Mark 16 : 1-13
“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here.
See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee;
there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
Can you imagine the fright and then excitement as they realised their Lord is risen.
Our Lord lives, our Lord lives, is all powerful and even has power over death.
Indeed death where is your sting.
Mark 16 : 14-20
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved;
but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe:
In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents;
and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
In that triumphant note we end our study of the gospel by Mark.
Let us always celebrate and remember our Lord as we honour Him with our lives to fulfill His commission.
Triumphant is the follower of Christ for His victory over sin and death was so that we would not be ruled by sin and even the
punishment for sin He conquered on our behalf.
Humbled is the follower of Christ for when we realise the Father's love and grace always abounds to us.
Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Second Adam (Mark 15)
Mark 15 : 1 - 5
Our Lord is bound and sent before Pilate by the religious leaders.
Pilate marvelled at Him, only one question He answered, yes I am as they say
The King of the Jews. Why did He not get into debate with them?
Acceptance that no matter what He answered He knew they just wanted to kill Him.
He also knew that He needed to die to fulfill what He came for.
They as well were acting as they should so that He could ransom all mankind.
Mark 15 : 6 - 47
Our Lord is substituted for a known criminal, mocked, beaten, spit on, crucified, and buried.
Envy, jealousy, fear, pride, arrogance the list goes on as to why the religious leaders
decide to kill our Lord and stirred the crowds to fulfill their desire.
At the root is wanting to be regarded like God or as God.
Our Lord revealed their ignorance, spite, and pride and they stirred the people to keep their positions.
Notice how it is exactly the same reason satan is a fallen angel.
In Genesis, "if you eat of the fruit you will know as much as God does, and you will be like Him".
Is it not fitting that our Saviour, the second Adam, died to reconcile us under the same root sin that
separated us in the first place from our Father.
Our Lord is bound and sent before Pilate by the religious leaders.
Pilate marvelled at Him, only one question He answered, yes I am as they say
The King of the Jews. Why did He not get into debate with them?
Acceptance that no matter what He answered He knew they just wanted to kill Him.
He also knew that He needed to die to fulfill what He came for.
They as well were acting as they should so that He could ransom all mankind.
Mark 15 : 6 - 47
Our Lord is substituted for a known criminal, mocked, beaten, spit on, crucified, and buried.
Envy, jealousy, fear, pride, arrogance the list goes on as to why the religious leaders
decide to kill our Lord and stirred the crowds to fulfill their desire.
At the root is wanting to be regarded like God or as God.
Our Lord revealed their ignorance, spite, and pride and they stirred the people to keep their positions.
Notice how it is exactly the same reason satan is a fallen angel.
In Genesis, "if you eat of the fruit you will know as much as God does, and you will be like Him".
Is it not fitting that our Saviour, the second Adam, died to reconcile us under the same root sin that
separated us in the first place from our Father.
Sunday, 18 June 2017
Acceptance (Mark 14)
Mark 14 : 1 - 2
The plot to kill our Lord is delayed.
One of the things we come to understand is that our Father will do or move anything
for His plan to be fulfilled. I can imagine the sence of pride as the leaders say to
honour our religion we will kill Him later, as if it was up to them when our Lord would
give His life. Until the moment our Lord is kept safe.
Mark 14 : 3 - 8
We are now entering the last days of our Lord on earth.
We know He has predicted His death but what amazes me is the acceptance and peace with which He does it.
Our Lord was fully human as well, the lesson for us i believe is that when we trust the Father completely we also are able to find peace and resolve no matter how unpalatable the circumstance.
She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.
Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world,
what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
The condition and motive of our hearts is what our Lord is always looking at.
She has done what she could.
I do not think the lady understood as she poured the oil that she was preparing her Lord for burial. But if she did can you imagine how heart sore she must have been. If she did not she poured all her heart and soul into showing her Lord how much she loved and appreciated Him. She challenges us as well, have we emptied all, or are the things we cannot pour in honour and worship of our Lord.
