Author: Lowell Grisham

At some point Jesus’ ministry became too big for him to handle alone. The signs of stress appear often in Mark’s Gospel…

Connecting us together by breaking boundaries and expanding friendship is Christ’s work. It is joyful work of celebration.

In Christ, God creates a new community, a new world. It is a world that eschews violence, symbolized by the central image of Jesus on the cross. Jesus soaks up violence and injustice, and returns only love. He is raised into the resurrection life of God’s power exercised through love, to create a new community of generosity and equality. That is God’s gift. In the church, unlike the world, all are equal

The scripture insists that everything in heaven and earth is destined to be united “in Christ.” The whole of created reality is to be raised up and to be included “in Christ.”

In some sense, every day is a matter of walking on water…

For thirty-eight years this unnamed man in John’s gospel lay by the Bethsaida pool. You get used to a way of life if you continue in it for thirty-eight years.

“Therefore justice is far from us and righteousness does not reach us; …for truth stumbles in the public square, and uprightness cannot enter.”

Life with Jesus is like the difference between water and wine. His presence bring color, depth, and flavor to our lives. His loving spirit relaxes our anxieties, opens us to joy, and brings us together into a community of celebration.

The structures of Egypt’s economy will not yield without struggle. Restoration and rebuilding can been difficult and slow. Mercy, truth, justice and peace are hard won. But God leads us when we are committed to divine righteousness and justice rather than Egyptian-style greed and power.