Bible Study Wednesday at 6:30 PM

Hi everyone,

The Gospel for this Sunday is one that is often a challenge for Christians that have worked hard and have enjoyed financial success in their careers.  It seems as if a relatively decent and religiously observant rich person cannot be saved unless he gives away all of his possessions.  We are assured in the letter to the Hebrews that we have a high priest who, in his death, has already given all away so that in the risen Christ, we may come before God and find mercy and grace.

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Pastor Tim

"God has led you to the desert, and spoken to your Heart."

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church

3546 E. Thomas Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-1620 office

Bible Study for October 13, 2024

Opening Prayer:

Creator of all, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in study. Open our minds and hearts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, unite us in faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to the gospel and to walk humbly with you. Grant us your peace as we grow in wisdom and understanding. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 10:17-31 How is following Jesus like being a powerless child?

This is often one of the more difficult teachings of Jesus for people who have worked hard and been financially successful in their careers.  We know that the rich man in the Gospel was surprised by Jesus! 

While he kept the commandments all of his life, Jesus looked at him with what we can imagine was a sad smile. For he knew his every weakness. Jesus tenderly told him, “Go, sell all you own…and follow me.” Taken aback by this request, the rich man went home brokenhearted and unwilling to give up his earthly fortune. The rich man thought that with all his wealth he could afford to do some good thing that would entitle him to eternal life. Jesus asked for him to possess nothing so that he would become totally dependent upon God. In being dependent on God he would realize that God alone would save him, and he could do nothing to save himself. 

Hebrews 4:12-16 How do you approach God? What makes you hesitant? What gives you confidence?

This reading confronts us with challenging questions: How do we understand the term “word”? Is it to be understood as Jesus, the “Word of God”? The proclamation found in Scripture? The continuing revelation of God throughout the ages? The answer is “yes”—all three. To fully comprehend the reading, the community must understand that, in this passage, the writer’s intent is not to define the term. Rather than dwell on what it is, the writer proclaims what the word does. As we consider the reference in v. 14, it may be helpful to know that the high priest on the Day of Atonement entered through the curtain into the “holy place” where the ark of the covenant rested. He was to perform many rituals for the atonement of Israel’s sin (Leviticus 16). The writer of Hebrews brings this image forward to the time of Jesus, saying he has “passed through the heavens” and is now the high priest who reigns without sin. All this being said, believers were to approach the throne not in sackcloth and ashes with heads bowed in shame, but boldly and with confidence. Through Jesus, the gate to God was open for all.