A meditation on Mark 14:27-31; 37-38, 66-72, for Palm Sunday/The Sunday of the Passion. We did a narrative reading of Mark chapters 14-15 in worship, and the meditation focuses on the theme of Peter's promised loyalty and subsequent denial, and how Jesus pegs our human nature with the statement: "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." How does all this tie into repentance and salvation?
Sermon on Hebrews 9:11-15, for the 5th Sunday in Lent (1 Yr lectionary), about the contrast between the Old and New Covenants. What is the role of Jesus' blood in our cleansing, and what sort of cleansing does it give? What is the difference between the covenants? What role does the "tent" play? Sacrifices and priests? What kind of covenant was made at the Last Supper and Jesus' death?
Sermon on John 6:1-15, for the 4th Sunday in Lent (1 Yr lectionary), about the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. How did Jesus ask for the disciples' help, and what was the nature of His "test"? What do we learn from this test, and what God has both given us and called us to do? Why did the crowds want to make Jesus king, and why did He refuse? Where would He take the title of king, but in an unexpected way? How do we still give out the "bread of life" to the world?
Sermon on Ephesians 5:1-9, for the 3rd Sunday in Lent (1 Year Lectionary), about how we are imitate God, what characteristic sins of the flesh are not fitting for the saints, and how we are to use our body, heart, and mouths instead. What powerful identity transformation is described in this passage? How do we have the power to become imitators of God, and what reality is that rooted in?
