Mark 16:16
He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Message: Salvation or Condemnation
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus was crucified on Friday, was buried that same evening, before the Sabbath, then rose on Sunday as Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Silome were going to dress His body for burial. After seeing Him, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. She tells others but they don't believe. He appears to 2 men, possibly disciples, and they tell others, like the disciples, but they don't believe. Jesus then comes onto the scene and sees the disciples (the eleven, though there are just 10 as Thomas is not present) and speaks a reproach toward them for hardening their hearts and not accepting the evidence of others. But then Jesus also commissions them to preach the gospel.
Jesus is on the scene now, and the Words that he is expressing to His disciples now are mostly about His mission. They make think that He is here to stay and things will return to the way they were before He died. But, Jesus knows this isn't the way it is. He is communicating to them the message of salvation now. Prior to this he has condemned their behavior of believing only by seeing instead of believing what has been said. Throughout their ministry they have struggled doing the things that Jesus has said, instead waiting for Him to do it. But Jesus has let them know that they are to be people of faith.
These men are His disciples and Jesus has a job for them and their qualifications for doing that job are not what is key. What is key is the message and Jesus ability to enable the to carry that message. Jesus has said in the previous verse Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation and now he continues that message by saying He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Jesus is now unpacking what is meant by this gospel message. He has previously not been explicit and detailed about the gospel message. Mark shows that when Jesus came on the scene His message was repent and believe and then he went forth and taught the disciples that the traditional way they had believed - trusting only in the Law was not accurate and following God is more of a matter of the heart.
Thus, Jesus expands on that in these verses - He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved. I find this interesting. I think it could be said that in some ways Jesus speaks with some mystery in His words. He has said Go preach the gospel but not expanded clear on what Gospel means. And now he comes to the idea of believing but isn't clear on belief, but states rather what is the result of someone that believes and someone that doesn't believe. Obviously there is a connection in this gospel and believing. Even just recently believing has been believing the Jesus has risen from the dead (Mark 16:12-13). And then earlier believing was about having faith in God that He would do what He said (Mark 11:20-24). In Mark 9:14-19 Jesus talked to the disciples about doing the things he has done and there problem was that they didn't believe. So this belief is central to His message.
He connects principle with the result of being baptized and contrasts it with being condemned. The person who believes will be baptized, while the person who does not believe will be condemned. Clearly, there is a consequence to not believing. But, there is also a responsibility to believing. Baptism is not an option, but it is what Jesus asks us to do upon being saved.
Thus, what is key right now in these verses is to see that believing is believing that Jesus has risen from the dead. This is central to His message. He died and He rose again and this is clearly a message he expects this believing generation to get. It is trusting in God that what he has said He will do and we will do as His ambassadors. For the disciples (and I think for us) it is to carry forth the act of delivering people from the bondage that they are in, namely the sin in their life. It is to help deliver them from this. We are his bond-servants and we are given the ability to do this. Once saved, we are to walk in faith.
Summary - Jesus is beginning to unpack his message of the gospel. He states that believing is central to this and I would infer that believing in the fact that Jesus has risen from the dead is central to this belief. The person who believes is to be baptized while the person in unbelief is condemned.
Promise: We must believe and be baptized. Baptism is not an option. Baptism shows that we believe in Him. But not believing results in the automatic result of condemnation.
Prayer: Lord, thank for the truth of Your word and helping me to see the meaning of it more and more. You help me see that baptism is not an option but a necessity for our faith. Help me to encourage my oldest son in this, to follow up His belief with baptism. Thank you that you choose to use people to baptize, that it isn't something that can be done alone. It reminds me Lord that our walk with Christ is not a lonely road. It is a walk that we engage in together. We need each other every step of the way and I believe God wants us to know that immediately, in this very first act following our faith in Him, he wants to say to us that we need each other. Thank you Lord for the message of the Gospel and for saving us.
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Mark 16:14-15 - Commissioning the Disciples
Mark 16:14-15
14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Message: Commissioning the Disciples
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has risen from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday, after being crucified on Friday following his arrest and seemingly conviction for rightfully being King of the Jews. The news of his resurrection was given first to 3 women and then he appeared for the first time to Mary Magdalene, followed by 2 of the disciples, however after hearing from these individuals, people are not believing that Jesus has in fact raised from the dead.
Between verse 13 and 14 is another appearance of Jesus to his disciples - Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining. Jesus is appearing to them in the evening now of Sunday, the first day of the week. The disciples are now known as the eleven as Judas, the 12th, has killed himself following him betraying Jesus. But, it is said that Thomas is not even with them at this time, but still the group is referred to as the Eleven. They were reclining at the table and eating when He appeared to them.
and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. Jesus confronts their unbelief, their stubbornness in not believing despite His appearance to others. It is a situation that remains true to this day as many will not believe unless they see Him or have some sort of visible proof. They are not willing to take the Words of other witnesses. But, this is important for us today as well for we are believing now based upon the testimony of others. However, his focus is not on the evidence, but rather the condition of their hearts. They begin with a hardness of heart so that the evidence does not even matter, whatever the evidence may be. This is the problem with a hardened heart as it makes a decision even before the evidence is presented.
