If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Jesus says we are all family

In Mark 4:26-34 Jesus talks about the kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow.  Forgive as God Forgave.

Forgiveness

A woman finds healing by touching Jesus' cloak, and a girl is restored to life when he takes her by the hand.  In Mark's gospel Jesus breaks down barries, from his first meal at a tax collector's house to his last breath on the cross as the temple curtain is torn in two.

Keep the Faith

Jesus does great deeds of power and gives his disciples authority over demons.  Yet non of this peer is unilateral; it all must be received by faith.  Jesus asks his disciples to go out without money or supples, so that they will be dependent on how others receive them.  The Spirit always operates in the "between": between Jesus and his Abba, between Jesus and us.

Jesus Sends Us

Imagine the scene: It's Herod's Birthday. Not the same Herod that tried to have Jesus killed as an infant, but his son.  This Herod's daughter asked for the head of John the Baptist, and got it!  This must have been a gruesome scene.  Hatred is life-taking. Prejudice is life-taking.  Jesus on the other hand had a banquet soon after this and asked his disciples to feed the many gathered.  And they did.  This is life-giving.  This is life saving.  Grace is life-giving.

Where is Jesus

When they had crossed over, they came to land and moored the boat.  When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.  All who touched even the fringe of his cloak were healed.

Gods Grace

Listen to the end, as a small child "gifts" his life earnings to others.

Do We Have Enough?

From Ephesians 4 - Christians share fundamental unity and diversity.  Our unity consists in the one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.  Our diversity is expressed in various forms of ministry whose goal is equipping the saints and building up Christ's one body.

What is it?  Who is it?

after feeding more than five thousand people in the wilderness, Jesus teaches them regarding the true significance of this remarkable sign.

Really Good News

In John's gospel, the feeding of the five thousand leads to extended teaching in which Jesus identifies himself as the true "bread of life."  Finally, in these verses, he makes a connection that would not be understood until after his death, in light of the church's celebration of holy communion.

POP Lutheran HS