MARK - My Words (10)

 

“Listen to this”, Jesus continued, “People here right now will see the world being restored as the Creator intended from the start!”

Six days later Jesus was with Peter, James, and John, and they climbed up a high mountain to be alone.  Jesus’ friends were amazed to see Jesus shine with light.  Two people appeared also.  These were Elijah and Moses of old, and they talked together.  Peter was overwhelmed and called out, “This is incredible.  Let’s build some shrines on this spot to honour you three.”  Peter was delirious.  Then a cloud appeared overhead and a voice could be heard saying “This is my child.  Listen to what he says.”  And then it was all over. 

Later, as they descended, Jesus told his friends to keep quiet about what they had just seen until the Creator’s chosen one had been brought back to life.  They were very much confused by this, but did as Jesus asked them. 

Jesus’ friends knew what had been foretold:  before the world could be put right, Elijah would return.  “This is true” agreed Jesus, “and Elijah has come many times, but the leaders never recognise him.  It’s been like this for a while.  As predicted, the Creator’s chosen one is treated with the same contempt.”

On returning to the town, they found a large group of people already waiting.  Jesus could see that some of the town officials were there also.  A man stepped forward with his son, and Jesus could see that there was disquiet in the crowd.  “Sir”, said the man, “Your friends said they could make my son well, but nothing’s happened.” 

With a tone of exasperation in Jesus’ voice, seeing how little the people seemed to comprehend his significance.  Jesus approached the boy. “How long has it been this way?”  He asked.  “Since a little lad”, said the father.  “He has often been close to death as the attack comes on him at any time.  I thought you might be able to make him well.”  

“Do you believe that I can heal your son?” Asked Jesus.  “Well, I do”, replied the father, “but forgive my doubts.”  Jesus held out his hand and told the boy to be well.  At that moment the boy fell into a terrifying fit, and the people gasped and drew back.  Then the boy was still, and the people whispered ‘it’s too late. He’s dead.’  But Jesus took the boy by the hand, and he stood up, exhausted but fulling fit and well.

Later Jesus’ friends asked him why their prayers did not seem to be good enough.  Ah, said Jesus, this situation requires much intersession and sacrifice.

It's the father of a young boy who gets it right.  Of course there is a lot to take in.  It's all pretty crazy.  It's as if the major stories of life are being enacted in front of my eye, and I'm missing it.  "What did he say?  What did that means?  Just do that bit again."

But the events just keep happening and you have to try to keep up. 

Why could Jesus' friends not help the boy and his father?  Well, it's not magic.  Things that go against the natural order are rare, and let's not make assumptions about them.  Peter, James and John experienced something extraordinary.  We can too.  But please also forgive my doubts.

MARK - My Words (9)

 

In Dalmanutha the leaders got together to challenge Jesus.  They demanded that Jesus demonstrate his power in front of them.  Jesus was dismayed.  He knew that their intention was mendacious. “Let’s leave” he said to his friends, and they moved on somewhere else.

As the friends crossed the lake they realised they had brought very little food.  “Ah” said Jesus, “watch out when people offer you delicious food.”  The friends were arguing over who should have bought the food.  Jesus was exasperated.  “What do I have to do to open your eyes?  Your hearts are hard, your ears are closed and you see nothing!  Remember how much there was left over when we fed the people, not once but twice?  So much more is going on here.  Stop worrying about one loaf of bread.”

When they arrived at Bethsaida, people brought a blind man to him and begged him to restore his sight.  Jesus took the man away from the people on his own.  Then spitting in the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked if anything had happened.  The man looked around, “Yes” he said, “I can see people moving about, but they look vague; like moving trees?  Jesus asked for the Creator to restore his sight, and the man said he could now see.  Jesus suggested he went back home by a back alley to avoid the sensation seekers.

The next village was called Caesarea Philippi.  Jesus asked his friends what the people thought of him.  “Some people think you are John the Baptist come back to life.  Other say that you are Elijah, returned to help us.”

“But who do you say I am?” he asked his friends.  Peter immediately responded, “You are the one we were told would come and sort out all our problems.” 

“You’re correct” Jesus said, “Keep it quiet for the moment.”

Jesus began to explain what was going to happen to him.

“As Peter said correctly, we know that the one to sort out people’s mess must suffer terrible things.  That person will be killed by the ruling authorities, but only die for three days as he will be brought back to life.” 

Peter took Jesus aside and scolded him for talking this way.  “Oh Peter”, said Jesus, “Don’t let evil ways cloud your vision! See from the perspective of the Creator.”