The bare minimum will not do, the easiest to let go will not do, the most expensive to show off will also not do. All we can and have will do to honour and serve our Lord.
Mark 14 : 10 - 31
Judas agrees to betray the Lord.
The Lord sends His disciples to make ready a house to share the passover in together.
In this house the Lord reveals that one of them will betray Him.
Our Lord institutes the Lord supper.
Our Lord predicts Peter's denial.
We treasure the Lord supper and we do it to remember His sacrifice.
The invitation is for us all the betrayers, the deniers, the liars, the doubters, and the cowards. Our Lord shared this remarkable meal with all of them knowing what they all would do.
There is acceptance for us all at the table of the Lord, the Father's mercy and grace is far greater than our sin.
Mark 14 : 32 - 41
36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
The plot to kill our Lord is delayed.
One of the things we come to understand is that our Father will do or move anything
for His plan to be fulfilled. I can imagine the sence of pride as the leaders say to
honour our religion we will kill Him later, as if it was up to them when our Lord would
give His life. Until the moment our Lord is kept safe.
Mark 14 : 3 - 8
We are now entering the last days of our Lord on earth.
We know He has predicted His death but what amazes me is the acceptance and peace with which He does it.
Our Lord was fully human as well, the lesson for us i believe is that when we trust the Father completely we also are able to find peace and resolve no matter how unpalatable the circumstance.
She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.
Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world,
what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
The condition and motive of our hearts is what our Lord is always looking at.
She has done what she could.
I do not think the lady understood as she poured the oil that she was preparing her Lord for burial. But if she did can you imagine how heart sore she must have been. If she did not she poured all her heart and soul into showing her Lord how much she loved and appreciated Him. She challenges us as well, have we emptied all, or are the things we cannot pour in honour and worship of our Lord.
The bare minimum will not do, the easiest to let go will not do, the most expensive to show off will also not do. All we can and have will do to honour and serve our Lord.
Mark 14 : 10 - 31
Judas agrees to betray the Lord.
The Lord sends His disciples to make ready a house to share the passover in together.
In this house the Lord reveals that one of them will betray Him.
Our Lord institutes the Lord supper.
Our Lord predicts Peter's denial.
We treasure the Lord supper and we do it to remember His sacrifice.
The invitation is for us all the betrayers, the deniers, the liars, the doubters, and the cowards. Our Lord shared this remarkable meal with all of them knowing what they all would do.
There is acceptance for us all at the table of the Lord, the Father's mercy and grace is far greater than our sin.
Mark 14 : 32 - 41
36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Our Lord teaches us that acceptance is not denying that we need the Father's help to carry out His plans. It is not pretending that we are not concerned when we are.
He teaches us how to be courageous, trust the Lord, be honest with the Father about your concerns, trust the Father and step into His plan.
Monday, 12 June 2017
The final plan (Mark 13)
Mark 13 : 1 - 2
Our Lord teaches us that all is temporal.
Mark 13 : 3 - 8
Our Lord predicts the end of the Age.
Mark 13 : 9 - 13
Our Lord predicts persecution for the sake of His name.
Mark 13 : 14 - 23
Our Lord predicts the great tribulation.
Mark 13 : 24 - 27
Our Lord tells us that after the great tribulation He will come for those who belong to Him.
Mark 13 : 28 - 37
Our Lord urges us to be alert and be aware.
He tells us all will pass away and only He will remain.
He also warns that we will never be able to learn the time or the hour.
The reason we are studying books of the Bible together is that we would know whom we are following.
That we would learn from our Lord and endeavor to live like Him for He is our only example and standard.
That we would know what we believe and be able to share with others the gospel we carry.
Lastly as this chapters warns us earnestly that we would not be deceived but know the plans of the Father and not be fooled by fake prophets or messiahs.
I dont know if you remember when we studied the letters written to Timothy, and decided to engage and be vigilant, the first thing we learnt is that just like our Lord came to fulfill the plans of the Father so are we,
In this chapter our Lord reveals to us how the Father plans to wrap up all, that we would not be frightened but find strength in Him for He is coming and this time forever.
