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In his book I...

Illustration
First Sunday of Advent - C
Jeremiah 33:14-16

In his book Theology of Hope, Jurgen Moltmann comments on the relationship of promise to history: "[God] promises a new world of all-embracing life, of righteousness and truth, and with this promise he constantly calls this world in question -- not because to the eye of hope it is as nothing, but because to the eye of hope it is not yet what it has the prospect of being." When Jesus, the righteous Branch from David, is born of Mary, God fills full (fulfills) history with the prospect of what humanity is destined for, namely reconciled relationship with God.

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Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me... (v. 34)

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For February 28, 2021:

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Contents
“Breaking Jesus’ Heart” by John Sumwalt
“Wade In the Water” by Frank Ramirez


Breaking Jesus’ Heart
by John Sumwalt
Psalm 22:23-31

For he did not despise or abhor
    the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
    but heard when I cried to him. (Psalm 22:24)

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The next Barbie doll in line was instantly alert. There were five different Barbie dolls, who lived jumbled together in the toy cupboard but who were so jealous of each other that they rarely spoke. "Seen what?" asked the second Barbie doll, blue eyes darting all round the room.

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Russell F. Anderson
Theme For The Day: The road to God's kingdom is the way of obedience, suffering and death, the way of the cross. Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow him.


BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Genesis 17:1--7, 15--16 (C)
John W. Clarke
These verses from Mark's gospel are a call to commitment, a call to sacrifice, and a call to give up everything of earthly value in life. To say these are difficult verses is truly an understatement. It is pretty clear that the disciples are not at all ready for what Jesus is saying. They are not ready for Jesus to die and they certainly are not ready to die themselves.

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