Don’t Worry He’s Sovereign: Trial (Mark 14:53-72)

Christ’s arrest did not really go that smoothly considering all that happened.  It was not carried out in stealth, it was not after the feast of unleavened bread, and ironically Christ told them how they could have executed this arrest with greater precision.  Christ told them that if they quietly escorted Christ out of the temple it would have gone a lot smoother.  If the leaders of Israel desire to maintain credibility they better hope that the trial goes much better.  So, does the trial go better?  Is there proof against Christ that grounds their claims that He is a legitimate problem?  Or is this another example where fallen man cannot competently conspire against the Lord?

Don’t Worry He’s Sovereign: Betrayal (Mark 14:27-52)

This is a narrative that is not that encouraging read.  The disciples are told that they will abandon Christ, Christ collapses, Judas betrays Christ, and his disciples fall asleep instead of praying after claiming to be heroes of the faith.  So, what do we do with this discouragement?  How can we see the sovereign hand of God in the midst of all that transpires in this story?

Don’t Worry He’s Sovereign: Unleavened Bread (Mark 14:12-26)

I wonder what it must have been like for the disciples to have the last supper with Jesus.  They would expect this to be a normal day where they could enjoy the day and the time with one another recounting the history of Israel.  Their experience is something that is radically different as Christ is preparing them for what awaits Him in His ministry: His betrayal and death.  The disciples are horrified, and so what is the assurance in this text that there is no need to worry?  How do we know that Christ is still in control?

Don’t Worry He’s Sovereign (Mark 14:1-11)

We know that our Lord is one who cares for the poor, the widow, and the orphan.  We know that our Lord is the one who heals the sick, takes away diseases, and is one tho ultimately takes away the sting of death. If this is true, then why is Christ so cavalier by respond to the disciples that they will always have the poor?  Why not hear their suggestion to sell the ointment, give the money to the poor, and then just use a cheaper bottle?  What does this story have to do with the tragic decision of a disciple and the leaders of Israel finally having the fortitude to send Christ to the cross?

Living in the Last Days (3) (Mark 13:32-37)

Christ continues to talk about suffering and struggle in these last days.  We can be assured that as the temple was destroyed with Jerusalem that the end of the world is guaranteed.  So, if we know that the end of the world is coming then how shall we live?  Really?  Do we need to get very busy to make sure that this world is prepared for the Lord?  Do we just be fatalistic and say it is coming what can we do anyway?  Or is there something to Christ exhorting us to watch out and be on our guard that puts the coming end in a positive light?

Living in the Last Days (2) (Mark 13:24-32)

Christ has talked about a life of suffering and struggle.  The reality is that it is not encouraging to to think that one can pursue the kingdom only to find that there is just more and more suffering in this world.  So, why continue if the Christian message seems to be suffer, then suffer some more, and then eventually die.  Is that really the message?  What is the comfort we take in the midst of the tragic day that happens in Jerusalem? How does that tell us this suffering will not always continue and be the thing that defines us?

Living in the Last Days (Mark 13:1-23)

The Christian life is a life that has high points and low points.  When we face the trying seasons are temptation is to wonder what we have done wrong.  When we face seasons of life when things go well for us then our temptation is to think that we have done something that is honorable or right in the Lord.  Should we anchor or lives in what we see and experience in this world or is that a faulty life orientation?  What should we expect as we go through this life and what is the basis of our expectation?

Close, but Not There (Mark 12:28-44)

One scribe at least appears to be willing to talk with Christ and understand what Christ is teaching.  Finally, we see a teacher of Israel at least treating Christ as an equal.  We know that Christ is not an equal, but it is better than the previous context where the leadership desires to trap Christ.  So, will the leaders follow Christ and submit to Him?  How does a woman who gives with a cheerful heart indict the current leadership?

The First Tests (Mark 12:13-27)

The pharisees and the sadducees finally have Christ right where they want him.  In their minds they have trapped Christ into either losing credibility with the people or being charged as an insurrectionist.  How is Christ going to get out of this trap?  What does Christ teach as He responds to their trap?

The Greedy Tenants (Mark 11:27-12:12)

When Christ is in the midst of Israel it seems that Christ has a challenge making friends with the leaders of Israel.  Why does Christ have such a problem and what does Christ say about them?  Why does Christ speak of a vineyard and troublesome tenants?  Most of all, why would this offend the leaders of Israel?

