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The Studies Stream offers easy access to all the existing Growing Disciples video resources. This stream also features new ‘Deep Dive’ studies on selected books and important themes of the Bible. Frequently Asked Questions will also be answered in written articles. New resources will be added each month.
The title of Mark’s gospel makes clear that it’s all about Jesus, who is the Messiah, the Son of God. Mark presents this message in an economical and direct manner that will be useful for the persecuted 1st century Christians of Rome. Mark’s economic use of language should never be thought simplistic. Instead, he invites the reader’s inquiry into Jesus’ claim to be the kind of suffering servant saviour Messiah described in the latter writings of the prophet Messiah.
Through the strange account of the prophet Balaam and King Balak, we are assured that God's purposes do not change. He will bless those who bless Abraham's offspring, and curse those who curse them. And although Israel seems a very unpromising people, God will certainly keep his covenant promises. Despite everything that has happened in the wilderness years documented in the book of Numbers, God is still "for" his people.
Jesus upholds all the laws and commandments given to Moses'� not just the 10 Commandments. He says they cannot change in the least'� until all things are accomplished. And then he goes ahead and fulfils them completely on our behalf, freeing us from the condemnation we deserved under the Law of Moses. However, because the enduring value of these laws, Jesus continues to expound them in his Sermon on the Mount.
The last 3 of the 10 commandments seem uncontroversial. Their prohibitions protect basic human rights or maintain good moral order. They are like fences that protect our neighbour from our sin. But Jesus would have us proactively love our neighbour, which has far greater implications for us.
The book of Numbers is very much a journey narrative, from Mount Sinai'� very soon after Israel had escaped Egypt'� through to the their arrival on the doorstep of the Promised Land. This journey is what the New Testament frequently looks back upon as a pattern or parallel for the Christian life of discipleship. We are Christian pilgrims on a spiritual journey. We are somehow, like Israel and should learn from their experience.
Israel's journey from Egypt to Canaan is about much more than geography and getting from A to B: it is a journey of spiritual formation for the people of Israel. They are learning to trust in the promises of God, learning to put their faith in God's appointed leadership; and perhaps most significantly, they are learning what it means to Fear God.
The journey from Mount Sinai to Canaan could be done in about 2 months, even with flocks and herds. But in the centre section of the book of Numbers 13-19, we learn why it ended up taking Israel 40 years.
