” Why weren’t they following the rules for cleanliness?
We never think it can happen to us – until it does. Good people behaving badly.
At the start of the chapter, there were people following Jesus. They had seen him heal people who were sick and they wanted to see what else he could do. They wanted to experience more miracles and they were looking to Jesus to be the miracle maker. Unfortunately, when they started following him, they didn’t…
One of those ongoing debates had to do with the words of institution at communion. In most Lutheran congregations, the pastor presiding at communion uses the words of Jesus, “Take and eat, this is my body. Take and drink, this is my blood.” These words have been key to our understanding of the sacrament for…
For the next five Sundays we will be hearing about bread. Along with Jesus, bread will be the star of the show. Jesus will bless bread. People will eat bread. People will chase after Jesus to get more bread. And Jesus will also say that he himself is the Bread of Life.
When I was in seminary, one of my professors said that if a story seemed odd or unusual it was because either there was some deep symbolism involved or it just plain happened that way. Mark may have told this story, simply because that’s what happened. From the perspective of the storyteller, it provides an…
Now, you may wonder why God sent people like Ezekiel to talk to the Israelites. Why didn’t God just speak to them directly, and the reason is pretty simple.