Yet despite this unbelief, it is them that he tasks to go into all the world and preach. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." On the surface this seems surprising. Today, wouldn't we look for the most qualified individuals prior to giving them this task. All to often this is how we choose people today, based upon their resume's and past performances, but Jesus then commissions these men that throughout His ministry have shown over and over that they are not the most qualified. Could this be because man's position is not what is important, but God's position and His mission will always save lives. So Jesus gives them the task despite their hardness of heart. He rebukes them, but then commissions them. One note is that Mark is always careful to show the failures of the disciples. He is often more interested in how people responded to Jesus rather than Jesus' message itself.
Summary - After speaking to Mary Magdalene and others on the road (perhaps disciples) he comes back to his original disciples (less Judas who is deceased) and reproaches them for their unbelief and for not even looking at the evidence, but first having a hardness of heart. Yet despite this denial of Him, He tasks them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. They are still the one's that He will use.
Promise: Past failures do not mean that we cannot be used of God today.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for using the undeserved. You show me continually that You can work through any person. Help me to not be so caught up in qualifications that I miss the work that You are doing. Help my unbelief and thinking a certain way before the evidence is presented. Help me to have an open-mind.
14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Message: Commissioning the Disciples
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has risen from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday, after being crucified on Friday following his arrest and seemingly conviction for rightfully being King of the Jews. The news of his resurrection was given first to 3 women and then he appeared for the first time to Mary Magdalene, followed by 2 of the disciples, however after hearing from these individuals, people are not believing that Jesus has in fact raised from the dead.
Between verse 13 and 14 is another appearance of Jesus to his disciples - Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining. Jesus is appearing to them in the evening now of Sunday, the first day of the week. The disciples are now known as the eleven as Judas, the 12th, has killed himself following him betraying Jesus. But, it is said that Thomas is not even with them at this time, but still the group is referred to as the Eleven. They were reclining at the table and eating when He appeared to them.
and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. Jesus confronts their unbelief, their stubbornness in not believing despite His appearance to others. It is a situation that remains true to this day as many will not believe unless they see Him or have some sort of visible proof. They are not willing to take the Words of other witnesses. But, this is important for us today as well for we are believing now based upon the testimony of others. However, his focus is not on the evidence, but rather the condition of their hearts. They begin with a hardness of heart so that the evidence does not even matter, whatever the evidence may be. This is the problem with a hardened heart as it makes a decision even before the evidence is presented.
Yet despite this unbelief, it is them that he tasks to go into all the world and preach. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." On the surface this seems surprising. Today, wouldn't we look for the most qualified individuals prior to giving them this task. All to often this is how we choose people today, based upon their resume's and past performances, but Jesus then commissions these men that throughout His ministry have shown over and over that they are not the most qualified. Could this be because man's position is not what is important, but God's position and His mission will always save lives. So Jesus gives them the task despite their hardness of heart. He rebukes them, but then commissions them. One note is that Mark is always careful to show the failures of the disciples. He is often more interested in how people responded to Jesus rather than Jesus' message itself.
Summary - After speaking to Mary Magdalene and others on the road (perhaps disciples) he comes back to his original disciples (less Judas who is deceased) and reproaches them for their unbelief and for not even looking at the evidence, but first having a hardness of heart. Yet despite this denial of Him, He tasks them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. They are still the one's that He will use.
Promise: Past failures do not mean that we cannot be used of God today.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for using the undeserved. You show me continually that You can work through any person. Help me to not be so caught up in qualifications that I miss the work that You are doing. Help my unbelief and thinking a certain way before the evidence is presented. Help me to have an open-mind.
Monday, December 10, 2018
Mark 16:12-13 - Appearances of the Resurrected Lord
Mark 16:12-13
12 After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.
Message: Appearances of the Resurrected Lord
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has risen from the dead. Initially, it is the 3 women that go to the tomb to anoint him further for burial, but upon getting there and wondering how they are going to roll away the stone see that the stone is already rolled away. They go inside and there is a young man -- an angel -- there letting them know that Jesus has risen and He will meet them and the disciples and Peter at Galilee. The women leave, but initially don't tell anyone, though it could be fear they felt for the people of Jerusalem who had just crucified him. Jesus then appears to Mary first and she goes to tell the disciples, but they don't believe her. They are busy mourning the loss of Jesus. Mary, as a woman, is not a credible witness that Jesus has risen.
After speaking to Mary Magdalene directly, Jesus comes upon Jesus appearing to two men walking into the country. After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.
This gospel is now recording Jesus' appearance to different people. He appeared to Mary Magdalene but we don't have words spoken and now also Jesus is appearing to two and nothing is recorded of Jesus' words. Here, he appears in a different form, almost like he did not appear to them in the form of Jesus. People were not believing Jesus had been risen again and yet the writer here is not very specific, as Mark has been, about this appearance. It could be that he was just taking on a different identity that was not immediately apparent to these men. This could have been 2 disciples, and although they believed, the audience that they told did not believe. This was odd because these were now men, and thus credible witnesses but it is possible that the disciples that had received the message still did not believe and still was not accepting of this message of Jesus having risen from the dead.
Summary - Jesus is making an appearance to people and while those witnessing his appearance are believing, the individuals the message being passed onto are not believing. But Jesus is risen and is appearing.
