July 4, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for July 4th: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13; Theme: Freedom in Christ; Song: UMH 697- My Country Tis of Thee Mark: is never a mention of an earthly father in Mark’s gospel. For Mark, Jesus came from an ordinary family. A family that all of the normal issues. A family that was an integral part of the community. So when Jesus comes back to town to preach, they know all about him. They know him so well that there is no need to really listen to him or to even take him seriously. By this time Jesus has been all over the country teaching everyone about Jesus. But his hometown is so focused on what they think that they know about him, they cannot move beyond their everyday reality to see the Spirit of God in Jesus words. That is why it is so important for Jesus to train his disciples to go even farther then he to tell others about Christ. They are dependent on households taking care of them and being family while they are away from home. Hospitality is the currency of the gospel. Jesus tells them that if they are treated the way his hometown treats him, then those people will not be welcome in heaven. How do we encourage our children? How do we extend hospitality to others? 2 Samuel: This scripture chronicles a big shift In the life of the Isrealite people. This is the beginning of the rule of David. God promises David that there would always be a king from his family on the throne. Of course Jesus fulfilled that promise. David is not only a new King, he is a new kind of King. Saul was anointed privately. He was very authoritative. He expected people to take care of him. David was the shepherd King. He was anointed in public. His job was to take care of the people. He was able to unite people together. He was the people’s King. Interestingly, there is no mention of David in the history books. Jerusalem was his city that became the capital of the nation. The people were ready for a change. They were looking for someone who would make conditions better for them to survive. We continue to look for that today – who will lead in a way to take care of us. Jesus provides that leadership not just for Isreal, not just for Christians, but for all of the world. Questions: How do we treat prophets who come to town? What does Jesus teach us about hospitality? How does Jesus make our lives better? What is shepherd leadership?