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This week we are invited to enter two intriguing stories and a teaching. The first story has to do with God’s presence, solidifying a kingdom, and great joy and generosity. The second story recalls the death of a great man among the early Christian martyrs-the death of John the Baptist. In between the two stories is Paul’s teaching from Ephesians 1 that enumerates the various and many blessings which come to those "in Christ."

2 Samuel 6:1-5; 12b-19-Solidifying the Kingdom

Last week’s lesson told the story of how it happened that David become ruler of both the northern and the southern tribes of Israel. This lesson moves us further toward David’s hold on his new kingdom-the bringing of the Ark God to Jerusalem. The ark of God stutter steps before it enters Jerusalem due to an untimely death that keeps the ark cordoned off like car in Stephen King’s A Buick 8. But when Obed-edom, storage keeper of the ark, prospers David attempts another parade into Jerusalem with the holy object. To the glee of the crowds-and to the disdain of his wife, Michal-David and the ark arrive in Jerusalem amid shouts of joy. With the ark placed under a tent, David offers well-being sacrifices and generously dispatches honey and cakes to the people.

Ephesians 1:3-14-God’s Compassion in Blessing Us

Paul enumerates the spiritual blessings freely poured out on the Christian through their union with God through Jesus Christ. The verbs say it all-Christians are blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, bestowed, loved, and lavished. Selah.

Mark 6:14-29-Herod: This Couldn’t Be JB Could It?

Mark records a story going around early Christian circles about John the Baptist’s tragic demise. As Jesus gains notoriety, Herod and others begin to wonder if perhaps Jesus is really John reincarnate; somehow he must have come back to life due to the uncanny similarity between Jesus and the Baptist. Like a psychological flashback, Mark recalls the story which describes in colorful yet grisly detail how this early key player in the ministry of Jesus died.