The Word of the Cross is the basis for Church's Holiness
Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1 – 7:40
Outline:
A. 5, Sexual immorality
B. 6, Judgment by the world
C. 7, Questions of marriage
Comments: It is important to note that the first area of Christian life that St. Paul addressed is the question of marital relationship. The church is as strong as the families that build the congregation.
Isaac – story of two sons
Text: Genesis 25:19 – 28:9
Outline:
Introduction: Birth of Esau and Jacob, 25:19-26
a. Grown “boys”, part I, 25:27-34
b. Attack of the Philistines, 26:1-33
a'. Grown “boys”, part II, 26:34-28:9
c. Esau takes two wives, 26:34-35
d. Blessing of the sons, 27
d'. The real blessing of Jacob, 28:1-5
c'. Esau take third wife, 28:6-9
Comments: The character of Isaac is one of the most complex in the Bible. He had to go through the sacrifice experience (Genesis 22), mourned for his mother for about 3 years until he was comforted by his wife Rebekah (Genesis 23 and 24). And prayed for his wife to be able to bear a child (Genesis 25:21). Then the boys grew and he preferred one over the other... for better or for worse... that's the story.
St. James
Meaning of the name: James is actually Jacob – don't ask me why the translators changed it. Jacob means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.” At some sense he can be seen as such – when Jesus comes to Peter's home, it was Andrew who accompanied the Lord (together with James and John). Yet, later on, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John, forming the triumvirate of the leadership in the Church (we already talked about humility and absolute lack of vengeance on Andrew's side).
Also, he and his brother John (Johanan) had a nickname “sons of thunder” (see on St. John). It can be a sign of reverence toward God or a character feature (or a bug). Honestly, I don't think it should be an “either... or” choice. His passion can be a helpful tool for the advanced discipleship (see on the Letter of James) or an emotion that leads to destruction (see on Samaritan village).
Life story: He is born to the family of Zebedee and Salome. Turns out, Salome was Mary's sister, which makes James [and John] to be a cousin of Jesus. Since he is always mentioned first in a pair with his brother, it would be safe to assume that he was the oldest one.
Word of the Cross is the basis for Church's Unity
Text: 1:10 – 4:21
Outline:
A. 1:10-11, Report by Chloe's family
B. 1:12-17, Divisions by the ministers
C. 1:18-25, we preach Christ crucified
D. 1:26-31, Consider your calling
C'. 2:1-16, Wisdom of Christ crucified
B'. 3:1 – 4:7, Ministry of apostles
A'. 4:8-21, I fathered you – family relationship
Comments: St. Paul is approaching the theme of division from a variety of angles: family unity, togetherness of apostles and ministers, the wisdom of Christ, and comparison with the world.
St. John
Meaning of the name: St. John had a Hebrew name Johanan, meaning “YHWH is gracious.” The name often appears in the list of priest before and after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 12:21-22 [cp. 12:10-11]). The Jews had a custom to keep the names within the family (cp. Luke 1:57-64). The fact of his potential priestly lineage will be important later.
Also, he and his brother James (Jacob) had a “title” sons of thunder. It can mean of their temperaments or ambitions (see later). It also can refer to the power of the voice, or a reverence for the LORD – for Psalm 29:3 describes Thunder as the voice of the LORD over waters. See also Exodus 19:19, 1 Samuel 7:10, and Revelation 11:19 – all of these places talk about thunder as a sign of God's presence.
Life story: He is a part of every major story with Jesus which made him one of the three pillars of the Church. Similarly to our lesson about St. Peter, we will pick just a handful stories that might paint a picture with large brush strokes.
Resurrection of Jesus Christ
txt: Mark 16
Outline:
A. 16:1-8, Women at the tomb
B1. 16:9-11, Appearance to Mary Magdalene
B2. 16:12-13, Appearance to two disciples
B3. 16:14-18, Appearance to the 11
C. 16:19-20, Ascension
Comments: We are at the very end of our journey through the Gospel of Mark. There are textual questions [some of the scholars believe (!) verses 9-20 are NOT part of the original text, they are wrong] – we will deal with them as we go.
The most important aspect of the Resurrection story – personal encounter of Jesus. He rose or was raised from the dead – it is a historical fact. There are many books and other resources dedicated to the issue. Yet, at the same time, it was not an easy shift of paradigm for the disciples of Jesus [who spent with Him years of following] to accept the truth of the resurrection. Therefore, we should not be surprised, when we share the story of Jesus and they – regardless of our factually strong arguments – do not believe. Keep praying for them. May the Lord of life in His mercy grant them seeing the reality, beauty, and grace of risen Jesus.
Also, the Gospel of Mark is a shorter version of the Gospel of Matthew and, probably, the Gospel of John. That's why the story of Mary Magdalene is SO short. That's why the appearance to the 11 has no “office of the keys” (unlike in the Gospel of John 20:19-23). One should read it together with the other Gospels to get the complete story.
Travel to Eternity
We just had a wonderful celebration of the Feast of Pentecost – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. It is a milestone in the history of the Church -when the Comforter came upon them. Once more there was proof that all of God's promises in Jesus are “yes and amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). It is great to look back into the history of the community of the saints and be reminded of what God did for them: 6000 years ago, 4000 years ago, 2000 years ago, etc. How He always carried His Church though the stormy waves of worldly oppression.
