Sermon: Jesus in the Synagogue; Terror and Hardheartedness – Mark 3:1-6, Psalm 143:3-8
May 26, 2021
If I was making a movie of this story, I’d start with a shot of Jesus and a few of his disciples walking up a dirt road in the bright sun. They’re talking among themselves, but Jesus is looking ahead. The camera pans around…”What is he looking at?” It’s a road lined with white clay buildings, women scattered here and there. No one is working, because it’s the Sabbath. They look at Jesus and his followers with curiosity. There are no men on the street. At the end, at the top of the hill is a building set apart a bit. The door is open, but you can’t see in. A closeup then of Jesus’ face, there’s a determination around his eyes….
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.