Then Jesus called all the people together.  “If you want to bless me, then you must turn your back on selfish ways.  You must be prepared to suffer hardship.  If you strive for a comfortable secure life, you will be disappointed.  But if you give up everything you have, putting me first, you will gain the most precious thing in the world.  What do you gain if you have material wealth, but no soul?  Is there anything worth more than meaning in life?  If anyone is ashamed of following what is good, then that shame will cling to them, even as the one who is sent returns to the Creator.”

Let us avoid the pointless battle.  Everything the Creator wants is 'good'.  Here we are living our lives as if comfort and security were the overriding needs.  No need for that.  There is a so much more exciting way to live. It starts from understanding our destiny.  We are friends with the one who has come to suffer, but also to sort out suffering.  Peter understood that a wonderful thing was happening; but he was not so keen on the idea of suffering.  Amen to that brother!

MARK- My Words (8)

 

One day some self-righteous leaders challenged Jesus about his friends’ lax habits.  Jesus derided their attitudes.  “Remember what Isaiah 29:13 says? With their voice they honour me, but in their hearts they are far away.  They speak with the voice of God, but their words are entirely their own.”

"You skilfully manipulate ethics.  The law says ‘honour your mother and your father’, but you say no need to care for them if you give your wealth to the leaders.  You have distorted what is right to fit your own selfish needs."

Jesus then turned to the people. “It’s not the food you put in your body that upsets your Creator, it’s what you harbour in your hearts.”

Jesus accepted an invitation to enter someone’s house.  He needed some rest.  His friends remained confused.  “What is it you are saying about food?”  Jesus said “It’s obvious, food is just a ‘thing’ that passes through your body.  What is in your heart, mind and desires is of infinitely greater significance, for this can lead to terrible wickedness. This is what destroys you.”

Jesus went north to the town of Tyre.  He tried to stay secretly with a friend, but he was noticed, and a woman came to him to plead for her sick daughter.  Jesus could see that she was from a different religion and remarked that they were not supposed to mix.  “Ah said the woman, but we can’t help bumping into each other in this small world.  “Good response” said Jesus, “your openness to what the Creator can do has set your daughter free.  Go home and find her well.”

Jesus continued his journey up to Sidon, and then over to Galilee.  A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him and the people begged Jesus to do something.  Jesus took the man away on his own and put his finger into the man’s ears.  He then spat on his finger and touched the man’s tongue.  Jesus looked up to heaven and sighed, saying ‘ephphatha’, which means, ‘be open’.  At once the man could hear perfectly and could speak in a clear voice.  Jesus asked the people to not talk about this experience, but they could not help themselves.  “This man is wonderful”, they said.  “Even the deaf can now hear, and he restores speech to those who cannot speak.”

Three different events-

1)  It's the mind/body thing.  desires affect thoughts.  Thoughts affect action.  Surely this all interacts?  

Certainly says Jesus, but the intention is key.  Where the intention is good, the thoughts, action and priorities all flow naturally.  With appropriate intentions, there is no need to consider the consequence, because it will be Godly. 

2) The women who finds Jesus can see that he is for her, not just for his people.  Let us not make Jesus 'just for our people', because we won't get anywhere if we do.

3) Jesus does practical things (it's a mind/body thing).  The result to hearing.  The people can't help themselves but speak the word of the prophet Isaiah.  "Even the deaf can now hear, and he restores speech to the silent." These words were to help John and John's friends understand that Jesus was 'the one'.  If the people hadn't said this, perhaps the very stones themselves would have had to speak it out.

MARK - My Words (7)

 

Jesus could see that he and his friends were becoming exhausted.  They set out across the lake in a boat.  But the people could see where they were going, and followed on land round the lake.  As the boat pulled into shore, there were the people to greet them.  Jesus had compassion because he could see how lost they were.  The friends were alarmed.  “Look these people are going to suffer, they have no food and it’s getting late.  Send them to the local farms to buy food” they suggested.  Jesus replied “I want you to feed them.” 

“With what” they exclaimed, “we’ve checked what’s been brought and it’s the sum-total of five loaves and bread and two fish.” 

“That will do” said Jesus, “getting the people settled in small groups and come and help.”  With that, Jesus looked up to heaven and said a blessing.  He then began breaking up the loaves and pieces of fish.  The meagre offering kept providing; multiplying.  More and more food was distributed from Jesus’ hands.  The friends carried baskets of bread and fish round the seated encampments.  When everyone had eaten enough, there were still twelve baskets of leftovers.  Over 5000 families were fed that evening. 