He will change all once and for all.
Our Lord teaches us that all is temporal.
Mark 13 : 3 - 8
Our Lord predicts the end of the Age.
Mark 13 : 9 - 13
Our Lord predicts persecution for the sake of His name.
Mark 13 : 14 - 23
Our Lord predicts the great tribulation.
Mark 13 : 24 - 27
Our Lord tells us that after the great tribulation He will come for those who belong to Him.
Mark 13 : 28 - 37
Our Lord urges us to be alert and be aware.
He tells us all will pass away and only He will remain.
He also warns that we will never be able to learn the time or the hour.
The reason we are studying books of the Bible together is that we would know whom we are following.
That we would learn from our Lord and endeavor to live like Him for He is our only example and standard.
That we would know what we believe and be able to share with others the gospel we carry.
Lastly as this chapters warns us earnestly that we would not be deceived but know the plans of the Father and not be fooled by fake prophets or messiahs.
I dont know if you remember when we studied the letters written to Timothy, and decided to engage and be vigilant, the first thing we learnt is that just like our Lord came to fulfill the plans of the Father so are we,
In this chapter our Lord reveals to us how the Father plans to wrap up all, that we would not be frightened but find strength in Him for He is coming and this time forever.
He will change all once and for all.
Primary Commandment (Mark 12)
Mark 12 : 1 - 12
The story of the vineyard owner.
The Lord foretelling His treatment and death, and rebuking the leaders
of the church.
All scripture is for our own good.
We also have been entrusted with His treasure, lets not abuse
what we have been given that like the pharisees we are ashamed.
Mark 12 : 13 - 17
Our Lord teaches about obeying the rules of the government regarding
taxes.
Mark 12 : 18 - 27
The religious leaders of the time try to trap the Lord regarding the
resurrection which they did not believe in.
24 Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?
25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
26 But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses,
in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”
Do we Christ-Followers know the power of our Father, in Him even the dead to us are alive and He never refers to them as dead.
Those alive in Him are alive for all eternity.
Mark 12 : 28 - 34
“Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is:
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
This is the first commandment.[c] 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
I have nothing more to add. The benefit we can never describe when we in obedience live the primary commandment.
Mark 12 : 38 - 43
“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,
39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
40 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
“Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Look at the contrast in the attitude of the heart and mind.
Who of these two kinds of people do you think lives in obedience to the primary commandment we just read?
Who mimics the life of our Lord in both attitude and heart?
Our Lord lived the primary commandment, came to show us the way, let us be wise and guard our hearts and minds.
The story of the vineyard owner.
The Lord foretelling His treatment and death, and rebuking the leaders
of the church.
All scripture is for our own good.
We also have been entrusted with His treasure, lets not abuse
what we have been given that like the pharisees we are ashamed.
Mark 12 : 13 - 17
Our Lord teaches about obeying the rules of the government regarding
taxes.
Mark 12 : 18 - 27
The religious leaders of the time try to trap the Lord regarding the
resurrection which they did not believe in.
24 Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?
25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
26 But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses,
in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”
Do we Christ-Followers know the power of our Father, in Him even the dead to us are alive and He never refers to them as dead.
Those alive in Him are alive for all eternity.
Mark 12 : 28 - 34
“Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is:
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
This is the first commandment.[c] 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
I have nothing more to add. The benefit we can never describe when we in obedience live the primary commandment.
Mark 12 : 38 - 43
“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,
39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
40 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
“Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Look at the contrast in the attitude of the heart and mind.
Who of these two kinds of people do you think lives in obedience to the primary commandment we just read?
Who mimics the life of our Lord in both attitude and heart?
Our Lord lived the primary commandment, came to show us the way, let us be wise and guard our hearts and minds.
Tuesday, 6 June 2017
All Authority (Mark 11)
Mark 11 : 1 - 11
Our Lord triumphantly enters Jerusalem on a donkey.
That does not sound right does it? A king riding on a donkey.
