Mark: the shepherd king and the second exodus.
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 3:42 am
A shepherd in the wilderness.
Having sojourned with the author through the Old Testament I was better prepared for the references to the motifs of "wilderness and bread" (p174) in the New Testament. I saw more clearly Mark's deliberate use of the "wilderness/desert" (p174) motif. In turn I gained a fresh understanding of the wilderness with all its dangers and difficulties and particularly the remoteness of the wilderness. Therefore Mark's account of the feeding of the five thousand takes on a new depth of meaning beyond the "replication of the miraculous feeding in the wilderness of the exodus account" (175). Rather the author declares that God reveals himself as the one who cares enough for his people to provide for them in a place where they cannot easily provide for themselves (p176).
This observation helped me to engage in pastoral ministry with those who experience journeys into and through a spiritual wilderness. While we often emphasis the presence of God during these times as the one who accompanies us, it is helpful to remind ourselves that he is also the one who provides, rest and grace and spiritual nourishment through his word and at his table in communion.
I was enthralled with the author's ability to convey "pastoral imagery [as] part of a larger redemptive-historical narrative that depicts God's leadership in wilderness settings" (p249).
Having sojourned with the author through the Old Testament I was better prepared for the references to the motifs of "wilderness and bread" (p174) in the New Testament. I saw more clearly Mark's deliberate use of the "wilderness/desert" (p174) motif. In turn I gained a fresh understanding of the wilderness with all its dangers and difficulties and particularly the remoteness of the wilderness. Therefore Mark's account of the feeding of the five thousand takes on a new depth of meaning beyond the "replication of the miraculous feeding in the wilderness of the exodus account" (175). Rather the author declares that God reveals himself as the one who cares enough for his people to provide for them in a place where they cannot easily provide for themselves (p176).
This observation helped me to engage in pastoral ministry with those who experience journeys into and through a spiritual wilderness. While we often emphasis the presence of God during these times as the one who accompanies us, it is helpful to remind ourselves that he is also the one who provides, rest and grace and spiritual nourishment through his word and at his table in communion.
I was enthralled with the author's ability to convey "pastoral imagery [as] part of a larger redemptive-historical narrative that depicts God's leadership in wilderness settings" (p249).