Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Homework assignment for February 24: Jesus and the Reign of God

Really Ambitious:

Read all four gospels (in this order): Mark, Matthew, Luke, John

• Take your time, drink deeply, have fun.
• How does the Old Testament flavor what you read?
• What do you notice that is different in each gospel?
• What is the same?
• What happens to the disciples?
o How does their faith change?
• How does the role of Jesus change from the beginning to the end of each gospel?
o How does the perception of Jesus change?
• What role does the Spirit play?

Less Ambitious:

Read the Gospel of Mark (it is the shortest)

• What do you notice about the plot? What seems to be missing that is in the story of Jesus as you know it?
• How does the Old Testament flavor what you read?
• What happens to the disciples?
o How does their faith change?
• How does the role of Jesus change from beginning to end?
o How does the perception of Jesus change among his followers?
• What role does the Spirit play?

Moderately easy:

Read Luke 22:1 through 24:53 (The Passion and Easter story)

• What happens to Jesus?
• What happens to the disciples?
o How does their faith change?
• How does the role of Jesus change?
o How does the perception of Jesus change among his followers?
• What role does the Spirit play?

Easy as Pie:

Read: Mark 1:1-15 (Baptism of Jesus)

• This will take you less than two minutes to read – Honest! – so read it over carefully several times.
• What do you notice about the crowd? John the Baptiser? Jesus?
• What does God mean by calling Jesus “the beloved”? What does that mean to us?

4 comments:

  1. Two things I'd never noticed before (but perhaps they're not news to the rest of you). (1) Christ and the apostles all sing. After the Last Supper and before the Agony in the Garden, they sing a hymn (Mk 14:26, Matt 26:30). I've never seen a picture of Jesus singing, nor have I heard any preacher mention this song -- though of course we re-enact it, singing in church. And then (2) there's the lad with no clothes on (Mk 14:51-52). Any thoughts on what he's doing?

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  2. Here is a less scattered inquiry. (Indeed, I think it counts as a BigHardQuestion.) Why does Jesus preach in parables and in "dark sayings"? At Mark 4:11 he speaks of certain followers being "given to understand the Kingdom of God," while others must be taught in parables. But how do we interpret such an "explanation"? Do we tend to assume that we are the ones admitted to the secrets of the Kingdom of God? Is this a valid assumption? Tract 80 seems to think not:
    http://anglicanhistory.org/tracts/tract80.html

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  3. The writer of Mark seems most interested in Jesus' adult ministry and less in his birth and pedigree. In fact, I'm always struck when I turn to Mark and there is no Christmas. For this writer, it seems that the active three-year ministry of Christ is the most important thing that we know about Him.

    I think the Old Testament especially color's Christ's interaction with the rich young man. Jesus suggests that there is something we can do to dig a little deeper and not just follow the letter of the Law. But He also shows deep respect for the Scripture that came before Him in his discussions with the scribes (12:28-34) and the people (12:35-37).

    Over time the disciples move from disbelief, to complete confusion, to understanding, to Peter's denial of Christ. God again makes possible the way for our salvation by revealing Himself as the risen Christ to these less than perfect people. In the end, the disciples have made mistakes, but they are still entrusted with taking the Word to the world.

    The Holy Spirit appears front and center in this gospel as Jesus declares that blaspheme against the Spirit is the only unpardonable sin. The Holy Spirit is also, according to John, Christ's tool in baptism. The Mystery of the Trinity is strong here.

    Finally, and although it wasn't a discussion question, I was really struck by the role of women in this Gospel. The encouragement that Jesus gives spouses to value each other equally (10:1-12), the way Christ uses the Gentile woman to demonstrate his frustrations with the Jews and also his power, the fact that it is women who find the resurrected Christ, all speak to the powerful role God has for women in the redemption of us all.

    Just my two cents. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

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  4. On the other hand -- as to Christ's "dark sayings" -- here's George Herbert (whose feast day is coming up on Saturday).

    All the doctrine which He taught and gave
    Was clear as Heaven, from whence it came;
    At least those beams of truth, which only save,
    Surpass in brightness any flame.

    "Love God and love your neighbour. Watch and pray.
    Do as you would be done unto."
    O dark instructions! Even as dark as day!
    Who can these Gordian knots undo?

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