We talked about challenging tradition in previous chapters and in this one again
we are challenged as tradition would require a more statuesque entrance for a King
and Lord. Our Lord is humble and had no selfishness in Him.
In Him we have been saved by grace alone and we cannot boast.
Our Lord is our example of the life the Father desires for us. It does not matter what
we have, or who we are, There is nothing we can do on our own strength therefore we are
to be humble and serve one another in every way.
We are studying the character of our Lord so that we may know Him and be like Him in our
own lives.
Mark 11 : 12 - 14
Our Lord curses a tree because it bore no fruit and He was hungry.
This passage confuses me, it is not explained and I am not sure what it means.
Does it mean if we dont bear fruit we will be cursed?
According to scripture we are nolonger under the curse for we have chosen the life in our Lord and Saviour.
Mark 11 : 15 - 19
Our Lord clears out the temple and begins to teach.
“Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’?
But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.
All scripture is for teaching and correcting. The Bible is a mirror and as read this scripture two things jump
out for me. We are to pray for all nations, the house of the Lord is a missionary base.
Let us be vigilant to never loose sight of the purpose and serve our own selfish desires in the name of the Lord.
Mark 11 : 20 - 26
The disciples are astonished that our Lord had the power to make a tree bear no fruit.
His reply is not what I would expect. He tells them to have faith in the Father for anyone who has faith in the
Father and asks Him for anything He will give it to Him. He goes on to say that a pure heart is necessary for the Father to reveal His power through us.
I was confused above but maybe the Lord withered the tree to teach the disciples and us that the Father is
powerful over all and in Him we also have the same power.
Mark 11 : 27 - 31
Our Lord's authority over all; sin, sickness, demons, and all nature is challenged.
Our Lord triumphantly enters Jerusalem on a donkey.
That does not sound right does it? A king riding on a donkey.
We talked about challenging tradition in previous chapters and in this one again
we are challenged as tradition would require a more statuesque entrance for a King
and Lord. Our Lord is humble and had no selfishness in Him.
In Him we have been saved by grace alone and we cannot boast.
Our Lord is our example of the life the Father desires for us. It does not matter what
we have, or who we are, There is nothing we can do on our own strength therefore we are
to be humble and serve one another in every way.
We are studying the character of our Lord so that we may know Him and be like Him in our
own lives.
Mark 11 : 12 - 14
Our Lord curses a tree because it bore no fruit and He was hungry.
This passage confuses me, it is not explained and I am not sure what it means.
Does it mean if we dont bear fruit we will be cursed?
According to scripture we are nolonger under the curse for we have chosen the life in our Lord and Saviour.
Mark 11 : 15 - 19
Our Lord clears out the temple and begins to teach.
“Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’?
But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.
All scripture is for teaching and correcting. The Bible is a mirror and as read this scripture two things jump
out for me. We are to pray for all nations, the house of the Lord is a missionary base.
Let us be vigilant to never loose sight of the purpose and serve our own selfish desires in the name of the Lord.
Mark 11 : 20 - 26
The disciples are astonished that our Lord had the power to make a tree bear no fruit.
His reply is not what I would expect. He tells them to have faith in the Father for anyone who has faith in the
Father and asks Him for anything He will give it to Him. He goes on to say that a pure heart is necessary for the Father to reveal His power through us.
I was confused above but maybe the Lord withered the tree to teach the disciples and us that the Father is
powerful over all and in Him we also have the same power.
Mark 11 : 27 - 31
Our Lord's authority over all; sin, sickness, demons, and all nature is challenged.
Monday, 5 June 2017
Ransom for many (Mark 10)
Mark 10 : 1 - 12
Our Lord deals with the issue of divorce.
Mark 10 : 13 - 16
Our Lord blesses children and is angry with his disciples for not allowing them to come to Him.
He says we are to be like children in our faith.
Trust the Father and depend on Him completely like a child.
Mark 10 : 17 - 22
The rich man could not give up his riches and trust the Father to provide and sustain him financially.
We all must look in our hearts what box cant we tick for the Father in our dependence on Him.
