Did Jesus ever claim to be God? Or King of Israel? Or the descendant of David?  You bet he did! St Mark could not be more clear in his gospel that Jesus rides into Jerusalem as King of Israel and then enters the Temple as “Owner of the House” – or as God Himself!  Wow. […]

“What do you want me to do for you?”   Twice this question is asked by Jesus. Twice he is answered, each from different requests, each with different motives. Listen below to a sermon by Pastor Shaw as he uses two events in the text to illustrate the difference between a theology of glory and a theology […]

Just when the disciples of Jesus seem to be “getting it”, Jesus appears to dash what they have just come to embrace. No, you cannot be good enough. No, you cannot be pure enough. No, if it depends on you, it is impossible. But, wait?! With God all things are possible. SB_20160515_Shaw

In Chapter 9 of St Mark’s gospel the disciples, who have just professed their belief that Jesus is the Christ; and who Jesus has been teaching about his imminent death, seem to back peddle; focusing on matters of ego.  So Jesus sits them down and reviews again the importance of staying focused. SB_20160508_Shaw

Having established that Jesus is the Christ, St Mark continues to press the issue of believing.  Will we believe what has been shown to be true? SB_20160501_Shaw

True to form, St Mark leaves out a number of details in the account leading up to Transfiguration of Jesus. Why? St Mark continues to attempt to focus his challenge to the reader: Who is Jesus?  And this section brings us to the first ‘climax’ of his gospel. Very worth your while listening. SB_20160424_Shaw

St Mark records two incidents in Jesus’ life and work that none of the other three Gospel writers include: the healing of the blind man, and the healing of the deaf and mute man. Mark also includes some details in these two accounts, which is interesting since Mark usually is very brief, usually including few […]