Mark, my words: Caesar’s salad?

Another day, another person trying to trap Jesus and this time it is that well-known tricksy little Hobbit question of ‘Should we be paying taxes’ [making well sure that the people enforcing the tax payingness are standing within earshot] and Jesus responds with the tricksier, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s’ – sounds great, but what does it all mean? Well, join me as we read through Mark 12.13-17 and see if we can make any sense of it:

[For the next part where Jesus is asked about marriage after death, click here]

Mark, my words: King of the Donkey

Once again Jesus does not stick with convention as He illustrates the kingdom through a metaphor that would have seemed pretty crazy to all those looking on.

Join us as we take a look at Mark 11 from 1-11 and witness the Creator of the Universe and King of this World riding into town on a lowly colt…

[For the next passage looking at Jesus gone Wild? click here]

Mark, my words: Lessons on being the Greatest

What happens to those who approach Jesus in search of power and recognition?

Mark 10.32-45 is another typical passage of Jesus taking an ideology or practice of the world and turning it on its head:

[For the next passage in Mark dealing with Jesus healing the blind man, click here]

psalmthing to chew on: psalm 61

This one is like a little gem of a psalm. Short and sweet and [if you read the intro and see it mentions this one should be played on string instruments] a little haunting [in the good way]. So i would just actually post the whole psalm here:

1 Hear my cry, O God;
    listen to my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Increase the days of the king’s life,
    his years for many generations.
7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
    and fulfill my vows day after day.

‘I call as my heart grows faint” – for me it feels like this is an older person writing this. i get the feeling of a contented tiredness. this is someone who has experienced God as his refuge and as his strong tower in times of need. this is someone who knows God as the One who has heard his vows.

i’m not sure why it is particularly but i really like this psalm. it feels so peaceful, even as there is a cry and a call and this sense of long journey to the ends of the earth. there is not the same panic that exists in a number of other psalms when enemies are chasing or foes are trying to take the psalmist in. this one feels like someone who has lived a long journey, punctuated by times of Godly intervention, and is ready just to sit in the courts of God and lift up His name forever.

when i am old and nearing my time to move on, i hope this will be the kind of piece i can compose to God…

[To return to the Intro page and be connected to any of the other Psalms i have walked through before now, click here]

Mark, my words: Unless you become like a child…

The difference between child-ish and child-like is immense. One deals with never having really grown up and matured and the other deals with holding on to qualities that make being a child to incredible – things like trust and innocence and honesty and genuine belief and excitement and a whole lot more.

Let’s take a look at Jesus’ words on the topic of the importance of meeting Him with some kind of childlikeness to be able to fully appreciate and experience the kingdom of God in the way that it was intended:

 

[For the next passage looking at the interaction between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler, click here]