As we approach the most important day of the Christian calendar, it’s helpful to take a refreshing scholarly look at Mark 14-16. In addition to spiritual application, these lessons focus on the historical and sociological context of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. It’s amazing to see how, even on the cross, Jesus…
This week we focused on the physical context of the “trial” of Jesus in the home/palace of the High Priest (Caiaphas) while Peter stood outside in the courtyard denying Him. We discussed the Sanhedrin as a law-enforcing group within Judaism, as well as their inability to follow their own rules. We briefly reviewed the literary technique…
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This week we did a quick overview of the rest of Mark 14. We looked at a literary technique Mark uses in his Gospel to “SANDWICH” one story into the middle of another with an intentional and discernible theological purpose. The sandwiches emphasize the MAJOR THEMES of Mark’s Gospel— especially the meaning of faith, discipleship, bearing witness,…
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This week we studied Judas’ betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. We looked at the significance of the number 3 in Scripture and how the theme of threes in Mark underscores God’s perfect plan. We also studied Judas’ kiss—and how it could have been the first sign of Judas’ realization of the gravity…
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This week we studied Jesus’ prayer time in Gethsemane. We looked at what Jesus asked and how His followers responded. Additionally, we saw HOW Jesus prayed, and how it matched up very closely with the model prayer He shared with His followers (a.k.a. “The Lord’s Prayer”). >>Click here to read today’s text in NIV, KJV,…
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This week we studied Jesus’ Gethsemane prediction of Peter’s imminent denials and the forthcoming abandonment by His apostles. As they entered the Garden, the group of followers thinned out to only four: Peter, James, John, and Jesus. As they moved farther into the Garden, we observed how Jesus allowed this “inner circle of friends” to see…
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