Promise: People have to receive insight in order to believe in Jesus, even to this day. Despite the evidence, the message is not immediately believed.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that I would be a person that believes and accepts you. Help me to be compassionate toward people who do not believe the evidence. There is evidence of You but even that evidence is not always believed. Lord, I pray your message would be more central and be repeated to people more and more.
12 After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.
Message: Appearances of the Resurrected Lord
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has risen from the dead. Initially, it is the 3 women that go to the tomb to anoint him further for burial, but upon getting there and wondering how they are going to roll away the stone see that the stone is already rolled away. They go inside and there is a young man -- an angel -- there letting them know that Jesus has risen and He will meet them and the disciples and Peter at Galilee. The women leave, but initially don't tell anyone, though it could be fear they felt for the people of Jerusalem who had just crucified him. Jesus then appears to Mary first and she goes to tell the disciples, but they don't believe her. They are busy mourning the loss of Jesus. Mary, as a woman, is not a credible witness that Jesus has risen.
After speaking to Mary Magdalene directly, Jesus comes upon Jesus appearing to two men walking into the country. After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.
This gospel is now recording Jesus' appearance to different people. He appeared to Mary Magdalene but we don't have words spoken and now also Jesus is appearing to two and nothing is recorded of Jesus' words. Here, he appears in a different form, almost like he did not appear to them in the form of Jesus. People were not believing Jesus had been risen again and yet the writer here is not very specific, as Mark has been, about this appearance. It could be that he was just taking on a different identity that was not immediately apparent to these men. This could have been 2 disciples, and although they believed, the audience that they told did not believe. This was odd because these were now men, and thus credible witnesses but it is possible that the disciples that had received the message still did not believe and still was not accepting of this message of Jesus having risen from the dead.
Summary - Jesus is making an appearance to people and while those witnessing his appearance are believing, the individuals the message being passed onto are not believing. But Jesus is risen and is appearing.
Promise: People have to receive insight in order to believe in Jesus, even to this day. Despite the evidence, the message is not immediately believed.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that I would be a person that believes and accepts you. Help me to be compassionate toward people who do not believe the evidence. There is evidence of You but even that evidence is not always believed. Lord, I pray your message would be more central and be repeated to people more and more.
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Mark 16:9-11 - The Preservation of Scripture
Mark 16:9-11
[9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.]
Message: The Preservation of Scripture
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has risen from the dead, according to the young man inside the tomb that the 3 women (Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Silome) heard from. They are to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus will meet them at Galilee. The 3 women leave, but tell no one in Jerusalem; they have fear. [The words of Mark perhaps have come to a close; and now verses 9-20 are from someone different.]
These verses obviously seem different, perhaps a 4th gospel writer. There are differing opinions of these following verses but generally it is thought that Mark's words were destroyed and these words were then created to close out this writing and parallel the accounts of Matthew and John
Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. As I have talked about, the fact that Jesus first appears to a woman and that is the record is odd given the fact that a woman's testimony is already not highly thought of during these times. Not any more should be read into Mary Magdalene's life than what we know from scripture. Mark has previously not recorded this casting out of demons. It is recorded in a small way by Luke in 8:2 - and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. This casting out occurred for Mary at a young age. She must have been affected by it throughout her life for she continued to follow Jesus later in life. There were 7 demons in her, thus she was completely overrun by these demons as 7 is a number of completeness.
She went with the other women and reported to those who had been with Him (the disciples which is what the young man (angel) had asked them to do, while they were mourning and weeping. So they were mourning and weeping. They had lost their deer Master. Despite the fact that they had somewhat fled and not identified themselves with Him, out of fear of being caught and seized as well, but still they knew their master to be great. They knew Him to be one they adored. For three years they had followed Him and been with Him watching Him do things that they could not do. And now it was over. They were at a loss. They had been corrected many times of their little faith. They had been tasked to do things by Him but they often failed. They failed to see the way He saw things but instead they were short-sighted. Obviously, they had big emotion now. It had been 2 days, but the weeping and mourning was still fresh. Yesterday was probably the events of the Sabbath, but today they were free once again to dwell again on what they are missing now not having Him with them. I guess I think of this mourning and weeping because I sense in myself that same sort of way in which I have at various times in my Jesus following life times of turning away and not admitting that I am with Jesus - and following those times there is remorse; there is discouragement.
When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. Despite Jesus repeatedly telling them that his death and resurrection were imminent they still did not believe it was actually going to happen. Yet, he did die as he said he would and yet they still did not believe that He had actually been made alive. Their faith is surely shallow and yet they would all one day die for Him. They were people that obviously had to go through a lot to actually have faith in Him. Many people today live in the same way - they are a hard sell to the Gospel of Grace. And it also that they did not believe because Mary was the one stating it. See, once again, the words of a woman are not reliable. The disciples don't even believe.
Summary - At this moment, all that this present is the witness of a woman and that is not reliable evidence so therefore the disciples do not believe. A young man (angel) has spoken to the women, but the disciples have not seen Jesus and so they do not believe. Yes, they are still sad and mourning over their loss, but they don't believe.
Promise: Despite the communication of truth, people still do not believe. Even disciples who were with Jesus for 3 years and saw firsthand all that he did, still when they are told by a woman that He has risen, they still do not believe. We are people of little faith. I need to have more compassion toward those who do not believe.
