Nov 21 2013
I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting
An imaginative but possible rendering of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9
Arrests were followed up with executions, and they were not pretty. Many were by stoning and had been cruel and bloody. But this was the intension, the community was to heed the warning, the authorities were not playing games.
House raids were indiscriminate. It did not matter if those arrested were male or female, or if they had children, the guilty had to be exterminated at all costs. They had perverted the ways of God and their doctrine was spreading like a disease.
But the executions were beginning to have a positive effect; in fact most of the cult members had fled Jerusalem and were now hiding in cities further afield. And no one was more aware of this than Saul. He was ready to hunt these Jesus followers wherever they went. Even now his eyes scanned the horizon for his next target. “Ah, there she is!” More
Oct 17 2014
The Transfiguration – The Way Up is Down
Mark 8:27-9:13
The Transfiguration settled in the minds of Peter, James and John that Jesus was the Messiah. On a mountain top Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus as their clothes shone with heavenly glory. The three disciples saw it all. Moses appeared representing the Law God had given him. Elijah appeared representing the Prophets. The Law and the Prophets testified to the coming Messiah. And as if this were not enough, a cloud enveloped them and a voice said to the disciples “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
There was a need for the testimony of Moses and Elijah. More