Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk

If authority is the power to demand a response, and if Jesus is clearly a person with authority, then Jesus has the right to demand a response from the crowd in the synagogue and from us.

Jesus begins his ministry by calling others to come with him and help him proclaim his message of the kingdom. It’s important to note that Jesus doesn’t work alone.

We have heard about the preparations that God made for the birth of Jesus and John. We have been given some initial idea of their missions and characteristics. And now it is time for them to go their separate ways.

The final aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry is that of deliverer from contamination and impurity. We suffer from a different kind of uncleanness, yet Jesus stretches out his hand to cleanse us.

Jesus lived in reference to another world. He was oriented to a heavenly kingdom that even his most religious contemporaries did not share.

There is plenty for us to be afraid of, but Jesus encourages us to trust in his power. He who can walk fearlessly over the waves of a storm can also look after us.

Care, community, and nourishment will be a regular part of Jesus’ ministry. They are, as it were, his trademarks.