As we approach the most important day of the Christian calendar, it’s helpful to take a refreshing scholarly look at Mark 14-16. In addition to spiritual application, these lessons focus on the historical and sociological context of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. It’s amazing to see how, even on the cross, Jesus…
This week we took our time working through the first twenty verses of Mark 15. What we discovered is that Pilate, although Governor of Judea, was a very weak leader who could not stand up to the manipulation of the Sanhedrin. With His eyes fixed on the cross, we watched Jesus endure everything from verbal abuse…
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This week we focused on the physical context of the “trial” of Jesus in the home/palace of the High Priest (Caiaphas) while Peter stood outside in the courtyard denying Him. We discussed the Sanhedrin as a law-enforcing group within Judaism, as well as their inability to follow their own rules. We briefly reviewed the literary technique…
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This week we did a quick overview of the rest of Mark 14. We looked at a literary technique Mark uses in his Gospel to “SANDWICH” one story into the middle of another with an intentional and discernible theological purpose. The sandwiches emphasize the MAJOR THEMES of Mark’s Gospel— especially the meaning of faith, discipleship, bearing witness,…
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This week we studied Judas’ betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. We looked at the significance of the number 3 in Scripture and how the theme of threes in Mark underscores God’s perfect plan. We also studied Judas’ kiss—and how it could have been the first sign of Judas’ realization of the gravity…
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This week, we continued our verse-by-verse study in the Gospel according to Mark. Due to a decision we made earlier this year to study the Resurrection on Resurrection Sunday, we’ve already “surveyed” Mark 14-16. Since we spent so much time looking at Mark 14:1-11 a couple months ago, I didn’t spend too much time on…
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