Bible notes for 30th August to 6th September 2015 by Rev Barrie Morley

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN MARK.

  G.Ro.W. tries to help continuity of teaching in church systems where many different preachers lead worship throughout the year.  Whilst the Revised Common Lectionary helps, it does conflate the Christ event into little more than six months from Advent to Trinity.  Hardly have we celebrated the birth of Christ than we find ourselves slogging through Lent.  Only afterPentecost does the Lectionary focus on Christ's ministry and teaching, but by then his story has already been celebrated in the cycle of worship.  It can seem that the TEACHING of Christ is pushed to the sidelines.  Yet Jesus' revolutionary words are one of the main reasons why he made powerful enemies among the religious establishment, whilst, at the same time, attracting crowds of ordinary folk.  So....if the Christ is event is more than Incarnation/Death/Resurrection,  perhaps in these post festival days we could offer preaching & teaching on the burden of Jesus' teaching...THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

     A key reason for Jesus' differences with the Pharisees was that he interpreted the Law in a radically different way from them.  His was a more liberal, humane way.    All Jews believed in the final reign of God, but, as Mark makes clear, Jesus burst onto the scene proclaiming that the time had now dawned (Mark 1:  14-15).   Jesus parables were illustrations of the reign of the Father,  and his miracles of healing back up his words with signs and examples of God's good intentions for people.   Our task as people who proclaim in worship the Reign of God, is to challenge congregations to identify where today the values of God's reign are seen, and....NOT seen.   

   So...the Kingdom of God may be uttermost in our minds as we read the lectionary over the next weeks

AUGUST 30th   MARK  7:  1-8:  14-15:   21-24

     Though the Kingdom of God is not mentioned in this chapter it does show a stark contrast between the religiosity of the Pharisees and the no nonsence humanity of Jesus.  Therefore, Jesus words here demonstrate his Kingdom priorities.

   CHALLENGES 
    How pure are our motives, how clean our thoughts?
    In an age when the  clearly defined and generally agreed Christian lifestyles of two generations ago have given way to personal choice about the way Believers should live, are there any absoslutes?  What are the marks of a life lived under the reign of God?

SEPTEMBER 6th   Mark 7:  24-37

  Jesus the Jew is on foreign soil.  The first miracle is done with some apparent reluctance, and the second privately (to avoid publicity?)  Does Jesus still see his mission as only to the House of Israel?  Why has Mark included these events in his gospel. which is aimed primarily at Gentile people?

   Here again, though the Kingdom of God is not mentioned, the REIGN of God, (an equally valid translation of the Greek Basilea) is demonstrated.

PREACHING THOUGHT.   Whilst some churches claim a 'healing Ministry',  ALL churches ought to be proclaiming the Kingdom of God by deeds of compassion, welcome and support, demanding justice etc.,  All of these things are in the healing spirit of Jesus