Is Christ Unstable? (Mark 11:12-25)

When we see Christ going into Jerusalem it seems that He has some anger management issues.  First, He curses a tree that did not bear fruit.  Second, he overturns tables in the temple and has what appears to be a tantrum.  How can these things make a credible point?  Why curse a tree out of anger and overturn the temple? Is the stress of the cross getting to Christ or is there more?

Arriving at the City (Mark 11:1-12)

When we see Christ riding into Jerusalem we see that Christ is entering into a holy and incredible place that is so full or history.  This is the place where God is to dwell in the midst of HIs people.  Now is finally the time in Christ’s ministry when you would expect His people to embrace their God.  Is this the time for God to sit on the throne and finally make His city holy?  If that is the case then why is Christ seated on a donkey and not a war horse? 

A Strange Pep Talk (Mark 10:32-52)

When we face the trials of life we want a strong leader to tell us what to do.  If we are honest we really want the leader to tell us that it is all going to be okay.  You cannot find a better or stronger leader than God God as He is the one who made us and knows us.  So, you would think that Christ would tell His disciples that it is all going to be okay when they enter Jerusalem. Well, this is not what Christ does at all.  Why does Christ give such a strange pep talk prior to their entrance into Jerusalem?

What Must We do to be Saved? (Mark 10:13-31)

The reality is that if we ask the wrong question we are more than likely to arrive at the wrong answer.  If we desire to find the right answers it is best to ask the right questions.  This is what we find with the wealthy man who approaches Christ about salvation.  He thinks that the answer is simple so his question is simple.  In his understanding he has done all that is required for life.  However, when Christ points out the bigger picture even the disciples are confused by the answer.  So, what must we do to be saved and have life?  How can we as Americans enter the Kingdom of God if a camel cannot go through the eye of a needle?

Blessed by Marriage or Freed through Divorce? (Mark 10:1-12)

So often we use the law of God to find loopholes and technicalities.  I think that many times we like the letter of the law because it narrows the sharpness of its requirement.  But, how do we order our lives by the law of God when it seems contradictory?  For instance Christ gives permission for divorce if there is an adulterous relationship.  The Apostle Paul allows for divorce if the unbeliever cannot live with the believer.  Yet, Christ states that, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.”  How do we reconcile these teachings on divorce and order our lives when they seem to contradict one another?

Willing to Suffer (2) (Mark 9:38-50)

The Old Testament forbids man from harming himself, but our Lord seems to be contradicting His command to Israel by advocating that we cut off a body part that may cause us to stumble.  Does the Lord really want us to cut off body parts?  How is the Lord different from Baal when the priests of Baal cut themselves in 1 Kings? If our Lord does not desire us to maim our bodies then what does our Lord mean when he talks about cutting off parts of our body that lead us into sin?

Willing to Suffer (Mark 9:30-37)

We might think that the kingdom of God is a kingdom of glory.  There is glory in the kingdom of God, but that is not the whole story.  What is involved in the kingdom of God prior to the glory?  Why is it so offensive that the very men who bring the kingdom are rebuked when they discuss their significance in the kingdom?

The Inglorious Reward (Mark 9:14-29)

You would think that after showing the glory of heaven to the disciples that there would be great joy in this. Finally, a kingdom that they could embrace, and see.  A kingdom that manifests the glory of the Lord.  However, this is not how the kingdom is manifested with the disciples at all.  So, why is it in the midst of what appears to be the disciples flailing that the kingdom is still working?  Why does Mark include this story in HIs narrative?

The Glory of Suffering (Mark 9:2-13)

The honest truth is that the kingdom of God is very difficult for us to grasp.  There are some who believe that Christ is basically teaching us ethical things and that is what we take from the kingdom.  There are others who see Christ as one thoroughly committed to His beliefs even to death.  Are these fair assessments of Christ’s work?  What is the point of Christ’s suffering and our suffering?  What is the outcome of the suffering?  Is it just to suffer to show fulfillment, or is there something beyond the suffering that keeps it all in perspective?

The Offensive Kingdom (Mark 8:22-9:1)

Our Lord is one who entered history to secure His kingdom. There is no doubt that the kingdom is established, but why not have a palace or even a headquarters? Why would we want such a kingdom where we cannot even find the headquarters? How do we know that the kingdom is here when we cannot see expected buildings in a kingdom?