THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 5 – 05.07.09
2 Samuel 5: 1-5, 9-10
Forces loyal to the old King Saul formed a Kingdom in the North of Israel but could not match the leadership strategies of David. When it failed the people ask David to reunite the country. He makes a sacred alliance with the leaders of Israel and Judah and they anoint him as King of Israel. So the shepherd king is the people’s choice for the unifying centre of their lives. He then shows his daring strategy of capturing Jerusalem, moving his family from Hebron, and establishing the city of Zion as the centre for the people of Israel.
Psalm 48
The covenant people’s delight in the kingship of David and his establishment of Jerusalem continues through the centuries. The Psalm begins as a hymn in praise of Yahweh whose judgement and salvation are the security of his people. But that same majesty can send any hostile king away in a panic. The verses 11 to 14, however, read as if they belong to the later period of the Temple from the third century to the time of Jesus when visitors came and were challenged to tell their stories to the young people at home.
2 Corinthians 12: 2-10
Paul is telling two stories about himself and he seems to be wondering if he is wise to be so frank. The first is of an intense spiritual experience which came as part of his life as an apostle of Christ. There is still a mystery about it and he is full of humility rather than pride though it emphasizes his authority in the spiritual life. He links this with a painful physical ailment which he wanted to leave behind. But he is really clear on this point: it is the power of God in this life which spreads the gospel not his own physical strength.
Mark 6: 1-13
At Nazareth Jesus is described as the carpenter, (Joseph must have died) son of Mary, four brothers named and two sisters, not named being female. In the crowded synagogue he teaches as Rabbi. The people are fascinated with the relevance of what he is saying. They question where he learned all this, and how he could have got such authority. But Mark here wants to establish the true humanity of Jesus. So Jesus risks being misunderstood as a carpenter and wandering teacher. In the second part of our reading he tries again. He offers the free gift of the love of God and calls on people to accept it and live life on the loving energies of the Spirit.
THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 6 – 12.07.09
2 Samuel 6: 1-5, 12b-19
David’s kingship is now secure and he wants to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The whole event is a military style operation. But this ancient symbol of the presence and power of God should be carried respectfully. However, it is placed in a cart and Uzzah steadies it when jolted, he dies immediately. David dances behind the cart and is criticised for it. Clearly David is missing the counsel of a prophet. However, when the Ark is placed, the appropriate sacrifices are performed and food is provided – a loaf of bread, a piece of roasted meat and some raisins – a sharing of the bounty of God in thanks for the blessings received by the people.
Psalm 24
We should think of this Psalm in regular use during the autumn festivals. The first section: vv 1-2, begins by establishing God’s ownership and control over the whole world, forever recreating order over the disorder of the floods, seas and rivers, repairing the earth after dangerous changes. In the second section the faithful believer is allowed to enter into communion with this powerful God who creates the same order and harmony in human lives. Then comes the beautiful third section where the human search for God is shown to be but an echo of the search the divine is making for the wandering sheep.
Ephesians 1: 3-14
This is a general letter to the churches in Ephesus and it comes in late in that first Christian century when people were thinking carefully about the way of Christ. Paul has this great sense of the glory of God which lightens up the rest of his thinking. He sees God’s spiritual power bringing unity through the power of love working in and through all creation. Because of God’s free grace offered in Jesus, he becomes creation’s living soul where each congregation demonstrates God’s plan.
Mark 6: 14-29
Mark includes this story in a very busy chapter of his Gospel. Herod as King (contrasted with David’s kingship) was alarmed at the preaching of Jesus’ disciples and acted with barbaric cruelty. As a weak authority figure he could not accept any challenge. We can note how the same thing will happen to Jesus. It is also a warning to all disciples that no one is safe and nothing is sacred when established authority strikes back. Note also how the story proceeds. John’s disciples do not react with violence, but simple bury his body with loving care. For the kingdom of God acts on one law which is the law of Love.
THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 7 – 19.07.09
In another ordinary week where the voices of reason and love struggle to be heard above the voices of unreason and hate we think about these readings.
2 Samuel 7: 1-14a
David thinks that the Ark of the Covenant needs better housing than a tent. Nathan, the prophet, agrees but then changes his mind. He really thinks about what God has done for the Hebrew people, how they are comfortably living where others have been driven out to give living space. How then should this spiritual sensitivity be expressed so that their God would be truly honoured? This is just the kind of question which each generation of Christians needs to confront. Nathan advises to wait and think about serving their God.
Psalm 89: 20-37
This section of the Psalm attempts to answer Nathan’s question. The people of the covenant ponder such questions as they worship; we are reminded how David was the one ignored in his family. So he stands for all those who in the world are marginalised or pushed aside. He had to make his own way with the aid of that spiritual power – the Rock of my Salvation. So he stands for good news for people of all ages and stages, who feel for a higher place in the family of God.
Ephesians 2: 11-22
Paul discovered in his own experience how understanding the work of Christ on the Cross could move him from pride in an exclusivist view where God had favourites to an inclusivist view of God in Christ welcoming Gentiles. He tries to get this point over to the Ephesians so that they too in their worship will welcome Jew and Greek, rich and poor, men and women equally. This faith is a challenge to that nationalism based on “us” and “them”, and the discrimination which prompts acts of violence and hate.
Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56
We can hear the voice of Peter as he tells his story for Mark to record. Here is Jesus in the real world. He tries to get some thinking time, but could not turn away the people who sought him out. He is so available. The disciples would have been excited at all this attention for they believed Jesus would be the leader to challenge Roman Rule and give freedom and independence to their country. Jesus would be as available in his death as in his life, he was facing the cruelties and differences of the world with that love of God which could out live the hate in a new creative act.
webmaster@mosm anuniting.org
MOSMAN UNITING CHURCH