Jesus, despite his human fear, had no intention of stepping aside from the onrushing events that would lead to his death but also to the glorification of God. That is why he came. We, the body of Christ, are also here for the glorification of Go “d. But are we stepping out of the way of events to avoid both cross and glory? youtu.be/FeR11Hry6iM |
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God offers salvation through simple belief. Salvation is God’s initiative, not ours. We do nothing to cause it or earn it. It was already there before we knew we needed it. Jesus Christ in his ministry is living proof of this. This is our message to the world. youtu.be/E_7Ys8YNyp8 When Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple, he was not simply letting his human side show and blowing his top. He was actually being Christ-like in insisting that the Father be treated as holy. Likewise, we are being Christ-like as we seriously work to model our lives on Christ Jesus. https://youtu.be/LUUz1GAC9GE We expect to have things our way; we expect to have things go our way ... and we do not like it when they do not. Peter learned an important lesson from Jesus about this — and we can and should - learn the same lesson for the same reason: God is God and we are not. youtu.be/WyP4Li0YmNo “Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths” is a prayer every Christian should pray frequently. It asks God not for information, but that we be made teachable, that we learn to internalize his ways without having to learn things the hard, painful, or costly way. youtu.be/gUp5924ooho Mark does not waste words in getting to the heart of his message. The Baptist’s arrest reminds us of dangers as Jesus comes proclaiming God’s kingdom. Because the reign of God comes near, people are called to change their thinking and become part of that movement. And Jesus calls four fishermen to be the first of many to be instruments of the reconciliation that he brings. youtu.be/EjLw1YIMY2o Imagine Mary’s postpartum experience in scripture, reading as though it were happening today. Bethlehem would be the site of a media storm unparalleled in its history: TV cameramen in the streets, talking heads giving interviews and every social media site lighting up like Christmas trees. Think now of the parents in this story: Total strangers — priests of another religion — are in their home giving their child gifts that are — to say the least — not age appropriate. https://youtu.be/vDfQCEM5UHs |
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