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2nd SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST
The one theme that stands out from
this week's Hebrew passages is the importance and perils of
leadership; leaders are being held to a higher standard; leaders are to
seek council and guidance from God. 2Corinthians takes us a slightly
different path by encouraging us as believers to give witness to the
resurrection power of Jesus in our lives.
Mark 3:20-35 - The
Family of God
This passage features a couple of hard-to-understand sayings by Jesus
plus a quote that has become famous ("a house divided in itself cannot
stand")
Jesus seems upset at the religious rulers who suggest he is
possessed. Jesus then utters a warning about the only unforgivable
sin--the sin against the Holy Spirit.
The other hard saying concerns his family who came to see him; he
refuses to make time for them and says instead: whoever does the will of
God is my family.
Paul wants to encourage us to open our mouths and speak
of our beliefs. The fact that we are a people who partake in the
resurrection of Jesus, should compel us to witness to the power of God
in our lives. While outwardly we deteriorate as everybody else, inwardly
our spirit is being renewed unto life eternal.
I Samuel 8:4-20; 11:14-15
- Trusting in God, our King!
Samuel, the famous judge of Israel, is
unhappy with the request by the people of Israel to appoint over them a
king. When he grudgingly gives into their wishes and anoints Saul king,
the people are excited and bring offerings to God. Samuel's laments go
unheeded: God is your King; don't you trust in your King?
