FLCBenton, Congregational Podcast

Genesis 27:30–45; 28:10–22, Jacob fleas from the fury of his brother Esau, and God repeats the promises he made to Abraham and Isaac now also to Jacob at Bethel. Mark 9:1–13, Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James and John, and the disciples debate what Jesus meant when he said he would “rise in the dead“.

Genesis 27:1–29, how Jacob, the second born, obtained to the blessing and birthright of the first born. Hint: he lived up to the meaning of his name, “deceiver“! Mark 8:22–38, what does it mean that it took two passes to give full sight to the blind man? We’ll explore this.

Genesis 24:32–52, 61–67. We hear again the story of how the servant is led to Rebecca, and then we discuss what happens after the text in our reading today, namely, the birth of Jacob and Esau, and the relationship between them. Mark 8:1–21, Jesus feeds 4000 and warns his disciples to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.

Genesis 24:1–31, the foundation is laid for the next generation of patriarchs: Abraham seeks a wife for Isaac. Mark 7:24–37, an “unclean” gentile woman exhibits the faith of Abraham, and Jesus hears her prayer!

Genesis 22:1–19, the testing of Abraham’s faith. Mark 7:1–23, the commandments of God, the traditions of human beings, and what God expects of us.

Genesis 21:1–21, Isaac enters the world too much laughter, and Sarah and Hagar clash again. Mark 6:35–56, Jesus feeds 5000, walks on water, and heals so many the miracles can’t even be counted.

Genesis 18:1–15, three mysterious men visit Abraham, and one of them is identified as the Lord himself. Mark 6:14–34, Harrod sees Jesus’ growing fame, and ominously, he thinks of John, whom he had killed in prison.

Genesis 16:1–9, 15–17: 22, another threat to God‘s promise to Abraham is averted. The sign of circumcision. Mark 6:1–13, Jesus is rejected by his own. His own hometown, and later, his own people, and the very world which he himself made.

Genesis 15:1–21, Abraham believed God‘s promise to him, and God credited his faith as righteousness. Then God formally ratifies a covenant between himself and Abraham. Mark 5:21–43, a pair of miracles demonstrates Jesus’ authority not only over cleanliness and chronic illness, but even over death.

Genesis 13:1–18, Abraham and Lot go separate ways. Mark 5:1–20, Jesus goes to a dark and unclean place, and frees a man infested by many demons.

Genesis 11:27–12:20, the story of salvation begins, and it begins here, with the call of Abraham, the glorious promise of God to bless the entire world through him. Mark 4:21–41, Jesus continues to discuss the nature of parables, and how they reveal the light of the glory of God to the world – except to those who don’t believe. He tells two more seed, parables, and stills the wind and the waves!

Genesis 8:13–9: 17, a new start for humanity in a New World. The flood having receded, again God commands humanity to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Mark 4:1–20, the purpose of parables, and the reason Jesus tells the parable of the sower.

Genesis 7:11–8: 12, the flood was a great deal more than 40 days and 40 nights of rain! It was an un-creation and recreation of the corrupted world. Mark 3: 20–35, Jesus’ family wonders whether he has lost his mind, And the scribes accused Jesus of being a league with Satan! Jesus offers an alternative view of the matter.

Genesis 6:1–7:5, the pervasiveness of sin, God’s wrath at all humanity, and God’s grace in his decision to spare Noah and his family. Mark 3:1–19, sharp contrasts between the Pharisees, Jesus, and the great crowds of people coming to see Jesus.

Genesis 4:1–26, Cain, Abel, Lamech, and the spread of sin. Mark 2:18–28, a time to fast, a time to feast, and the role of the Sabbath.

Genesis 3:1–24, a paradigm for all that has been, and is still, wrong with our world today: the rebellion of humanity against the God who created them. Mark 2:1–17, the authority of Jesus to forgive sins, and his willingness not only to forgive, but also to restore sinners to fellowship with God.

Genesis 2:4–25, from the cosmic panoramic view of God‘s majestic creation of all things, the focus turns to his intimate creation of male and female to be placed in the garden, to tend his creation, and to serve him. Mark 1:29–45, Jesus continues to demonstrate his authority to free human beings from the things in the sinful world that vex them, illness, and separation from God.

Genesis 1:20–2:3, the formless and empty creation, having been given form in the first three days, is now filled with living creatures, most notably, and most importantly, human beings. Mark 1:14–28, Jesus begins his Galilee ministry, and astounds everyone with his great authority.

Genesis 1:1–19, Moses’ words completely contradict virtually everything anybody had ever believed about the nature of the universe and the gods! Mark 1:1–13, right away. Mark introduces us to John, who introduces us to Jesus, who is baptized and begins his work of saving us. The gospel of Mark moves fast!

Job 13:1-12. Job to his friends, "Why must you take God's side! " John 6:1-21. Jesus feeds 5000, and this will launch a lengthy, multi-devotion discussion of signs and foods.

Job 12:1-6, 12-25. Job sarcastically responds to Zophar's comments. John 5:30-47. Jesus provides a list of five witnesses that what He says about himself is true.

Job 11:1-20. Zophar gives a blistering response to Job's outburst, suggesting that Job is stupid and even wicked for speaking as he does and demands that he straighten up his attitude! John 5:19-29. Following up on His audience's belief that He had made Himself "equal to the Father", Jesus explores that very truth, and the life that He has authority to grant.

Job 10:1-22. Job vents out of the bitterness of his heart. John 5:1-18. The misplaced hope of an invalid before he is healed, and the misplaced concern of the Pharisees after the invalid is healed.

Jobe 9:1–35, Job hits bottom, and if he didn’t sin with his words, he came mighty close! How can one fight with God? John 4:46–54, an example of believing Christ’s words, because they are Christ words, without the need of signs and wonders.

Job 8:1–22, a second friend, Bildad, analyzes Jobs’ situation. Perhaps you are a righteous person, Job, but it seems pretty obvious that at least your children sinned! John 4:27–45, having been witnessed to by Jesus, the Samaritan woman goes to town and witnesses to the people there. Meanwhile, Jesus speaks of the harvest.