Ever since the disciples recognised Jesus as the Christ, he has taught of the vital need of sacrifice. Jesus will lay down his life for his sinful people. Good must die so that something better can come. But it’s a
Ransom
The disciples are falling out over the behaviour of two of their number. Jealousy and rivalry can spring up so quickly in any group. It stems, in this case, from their desire to have power like those who rule Jerusalem.
Charging to Jerusalem
The team of twelve disciples travelling with Jesus are feeling under great strain. He’s talking about dying and they don’t know where that leaves them. He speaks of riches yet also of persecutions. He strides towards Jerusalem ahead of the
Let them be
Work tension makes Jesus’ team irritable and frustrated. When parents of healthy children turn up to see him, they push them away. The work of the kingdom is too important for such distractions. Jesus, however, takes the very opposite view.
Make your choice
The disciples are shocked by Jesus’ insistence that he will soon be dead. This leaves their dream of a renewed Israel in the dust. But, says Jesus, that’s where it should be for even the finest things of this world
Necessary suffering
Jesus is a mystery to many in Israel – a situation he’s had to encourage to handle false expectations. However, his disciples have come to see clearly that he is the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed king sent by God.
More than words
Jesus will do no signs for the leaders of Israel since they are sinfully unwilling to face reality. But he will perform miracles with deeper meanings for his disciples. So he gives sight back to a blind man using a
Beware the yeast!
Jesus has come home but it’s not so welcoming any more. Opposition tests him, demanding evidence that God is with him. Israel has always been like this, wanting God to prove himself before they’ll trust him. Jesus will have none
An act of kindness
Still outside of Israel, Jesus’ behaviour is not like at home. He is not yet these people’s king. Nonetheless, he has compassion on a large crowd of them after 3 days together. He has food but they do not, so
Test your mind (HCTW 25)
He Changed The World – for an introduction to this series of talks, please click the title. Mark 7:20-23Using the player above you can listen to/download the talk, which also includes the Bible being read out. Once you’ve listened, take