6.29.09 Gn38, Mk9

Genesis 38:
Judah, Jacob’s son left his brothers and stayed with his friend Hirah, a Canaanite. He married a girl named Shua, and he had three sons from her: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Er had a wife named Tamar. God put Er to death and Judah gave Tamar to Onan so that Er could have children through Onan. However Onan didn’t want to have children in his brother’s name. God then put Onan to death. Judah sent Tamar home to live with her father and promised her when Shelah grows older he would continue the duty. Judah’s wife died in the middle. However, Judah didn’t fulfill his promise. One day, when he and his friend were going to shear their sheep, Tamar heard it and went to them with her face covered so that Judah thought she was a prostitute, and slept with her. She asked for his seal and its cord as well as the staff in Judah’s hand, until Judah has sent the goat that he promised him. However, she left, so Judah couldn’t find her to give her the goat. Months later, Judah received notice that Tamar became pregnant and he was furious, and wanted to burn her to death, however after he found out that he was the father, he repented for not giving Shelah after he grew up. Tamar gave birth to twin brothers and one’s had came out first but the other’s body came out first.

Mark 9:
Continue with Chapter 8, Jesus said that he would die before some of the disciples. After 6 days, Jesus took Peter, James and John to the mountain and they saw Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus. Peter asked Jesus if they should put up shelters for Moses and Elijah. He didn’t know what he was talking about. Jesus’ cloths became the purest form of white. A cloud came and enveloped them and told the disciples that Jesus is God’s son. When they asked Jesus why the teachers of the law said Elijah comes first, he said that it’s because Elijah did come first and all they wished to do to him was already done.
Jesus also saved a boy from an evil spirit, and when the disciples asked him why they couldn’t do it, he told them that this evil one needed to be driven out by prayer. Jesus then took his disciples away and taught them from everyone else. He predicted that one of the people would betray him.
When they went to Capernaum, Jesus asked them what they were arguing about on the boat. They were ashamed to tell Jesus. Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus told them whoever wanted to be first must be last and a servant. He then took a child and said that whoever welcomed the children welcomed him and in turn, welcomed the one who sent him. He also told the disciples not to stop anyone who were casting out demons in his name because he wasn’t an enemy, but considered one of them.
Then he said that whoever causes the children to sin deserves hell. If anyone’s any body parts were sinning one should amputate it before going to heaven because that is better than going to hell. And the salt will be thrown away if it lost it’s saltiness, but have piece in the Lord, and have peace in his name.