Home, continued

This was the last paragraph of the March 13th blog post:

Now, I suggest that Jesus' home in the two examples that I've given from the beginning of Mark's gospel represent the assembly of those who believe Jesus' words. The home is where the Spirit dwells among believers! In this second passage, when his family comes to restrain Jesus because some people have said that Jesus has gone out of his mind, this is Jesus' answer to his return home: Yes, he has gone out of his mind--Jesus has gone into his heart, where the Spirit gushes forth to be welcomed by the assembly.

With this in mind, think about the following passage of what happens within this assembly in Mark 2:9-10--

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Stand up and take up your mat and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic--I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home."

Notice that the passage ends with the word, home. First of all, I suggest that the following passage is saying to us the following: Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise up from your sins in baptism, take your new understanding that comes from Spirit, and follow me.' (Your mat, which you lay upon, is your foundation. It is your understanding. But the Spirit brings enlightenment, a new understanding.) Which is easier? I suggest that Mark tells us from the mouth of Jesus that they are identical! Jesus informs us that when we are baptized, filled with the Spirit and following him that our sins are forgiven!

I suggest that the man who was paralyzed in sin came in faith (brought by members of the assembly) and was 'buried with Christ' in baptism in the few verses before this passage. His sins were forgiven. Now Jesus says to the man who was 'buried with him,' rise up, be filled with the Spirit and follow me. (Typically, Jesus takes the hand and 'lifts' the newly baptized from his burial in the waters of baptism.)

In verse 2:2 the assembly has gathered to hear the word in Jesus' home! Doesn't it seem quite reasonable that these baptisms occur within the celebration of the word?

But, let's return to the last word of the above passage, home. In the six celebrations of the multiplication of loaves that are easily recognized within the four gospels, the disciples have the crowds eat their sit down banquet in groups of about fifty. Of course he serves fish along with the loaves, for how can you consume the meal without the word? The meal is the word, and the word is the meal--they are inseparable.

I suggest to you that Jesus tells this newly baptized man to go to his home: his small community where he will share the word, and becomes the bread he eats.

Home and House

In Mark's gospel, Jesus returns to Capernaum, and we find out that "he was at home," as chapter two begins.

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. (nrsv)

In Mark's chapter three, after Jesus appoints the twelve, we are told simply that "he (Jesus) went home, and the crowd came together again, so they could not even eat.

In both examples, home is where the community of believers assemble!

In this second example from Mark's chapter three, we are given an additional insight into the word home. Here, Jesus begins to speak to the scribes that have come down from Jerusalem using the word, house.

"How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a stron man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"--for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." (nrsv)

I suggest to you that the scribes from Jerusalem represent the House of Israel who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit by saying that the words that come out from Jesus' mouth are not from the Holy Spirit but from Beelzebul.

Now, I suggest that Jesus' home in the two examples that I've given from the beginning of Mark's gospel represent the assembly of those who believe Jesus' words. The home is where the Spirit dwells among believers! In this second passage, when his family comes to restrain Jesus because some people have said that Jesus has gone out of his mind, this is Jesus' answer to return to home: Yes, he has gone out of his mind--Jesus has gone into his heart, where the Spirit gushes forth to be welcomed by the assembly.

SWCRS

It's been too long since the last post! Mostly because we're a little embarrased that the book isn't out yet. Please forgive us for telling you it'd be done by now!

Earlier this month I attended the Southwest Commission on Religious Studies held in Irving, Texas. It was great fun. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dr. Katherine Downey, University of Texas at Dallas, speak on The Genre of Gospel. She looks forward to talking with my dad about the literary form.

Kathy Maxwell, a graduate student from Baylor, read her excellent paper on The Role of Audience in Ancient Narrative: Acts as a Case Study. What a treat to listen to her!

The Presidential Address, by Dr. Mikeal Parsons, Baylor University, spoke on Luke and the Whole Body. It was a very fun paper, and he talked about the relationship between physical appearance and character, which is the topic of one of his latest books.

Today I am once again amazed to see how the writers of the gospels use similar events to tell their Stories in different ways. Wow. One writer will use a certain even as the Wisdom Section, and another writer might use that same event as the Focus Section. Once you see the Stories, then you'll be able to know the significance of this. Each Story is truly a work of art. What creativity and consideration they used when forming their Stories for us! We can't wait to show them to you!

Anne