THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:17-21 “It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (Mark 14:21) Jesus is giving Judas fair warning about the seriousness of his actions. To curse the day of one’s birth is to give up on life altogether. In the midst of his extreme misery, Job felt the same…
The first supper!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:12-16 “So they prepared the Passover.” (Mark 14:16) Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate Passover to commemorate the rescue of Israel from Egypt. God spares them from death with lamb’s blood, painted on the doorposts. “The blood will be a sign on the…
Something to talk about!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:6-11 “Wherever the gospel is preached… what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:9) Two people are mentioned here, Mary (John 12:3) and Judas. Jesus says that she will be remembered for her beautiful act. But it seems to me that Judas is remembered more than Mary….
Overflowing love?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:1-5 “She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” (Mark 14:3) The religious leaders are planning to sacrifice Jesus to serve themselves. In contrast, this woman is prepared to sacrifice herself to serve Jesus. They are both motivated by love… but love for who, love for what? We all…
Wake up call!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:32-37 “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:36) Have you heard the phrase ‘sleeping on the job’? Usually this doesn’t happen when the boss is watching. We are Jesus’ servants, put in charge of His kingdom until He returns. Each one of us is gifted for…
Keep looking up! (again)
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:28-31 “When you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.”(Mark 13:29) Some people see the fig tree as symbol of the nation Israel. When Israel shows life again (1948, Israel restored as nation), the end is near. The generation that saw this should prepare for…
Keep looking up!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:24-27 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26) Jesus now shifts His focus to the last days when He will return. He quotes Isaiah 13:10 (or Isaiah 34:4), the final judgment, the “day of the Lord”. On that day the Son…
So be on your guard!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:14-23 “So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.” (Mark 13:23) Jesus is using the language of a prophet here. Prophets would use hyperbole (extreme language) to strengthen their point. They would also blur imminent and end of time events, tying them together as ‘part of the…
Spirit-enabled witnesses!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:9-13 “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” (Mark 13:10) Why are we still living in this messed up world? Why doesn’t Jesus protect us from betrayal, arrest, flogging and death? Apparently Jesus needs us for a job: to let the nations know the good news. Jesus’ followers (not…
The darker the times, the brighter we shine!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:3-8 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed.” (Mark 13:7) I often hear Christians today say that we must be in the last days. Terrorism, the middle east crisis, economic upheaval, increasing natural disasters. When we lose a sense of history, we see our own times…