God Spot

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God Spot
This Christian Resource Blog has been created by a group of friends from around the world. Our purpose is to provide links to useful resources, some commentary on topical or doctrinal issues, a place where anyone can come with questions and a means whereby we can share our faith. And above all, to grow and encourage each other. As Christians, we believe we bear God's image in this world, and seek to glorify God's name in this endeavour. Any Christian who wants to join with us is very welcome!

Thursday, January 08, 2004

Last Night

For all you who missed Paul Barker's first talk on Mark's gospel last night (you know who you are!!). It was worthwhile, and there's three more (next three Wed nights at Holy Trinity, Doncaster at 8 pm). Four chapters each talk.

But first, the venue. This is Gary's 'home' church. It's a beautifully renovated building, built around a very quaint old stone church (which would seat about 80 max) with the most lovely old stained glass and used by Channel 10 twice a year to film all their Neighbours' and other soapies' wedding and funeral scenes. The church has one quaint custom which had tricked us in the past, but having forgotten, got us again! When it comes to sing a hymn, Paul Barker announces "we'll stand and sing no..." and the organ thunders out the opening bars and the whole congregation... stays seated! Now, this isn't a mass display of defiance. It's their quaint custom. And a "visitor's trap". All unaware visitors start to jump to their feet, and immediately reveal who and where they are!

Eventually, they do get to stand, just in time for the first words... sang (amongst others) "Oh, for a thousand tongues..." (another great Wesley hymn).

One of the good things about listening to a gifted teacher (like Paul Barker) is the way familiar chapters and stories come alive, and there's almost like a new depth both to our understanding but more importantly to our inspiration to relate to God our Father, and to Jesus, Son of God.

This little summary won't do the talk (on the first 4 chapters of Mark) justice, but Paul mentioned how there was anticipation of the coming of Jesus (starting way back in the OT, eg. with Isaiah), and various announcements of his arrival (just as happens when an important dignitary is coming to visit, and finally arrives). The gospel is book-ended by God's pronouncement in ch.1 "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" and the centurion's pronouncement in ch.15 "Surely this man was the Son of God!" Both attesting to who this visitor is.

This person who came did not, in general, meet expectations, however. He did not overthrow Roman rule and establish an earthly Jewish king to sit on David's throne. Nor did he mix with the important and powerful people of society; quite the opposite. His disciples were a motley crew. But he came with authority (eg. he called the disciples and they dropped all and followed him - remarkable in itself; he ordered evil spirits around; and he taught with an authority that the scribes lacked "What is this? A new teaching - and with authority!" Mk1:27). And one of the central questions that Mark in his gospel poses for us to find the answer to is, who exactly is this Jesus?

When Jesus said "your sins are forgiven", in a sense this is an easy statement to make (where's the proof? - there's no visible manifestation). But to the Jews it was clear that, in making this statement, Jesus was claimimg divinity for himself (and hence the jealousy at his authoritative teaching grew quickly into opposition). But Jesus backed up this statement (sins forgiven) by the very obvious sign for all to see of physical healing (interesting that the two went together!).

There's more, but time is gone. Will add as it comes to mind. Ciao.

Addendum: another instance of the authority with which this visitor Jesus came onto centre-stage is in the calming of the storm (end of Mark ch.4). This was no ordinary storm, these disciples were experienced fishermen yet they were afraid that they were going to perish in that boat. Mark tells that it was a "great" windstorm that arose. Presumably like a once-in-a-hundred-year event. When Jesus acted to calm the storm, not only did the wind stop but Mark says there was a great calm on the sea. Amazing evidence of the authority (over nature) of this visitor Jesus (of course, showing the power of the creator over his creation!).

Paul told of a scenic lake in Wales that he visited several times. One day, he was about to photograph the perfectly still lake and the reflections of the Welsh hills in the background. When a boat sailed across the lake, and disturbed the mirror-calm surface. It took half an hour for the ripples caused by that small boat to die away and enable the photo! Yet Jesus stopped the wind, and calmed the sea presumably both simultaneously and instantly. Remarkable authority!

# posted by geoff @ 5:15 pm

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