Mark 6:30-32 Taking Time Out (Gerhardy)
Time is something we wrestle with every day. Our lives are packed so full that the day is finished before we have accomplished half of what we wanted to do. If there was ever a busy bloke it was Jesus.
Time is something we wrestle with every day. Our lives are packed so full that the day is finished before we have accomplished half of what we wanted to do. If there was ever a busy bloke it was Jesus.
The followers of Jesus gave him and his disciples no time for rest. "They had no leisure so much as to eat." Jesus needed to take some time off. His disciples needed to get away and refresh themselves.
I believe the story of the two men in the temple gives us a picture of the perfect beggar. One thanked the Lord for all that He had given him, and for making him such a wonderful, righteous man of God. The other could not even bring himself to raise his eyes heavenward, but prayed, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
The sermon this morning is about promises—rash promises, promises made with every good intention, and … let’s just say it outright: broken promises.
It may be impossible for us as human beings to avoid foolishness. Where we have a choice lies in whether our foolishness leads us to freedom or a loss of freedom, whether it takes us onward to the God revealed in Jesus Christ or traps us in our small selves.
The message of our faith says that evil does not have the last word. Listen, all who ever wonder about God. Herod does not win. Herodias does not win. Hitler does not win. EVIL DOES NOT WIN!
Just a little RESPECT! That's what the disciples were anticipating as they followed Jesus into his hometown. Jesus wowed them in the synagogue. When he was done everyone in the crowd looked at each other in disbelief. "Is this Joseph the CARPENTER'S son? You have got to be kidding!"
I doubt very much that Jesus was the class clown of Nazareth High School. But growing up in Joseph’s carpenter shop, he became as commonly known as the town constable or the village paper boy. He was one of them.
At his home synagogue, Jesus begins to teach. And he earns a response, but hardly like that in other places. The people are astonished at his teaching, but appalled at his message and manner. "How dare this local boy, Jesus, assume such authority?" they ask.
In the moment that I touched Jesus’ hem something happened to me. The pain that ravaged my abdomen for 12 years disappeared. He stopped. He turned. He spoke. WHO TOUCHED ME? He asked.