What is it that we are trusting our own strength for or someone else to provide for us?
Our Father wants our absolute dependence on Him.
Mark 10 : 23 - 31
With the Father all things are possible.
This statement our Lord makes concerning a rich man but this is true for no sin or idol is greater than
the Father and when we have rendered our lives to Him it does not matter what was a hindrance our Father
is able to overcome for us and we can enter His Kingdom.
Mark 10 : 32 - 34
Our Lord predicts His death.
Mark 10 : 35 - 45
42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them,
“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Our Lord came to serve us and to be ransom (sacrifice for us).
As Christ-Followers we have no better or other task than to serve Him, and sacrifice for Him and His Kingdom.
Mark 10 : 46 - 52
Our Lord heals a blind man.
Our Lord deals with the issue of divorce.
Mark 10 : 13 - 16
Our Lord blesses children and is angry with his disciples for not allowing them to come to Him.
He says we are to be like children in our faith.
Trust the Father and depend on Him completely like a child.
Mark 10 : 17 - 22
The rich man could not give up his riches and trust the Father to provide and sustain him financially.
We all must look in our hearts what box cant we tick for the Father in our dependence on Him.
What is it that we are trusting our own strength for or someone else to provide for us?
Our Father wants our absolute dependence on Him.
Mark 10 : 23 - 31
With the Father all things are possible.
This statement our Lord makes concerning a rich man but this is true for no sin or idol is greater than
the Father and when we have rendered our lives to Him it does not matter what was a hindrance our Father
is able to overcome for us and we can enter His Kingdom.
Mark 10 : 32 - 34
Our Lord predicts His death.
Mark 10 : 35 - 45
42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them,
“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Our Lord came to serve us and to be ransom (sacrifice for us).
As Christ-Followers we have no better or other task than to serve Him, and sacrifice for Him and His Kingdom.
Mark 10 : 46 - 52
Our Lord heals a blind man.
Thursday, 1 June 2017
Listen to Him (Mark 9)
Mark 9 : 1 - 13
“This is my beloved Son; listen to Him”
In the study we are doing as a family one of the things they seek to prove is that our Lord is God. We fellow Christ Followers are commanded to listen to Him but how many times have we listened to what someone else says He says and that was enough. Knowing our Lord and serving gives each and every single one of us the privilege of having our lives directed and guided by God Himself. I challenge us all to seek to hear Him. See we are not walking physically with our Lord but we still need to be guided and directed by Him in all concerning the Father and the Kingdom. Our whole lives are for His glory.
Mark 9 : 14 - 29
Trust God to do the things you have asked Him.
The disciples had been walking with our Lord and had performed many healing miracles.
This one they could not do it. I wondered why this is so. Submission to the Father i believe is the key. The Lord says this kind comes out by nothing but prayer and fasting. What was lacking that they could not do it. I believe reliance and dependence that only the Father does this and He alone can only do this. I am just a vessel.
Our Lord even though He was God on earth teaches submission for He often went away and prayed to the Father. He continued to the end to take time to get strength and to keep in connection with the Father. Because there was never a time He was not connected the Father could do all using Him. This is a lesson for us too. To take time to pray and separate and even deny ourselves in fast so that utter dependence and trust in Him becomes our default mode of operation.
Mark 9 : 30 - 32
Our Lord predicts His death for the second time.
Our Lord’s death was always the plan of the Father and the only reason He endured and allowed Himself to be killed was in obedience to the Father. The incredible love that is revealed in the life of our Lord never ceases to amaze and floor me. Its incredible that He cared so much about us that He was willing to suffer even thiugh He knew the kind of suffering He was to endure.
Mark 9 : 33 - 37
Who is the greatest?
The one who is the servant to all.
Mark 9 : 38 - 41
Let us do all in His name; let us not be jelous of one another and all of us who belong to Him we will never lose our reward in Him.
Mark 9 : 42 - 49
A warning Whatever you know is stumbling or blockage in your life by all means get rid of it; let nothing deter you from serving God wholeheartedly.
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