Jesus is a great moral teacher. He was received as such right from the beginning of his ministry and he has been ever since. And yet, while that is true, it is woefully not enough. Mark tells us a couple times how people were astonished at Jesus teaching but in-between those he heals a man with an unclean spirit. He isn't just a great teacher, he is the one who has power over Satan, sin and death. So what do we do with Jesus? is he a liar, a lunatic, a legend or the Lord of all?

Following Jesus demands a radical commitment that transforms every aspect of life. The first disciples demonstrated this by immediately leaving their fishing businesses and family obligations when Jesus called them. While this level of devotion might seem extreme, it reflects the profound value of following Christ. True discipleship requires putting Jesus above all other relationships and possessions, yet paradoxically, those who surrender everything often receive back more than they gave up.

Mark's gospel is fast. He jumps right into what is central to the good news, the gospel, of Jesus. John the Baptist comes, and he is great, but his whole message is one of preparation for the greater one who would come after, Jesus. And everything John says has to do with this comparison of just how great Jesus is. We also see this through the writer of the gospel, Mark, and the apostle who was behind Mark's writing, Peter. Then we quickly move to Jesus' baptism by John and we see here the other central idea of the gospel, that this great one who has come humbles himself to associate and own the sins of humanity. Here is good news!

There are many overarching themes in the Bible, but one of the great themes is God's commitment to bring us home to himself, to live as we are made to live with creation, with others and with him. Sin moves humanity out East and continues to do so up until the Exile, but in Christ God brings us home to himself.

"Jesus as the Son of David" explores why the New Testament writers were so insistent that Jesus was David's Son. It focuses on the Biblical Theology of God fulfilling his promise to David in Christ. It also pays attention to David's character, as well as the felt experience of David's kingship being empty before Jesus's time.

In a world filled with uncertainties, Abraham's story offers a timeless lesson on faith and trust in God's promises. Faith is not about adhering to rules but trusting in what God has done and He will do. Abraham's journey began with a call from God, marking the start of his relationship with Him. Despite frequent failings, Abraham's faith endured, highlighting God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises through Jesus.

The story of the Tower of Babel may not be a text that we would think of for Advent, but it tells us again the story that is at the heart of Christian faith. Humankind is in prideful rebellion against God and what we have seen thus far in Genesis is when that is the case there is only violence and harm that is coming. So, God in his grace acts in his commitment to his creation and in love for humanity. And what do we find at the center of the story, but what we find at the very center of Christianity: God comes down!!!

The story of Noah reveals profound truths about God's existence, His care for creation, and His unwavering covenant. God's covenant with Noah highlights His intimate and relational promise to sustain the natural order and humanity. Noah’s story also mirrors the creation and fall, foreshadowing our redemption through Jesus Christ.