June 10, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for June 10th: 1 Samuel 8:4-20(11:14-15);Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35 Theme: God sustains us through tough times Mark: Jesus is busy ministering to the community, but his family does not understand what he is doing or why. What he is teaching goes against everything that they have taught him as a child. So they come to stop him. But we know that eventually they listen to him and become followers to. As they come, Jesus does not reject them, he knows that God has given him to do. That is why he says that any who listen are his mothers and brothers. Sometime we have to make a bold step in order to follow Jesus. We have to walk away from home temporarily. But Jesus assures us that we will find our family and new home in the will of God. Psalms: This is a psalm of celebration for coming through a tough time. The psalmist realizes that they were weak, but it was God’s love that sustained them. God is the head of their life, not themselves, and certainly not their circumstances. They say that it is God that makes them live again and who protects them. We are reminded that the greatest response to God’s love and mercy is to be grateful. To take account of where we are and what God has done for us. We are encouraged to be faithful, and to not be afraid to tell God and others how far we have come. This is the psalm of the common person, just trying to make it through life. It is the strength to get us through the day. Questions: Do we have to sacrifice our family and friends in order to follow Jesus? How do we redefine our family when we understand our faith? Name a time when Jesus has helped you through a tough situation? How do you say thank you to God? You can view Breaking Open the Scripture online at https://breakingopenthescriptures.blogspot.comYou can view Pastor Harriette’s sermons online at https://aplaceforshalom.blogspot.com