Though scholars debate the length of the prologue, Mk 1:1-8 is largely about John the Baptist while Mk 1:9-15 is largely about Jesus. The transition from John the Baptist to Jesus the Christ (i.e., the Messiah) indicates the transition from the old era to the dawning of a new age in redemptive history.
Get an overview of the Gospel of Mark in two animated videos that summarize the narrative, themes, structure, and more. Understanding how Mark has arranged the narrative can help us probe the richness of the divinely-inspired words…
What do lions do when they take over a pride? They often kill the cubs of the former lion king. Similarly, in the ancient Near East, new kings would often kill off any potential rivals from the former king’s family. Going against cultural norms, however, King David demonstrates his lovingkindness by having King Saul’s grandson eat at his table like a son…
Psalm 1 tells us that the righteous will prosper and the wicked will be destroyed. But what should we do when it seems like the wicked prosper — often at the expense of the righteous? Psalm 37 is wisdom psalm, full of proverbs from A-Z, that tells us how to live faithfully while the faithless seem to flourish
When people do us wrong and/or prevent us from what God wants us to do, isn’t it tempting to take matters into our own hands? David’s road to the throne exemplifies putting the matter into God’s hands, rather than one’s own hands.
Many think 1 Samuel 24 and 26 are different traditions of the same event, but there are important differences. David here comes across Saul not by chance, but by choice. In both accounts he acts wisely — by not taking matters into his own hands.
This account of the foolish and evil Nabal and the beautiful Abigail who has good understanding is sandwiched between two episodes (1 Sam 24, 26) in which David spares King Saul’s life. The placement is purposeful. Given the number of parallels between Nabal and Saul, the author(s) are likely engaging in “narrative analogy” — making a point without explicitly…
Christians are called to be ambassadors — authorized agents of the message of reconciliation to God through Christ. We are reconciled reconcilers. In this (updated) Bible Study, based on a sermon…
Christians are called to be ambassadors — authorized agents of the message of reconciliation to God through Christ. In this sermon, shared on the 17th anniversary of Pastor…
‘The Parable of the Two Lost Sons and Gracious Father’. Doesn’t have the same ring to it, right? Yet, it is likely a bit more accurate than “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” or “The Parable of the Lost Son”. All three main characters represent parties who are probably present when Jesus takes advantage of a teachable moment…
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