Jesus insisted that he would send the people back home, and his friends were to head off in their boat.  Jesus intended to get some rest alone in the hills.  In the middle of the night, Jesus knew that his friends were in trouble and that the boat was again shipping water.

It was about three in the morning when the friends saw a shape moving towards them amongst the ferocious waves.  Naturally they were terrified, thinking that it was an apparition.  Jesus called out saying “it’s just me, don’t be afraid.  Give me a hand to climb in the boat.”  The sea calmed and the wind subsided.  Jesus’ friends were in a stat of shock.  They had not yet worked out what the breaking of bread meant.

Sure enough, as the boat came into Gennesaret, local people saw Jesus and again come to him with all manner of needs.  And Jesus’ presence with them continued to bring restoration in every way.

As the gas that was destined for Germany is being burnt off at the head of a Russian pipeline, I think of all the young people round the world feeling helpless and depressed.  They see our world sliding closer to oblivion and hell.  

"Save the World!"

Jesus friends felt that sense of 'it can't be done'.  Jesus says "give it a go....  Ok, I'll show you."

He takes what we have (which is fine, but not much) and puts the 'power of the creator of the universe' into it.  

So I find myself at the edge of this great mass of people, sitting in family groups.  I receive the bread.  I need it. I'm starving, and I did bring anything myself.  This bread and fish will sustain me.

Does one person bring life to the whole world?  That's quite a big claim.  All I know is that I am a part of this crowd of 5000, and I'm not turning down this food.

MARK -My Words (6)

 

Next Jesus and his friends moved to Nazareth, the part of the country where he had grown up.  When he spoke in the meeting place, locals who knew him as a child marvelled.  “Where did he get that education from.  He’s that carpenter’s son, Mary’s boy.”  They saw him as a precocious upstart. 

Jesus knew what they were thinking and remarked that leaders tend to be derided in their hometown.  The opposition surprised him, and he was only able to help a few.

So the little band continues, traveling from village to village.  Jesus called together his twelve friends and put them in pairs.  They were to go into the villages and ‘drive out evil’.  They were to travel light, with no food and not even a change of clothes.  'When you enter the village, someone will greet you.  Stay only with them.  If they do not welcome them, move on and don’t even say goodbye.'  Jesus’ friends did this, and may people were blessed by their encounters.

Everyone was talking about what Jesus was up to.  The regional governor, Herod, who had had Jesus’ cousin John executed, even heard that people were saying that John had come back to life. 

Herod arrested John because John was brazenly saying that Herod should not have had an affair with his brothers wife.  The governor did not know what to do, because he secretly respected him.  But John would not compromise and seemed to have no fear.  Herod got himself caught in a knot having offered his stepdaughter anything she wanted as a reward for dancing before his friends (he had drunk too much at the time).  His wife seized the opportunity and got her daughter to request John’s head on a silver platter.  So the grizzly dead was done.  Herod regretted his actions and was intrigued with the thought that he could have come back to life.

People are constricted in their ways.  Their natural prejudices about Jesus restricted what they were able to receive.  This continues, with many gifted people being overlooked because they come in the 'wrong' package.  The message here appears to be 'sigh and move on.'

Evangelism is a tricky word.  For some it's just 'one way'.  Here Jesus is saying 'find the people who are open to you, who want you, and will enjoy being generous.'   The passage reminds me of the work of Ali Boulton  in Winchelstowe.  Ali did a deal with the Creator, that she would only do what local people asked her to do.  She would not create the change herself, but be there to nurture and foster positive change when it happened.  In this way she would know that whatever she did not come from her.

Herod was a victim of the system.  I'm not being sympathetic; he was the system.  But in order to benefit from the system, he had to become it's slave.  The logical conclusion of this was that he would have to 'kill' good people.  This is what it is like.  

Herod had hoped that the 'superpowers' John had, might have come to his rescue.  But they did not, which was a mercy for Herod because by the same logic, surely 'revenge' would also have been appropriate.

MARK - My Words (5)

 

Arriving at the far shore, the friends saw a wild man running towards them.  In his hands he carried sharp rocks.  His mood softened as he saw Jesus, and as he came near he fell on his knees.  “What do you want with me Jesus?”  He asked.  This man was very unwell and terrorised the neighbourhood, and himself.

“What is your name?” asked Jesus, “I am called multitude”, he replied, “because I can be so many people at once.”  Jesus said, this wrong thing will be put right.  The man became calm, but some sheep nearby suddenly went berserk, and charging around ending up falling into the lake.