Prayer: Lord, you are teaching me right now that I need to have more compassion toward other people that question You and do not have a belief in You. Help me Lord to believe this. I was saddened last night at a Christmas party to witness so many people deceived as they lived their religious life, were friendly, and nice, and yet did not have the complete message and why would they even believe. It was sad to witness and yet I stood there silent. I kept my faith within me and didn't take the time to share to even those that could hear. Lord, help me to have more compassion toward other people. Forgive me of my repeated sin of judging and making myself out to be better than others. Yes, I am thankful You have saved me but remove that pride from my life. I want to be a servant. Make me a servant.
[9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.]
Message: The Preservation of Scripture
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has risen from the dead, according to the young man inside the tomb that the 3 women (Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Silome) heard from. They are to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus will meet them at Galilee. The 3 women leave, but tell no one in Jerusalem; they have fear. [The words of Mark perhaps have come to a close; and now verses 9-20 are from someone different.]
These verses obviously seem different, perhaps a 4th gospel writer. There are differing opinions of these following verses but generally it is thought that Mark's words were destroyed and these words were then created to close out this writing and parallel the accounts of Matthew and John
Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. As I have talked about, the fact that Jesus first appears to a woman and that is the record is odd given the fact that a woman's testimony is already not highly thought of during these times. Not any more should be read into Mary Magdalene's life than what we know from scripture. Mark has previously not recorded this casting out of demons. It is recorded in a small way by Luke in 8:2 - and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. This casting out occurred for Mary at a young age. She must have been affected by it throughout her life for she continued to follow Jesus later in life. There were 7 demons in her, thus she was completely overrun by these demons as 7 is a number of completeness.
She went with the other women and reported to those who had been with Him (the disciples which is what the young man (angel) had asked them to do, while they were mourning and weeping. So they were mourning and weeping. They had lost their deer Master. Despite the fact that they had somewhat fled and not identified themselves with Him, out of fear of being caught and seized as well, but still they knew their master to be great. They knew Him to be one they adored. For three years they had followed Him and been with Him watching Him do things that they could not do. And now it was over. They were at a loss. They had been corrected many times of their little faith. They had been tasked to do things by Him but they often failed. They failed to see the way He saw things but instead they were short-sighted. Obviously, they had big emotion now. It had been 2 days, but the weeping and mourning was still fresh. Yesterday was probably the events of the Sabbath, but today they were free once again to dwell again on what they are missing now not having Him with them. I guess I think of this mourning and weeping because I sense in myself that same sort of way in which I have at various times in my Jesus following life times of turning away and not admitting that I am with Jesus - and following those times there is remorse; there is discouragement.
When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. Despite Jesus repeatedly telling them that his death and resurrection were imminent they still did not believe it was actually going to happen. Yet, he did die as he said he would and yet they still did not believe that He had actually been made alive. Their faith is surely shallow and yet they would all one day die for Him. They were people that obviously had to go through a lot to actually have faith in Him. Many people today live in the same way - they are a hard sell to the Gospel of Grace. And it also that they did not believe because Mary was the one stating it. See, once again, the words of a woman are not reliable. The disciples don't even believe.
Summary - At this moment, all that this present is the witness of a woman and that is not reliable evidence so therefore the disciples do not believe. A young man (angel) has spoken to the women, but the disciples have not seen Jesus and so they do not believe. Yes, they are still sad and mourning over their loss, but they don't believe.
Promise: Despite the communication of truth, people still do not believe. Even disciples who were with Jesus for 3 years and saw firsthand all that he did, still when they are told by a woman that He has risen, they still do not believe. We are people of little faith. I need to have more compassion toward those who do not believe.
Prayer: Lord, you are teaching me right now that I need to have more compassion toward other people that question You and do not have a belief in You. Help me Lord to believe this. I was saddened last night at a Christmas party to witness so many people deceived as they lived their religious life, were friendly, and nice, and yet did not have the complete message and why would they even believe. It was sad to witness and yet I stood there silent. I kept my faith within me and didn't take the time to share to even those that could hear. Lord, help me to have more compassion toward other people. Forgive me of my repeated sin of judging and making myself out to be better than others. Yes, I am thankful You have saved me but remove that pride from my life. I want to be a servant. Make me a servant.
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Mark 16:8 - Fearful Women
Mark 16:8
They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Message: Fearful Women
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has been crucified on Friday and then breathed His last after crying out after 3pm. Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate if he can bury Jesus (rather than just throwing him into a pit). Joseph buys linen and wraps Him in it and places Him in a tomb, rolling the stone shut. 3 women - Mary Magdalene, Mary (His mother) and Silome are nearby and on Sunday they head to Jesus to anoint Him more properly for burial. My Jewish rule it has been 3 days since he died. Upon getting to the tomb the stone has been rolled away. They enter and a young man (angel) tells them that Jesus has risen and Jesus will see them shortly in Galilee. They are to tell the other disciples and Peter.
