Uncategorized – Seeing the Kingdom

A little bit of LXX

During a recent camping holiday, I sat every morning in front of our tent with my espresso pot of coffee and a copy of Isaiah in the Septuagint version; as one does. The Septuagint is interesting for various reasons. According to the stories it was translated by 70 (hence LXX) or possibly 72 scholars fromContinue reading “A little bit of LXX”

The Secret Mystery

οὐχ ὅτι καθ’ ὑστέρησιν λέγω, ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι· οἶδα καὶ ταπεινοῦσθαι, οἶδα καὶ περισσεύειν· ἐν παντὶ καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν μεμύημαι, καὶ χορτάζεσθαι καὶ πεινᾶν, καὶ περισσεύειν καὶ ὑστερεῖσθαι· πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με. Phil 4.11-13, SBL Greek NT This passage of Philippians has deep personal significance for me; readingContinue reading “The Secret Mystery”

The God of Peace

Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε· ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε· καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ’ ὑμῶν. Phil 4.8-9, SBL Greek NT In the previous post,Continue reading “The God of Peace”

Protected

Χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε· πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς· μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετ’ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν· καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.Continue reading “Protected”

Legion

Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” Mark 5.9, NIV At the end of a long day of teaching, Jesus tells the disciples they are going to go to the other side of the Sea. On the way they suffer an unexpected storm, which IContinue reading “Legion”

The Kingdom is like an aggressive weed

Too far? Ask any California Park Ranger or conservationist about Brassica nigra, and they are likely to give you an earful; whether it is the offshore islands like Catalina, or the Coachella Valley, this plant is supplanting (haha) rare native species. And yet B. nigra is the subject of a parable Jesus told, to representContinue reading “The Kingdom is like an aggressive weed”

Keep the big feet out of the platter

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernelContinue reading “Keep the big feet out of the platter”

Mind the Gaps

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,and ever hearing but neverContinue reading “Mind the Gaps”

You have known – so hold to that

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she cameContinue reading “You have known – so hold to that”

Why was Cain’s Offering Not Regarded?

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, butContinue reading “Why was Cain’s Offering Not Regarded?”