Denver Community Church

March 13, 2011: The Centrality of Grief – Judy Bruce

February 20, 2011: Over the Underworld – Michael Hidalgo

The sea was more than an unfriendly place in the ancient world, as it was believed to be the gate to the underworld. It was dark, mysterious, and downright terrifying. To be in a boat, during a storm would have been more terrifying as the likelihood of you getting thrown into the sea seemed almost certain. 

As terrified as the disciples were, Jesus, it seems was sound asleep. The disciples begin to plead for help, and he speaks, the sea stops. What kind of man is this that the underworld responds to his orders? In one word he silences the sea, then he speaks to them about their faith. Why do they still lack it? Is Jesus speaking of faith in him, faith in themselves, or faith in th world in which they lived? Maybe it was all three.

February 13, 2011: Two Seeds – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus speaks of the mustard seed comparing it to the kingdom – but he speaks of the mustard seed being planted. A mustard seed that has not been planted does nothing. It will dry out, crack, crumble, and be blow away. But a seed that has been planted will grow into a large, unstoppable plant - to the point where birds will rest in the branches. 

When a seed is planted there is the truth of the plant being nurtured and cared for, but there is also the sense that something else ultimately makes it grow. The Kingdom is something we are called to live within, but it is also something that lives within us (Luke 17:21). It will grow too within us … is it possible that there are seeds inside of us that we have not allowed to take root? Seeds that are still not planted?

If we are a part of the Kingdom of Heaven, then we become the soil in which the seed is planted. We are vehicles then for the unruly plant of the Kingdom – and we get to be the places where birds find shelter in our branches.

February 6, 2011: Give It Up – Dave Neuhausel

Jesus gives a very cryptic saying about light, concealment, and that which is hidden. Many believe that Jesus is speaking of himself with regard to the light and to that which is secret. At this point we can see that not everyone knows who Jesus is … yet, as we now know in our present world, this is no longer true. Many know who Jesus is. 

January 30, 2011: Ripped Apart, Riddled with Death, and Bursting Forth with Life – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus tells a story about a sower throwing seed down. The sower seems indiscriminate in how he spreads the seed. He simply throws it everywhere. But it only grows up in one place. The seed only takes root in fertile soil. 

Any good gardener knows that good soil contains a lot of death and is tilled up, ready for planting. Fertile soil is not something that just happens, but something that takes a lot of work. Perhaps this is the secret of the Kingdom that Jesus speaks of. It is only through death, tilling, and ripping apart that we ever get to the place where we are fertile and ready for the word.

January 23, 2011: An Interesting Family Tree – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus’ family thinks he is crazy. They come to get him and take him away, presumably for a time of rest. This would not be something far outside the norm. Family was the central social unit in Jesus’ day … which is what makes his assertion all the more amazing. 

His reply to his mother’s and brothers’ concern was, “Who are they?” He then responds to his own question by saying, “All of you are my family.” This was a foundation shifting statement to make. Jesus is asserting that there is a commitment higher than that of family, namely the Kingdom of Heaven. 

January 16, 2011: Bindin' and Stealin' – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus presents the religious with a new vision of who he was and what he was going to do in their midst. He uses violent language – break-in, tie up, plunder. All illegal activities. Yet this is the metaphor, the parable Jesus uses. Jesus is digging into his opponents with this language. He is not simply disagreeing … he is pointing out that they are complicit in the Kingdom that will fall … along with its “house” (a seeming reference to the temple).

It was believed that when Israel lost its independence that God relegated the rule of Israel to earthly powers – to the devil and his angels. While it seems that Jesus is speaking philosophically and myth logically, he may also be making a bold statement about the coming destruction of Israel. Jesus, it seems, is going about binding up the strong man, and cleaning house. And what exactly is he “plundering” – Jesus is answering a question posed by the prophet Isaiah in Isa 49: “Can plunder be taken from a warrior …?” God’s reply is a firm “yes.” And the plunder are the captives who are set free.

January 9, 2011: Near. Far. – Michael Hidalgo

There is a massive crowd following Jesus. His popularity and power seem to be at an all time high. Out of these throngs of people, he calls hisHere we have a list of the 12 disciples. At the end of the list is Judas Iscariot. Mark tells us that he is the one who betrayed Jesus. Fair enough. But Mark says this in hindsight, which is always 20/20. What was it like before Judas betrayed Jesus?

 

What was in Judas’ heart, that at some point in his life he would betray Jesus? When Jesus gives power, he gives this to all of them, even Judas. Yet farther down the road Judas seems to be miles away from everyone else. So far in fact that he ends up betraying Jesus, and then hanging himself. 

January 2, 2011: Inside, Outside – Dave Neuhausel

December 26, 2010: Open – Jon Gettings