They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them. It is noteworthy that the first witnesses of the empty tomb are women. Yet, 1st century Jewish culture did not view the testimony of women as reliable. As we know Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Just recently I heard someone say there was no resurrection. Satan knows this and he has attacked this and pressed this thinking into worldly minds. If there is a resurrection people must accept Jesus, but to question it is to question its relevance and therefore question the entire theology of the gospel. In that light, if the assertion is that it is made up or false, then why would those making it up cite women as the first witnesses when they were not a trusted people group of the day? There would be no common sense in this.
The record is of these women is trembling and astonishment. The command by the young man (angel) to them was to go and tell the disciples and Peter. But there response recorded in this verse is instead - and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Instead of confidence and excitement gripping them, it was fear instead. And there response was to not tell anyone.
What is interesting here is verse 8 is the last verifiable verse of this gospel. This is likely the last words of Jesus in verses 9-20 are thought to have been written by someone else. So, what would the response of Mark have his audience have with a verse that says the two women left and fled, were trembling and told nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Whether they are the last verses or not, the message is still that Jesus rose. The responses of the women here is something else. I must say I never knew this. I didn't know that verse 8 was possibly the last verse written by Mark for this gospel.
Regarding them not speaking to anyone. It is possible this non-speaking was simply because they were headed back to Jerusalem, the Holy City, the City in which the people had just crucified Jesus, and so these women possibly wanted to keep these words to themselves. So it's possible that keeping it to themselves did not mean that they would not follow through on the words told to them by the young man, but that immediately, it was not good to speak the words to the people in Jerusalem. There mission was to speak to the disciples and Peter and not necessarily the people in Jerusalem.
And perhaps there is nothing more that Mark needs to say. The resurrection is the culmination of Jesus' life. He said 3 times he would die and be resurrected and this is now what has occurred. Obviously, what was said by the young man would come true because everything about Jesus' life has been the truth thus far.
Summary - It is possible verse 8 is the last of Mark's words for this gospel. His words are that after the women have heard that Jesus has risen, they depart from that place and walk, but they walk with fear and tell no one. Perhaps they don't open their mouths in Jerusalem because the disciples are not yet present and the people of Jerusalem were involved in His crucifixion. Either way, the gospel is complete. Jesus lived, he died, and he resurrected.
Promise: Proclaim the message of Jesus. He has lived, died, and risen. He is my Savior and Lord.
Prayer: Thank you God for this wonderful message that you have given in the words of Mark. Thank you for the way he spoke and showing me the truth of Jesus and His great love for me and then how I am to share that love toward You and toward others. Grant me the power to do this. Change my ways Lord so that I see you as You really are. You are Holy and true and I want to testify of You throughout my life. I pray for courage. Even as I spoke of going to church with that sales rep yesterday from the bus company I don't want to back down but communicate my life and perhaps it can encourage others. O God be praised.
They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Message: Fearful Women
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has been crucified on Friday and then breathed His last after crying out after 3pm. Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate if he can bury Jesus (rather than just throwing him into a pit). Joseph buys linen and wraps Him in it and places Him in a tomb, rolling the stone shut. 3 women - Mary Magdalene, Mary (His mother) and Silome are nearby and on Sunday they head to Jesus to anoint Him more properly for burial. My Jewish rule it has been 3 days since he died. Upon getting to the tomb the stone has been rolled away. They enter and a young man (angel) tells them that Jesus has risen and Jesus will see them shortly in Galilee. They are to tell the other disciples and Peter.
They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them. It is noteworthy that the first witnesses of the empty tomb are women. Yet, 1st century Jewish culture did not view the testimony of women as reliable. As we know Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Just recently I heard someone say there was no resurrection. Satan knows this and he has attacked this and pressed this thinking into worldly minds. If there is a resurrection people must accept Jesus, but to question it is to question its relevance and therefore question the entire theology of the gospel. In that light, if the assertion is that it is made up or false, then why would those making it up cite women as the first witnesses when they were not a trusted people group of the day? There would be no common sense in this.
The record is of these women is trembling and astonishment. The command by the young man (angel) to them was to go and tell the disciples and Peter. But there response recorded in this verse is instead - and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Instead of confidence and excitement gripping them, it was fear instead. And there response was to not tell anyone.
What is interesting here is verse 8 is the last verifiable verse of this gospel. This is likely the last words of Jesus in verses 9-20 are thought to have been written by someone else. So, what would the response of Mark have his audience have with a verse that says the two women left and fled, were trembling and told nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Whether they are the last verses or not, the message is still that Jesus rose. The responses of the women here is something else. I must say I never knew this. I didn't know that verse 8 was possibly the last verse written by Mark for this gospel.
Regarding them not speaking to anyone. It is possible this non-speaking was simply because they were headed back to Jerusalem, the Holy City, the City in which the people had just crucified Jesus, and so these women possibly wanted to keep these words to themselves. So it's possible that keeping it to themselves did not mean that they would not follow through on the words told to them by the young man, but that immediately, it was not good to speak the words to the people in Jerusalem. There mission was to speak to the disciples and Peter and not necessarily the people in Jerusalem.
And perhaps there is nothing more that Mark needs to say. The resurrection is the culmination of Jesus' life. He said 3 times he would die and be resurrected and this is now what has occurred. Obviously, what was said by the young man would come true because everything about Jesus' life has been the truth thus far.
