Season of Lent

Season of Lent: Jesus Before Pilate

April 2, 2023 • Micah Witham • Mark 15:1–15

Content Warning: The content of this week's sermon references and discusses points made in The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone. Mark 15:1-15, Pilate has not always been the one sided character you may have grown up hearing about. Micah challenges and invites us to consider the origin of the cross, its use in subjugating people outside Rome, and the modern equivalent we might see or experience today.

Season of Lent: Peter Disowns Jesus

March 26, 2023 • Micah Witham • Mark 14:66–72

Mark 14:66-72, We follow the journey of Peter and his walk with Jesus through the highs and lows. Micah explores the idea that we are not the sum of our mistakes or successes, but rather bear the image of God and the love the world was made out of.

Season of Lent: Passover

March 5, 2023 • Micah Witham • Mark 14:12–26

Mark 14: 12-26, Micah explores the meaning of Passover and the ritual that would have been normal and habitual for a Jewish person. What is Jesus doing by deviating from the Passover script?

Easter Sunday 2023

April 9, 2023 • Micah Witham • Mark 16

Micah provides an honest reflection on the significance of Easter and the importance of faith in a story that can at times feel unbelievable.

Season of Lent: Anointing at Bethany

February 26, 2023 • Micah Witham • Mark 14:1–11

Mark 14: 1-11, Jesus gets anointed at Bethany by an unnamed woman. The deed is met with disdain by the disciples, but is welcomed by Jesus who recognizes the significance of the moment and his coming death. Micah sits with the questions, can you recognize the moment you are in? And how will you be remembered when all is said and done?

Season of Lent: Prayer at Gethsemane

March 12, 2023 • Micah Witham • Mark 14:27–51

Mark 14:27-51, The humanity of Jesus is on full display as he prays to God for relief from distress, another path that might not lead to death. Micah highlights the ways Jesus becomes our truest friend and ally in life because he entered into the deepest struggle of humanity.

Season of Lent: Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

March 19, 2023 • Micah Witham • Mark 14:53–65

Mark 14: 53-65, Jesus goes before the Sanhedrin where he experiences firsthand the at times unjust system of religious law. Micah brings forth the invitation and challenge to welcome outside perspectives, listen to voices who do not find themselves in the majority, and in doing so find ourselves experiencing an old story with new eyes.

Awaken Community

Lent 2023