Reading: Mark 7:1-37 Context: What specific traditions are the Pharisees concerned about, and why do they matter to them? In this episode, the Pharisees were concerned about the state of the hands. The tradition they observed was ensuring that hands were washed before partaking of food. This wasn’t for hygiene reasons; this was for the […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 12: Heart MattersReading: Mark 6:30-56 Context: Why does Jesus seek solitude with His disciples, and what interrupts their rest? Solitude is healthy. It provides much-needed time to recuperate and prepare for the next season of service. It’s a great time to detox, unwind, and converse with the Father to recharge and renew. Jesus has this on tap […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 11: Compassion and ProvisionReading: Mark 6:1-29 Context: Why do Jesus’ own townspeople struggle to accept His authority and teaching? Heh. This bit is so funny. The folks in Jesus’ hometown struggle because they already know this fella. He was in that big family with that Mary woman. He was there with the brothers and sisters. We know this […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 10: Rejection and MissionReading: Mark 5:21-43 Context: What social barriers does the bleeding woman overcome to reach Jesus, and why is this significant? This scripture does not indicate the social barrier, but we can infer the following: she has a disease, which doesn’t make her socially acceptable for starters. The nature of the disease, apparently, would make her […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 9: Faith and HealingReading: Mark 4:35-5:20 Context: What does the disciples’ fear during the storm reveal about their understanding of Jesus at this point? They understand, and they don’t understand. They’ve observed and not fully comprehended it. There are ways for them to go in their understanding of this guy, despite His teaching insisting that He’s no regular […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 8: Power over CreationReading: Mark 4:1-34 Context: Why does Jesus begin teaching in parables at this stage of His ministry? At this stage, the ministry of Jesus is drawing a big crowd. That crowd includes a spectrum of folks when it comes to their interest in Jesus. He has amazed many who are keen to see what He […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 7: Parables of the KingdomReading: Mark 3:7-35 Context: Why does Jesus need a boat ready and choose twelve specific apostles at this point in His ministry? The boat was to avoid being crushed by the swelling crowd. Jesus needed a place to go for safety’s sake. There may be a correlation between the size of the popularity He was […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 6: Kingdom CommunityReading: Mark 2:13-3:6 Context: Why would eating with “tax collectors and sinners” be particularly offensive to the Pharisees? As holy people and the standard-bearers of righteousness, the Pharisees had a clear insight into who was acceptable and who was unacceptable. A bit like the issue of the clean and the unclean. So the Pharisees knew […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 5: Conflict with Religious AuthoritiesReading: Mark 1:35-2:12 Context: Why does Jesus withdraw to solitary places for prayer, especially after successful ministry times? Jesus withdrawal is about knowing when to be in the crowd and when to be alone with God. It’s a breathing pattern. He breathes in the quality time with the Father to receive all there is to […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 4: Ministry and SolitudeReading: Mark 1:16-34 Context: What does the immediate response of the fishermen tell us about Jesus’ authority and their recognition of it? Is this a recognition by the men of the authority of Jesus? Did they respond to a command or an invitation? The fishermen’s immediate response speaks more to the appeal of Jesus than […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 3: The Call to Discipleship
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