"Reflections on God's Power"

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15 and Psalm 14  • 2 Kings 4:42-44 and Psalm 145:10-18  • 

Ephesians 3:14-21  • John 6:1-21

We have followed David’s story from shepherd boy to king the last few weeks as well as stories of Jesus’ healing compassion.  We have seen God working through the small and lowly, in ways we might not expect, looking to our hearts. Two weeks ago David danced in the street and brought the ark of the covenant into the center of the kingdom – much like the gospel is brought into the center of our nave and read in the midst of God’s people in our church service. Last week David wanted to build God a house. God, who travels with his people in a tent, instead promised to establish the house and throne of David forever, promising that a son of David would be as a son to God. God took on a tent of flesh in the presence of our Lord.

This week we have several passages concerning feeding God’s people. Something the people of St. Mark’s has made part of our mission in housing and supporting Christ’s Kitchen. In the account in John’s gospel of the feeding of the five thousand from two fish and five loaves, John shows God’s power at work. Kate Huey, in her “Reflections,” brings together many themes in this week’s lesson about God’s power. What are the various themes she discusses, and comparisons she makes, in helping us discern the power and abundance of God’s love?

Why "Rest," Shabbat, is Important.

Scripture: 

2 Samuel 7:1-14a and Psalm 89:20-37  • 

 

Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Psalm 23  • 

 

Ephesians 2:11-22  • 

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Shepherds dominate the imagery of this week’s lesson. David the shepherd-king, the Lord is my Shepherd from the 23^rd Psalm, Jeremiah’s bad shepherds and good shepherds, and the Lord as our Good Shepherd.

One of the things we need for living in God’s kingdom is “rest.” In the gospel passage, the disciples have returned from missions, sent by Jesus. Jesus told them "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Crowds of sick, hungry, thirsty and “needy” people almost besiege them as they travel. Even when they went away in a boat to a deserted place, they were mobbed. What did Jesus see, and feel? What is the description of the crowd as seen by Jesus? Read David Lose’s “Rest.”

What does Jesus’ call to come away and rest mean to you? How is “rest” described in the shepherd passages? Read “Sheep and Shepherds” by H. Stephen Shoemaker. On the Sabbath? Read “Sheep and Shepherds” by H. StephenShoemaker. Why is “rest” important? 

“Dancing with all your might! And a Tale of Two Banquets.”

Scripture: 

2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Psalm 24  • 

 

Amos 7:7-15 and Psalm 85:8-13  • 

 

Ephesians 1:3-14  • 

Mark 6:14-29

We have been reflecting on faith and the power and kingdom of God. We have seen God at work in the weak and small, and contrasted its freedom from fear and doubt. We have learned that God looks to our hearts, and learned the perspective of putting God first – putting aside all that stands in the way of bringing about the kingdom of God.

This week The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblat offers us further insight comparing Herod’s banquet followed by the beheading of John the Baptist, and Jesus’ banquet in the feeding of 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fishes in "Two Very Different Banquets." What is the contrast in these two banquets? What helps bring about God’s kingdom? What stands in the way of bringing about God’s kingdom?

Consider also the Old Testament reading from 1 Samuel of David and the house of Israel dancing in the street with all their might, and his bringing of the ark of the covenant to his royal city. What is the significance of that? What did they do after they brought the ark into David’s Jerusalem? Read The Rev. Kathryn Matthew Huey's "God Inspired Joy."

What does it take for faith to work miracles? Buying the ticket.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13


We last studied the story of David and Goliath, as well as the anointing of David as God's chosen for king to succeed Saul. This followed Jesus' parable of the mustard seed. We  have seen God's power at work in the weak, the small, and those beautiful in their hearts, if not in their outward appearance. 


This week we read about how God used Paul, with his weakness, and how Jesus was rejected in his hometown of Nazareth, and how he sent out his disciples in pairs, traveling lightly to do what?


What stands in the way of spreading God's kingdom? What does it take to be able to do God's work? To make miracles happen? to "grow faith?" Read The Rev. Rick Morley's "Covered in Dust," and The Rev. Anthony Robinson's "Buying the Ticket?" Is it possible that we who think we know Jesus best may at times honor him least? Is it possible that we in the church, Jesus' latter-day hometown crowd, are sometimes the least likely to call upon him, the last to turn to him, less likely than many others to be open to his power and promise, his mystery and his grace?