The prophet Jeremiah interpreted the Sinai covenant between the Lord and his people in terms of a marriage: God’s jealousy is that of a husband whose wife has been unfaithful to him. St Paul uses the same marriage analogy for the covenant relationship between Christ and his church in Ephesians 5: 21-33. The sermon explores the ways in which we may be unfaithful to Christ by serving another god, and thus provoke his jealousy.

Jesus confronts people today just as he did when Mark recorded these powerful events: he confronts hard hearts, he confronts the presence and power of evil, and he confronts human need. He introduces God's Kingdom by demonstrating his authority over sin, sickness, evil and death itself. Whilst there are some mysteries for us today when it comes to his healing ministry, this is best understood in terms of Jesus' wider mission, fulfilled at the cross, and the 'now and not yet' of his Kingdom.