There is an unexpectedness about Christmas. Even though the Scriptures had spoken in detail about the coming Messiah, the people did not expect him to arrive as a baby born in a stable. Likewise, even though Jesus had told his disciples he would die and rise again, the women were dismayed and afraid when they found the empty tomb. God does not always do what we expect, but he always does what he says, and Jesus' birth and resurrection mark the fulfillment of God's promise to save his people from their sins. In this episode, we celebrate the good news of Easter at Christmas.  

John speaks of the incarnation of God's Son, coming into the world as the light shining in the darkness (John 1:5).  Centuries before, Isaiah prophesied that the light of God's glory would penetrate the dark effects of sin that overshadows the world and man's heart (Isaiah 1-20).  Jesus came as the light of God's glory to dispel the darkness of sin, but in order to do so he would have to enter that darkness himself in his death on the cross.  Today we consider the darkness Jesus endured that the light of life might shine in our hearts for eternity.   

When an event or show or subscription is "cancelled," it means it is over, voided, rejected, no longer wanted.  In our current culture to "cancel" a person or group has become a form of public shaming by removing support and encouraging rejection because they have said or done something deemed offensive.  The "cancel culture" is nothing new.  Indeed, the greatest example can be found at the cross where God's own Son, the promised redeemer and ruler of all creation, is utterly despised and rejected by all.  But the "cancelling" and rejection of Jesus does not nullify or void his influence, but actually expands it as the means by which sinners can be accepted and welcomed by God himself.  

The familiar Advent hymn Come Thou Long Expected Jesus reminds us that Jesus was "born his people to deliver, born a child and yet a King."  What we can sometimes overlook in our celebration of Jesus' birth, is that the deliverance of his people out of the bondage of sin and death comes through Jesus himself being delivered into the hands of sinners to suffer and die on behalf of those he came to save.  We continue in Mark's gospel to see the delivering up of King Jesus to death, in order that we might be delivered from death to eternal life in his kingdom.  

The stark contrast between Jesus' trial before the council of religious leaders and Peter's trial before a group of servants around a courtyard firepit serves to remind us again of the great news of the gospel: that Jesus stands faithful and true to God and to us, even when we are faithless and fail him repeatedly. Here we look at the trial of two men and how a travesty of justice endured by Jesus, leads to the triumph of justice for sinners like Peter and you and me. 

It's not good news merely that Jesus goes to the cross - but how he goes there. Fulfilling the Scriptures, Jesus goes to the cross as one betrayed, and yet devoted to his Father, as one abandoned, and yet devoted to his people. Jesus goes with those who suffer, for those who fail, and before them to bring them into glory. This is good news for us and for our neighbors!

When you're driving down the road and you're not sure where you're going, it's important to be alert and pay attention to the signs that come toward you so don't miss your exit.  When Jesus shockingly predicts the destruction of God's temple in Jerusalem, his disciples ask him how they will know when that's coming. In order to prepare them, Jesus graciously points to indicators not only of God's coming judgment on Jerusalem, but of Jesus' own return in glory for his people. Jesus exhorts his followers to stay awake and pay attention to the signs.

As Jesus continues debating and teaching in the temple, he notes a stark contrast between the religious leaders who were preoccupied with receiving honor and adulation from the people and a poor widow who gives everything she has in adoration and service to the Lord.  We continue our series in Mark's gospel and learn something of what Jesus means that it is better to give than to receive.