The farmer who owned the sheep saw what happened and was terrified.  He ran off to warn the locals what had happened.  Soon a group appeared and found Jesus talking to the wild man, who was clothed, and in his right mind.  They begged Jesus to move on to some other place.  Jesus graciously agreed, and his party returned to their boat.  The wild man asked if he could join them, but Jesus urged him to find his family, and reassure them that he was well.  Give thanks to the Creator and know that your life is special.

Returning to the other side of the lake, people again saw Jesus in the boat, and soon he was surrounded.  A very important dignitary pushed his way through and sunk down in distress at Jesus’ feet.  “Come to my house.  My daughter is gravely ill”, he pleaded.  Jesus reassured him that he would.  But movement became impossible as the throng of people grew.  One person in particular believed that Jesus could help her.  She had spent all her savings on medical cures for a painful condition she experienced for the last twelve years.  It was destroying her life.  “If I can but touch the hem of his coat” she told herself. 

Jesus felt this contact and stopped.  “Who just touched me?” he enquired.  The people about smiled, for Jesus was being jostled by the surge of people.  “No”, Jesus checked them, “someone intentionally touched me.”  In trepidation the one who touched him raised her hand.  She knew she was now well, for the pain had gone.  “Because you believe in me, you are now well.  Go in peace” Jesus reassured her.

Just then, someone from the big house ran over to the dignitary and reported that his daughter had just died.  “Don’t bother the great man” he suggested.  “There is nothing more to be done.”  Jesus looked to the father, “hold back your fear, and believe,” he said.  They continued to the house, where already there were the sounds and smell of death.

Taking just Peter, Jesus asked to be let into the daughter’s room.  Jesus approached the lifeless body of the girl, and said “Talitha koum”, which translates ‘little girl, get up.’

The girl woke as if from a sleep, and got up.  Jesus took her by the hand to her father.  “She is well again, he said, but I think she is hunger.”

Two people - a crazy man, and a young girl.  

The man is 'managed' (care in the community).  His situation is tolerated.  "We will always have the the sick, the crazy and criminals."  Jesus does not fit with this Status Quo.  But 'we' like our world order.  We do not want the boat rocked.  We prefer our 'care in the community'.

The girl is part of any normal family tragedy.  Children die.  These days we hope that our 'Basic Life Support', or 'get them to a hospital quickly' is the solution.  But children continue to die.  Now and again this is not the case.  Here, a father's trust in this 'different' person just held on.  It was an occasion when a miracle occurred, and we are all talking about it still.  Tragedy and miracles often live together, like 'nettles and doc leaves'.

MARK - My Words (4)

 

Jesus told the people many stories.

“Life is like this.  A person spreads seed on their allotment.  They tend the plot night and day. But the miracle of life is not this.  The seed geminates and grow of their own accord.  The allotment owner waters and protects the new shoots.  Eventually the plants bear fruit; wonderful heads of corn, and the owner is in for a treat.” 

“Here is another picture.  Have you seen the seeds of trees like the willow?  The seeds are minuscule, but they go on to grow into vast trees that provide homes for birds, and shade for the wild animals.”

Jesus left the meaning of his stories as a bit of an enigma, for the people to ponder over; but his own close friends discussed the meaning at length.

As evening approached, Jesus asked his friends to take him across the lake on their boat.  All was well to begin with, but as they came to the middle of the lake, a vicious squall blew up, and the hardened sailors were put to the test.  Jesus was exhausted and curled up in the stern of the boat to rest.  Jesus’ friends feared that the boat would break up and were amazed that Jesus remained calm and asleep.  They woke him with fear in their faces.  “Do you not care that we are all going to drown?”   But Jesus scolded them, remining them that his presence with them should reassure them that all would be well.  He looked out at the storm and commanded it to be still.  The storm abated, and the wind died down to nothing.  Jesus’ friends were amazed and terrified.  “Even the winds and the waves obey him” they marvelled.

The certainties of life; 'Death and Taxes'.  But nothing is really that certain.  We put our trust in so may things without thinking.  The sun rises; the seeds grow.  The difference between miracles and these events is that miracles are rare.  For Jesus friends (and perhaps I include myself) it takes a while to realise the significance of living with Jesus.  

It's like riding pinion with a racing motorcyclist.

It's like going into the maze of an oriental market with a bilingual guide.

It's like navigating the Maelstrom with a Norwegian fisherman.

