Solomon was one of the greatest kings in Israel’s history, and perhaps in the whole world. Yet in Psalm 72 he writes about and blesses a coming King who is the “greater than Solomon” — a king whose people flourish, whose kingdom expands, and who rules with perfect justice and righteousness. And he doesn’t earn his kingdom by power and might alone; he wins the kingdom by his love and mercy.

When suffering overwhelms us, we can find ourselves asking the disciples’ question: “Teacher, do you not care?” In Mark 4:35–41, Jesus reveals his authority over the storm—and points us toward the storm he would endure for us at the cross. Because Jesus is Lord over the storm, and because he took the storm we deserved, we can trust him and rest in his love, whatever we face.

Evil enslaves, harms, isolates, and dehumanizes—and human strength cannot overcome it. But Jesus can. In Mark 5:1–20, Jesus enters the realm of the dead and rescues a man no one could subdue. “The Grave Robber” reveals Christ’s power to free us from sin, clothe us in righteousness, renew our lives, and send us to tell others how much the Lord has done for us.

In the Parable of the Soils, Jesus reveals the power of the gospel, the dangers that threaten its fruitfulness, and the grace of the divine Sower. The question is not merely whether we hear God’s word, but whether we welcome it deeply—allowing it to take root and transform every part of our lives.

Jesus tells his listeners to pay attention to what they hear: the measure they use will be measured back to them, and more will be given. In Mark 4:21–25, we see why Jesus conceals the truth in parables, what it means to hear and receive his word, and the generous promise awaiting those who come to him: he gives us more of himself.

Two stories over two different Sabbath days come together to reveal to us the danger of “performative religion” in contrast to the grace of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. Man-made religions teach us to work, so that we might be accepted. But the Lord of rest and grace gives us forgiveness and salvation when we don’t deserve it; the gospel reverses the order of man-made religion. We can work (and rest) because we have been accepted.

In Home Alone, Kevin believed that his happiness would be achieved by being his own authority — “the man of the house.” Do we believe that, too? Jesus came with authority from God — authority over unclean spirits, disease, sickness, and even authority to forgive sins — and he uses that authority to accomplish God’s glory and our great and lasting happiness. It turns out, our greatest joy comes from submitting to the authority of King Jesus, who sought our eternal good at his own cost.

Jesus does not wait for worthy disciples to seek him out—he takes the initiative and calls sinners to himself. In Mark 1:16–20 and 2:13–17, we see that following Jesus comes at a real cost, but also that he welcomes the needy, befriends sinners, and makes the spiritually sick whole.