Mark 16: That’s what he said

Mark 16: the final chapter in our look at Mark.  I like Mark because he keeps it to the point.  In 16 chapters, he tells the action-packed story of Jesus.  How else could he end it than with the story of Jesus rising from the dead?  
I noticed in this chapter that the story plays out and events happen “just as Jesus said they would happen.”  We can see that people had to BELIEVE in what Jesus said to really get what happened as well.  For example, the disciples weren’t really tuned in that well at the time so they didn’t believe that Jesus could’ve risen from the dead when Mary told them that she had seen Him.  They weren’t dialed in, so Jesus had to show up and get in their grill to make them realize that Mary was telling the truth.  The Great Commission closes the chapter out and we see that the disciples went out and did the things Jesus promised them they would be able to do, “just as He had said.”  
When we believe Jesus for who He says He is and act on what He desires, things happen.  It is a proven method; His way is tried and true.  He knows what’s up.  When we do what He asks us to do, things happen.  The power and passion He displayed are still available to us today.  Do you want some of that?  I know I do.  Jesus has the best in store for us and I pray that reading through the book of Mark has been helpful to you.  

Have an awesome week and I will see you all in December!  Erica and I will be in South Carolina for Thanksgiving.  Gobble, gobble, gobble… 

Mark 15: New way

Verse 38 in chapter 15 stuck out the most to me today.  In chapter 15, we see the events of Jesus’ crucifixion.   In verse 38, we see that Jesus has breathed His last breath and immediately the curtain in the Temple, the place of worship for the people of that day, was torn in two.  This curtain had separated the people from the presence of God.  In their belief system, they offered sacrifices to draw near to God and be obedient to Him.  By this veil being torn in half at Jesus’ death, God was announcing a new way.  God would now be available to people at all times.  The sacrificial system and all that it symbolized would now be useless.  The one true sacrifice, the life of Jesus, had been completed.  All that was (and is still) needed to enter into the presence of God was accomplished through Jesus.  

The passion of Jesus, the love He felt for mankind, led Him to GIVE His life for all people.  He GAVE His life over, no one took it from Him.  He could’ve overpowered anyone He wanted.  Yet, He lived the life He did to provide us the way to enter the presence of God, unhindered.  

Do you feel like you can enter the presence of God?  Do you feel like He will draw close to you?  

Share your thoughts!  Try to say warm.

Adam

Mark 14: Betrayal

The story of Jesus begins to speed up a lot in this chapter.  We seem to be racing to the end really quickly.  In this chapter, Jesus is anointed by a woman, He receives His last meal, He’s arrested and goes before the court to be convicted, and Peter disowns Him.  There’s a lot of stuff we could talk about.  As usual, one thing seemed to stick out to me.  

Verses 44 and 46 describe the betrayal of Judas.  Judas was one of the 12 Disciples.  He had a close relationship with Jesus.  He was tempted with money to hand Jesus over to the Pharisees and the religious leaders so that they could kill him.  He caved in and gave in to their request.  These verses read: “Now the betrayer [Judas] had arranged a signal with them [the chief priests and Pharisees]: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him.  The men seized Jesus and arrested him.”

Judas called Jesus Rabbi, which means teacher.  This was a special kind of teacher, though.  By calling someone Rabbi, a person would be expressing a devotion to that person.  Rabbis taught people by leading them through a way of life.  Rabbis would have people follow them and live like them for a period of time.  There would be an intimacy there, sharing life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for some length of time.  Judas had been with Jesus for some time.  He kissed him and called him Rabbi as the signals for betrayal.  You would think that a kiss and calling someone your teacher would be items of affection.  Judas used them for betrayal.  

How do you think that made Jesus feel?  Someone He cared for and had a close relationship with betrayed Him.  At any point of time, Jesus could have made it stop.  But He did not.  

When we claim to follow Jesus are we only giving Him “lip service?”  We offer Him warm words and kisses when we are in private or on the inside of our hearts but our lives may not reflect that.  Judas’ words didn’t mean much in the end.  His actions counted.  His actions told the real story.  Faith and belief are action words.  Our actions tell what is really in our hearts.  What do your actions say about you?

Thoughts?