Criminal
He has been telling his disciples that the Son of Man must suffer many things (Mark 8:31-33, 9:30-31, 10:32-34). We see this unraveling as we continue to read through this chapter. We see the beginning of these events beginning to take place, mainly that Christ is delivered into the hands of the chief priests and scribes. I. Treated like a Traitor Jesus as he was telling the disciples that his betrayer is at hand (Mark 14:42) in steps Judas. We know what
Strong in Weakness
As we continue to this dark and depressing chapter, we see one of the depths of sorrow that Christ felt in his humiliation. As we have seen this chapter shows the faithlessness of Christ’s disciples. As Jesus’ earthly ministry comes to an end the disciples will betray, abandon and deny Christ. In today’s passage, we see the disciples' shortcomings and weakness, in the flesh. However, we see Christ’s sorrow and the realities of anxiety that is upon his human shoulders.
Unfaithful Disciples
The chapter truly is depressing. One could almost forget what has happened over the last three years or so of Jesus' earthly ministry. The chapter is marked with betrayal, denial, abandonment, weakness, arrest, and false testimony. Jesus’ days were filled with conflict; however, these last days of his earthly ministry are dark moments in world history. These grievous sins are horrific for us to consider but in light of Jesus' ministry which sought to heal so many and teach the
Our Passover Lamb
Every community or family has traditions. Some are deliberate others develop over time. These are embedded into the community or family. Often those outside looking in get a sense of that tradition, but it seems more to be a reoccurring event rather than something with purpose, nostalgia, or longevity. As Australian many American traditions overlap because of the connection to the Christian Calendar. Yet, some don’t always have the same equivalence. America has thanksgiving and black Friday. Australia has boxing
He Knows
We are not surprised when enemies attack and kill their enemies. However, betrayal comes as a surprise because it is not enemies that attack you but your friends or family. Many of us know of Julius Caesar, one of the greatest Roman generals. However, his death came not at the hands of his adversaries but from his nephew, Marcus Junius Brutus (imagine calling his name out). The politically motivated assignation came from Brutus and other senators. Historians explain the last
Alabaster Box
Following chapter 13 which is the longest section of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel of Mark, we turn now to chapter 14 which is the longest chapter in the gospel of Mark. The rapid pace of movement is back, as we are well aware in the Gospel of Mark. And we turn to a familiar question that has come up time and time again in the Gospel of Mark, “who do you say Jesus is?” The question that Jesus asked
No One Knows
As we have looked at the perplexing chapter of Mark 13 over the past five weeks, I have sought to explain the connection between Mark 11-12 to chapter 13 as Jesus pronounces judgment upon the city of Jerusalem, mainly the temple for their rejection of the Christ. I have highlighted every time that Jesus is addressing two questions given by his four disciples following his pronouncement of the tearing down of the stones of the temple Mark 13:2). The two
This Generation
As we continue to walk through this perplexing chapter in Mark 13, we have noted that the perplexity comes because of the many difficult passages to understand in this chapter, ‘these things,’ ‘those days,’ ‘tribulation,’ ‘abomination of desolation,’ or ‘let the reader understand.’ We have again another difficult phrase today, ‘this generation.’ However, before we get to the difficult phrase, we need to remember what question Jesus is asking in Mark 13. Many people come to Mark 13 and try
An Audible Sermon
As we have been going slowly through Mark chapter 13, or as we have been referring to it as the perplexing chapter, we find ourselves at another difficult passage. I believe this chapter is perplexing because of the many layers which are found in it. It stems from Christ’s words to his disciples about the destruction of the temple (vs 3) and the disciples' two questions about when it will happen and what are the signs it is about to
Abomination of Desolation
As we continue to look at the most perplexing passages in scripture, we come to another perplexing passage. Before we look at this passage, we need to be reminded of what has gone before. Mainly Jesus’ disciples' questions are found in verse 4, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” Two questions relating to ‘these things’ which is a reference to verse two when Jesus