Best of Edinburgh

 "Austerity is hitting hard.  I even found myself contemplating steeling food from my local supermarket.  I sidled up the the spaghetti, but then I saw the security guard and thought I won't get pasta." - Masai Graham

I decided to sell my hoover.  I noticed it was just collecting dust. - Tim Vine.

It said I needed to pick a password with eight characters, so I chose 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. - Nick Helm

I've just been on a 'once in a lifetime' holiday,  and I tell you,  Never Again! - Tim Vine

Hedgehogs...why can't they just share the hedge - Dan Antopolski

I'm sure that wherever my dad is, he's looking down on us.  He's not dead, just very condescending. - Jack Whitehall

I've given up asking rhetorical questions.  What's the point?  - Alexi Sayle

I'm rubbish with names.  It's not my fault. There's a name for it....  Jimeon

As a vegan I think that people who sell meat are disgusting.  But people who sell veg are grocer.  - Adele Cliff.

If you don't know what introspection is, you need to take a long hard look at yourself. -  Ian Smith.

MARK- My Words (3)

 

Jesus returned to his hometown.  Everyone recognised him and soon there was a crush around his house.  As Jesus spoke to the people, some friends brought a man who had never been able to walk to Jesus.  They saw the pack of people but did not give up.  Skilfully they climbed on the roof of the house and removed tiles, making a hole through the ceiling.  They lowered their friend down by a rope right next to where Jesus sat.  Everyone was in uproar, but Jesus quietened them down and shook the man’s hand.  “Because of your faith, you are right with the Creator”, he said.  Some of the local leaders started to mutter, “Speaking for the Creator of the universe now! Something’s not quite right here!”  But Jesus knew what they were saying and addressed them directly.  “Tell me”, he said, “which is easier, to put someone right with the Creator, or to enable them to walk, something they have never done in their lives?”  And with that he took the man by the hand and encouraged him to stand.  This man, who had never stood upright in his life, was staring round at a room full of people.  “Take your things”, said Jesus “and go quickly before things get out of hand”, for the whole neighbourhood was in a commotion.

One day, Jesus was with a large crowd down by the lake.  As he walked home he saw Levi, and government official, sitting in his office.  Jesus went over and talked to him.  “I know you want a different life.  Join me.”  Levi was delighted and at once went with him.  As Jesus was sharing a meal with Levi, and other distrusted characters, the religious leaders noted and derided him.  “He’s one of them, they said, see he’s nothing special.”  Jesus knew what they were saying and look straight at them.  “I have come to the ones who ask for help, much like a doctor, and can only help those who want to get better.”

Some people in the town were not eating and being very pious in their attitudes.  The people asked why Jesus’ friends did not take life more seriously.  Jesus explained saying, “when the friends are with the bridegroom, they have a laugh.  It is a time to celebrate.  Sadly, there will be a time for loss too, and sadness to come, but not right now.” 

“Choose the right actions for the right occasions.  Don’t make an expensive repair to an old pair of jeans, or keep valuable wine in an old bucket.  No, an expensive repair is for the finest clothes, and new wine goes into shiny clean bottles.”

Jesus was with his friends one day, and a few of them were smoking.  “Why do you let your people damage their own health?” Challenged a religious leader.  “This is a terrible example to others.” 

Jesus replied, “Some things are trivial compared to the massive needs all around us that we seem to ignore.”

Jesus went into a meeting place and noticed someone who was critically sick.  Jesus immediately went over to them and started to help them.  Several people notice and formed a crowd.  Some in the crowd were eager to see what Jesus would do, knowing that he had no valid medical qualifications.  Jesus knew exactly what was going on and turned to the crowd.  Challenging them, he said “Here is a man I can rescue from death, but you say he should die because I am not qualified to help.”  Jesus could see that the leaders were more concerned for their own power and status than seeing anything good happen to this person.   Having authority over all things. Jesus turned to the man and blessed him, and the deadly sickness was gone.  For that day people there began to plot how Jesus could be silenced.

Levi has a comfortable 'government job'.  This came with a secure pension.  But he was not happy.  He knew straight away that what Jesus offered him was better.  

A new life goes into fresh 'bottles'.  Everything is renewed.  It's not a bit of goodness patched onto a bad old way of life.  The whole things is clean and shiny.  

Jesus cuts though the crap.  "Your logic does not put people and their needs first.  It puts power and authority first.  Sorry, I can't comply with that logic."

The reply, "Yes, and for that we hate you.  You are an inconvenience.  We will have you removed."

