Reflexion, A Spiritual Community

I’m thinking I should begin with an apology

I want to go through the Gospel of Mark for my own sake
- not as another “Bible study,”
• but to draw close to Jesus and spend time with him
◦ I need to listen to him– observe him– fill my heart and mind with him
• so I am going to take you with me
◦ and Mark will be our guide, our eyes and ears
◦ his stories will bring Jesus within reach
- my personal need is a recalibration
• I’ve acquired too many “priorities”
• when Martha was in a similar spiritual/mental state,
Jesus told her, “you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary . . .” (Lk. 10:38-42)
◦ that one thing was for her to sit awhile at Jesus’ feet

"The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ" (New Revised Standard Version)

At last! Some good news
- good news is always a relief, always hopeful

Intro: Last week God gave Joel an announcement to deliver

The Lord had summoned the nations to appear in his court

• specifically, kingdoms that attacked and plundered Judah
• now, Joel’s prophecies close with the court proceedings
• does it ever feel satisfying to you when justice is served?
• there are certain crimes, so deceitful and cruel,
  ◦ that when criminals are caught, it triggers specific reactions
  ◦ relief, the restoration of balance, security, maybe joy
• for most of Israel’s history–especially after Babylonian exile
  ◦ they were a weak and defenseless nation
  ◦ neighboring kingdoms exploited this disadvantage
• through Joel, God promised his people a day of justice

In our passage, there will be two parts to Joel’s prophecy

He first delivers a brief message regarding his people – a promise
- but then his word turns to a threat on “all the nations”
• specifically those that have ransacked Judah and Jerusalem
• these two parts of the message are connected:
◦ God, helping his people, entails harming their enemies
- do we need to be upset, that to restore his people and their nation, the Lord attacked their enemies?
◦ if there is another way to break the power of oppressors, to rescue and liberate the oppressed - the world hasn’t found it
◦ the agents causing the trouble must be neutralized
• what is revealed in the following verses is a vision of Israel’s destiny
◦ in part one, God clears the way for it
◦ in part two, the people prepare themselves for God