Claimed, gathered and sent

It's been a very long time since I posted. I've been juggling sickness and classes, but I think I'm back now. Here is a sermon I preached for my Preaching Mark class based on tomorrow's gospel text. The Holy Gospel according to Mark. “What did you say? What were you talking about?” Many of us have heard the all too familiar answer, “Nothing.” Of course that’s because the children know they have been caught. The disciples’ responded to Jesus ’ similar inquiry with silence, perhaps because they were ashamed, perhaps because Jesus had just been teaching them of his upcoming death and resurrection. And the topic of their conversation—who is the greatest? The setting is Capernaum in Galilee , Jesus ’ home base there, It is from this place he began his Galilean ministry according to Mark . This passage follows the Transfiguration and some healings. For the second time, Jesus teaches of his approaching death and resurrection. In verse 33, “ A...