The “FIDO” Principle And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he […]

The Past Can Scandalize! He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by […]

Part 3: “Arise” While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came […]

Part 2 – Shocking! And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about […]

My friends, let me introduce you to the Mark Sandwich. Mark takes two stories and creates a mashup in this theological and literary technique. Its structure takes one story split into two slices, and another is sandwiched between to reveal a common theme (the meat) for both. We have already seen two: Mark 3:20-35 and 4:1-20, […]

Pt. 3 – When Pigs Fly? Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they (the spirits) begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, […]

Pt 2 – The Gergesa Demoniac And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, […]