When we readwhat Jesus says, it’s important to know what he says. That’s axiomatic, right? But sometimes, the setting in which he says something is very important, too.
Let me give you a somewhat silly illustration. Let’s say you and I are playing baseball together. You’re the shortstop and I’m the second baseman. The bases are loaded and our pitcher is looking tired. I turn to you and say, “I’m afraid the dam’s about to bust and we’re going to get flooded.” You nod and get in your stance. You may be chagrined, but you’re not really worried because, after all, it’s just a game. But what if you and I are picnicking at a spot below a dam that holds back a massive lake. If Iwere to say to you, “I’m afraid the dam’s about to bust and we’re going to get flooded,” that’s different from a ball game, isn’t it?
We’re going to look this week and next at one of Jesus’s “famous encounters”, but this week our focus is going to be putting it in place, because the place helps provide the context and a lot of the meaning.
Sunday morning at 10:30.
(Sunday School this week at 9 a.m. We'll be in the 44th chapter of Genesis.)
