Character in Context

Episode 74: Mark Part 19--The Secret of the Kingdom

This is a sort of "part two" on the Parable of the Sower as we delve into Isaiah 6 to talk about parallels between God warning His people about upcoming disaster during the reign of King Uzziah and Yeshua crying out to first-century Israel. In both situations, decisions had to be made and loyalties decided that would govern the fate of God's people. But this wasn't a "back then" sort of thing--this is an every day decision.

Episode 73: Mark Part 18--The Parable of the Sower, Peter and Judas

Yes, I have taught the Parable of the Sower before, but not like this! This time I am going to teach it within the context of not only the agricultural practices of ancient Israel, but I am also going to tie the different kinds of soil in some possibly surprising ways to the disciples.

Episode 72: Mark 17--My Mother and Brothers. Fictive Kinship in the Bible.

Teaching this is always emotional for me. We're going to talk about the family of God today, the "fictive" kinship group that joins together every believer from the very beginning (whether we like it or not). Ironically, what brings on this discussion is the episode of rejection by Yeshua's/Jesus's own family who are convinced that he is "existemi" or psychologically deranged. What is membership in the family of God based upon and why was this so controversial?

Episode 71: Mark 16--Can Satan Cast Out Satan? Blaspheming the Spirit.

There are a few questions that every preacher, teacher, and pastor have been asked countless times and one of them is, "What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? I am afraid I've done it without knowing it." This week we will be covering the famous Beelzebul controversy and looking into two very serious rejections in Yeshua's/Jesus's life and ministry.

Episode 70: Mark 15--The Crush of the Crowds and the Calling of the Twelve

With the five controversy dialogues behind us, what will be the consequences? This week we will start with a brand new theme (while still keeping all the old ones) that will be carried through to the end of the Gospel--insiders vs outsiders. Yeshua/Jesus will respond to His rejection by both the self-proclaimed and semi-official Jewish leadership by choosing the building blocks of his new community. He will begin with the Twelve and build from there. We'll be talking about disciples vs customers and why it is so important that we have the calling of the Twelve directly after being mobbed by those desperate for healing at the seashore.

Episode 69: Gospel of Mark Part 14--The Fifth Controversy--The Withered Hand

What's lawful on the Sabbath? To restore a man to the community and to service or to plot a political assassination?

And I want to say a word about looters and rioters vs peaceful protesters and activists and what they have in common with people who adopt fake Hebrew names on social media. 

Episode 68: Gospel of Mark Part 13--The Fourth Controversy--Lord of the Sabbath

Well, the Pharisees finally decide to get in Yeshua's face for realsies--no more beating around the bush. The debate is over whether it is more important for a poor man to legalistically keep the Sabbath, which fasting for lack of food, or to avail himself of the provision in Torah to eat his fill and celebrate the Sabbath. On one hand, the Pharisees say not to work, on the other hand, they say no fasting is allowed. What will Yeshua do with this catch-22 and how will He begin to set Himself apart as the Greater David, and the Pharisees who oppose Him as the modern-day equivalents of Saul and Doeg the evil shepherd?

Episode 67: Gospel of Mark 12--The Third Controversy--The Wedding, the Wineskin, and the Torn Cloak

The third controversy dialogue! This time, the question is, "why aren't your disciples fasting like the disciples of John and the Pharisees?" Yeshua/Jesus, however, doesn't bother to answer that question. Instead, He asks a better question and answers that one instead--in a very confusing way. This can be a troublesome passage of Scripture because the mini-parable of the wineskin and the torn cloak can be a bit confusing but hopefully, you will come out of this much clearer on the concept that Yeshua was striving to communicate. 

Episode 66: Gospel of Mark 11--The Second Controversy--Contagious Holiness and the Sinner's Dinner

What happens when Yeshua/Jesus has the audacity to eat with a Roman collaborator and his sinner friends? The controversies are heating up and, this time, the scribes of the Pharisees are the ones with a beef against the Messiah's choice of eating companions. 

The book I mentioned this week is Craig L Blomberg's Contagious Holiness, highly recommended

Episode 65: Gospel of Mark 10--The First Controversy--Your Sins Are Forgiven?

Nowadays, we take it for granted that Yeshua/Jesus can forgive sins but in this first of the five controversy dialogues of Mark 2/3, it is nothing short of revolutionary and potentially blasphemous to make that claim. So, what's the big deal? This week, we will be looking at the belief, as expressed in the Talmud, that a sick man would not recover unless his sins were forgiven by God first. Up to this point, Yeshua's battles have all been against the demonic and sickness--but now He faces an entirely different kind of opposition--humans.