SCRIPTURE: Mark 14:32-65 OBSERVATION: Jesus takes the same ones He took up the mountain when He was “transfigured” (Matthew 17:1-2). Jesus agonizes with God in prayer, and He is overwhelmed with emotion, “deeply distressed and troubled”. “Abba” was the Aramaic term for ‘daddy’. Jesus pleads for another way, but remains committed to doing whatever the Father asks…
Apr 11 — Mark 14:1-31
SCRIPTURE: Mark 14:1-31 OBSERVATION: The Passover (Jewish feast marking the night the angel of death spared their firstborn sons (Exodus 12:13,23,27) The Feast of Unleavened Bread followed, lasting seven days (Exodus 12:15-20). Jerusalem was crowded with festival pilgrims, hence the leaders fear of a riot. The second time Jesus is anointed (Luke 7:36-50), this time by Mary, the sister…
Apr 10 — Mark 12:3-27
SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:13-27 OBSERVATION: An interesting alliance, since the Pharisees were not fans of Herod, while the Herodians were his political supporters. Shows how desperate (and despicable) they were. The tax question was a trick, trying to entice Jesus to say something worthy of the death penalty. Jesus answers in a way that avoids the trap….
Apr 9 — Mark 12:1-12
SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:1-12 OBSERVATION: A vineyard was an old testament symbol for the nation of Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7). The vineyard is Israel; the owner is God; the tenants are the Jewish leaders; the servants are the prophets; and the only son and heir is Jesus. The stewards turn on the landowner, refusing to honour their deal. Jesus…
Apr 8 — Mark 11:20-33
SCRIPTURE: Mark 11:20-33 OBSERVATION: Jesus turns the situation with the fig tree into a lesson on faith and prayer. This is one of the passages that leads people to expect God to answer all our prayers – even radical or extreme ones (cursing fig trees, uprooting mountains) – if we have the right kind of faith…
Question re. SOAP Readings
Hi everyone, just curious! Are you finding the somewhat random selection of Bible Readings helpful (they are the assigned daily readings from the Canadian Bible Society), or would you prefer that we work through one Bible book at a time? I am thinking that it might be helpful to do it one book at a…
Apr 7 — Mark 11:1-19
SCRIPTURE: Mark 11:1-19 OBSERVATION: The colt of a donkey (Matthew 21:2). An unused animal was seen as especially suitable for religious purposes (Numbers 19:2). Notice that Jesus knew the colt would be there, and that the owner would allow Him to use it. Hosanna means “save”, an expression of praise and confidence. They seem to be quoting Psalm 118:25-26,…
Apr 6 — Isaiah 52:13-53:12
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 OBSERVATION: Another very clear picture of what kind of messiah God will send: unattractive, plain, poor, humble, meek, innocent, abused, murdered and ultimately restored. The messiah will suffer by God’s will for the sake of others’ sin. This seems to be a very obvious prophecy about what the messiah would be like, how…
Apr 5 — Isaiah 50:1-11
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 50:1-11 OBSERVATION: Speaking to captive Israel, God compares His letting Israel go to a divorce, necessary because of their ‘adulterous’ behavior with other lifestyles/religions (v.1) God has the power to save His people, but they have to be willing (vv.2-3). The messiah will be enabled to speak wisdom, and will endure abuse for God’s…
Apr 4 — Isaiah 49:1-21
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 49:1-21 OBSERVATION: A conversation between God and His messiah – He will be the Saviour of the world (v.6). The day is coming when kings will bow to the messiah, when the messiah will be a new covenant, will feed the masses, lead them through barren places, have compassion on them, especially the weak/needy…