Summary - It is possible verse 8 is the last of Mark's words for this gospel. His words are that after the women have heard that Jesus has risen, they depart from that place and walk, but they walk with fear and tell no one. Perhaps they don't open their mouths in Jerusalem because the disciples are not yet present and the people of Jerusalem were involved in His crucifixion. Either way, the gospel is complete. Jesus lived, he died, and he resurrected.
Promise: Proclaim the message of Jesus. He has lived, died, and risen. He is my Savior and Lord.
Prayer: Thank you God for this wonderful message that you have given in the words of Mark. Thank you for the way he spoke and showing me the truth of Jesus and His great love for me and then how I am to share that love toward You and toward others. Grant me the power to do this. Change my ways Lord so that I see you as You really are. You are Holy and true and I want to testify of You throughout my life. I pray for courage. Even as I spoke of going to church with that sales rep yesterday from the bus company I don't want to back down but communicate my life and perhaps it can encourage others. O God be praised.
Friday, December 7, 2018
Mark 16:5-7 - The Common Act of Resurrection
Mark 16:5-7
5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he *said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
Message: The Common Act of Resurrection
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has been laid in his tomb after being crucified. Joseph of Arimathea, respected as being in the Sanhedrin council, but also who has a love for Jesus and believes in Him as Messiah, goes to Pilate to ask if he can take Jesus' body and bury it. He buys a linen to wrap him in it and does this Friday, prior to the Sabbath. The tomb he puts Jesus in is his tomb and a nice one where a stone is rolled in front. Mary Magdalene, Mary and Salome then go to Jesus on Sunday, 3 full days afterward, to anoint the body and dress it after its burial, and as they arrive there, wondering who will roll the stone away discovered it is already rolled away.
Mark records this very simply as he has done previously. His simple reporting of the events is not often what I see, but what I am seeing is he is often reporting what is around Jesus rather than the details that Jesus has done.
These 3 women - Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome - after seeing that the stone has been rolled away, perhaps thinking someone has already done that for them, walk into the tomb, still probably looking for Jesus. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. Okay, something is up. They enter the tomb but instead of seeing Jesus they see a young man sitting and wearing a white robe and naturally, they are amazed. Young man in extra-biblical material often referred to a heavenly being and this conclusion would make sense here. They were amazed speaks of them being frightened. They did not have an explanation immediately for Jesus not being there and they were frightened probably, but more simply amazed.
This young man will now speak to them, he to them, "Do not be amazed; The young man or rather the angel's response to them is now that they do not need to be amazed. There fear or amazement is not the emotion that they need to have. Rather, there is an explanation - you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” And there is the revelation of the information. Jesus is not here. He has risen. He is not here. He was here. Now, go and tell His disciples and Peter for Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee and there You will see Him as well. This is all as He said previously. He is right. Jesus had predicted this and told them 3 times that this would happen. They were walking in there thinking He would be there, but the unexpected in their eyes happened, but it was actually the expected as Jesus had predicted it.
This angel announcing that Jesus, uses the phrase He has risen. This is written in the Greek text in the passive voice to say, "He was raised." His raising was not an act of humanity, but a divine act carried out by God. God has raised him, had rescued Christ from the dead. There is a unity in this act. There is a unity in thought. Jesus, the man, Jesus, the God, in unity with the Father raising him, raises Himself from the dead. The point is this is not a mortal act, but a divine one and an act certainly in the grasp of Jesus. His going to die was voluntary for He had a task to perform and now He has risen. It is complete and in this one act is recorded skepticism for many for this act penetrates our lives and expresses not just the sacrifice.
Yes, Jesus has been sacrificed. God demanded that blood be shed. This was clear as the priests had taken animals, clean animals and sacrificed them in the temple in place of people's sins. But, now Jesus had come preaching a new message of personal repentance or personal turning from one's sins. He preached forgiveness by him, by God of people's sins and now he willingly goes to a cross, to a place and offers himself for all people. Jesus becomes the Lamb, becomes the Lamb of God, the clean lamb, the perfect Lamb, upon the cross. He dies. But, something occurs now that was not present in any animal. Something is different now with Jesus.
Sin has not simply been paid for, but now Jesus has risen. So, it is that sin has been conquered. The wrath of God has been met, but the act is no longer ever needed again because Jesus has risen. This one act will change lives forever and produce questioning among so many. Only this faith believes in the resurrection. Many will state that Jesus was a great man and lived a great life, but the act of dying and then resurrection is shuffled out of the way. But He has risen and he will present himself before the disciples and Peter shortly.
Summary - Jesus has been crucified, buried in a tomb, wrapped in linen. 3 Women go to him to anoint him and instead find the stone rolled away and a young man (an angel) sitting there and telling them to not be amazed (have no fear) that instead Jesus has risen. It is a done deal. He is back. And he will see them and others soon in Galilee. They are to go forward and tell others with and wait to see and hear from Jesus.
Promise: Jesus has done the unexpected and yet the unexpected was expected by Him. He has raised from the dead, as he told others previously it would happen.
Prayer: O Jesus, O God, you changed civilization in these moments. You changed my life. You show me a love that does not seem possible by men. We base our lives on feelings and in this act you show us that you are real, you are eternal, you are forever. And so we as your sons and daughters will also be forever. I look to You more than ever. I receive your message of love: to love You with all of my being and to love others. Keep me focused on You Lord. Keep me learning about You and what you have done. Help me be more about love. This is my mission - to love.
