Gospel According to Pop: Episode 12 (Won't You Please Let Me Back into Your Heart: Jackson 5)

This song is sung by the amazing Ally Nugent


Today's video is a meditation on the story of Jesus healing the blind man. I'm particularly thinking of the story as it appears in Mark, because Jesus fails the first time and it takes two tries to restore the man's vision.

Mark 8:22 They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Can you see anything?" 24 And the man looked up and said, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking." 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

This need for Jesus to try again does not appear in other Gospels. I think it's a great opportunity for us to think about how second (or sometimes third, fourth, fifth or a million) chances are needed to get things right. After all, if God has to try again sometimes, why would be expect perfection from oursevles, partners, pastors or others we hold in too high a regard?

Gospel According to Pop: Episode 11 (It Isn't Happening :Be Good Tanyas)

A meditation from the point of view of Jairus, whose daughter dies because Jesus gets distracted and doesn't make it before his daughter dies. I imagine these words are how Jairus feels in the moments before Jesus bring his daughter back to life.

Gospel According to Pop: Episode 3 (Be Ok by Ingrid Michaelson)

A meditation on the healings and miracles of Jesus:


You can imagine any of the ailments listed in the bible being healed as you watch and listen. Or, you can think about your own life and what you would do or feel if someone was within arms length that could cure any disease, addiction, blemish or feeling of self doubt. Would you reach out and claim your wholeness? Or would you feel afraid? Maybe you have claimed as a gift what others see as a disability and you wouldn't want to be "healed."

What if you were it was all within your grasp? There are no ruby slippers: just some hands, some spit mixed with mud and some faith.