Category: MARK

Re: Verse reading–Mark 14:43-52; 15:1-15 (day five)

“Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy”.

Isn’t scripture wonderful? Every time we read it, God has a new insight or principle for us to learn. Through the study of Mark, God has placed in my heart, the role of prayer (practice and priority) in a strong and vibrant faith. Mark begins his gospel with the example of Jesus praying in chapter one. Another 25 times throughout the book, Jesus models or encourages prayer.

What if Jesus’ frustration with His disciples in the garden wasn’t because He felt they had let Him down, but rather they should have been praying because of the testing and temptations that were coming their way? Jesus didn’t count on them for sentimental support. He had already turned to God for strength, wisdom, and courage. He was still aware and concerned for their faith in their upcoming spiritual and physical dangers. Mark clearly wants his readers to learn the lesson the disciples didn’t- the ability to stand firm in trials of our faith is found in prayer.  The tensions and temptations are still very real for us. Will we learn and practice the prayer lessons found in the gospel of Mark?

Re: Verse reading–Mark 14:43-52; 15:1-15 (day four)

These words could define all of Jesus’ life…”but this has taken place in order to fulfill Scriptures.” (v. 49)  There had be ample opportunity to have arrested Him earlier and the religious leaders thought they had made their own careful, precise plans, but prophets had prophesized long before that these events would take place.  In Psalms, Isaiah, Zechariah and even by Jesus Himself, the actions of the leaders were foretold.  God was in complete control of history…it all happened according to His vast plan.

Have you ever felt that your life was out of control?  Events were happening that you could not understand or change?  As we become more like Jesus, we can begin to recognize God at work.  A Christian worldview gives a completely different perspective of world events than you will hear on the news.  Filtering events through the lens of Scripture brings new focus and understanding.  Maybe we can come to the point of saying with Jesus…”but this has taken place in order to fulfill Scriptures!”

Re: Verse reading–Mark 14:43-52; 15:1-15 (day three)

“Jesus still made no reply.”  Consider: The one whose speech alone brought the universe into existence did not utter a word here.  This is what the use of speech looks like in the hands of a master.  Jesus refused to treat words as an escape hatch from the present moment.  Like using friendship to advance a self-serving agenda, or using others’ feelings of compassion to evade your responsibilities, the use of words to circumvent your own suffering is existential malpractice.  At this point, words would have only served to shield Jesus from the suffering that must come for the good of the human race.  You have perhaps desired to imitate the words of Jesus.  What will it take for you to imitate the silence of Jesus?

Re: Verse reading–Mark 14:43-52; 15:1-15 (day two) Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me…14:49

The same men who would stand on the street corners and pray loudly so that all could hear them and marvel at their knowledge of the scriptures are the ones who would sneak around and capture Jesus at night away from those crowds. These are the men who would loudly toss their coins into the offering in order to make as much noise and thereby indicate how much they gave. These who would seek Jesus’ life were politically savvy, and they understood public opinion. What they wanted the people to see, they did openly, loudly, with conviction. What they didn’t want the public to see was done in cover of darkness.

Be honest, where do we sin the most? Out in front of everyone? Not likely. Most of us know how best to hide our sins from the world. How did these actions turn out for those who sought to get rid of Jesus? For Judas? We all have business to do with Jesus, deal with him while you can.

Re: Verse reading–Mark 14:43-52; 15:1-15 (day one)

“Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi’ and kissed him.”–v 45

Who was Judas trying to fool?  Not Jesus, certainly.  Their conversation a few hours before made it clear that Jesus knew what Judas was up to.  The other disciples?  Perhaps he hoped that the other men would assume that the authorities had “followed him” to the garden, without his knowledge or cooperation.  Maybe, even then, Judas believed that he could force a revolution and that eventually these men would thank him.   Why else would he pretend?

Most likely, Judas was fooling himself.  It is hard to look at sin (our own).  Painful.  To avoid the shame, we pretend, even to ourselves.  We tell ourselves lies.  We play a part, never realizing that the truth is (or will be) obvious to everyone.

“Nothing is hidden that won’t be revealed”–Luke 8:17.  Don’t fool yourself.  A sign in Heaven says, “Truth is spoken here”.

 

Re:Verse reading–Mark 14:12-31 (day seven)

“I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”–v 25

I like Jesus.  Eyes on the future.  Hope!

Just hours away from the cross.  Betrayed by a friend (at some level, ALL of his friends), His clear eyes are still focused on the bright day of God’s coming victory.  “We will be together again” he says in v 25.  “At a great celebration, with wine and glad hearts”.

“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross” says Hebrews 12:2.  I wonder how courageous I would be if I could see life through His eyes?  I wonder how undisturbed I would be by the pain and pettiness of this present age if I knew, really knew, that a happy victory was coming, and that I would share it with Him?

I think it is time for me to find out!

Re:Verse reading–Mark 14:12-31 (day five)

How quickly they must have forgotten what had just been sung. Mark’s account of the Last Supper mentions that Jesus and His disciples “sung a hymn”. Ever wonder what they sang? In all likelihood it was the second part of the Hallel (Psalms 114-118). Look at some of the words, “The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes”.

No doubt fear played a part in the disciples desertion and denial of Jesus. Here are some of the dangers of fear: fear can master our hearts and minds (leaving no room for hope, trust, and joy), fear causes us to be unfocused and unloving (God and others), and fear becomes the loudest voice we hear (drowning out the still small voice of the Lord). Maybe we should sing those lyrics everyday- “The Lord is for me; I will not fear”.

Re:Verse reading–Mark 14:12-31 (day four)

It was an ancient Jewish festival…Pesach was a spring festival associated with the season of grain harvest.  In the course of time, the life of the Jews changed and the festival took on new meanings and new significances.  During the period of the exodus, Pesach, or Passover as it was reinterpreted, became associated with the deliverance from Egypt.  Now, in celebrating the Passover with His disciples, Jesus attaches a new meaning and significance to the celebration.  It has become what believers now know as the Lord’s Supper…remembering His death and sacrifice made for men and women.

Has your life had periods of new meaning and significance to old experiences?  Have you grown in your relationship with Christ?  Life is not intended to remain stagnant…there is constant growth.  Seek the Lord daily for wisdom and direction.  The living Word of God and the Spirit of God will open new understanding…the application of His Truth to your life will bring new significance…the realization of God’s promises will bring great joy!

Re: Verse reading–Mark 14:12-31 (day three)

“‘Surely you don’t mean me?’”  It’s hard to take an inside look.  How about this hilarious 2002 statistic from pollster George Barna: Ninety percent of pastors rate themselves as above-average preachers and teachers.  Ninety percent are above average?  Think about that.  Anyway, Jesus kept saying life with him requires that a person deny himself.  But we say we just need a little margin, a little breathing space, a little vacation from the frustration.  If we can have that, we’ll be golden.  No, Jesus says, we don’t need that.  What we need is God’s mercy in the face of our depravity.  As long as we’re in surely-not-I mode, we won’t believe for a moment that our own wickedness is gumming up the works.  And so we claim to be without sin.