5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he *said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
Message: The Common Act of Resurrection
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has been laid in his tomb after being crucified. Joseph of Arimathea, respected as being in the Sanhedrin council, but also who has a love for Jesus and believes in Him as Messiah, goes to Pilate to ask if he can take Jesus' body and bury it. He buys a linen to wrap him in it and does this Friday, prior to the Sabbath. The tomb he puts Jesus in is his tomb and a nice one where a stone is rolled in front. Mary Magdalene, Mary and Salome then go to Jesus on Sunday, 3 full days afterward, to anoint the body and dress it after its burial, and as they arrive there, wondering who will roll the stone away discovered it is already rolled away.
Mark records this very simply as he has done previously. His simple reporting of the events is not often what I see, but what I am seeing is he is often reporting what is around Jesus rather than the details that Jesus has done.
These 3 women - Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome - after seeing that the stone has been rolled away, perhaps thinking someone has already done that for them, walk into the tomb, still probably looking for Jesus. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. Okay, something is up. They enter the tomb but instead of seeing Jesus they see a young man sitting and wearing a white robe and naturally, they are amazed. Young man in extra-biblical material often referred to a heavenly being and this conclusion would make sense here. They were amazed speaks of them being frightened. They did not have an explanation immediately for Jesus not being there and they were frightened probably, but more simply amazed.
This young man will now speak to them, he to them, "Do not be amazed; The young man or rather the angel's response to them is now that they do not need to be amazed. There fear or amazement is not the emotion that they need to have. Rather, there is an explanation - you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” And there is the revelation of the information. Jesus is not here. He has risen. He is not here. He was here. Now, go and tell His disciples and Peter for Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee and there You will see Him as well. This is all as He said previously. He is right. Jesus had predicted this and told them 3 times that this would happen. They were walking in there thinking He would be there, but the unexpected in their eyes happened, but it was actually the expected as Jesus had predicted it.
This angel announcing that Jesus, uses the phrase He has risen. This is written in the Greek text in the passive voice to say, "He was raised." His raising was not an act of humanity, but a divine act carried out by God. God has raised him, had rescued Christ from the dead. There is a unity in this act. There is a unity in thought. Jesus, the man, Jesus, the God, in unity with the Father raising him, raises Himself from the dead. The point is this is not a mortal act, but a divine one and an act certainly in the grasp of Jesus. His going to die was voluntary for He had a task to perform and now He has risen. It is complete and in this one act is recorded skepticism for many for this act penetrates our lives and expresses not just the sacrifice.
Yes, Jesus has been sacrificed. God demanded that blood be shed. This was clear as the priests had taken animals, clean animals and sacrificed them in the temple in place of people's sins. But, now Jesus had come preaching a new message of personal repentance or personal turning from one's sins. He preached forgiveness by him, by God of people's sins and now he willingly goes to a cross, to a place and offers himself for all people. Jesus becomes the Lamb, becomes the Lamb of God, the clean lamb, the perfect Lamb, upon the cross. He dies. But, something occurs now that was not present in any animal. Something is different now with Jesus.
Sin has not simply been paid for, but now Jesus has risen. So, it is that sin has been conquered. The wrath of God has been met, but the act is no longer ever needed again because Jesus has risen. This one act will change lives forever and produce questioning among so many. Only this faith believes in the resurrection. Many will state that Jesus was a great man and lived a great life, but the act of dying and then resurrection is shuffled out of the way. But He has risen and he will present himself before the disciples and Peter shortly.
Summary - Jesus has been crucified, buried in a tomb, wrapped in linen. 3 Women go to him to anoint him and instead find the stone rolled away and a young man (an angel) sitting there and telling them to not be amazed (have no fear) that instead Jesus has risen. It is a done deal. He is back. And he will see them and others soon in Galilee. They are to go forward and tell others with and wait to see and hear from Jesus.
Promise: Jesus has done the unexpected and yet the unexpected was expected by Him. He has raised from the dead, as he told others previously it would happen.
Prayer: O Jesus, O God, you changed civilization in these moments. You changed my life. You show me a love that does not seem possible by men. We base our lives on feelings and in this act you show us that you are real, you are eternal, you are forever. And so we as your sons and daughters will also be forever. I look to You more than ever. I receive your message of love: to love You with all of my being and to love others. Keep me focused on You Lord. Keep me learning about You and what you have done. Help me be more about love. This is my mission - to love.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Mark 16:1-4 - The Rolled-Back Stone
Mark 16:1-4
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 Looking up, they *saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.
Message: The Rolled-Back Stone
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has been crucified. On the cross there was a point that darkness fell over the face of the earth, from 12pm to 3pm. Mark does not record what occurred then but after this Jesus felt rejected and exclaimed "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Shortly thereafter he cried out and then breathed his last. The centurion guard there to watch to make sure he was crucified and now dead said, "This is the Son of God." Joseph of Arimathea, a Sanhedrin, asked Pilate if he could take the Body of Jesus and wrap it in linen and to a tomb he had prepared for Jesus. It was a special burial in which he rolled a stone in front of the tomb. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome were watching from afar.
