Mark (Feasting on the Gospels)

by Cynthia A. Jarvis; E. Elizabeth Johnson

Publisher:

Westminster John Knox

, 2014

Overview

Feasting on the Gospels is an all-new, seven-volume preaching series that focuses on the most prominent and preached-on New Testament books, the four Gospels. Featuring never- before-published essays from a diverse and respected group of scholars and pastors, Feasting on the Gospels covers every single passage in the Gospels, making it a valuable resource for developing sermons. In the Gospel of Mark, preachers will find four essays on the exegetical, theological, pastoral, and homiletical challenges of the text, with the freedom to begin where they choose. Feasting on the Gospels offers a unique resource for all who preach, either continuously or occasionally, on the Gospels.

Key Features

• Includes essays, exegetical, homiletical, and pastoral
• Designed especially for the pastor and ministry preparation
• Provides flexibility for how the text is approach, whether from beginning to end or moving from one place together

Contents

Top Highlights

“Fasting, for whatever reason, takes place in the hope that one’s condition or political situation may change” (Page 69)

“The flip side of healing stories is that they can also leave people with questions about God’s loving mercy when a prayer for healing and recovery goes unanswered.” (Page 39)

“‘Shine brightly’ was the message in Matthew 5. ‘Look! Pay attention to what God is doing!’” (Page 122)

“Starting with the Day of Atonement in Leviticus, fasting was associated with the confession of sin, in the hope of forgiveness by the Lord (Lev. 23:26–32). The people in Samuel’s day fast and confess their sin in the same hope that God would deliver them from the Philistines. More importantly, the people fast and confess their sins in the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon. Daniel fasts and confesses his sins while in Babylon contemplating the ruin of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:1–23).” (Page 68)

“The disciples do not fast because Jesus, the embodiment of the kingdom of God, is with them. There will be plenty of time to fast when Jesus has completed his earthly ministry, but already the kingdom of God has indeed come near.” (Page 71)

Praise for the Print Edition

Continuing in the great tradition of Feasting on the Word, the Feasting on the Gospels series is a welcome resource for preachers. Four scholars, each writing from a different perspective, address every passage in the Gospels, offering stimulation to the preacher's imagination and lighting up the possibilities for engaging biblical sermons.

—Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University

Most people may know that Feasting on the Gospels is a profound resource for preachers, pastors, and teachers, but it is also a treasure book for laity, meditators, and spiritual seekers. Its four clearly written essays on each Gospel passage aid reflection, appeal to experience, stir up questions, and leave one wanting more.

—Kathleen M. O'Connor, Emerita, Columbia Theological Seminary, and author of Jeremiah: Pain and Promise

This excellent preaching and teaching resource is a soul-feeding feast. Take. Eat. Bon appetit!

—Luke Powery, Dean of the Chapel, Duke University

Product Details

• Title: Feasting on the Gospels: Mark
• Editors: Cynthia A. Jarvis and E. Elizabeth Johnson
• Series: Feasting on the Word
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox
• Publication Date: 2015
• Pages: 712
• Christian Group: Reformed
• Resource Type: Commentary
• Topic: Mark

About the Editors

Cynthia A. Jarvis is Minister of The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The coeditor of Loving God with the Mind: The Pastor as Theologian and The Power to Comprehend with All the Saints: The Formation and Practice of a Pastor- Theologian, she served on the editorial board of the Feasting on the Word series.

E. Elizabeth Johnson is J. Davison Philips Professor of New Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. She also served on the editorial board of the Feasting on the Word series.

Sample Pages from Mark (Feasting on the Gospels)