Yes, throughout Mark’s gospel and the others as well, Jesus may dazzle. Jesus may rise. Jesus may ascend. Jesus may walk on water. Jesus may do three dozen things we’ll never be able to fully explain or understand. But that’s not what’s important. Here’s what is: This morning, God tells us Jesus is a source worth listening to.
Words for the Table
When Mark describes the healing, teaching, praying, congregating, loving, and all-around hummingbird-ed-ness of Jesus, (and in just 39 verses mind you!!!), I can’t help but picture this little bouncing ball zig-zagging around the Galilee. What’s most striking to me, is that when Jesus offers a little piece of himself
A New Authority
From its very beginning, Mark’s gospel doesn’t hesitate to let us know that Jesus is called and credentialed to bring about God’s world. The prophets have foretold it. The Evangelist has baptized Jesus. God has affirmed Jesus. The wilderness has even tempted and tested Jesus. Jesus is ready!!!
People, Not Things
Jesus is a day laborer. Some say a carpenter. Perhaps a mason. Maybe a handyman. And Jesus wouldn’t have been able to find much work in the tiny town of Nazareth. What good would carpentry skills do you in a place that didn’t have many buildings, or many people in need of fixing or living in such structures?
Jesus Decided to go to Galilee
Round about two millennia ago, there was a man named John, a good man, full of wisdom and vision. John lived in the wilderness, and John shared a testimony of hope. The evangelist tells us that the Word, or the substance, or the umph of God predates creation. God has been here even before the beginning; even before time; even before how we ever dreamed of marking time.
Observing Epiphany
If you flip through the Epiphany section of our hymnal, you’ll hear lots of descriptors for a star that shone bright on an ancient night. O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!