The custom at this time was o anoint Jesus for burial. He was placed in the tomb on Friday, but no work could be done on Saturday, so instead they came to him on Sunday. Jewish custom was that this had been 3 days when probably it was more like 48 hours, but the Jews counted a partial day Friday as a full day, then Saturday, then Sunday, even though it was also just a partial day. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Here they are finishing the burial customs.
Very early on the first day of the week (Sunday morning), they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen. Thus it was the light of day, not in the darkness, but in the light. And there was no expectation on their part that He would rise again (despite Him saying 3 times previously that He would). As they arrived, They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Men had rolled the stone and they obviously did not think they had the strength to roll it.
Looking up, they *saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. So as they were asking who should roll the stone away, they looked up and saw that it had been rolled away already.
Mark provides not much of a description of the events, as compared with more detail that Matthew provides. Mark's explanations are sort of 'matter of fact.' It is interesting over the course of the past year in studying this book of the way in which Jesus is presented. Even as I look at commentaries of these passages, the commentaries can't seem to help but offer more details of these events based upon the words spoken by the other authors. I've been trying to evaluate the text based only on Mark's words. I must admit that it is a challenge to not bring in the other information that I know. I suppose my reason for not bringing in the other author's comments is because Mark must have said what he had for a reason so I wanted to judge it just based upon what He said and who he thought Jesus was.
Overall, I'm still coming to that conclusion myself. There really is just one time that the word of "repent" is recorded by Jesus and that was at the very beginning of this book (1:15). After that there is no mention of that again. And now even in the study of Jesus on the cross, what he writes is not so much what is recorded by Jesus but the response of those around Him.
Summary - Today's summary is not real exciting on some level. 3 women head to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body. It is Sunday morning, at the dawn of light, after the sun has come up. As they approach the tomb they wonder who is going to roll the stone away and see that it is already rolled away. That's it. They arrive and the stone is not obstructing the tomb.
Promise: Unexpected things happen when following God. In some ways, we need to prepare for the unexpected.
Prayer: Lord, continue to help me understand the truth of Your word from this gospel writer. I want to see what He saw and experience what He experienced through Peter. It amazes me what is written, especially because writing things down was not easy in those times. But, your words have been inspired. Lord, you do unexpected things in my life and I need to not be surprised by these events. Help me to discover you as You are.
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 Looking up, they *saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.
Message: The Rolled-Back Stone
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has been crucified. On the cross there was a point that darkness fell over the face of the earth, from 12pm to 3pm. Mark does not record what occurred then but after this Jesus felt rejected and exclaimed "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Shortly thereafter he cried out and then breathed his last. The centurion guard there to watch to make sure he was crucified and now dead said, "This is the Son of God." Joseph of Arimathea, a Sanhedrin, asked Pilate if he could take the Body of Jesus and wrap it in linen and to a tomb he had prepared for Jesus. It was a special burial in which he rolled a stone in front of the tomb. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome were watching from afar.
The custom at this time was o anoint Jesus for burial. He was placed in the tomb on Friday, but no work could be done on Saturday, so instead they came to him on Sunday. Jewish custom was that this had been 3 days when probably it was more like 48 hours, but the Jews counted a partial day Friday as a full day, then Saturday, then Sunday, even though it was also just a partial day. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Here they are finishing the burial customs.
Very early on the first day of the week (Sunday morning), they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen. Thus it was the light of day, not in the darkness, but in the light. And there was no expectation on their part that He would rise again (despite Him saying 3 times previously that He would). As they arrived, They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Men had rolled the stone and they obviously did not think they had the strength to roll it.
Looking up, they *saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. So as they were asking who should roll the stone away, they looked up and saw that it had been rolled away already.
Mark provides not much of a description of the events, as compared with more detail that Matthew provides. Mark's explanations are sort of 'matter of fact.' It is interesting over the course of the past year in studying this book of the way in which Jesus is presented. Even as I look at commentaries of these passages, the commentaries can't seem to help but offer more details of these events based upon the words spoken by the other authors. I've been trying to evaluate the text based only on Mark's words. I must admit that it is a challenge to not bring in the other information that I know. I suppose my reason for not bringing in the other author's comments is because Mark must have said what he had for a reason so I wanted to judge it just based upon what He said and who he thought Jesus was.
Overall, I'm still coming to that conclusion myself. There really is just one time that the word of "repent" is recorded by Jesus and that was at the very beginning of this book (1:15). After that there is no mention of that again. And now even in the study of Jesus on the cross, what he writes is not so much what is recorded by Jesus but the response of those around Him.
Summary - Today's summary is not real exciting on some level. 3 women head to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body. It is Sunday morning, at the dawn of light, after the sun has come up. As they approach the tomb they wonder who is going to roll the stone away and see that it is already rolled away. That's it. They arrive and the stone is not obstructing the tomb.
Promise: Unexpected things happen when following God. In some ways, we need to prepare for the unexpected.
Prayer: Lord, continue to help me understand the truth of Your word from this gospel writer. I want to see what He saw and experience what He experienced through Peter. It amazes me what is written, especially because writing things down was not easy in those times. But, your words have been inspired. Lord, you do unexpected things in my life and I need to not be surprised by these events. Help me to discover you as You are.
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