This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

Jesus is rejected both by the
Pharisees and those closest to him.

We’re told Judas, one
of the 12, will betray him.

Jesus’ own family
thinks he has gone insane.

The religious
authorities slander Jesus.

Though they have seen his miracles
and heard him preach, they don’t believe.

Instead, they accuse Jesus of
being empowered by demons.

Ironically, so far in Mark, it’s only the demons
who correctly identify Jesus!

But Jesus isn't in league with the devil; instead,
he’s handcuffing Satan and plundering his house.

Jesus accuses the Pharisees
of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

Their consistent, persistent,
and willful hatred of Jesus

has led them to see the work of the
Spirit and call it the work of Satan.

The Pharisees have
hardened their hearts to Jesus.

The ministry of Jesus has been marked
by people who have opposed
or misunderstood him.

Jesus offers his disciples a series of parables
to explain why this should be expected.

The seed that's scattered
is eaten or choked.

But seeds only grow when
no one can see them.

Like the tiny mustard seed that
gives no clue to how large it can grow.

Jesus’ ministry, even though hidden and persecuted
now, will soon produce an unimaginable harvest.

Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah and says that his
parables intentionally hide his message from outsiders.

But Jesus knows that this hiddenness
will reveal him more clearly.

In fact, the only time Mark shows us a person seeing
Jesus clearly is when a centurion watches him die.

Like a mustard seed being buried, Jesus’s death
promises new life is about to burst from the

ground and the kingdom of God will
no longer be hidden.

Jesus says to his disciples, “You have been
given the secret of the Kingdom of God”.

While the Pharisees slowly hardened
their hearts to the message of Jesus,

the disciples were
gifted understanding.

Jesus gave them the ability
to see through opposition

to the hidden truth in the
message of the Kingdom.

Life comes through death.

This should give us hope as
we face our own opposition.

Jesus will bring life from
our hidden sufferings.

This is what the undeserving
Roman centurion saw.

Even though Jesus died under the weight
of suffering, misunderstanding and slander

he was preparing for us a weight
of glory we cannot imagine.

Anyone who says with the centurion “This
is the Son of God,” anyone who accepts the

hidden message of Jesus, will be
liberated from their bondage to decay

and brought into the freedom
and glory of the children of God.

I pray that the Holy Spirit opens your
eyes to see the God who is hidden.

And may you see Jesus as the
one who opens our eyes to see

and softens our hearts
to see him as our Savior.