Author: Norm

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 16:1-8 “Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!” (Mark 16:6) And here we have the Easter joke! No, I’m not saying the resurrection is JUST a joke. The joke is on Satan, who thought he had won. Mark seems to end his version of Jesus’ life with a quick ‘punchline’…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:42-47 Joseph… waiting for the kingdom of God… rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.” (Mark 15:43,46) There have been many times when I have had my hopes dashed. Anticipating something good, or praying desperately for a miracle! Joseph had to roll the stone over his hopes for the kingdom…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:37-41 “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) This Roman centurion does not have a deep understanding of ‘Son of God’ theology. A ‘son of God’ was a chip off the old block, someone that was just like their father. He sees everything that happens to Jesus, and hears…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:33-36 “‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mark 15:34, Psalm 22:1). Ever since humans turned against God, darkness has filled the world. This world, created a kingdom of light, has become a dominion of darkness. War, injustice, deception, crime, abuse, murder, sexual sin, despair… death. God becomes human, and enters…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:25-32 “‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself!’” (Mark 15:31) The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘The Lord Saves’. As the Messiah, Jesus came to save humanity from the curse of sin and death. Many people were saved from difficulty (sickness, demons, death). This is what He was being mocked about –…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:21-24 “Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” (Mark 15:21) We don’t know who Alexander and Rufus are, but Mark thinks his audience does. This implies they were a part of the community of…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:16-20 “And they began to call out to him, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’” (Mark 15:18) I remember singing a chorus in the 90s, ‘All hail King Jesus!’ I may not have always sang it with full understanding, but I didn’t sing it in mockery. This abuse would have been painful to Jesus…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:6-15 “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them.” (Mark 15:15) This moment is a sad commentary on human nature, on all of us. We were made to please God, but we have become slaves to other’s opinions. Being a ‘people-pleaser’ is a dead end path, it leads to our…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:1-5 “‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate. ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied.” (Mark 15:2) Pilate is asking a loaded question, and Jesus gives an ambiguous answer. The reason for this answer is clearer in John 18:33-38. The religious leaders were trying to put Jesus against Rome and it’s authority….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:66-72 “And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:72) Have you ever been disappointed with yourself? You do something that you know is wrong, and you hate yourself for it. In addition to guilt, your pride is also wounded — you thought better of yourself. Peter had boasted about his loyalty (see…