Mark- My Words (2)

 

Jesus went into the meeting place in a town called Capernaum.  He stood up to speak, and the people were amazed.  His words were alive with meaning, unlike their usual offering.

I man present who was seriously unwell called out to Jesus, “What are you going to do to us Jesus?  I know that you have come from the Creator.” 

“Quiet now”, Jesus gently chided, and the man shook uncontrollably.  But when he recovered, he was restored in body and mind.  The people were astonished and wonder, ‘He speak with authority; he behaves with authority’, and the word went round that an extraordinary thing had happened.

Jesus and his new friends moved on to Simon and Andrew’s house.  Simon’s mother-in-law was very ill in bed with a fever.  Jesus went to her bedside and took her hand.  She became well and was able to join the party.  That very evening, people in the neighbourhood began bringing sick people to Jesus.  It was as if the whole town was at their door.  And Jesus’ presence made them all well.  But Jesus kept quiet about his true nature.

Before daybreak, Jesus got up and went into the hills to be close to the Creator.  Simon and a few other noticed and followed him.  When Simon caught up, he explained that everyone was still clamouring for him.  Jesus explained that they could not just stay in one place; they had to move on, village by village. 

A man saw Jesus and came to him.  He had an incurable deadly disease. 

“I know”, he said, “if you had the inclination, you could make me well.”  Jesus, full of compassion replied, “and I do, and you will be well.”  Jesus warned the man, “go and get yourself certified as well, and thank the Creator for your life.  Keep this between us.”  But the man couldn’t help himself and told everyone he met what Jesus had done.  As a result, the whole neighbourhood was out to find Jesus.

Beauty is more that skin deep.  Beauty radiates out of a person from inside.  When Jesus stood up to speak, the Spirit of the creator radiated out.  The words may have been similar to others, but the authority came from the maker of time and space.  Proximity to Jesus meant wellness; it could not be helped.  Like a bright illumination of light, everything became apparent.

What is it about the way I live that gives me access to the same Spirit?  I think of Moses going up onto the mountain top.  

The mundane is brought to life and set on fire.

MARK - My Words

 

A meditation from the account by Mark of the life of Jesus.

We start at the beginning. 

Many years prior to these events, it was recorded by Isaiah that a messenger would come to ‘prepare the way’, as a ‘voice in the wilderness’, a foretelling of something incredible.

So John arrived, urging people to commit themselves to goodness, and to honour the Creator.  He went to all people urging them to sort out their wrongdoing and commit themselves to the way of love.

John looked strange.  He wore rough clothing and survived off handouts.  Many people were in awe, but he stopped them, saying

“I am not worthy to shake the hand of the one who is to come.  I convince you with my words.  The one who comes will convince you with the authority of the Creator”.

And so a man named Jesus, of Nazareth, came to John and asked him to commit his own life to the Eternal One.  Jesus entered the waters of the river Jordan, and as he rose out of the water, a dove flew down from the sky and settled on his head.  A voice was heard saying…

“This is my child, the one I love.  I delight in him.”

After this, Jesus went off alone for forty days into a remote part where he was challenged and tested in every way.

Soon after this, John was arrested and imprisoned.  Jesus himself began mixing with people, speak the same message as John, about the need to turn toward good, and commit to the Creator’s ways. 

Jesus was near the lake of Galilee when a group of fishermen saw him.  Simon and Andrew knew that Jesus was offering them a better life.  And Jesus said, ‘people’ not ‘fish’ would be their prize.

James and John were next.  With their father Zebedee’s blessing, they too join the gang.

The only time that exists is the split second of existence right now.  All else is past and future. 

In the past this story was spoken about.  Many people knew what was to come, and that it would catch fire and burn.  It would rise up for a moment before being rudely snuffed out.  After three day there would be an almighty explosion.  Nothing would be the same after that.  The fire would spread across the globe.  This would be an eternal flame.  It would be a portent of even greater things to come. 

People did not really know what to expect.  Over the years the image of what to come was greatly distorted.  Strange interpretations of the one to come were discussed.  Those in authority really did not have a clue.  But the weirdo John did.  Even though this Jesus was his slightly younger cousin, John knew that Jesus had something that was unique.  John's parent's had known from the the children's infancy.  

Jesus committed himself to the Creator.  John knew that this was a paradox.  This was like a child being adopted into their own birth family.  And a dove descended.  A real dove, something everyone could see.  And a voice was heard saying "this is my child, with whom I delight."

We are adopted into this family.  The Creator, once estranged, is now our legal guardian.  Just as I delight in my children, the Creator delights in me and you.