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
Putting down others; falling down ourselves
Jesus lists examples of the wickedness we can generate inside. What’s included? Slander is there, where we use the amazing power of words to dishonour other people unfairly to benefit ourselves. Arrogance is there, where we proudly think too highly
It’s not the food (HCTW 24)
He Changed The World – for an introduction to this series of talks, please click the title. Mark 7:9-19Using the player above you can listen to/download the talk, which also includes the Bible being read out. Once you’ve listened, take
Thoughts which lie, shame and resent
Jesus lists examples of the wickedness we can generate inside. What’s included? Deceit is there, where we use our cunning to manipulate others to our benefit, without a concern for truth. Lewdness is there, where our thoughts become indecent even