#790
Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.
MARK 1, Verses 1-20
Today we move to the New Testament. In Mark's Gospel the Lord
Jesus can be noticed in His service, particularly as a Prophet.
He is at work in the early verses of the first chapter. No
ancestors given as in Matthew and Luke; this would not be expected
for a servant. Nor are there many miracles or long talks in this
Gospel. This Gospel gives the actual order in which things took
place more than any of the other Gospels.
Mk 1:1-8 John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord,
preaches the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (not
Christian baptism, for people were baptized by John, and then
needed Christian baptism (Acts 19:5), and announces a more
glorious Servant (verse 7 tells how unworthy he felt).
Mk 1:9-11 The Lord Jesus takes His place with His people the
Jews, and is baptized by John. The Spirit of God descends upon
Jesus, and God speaks from heaven, declaring His delight in His
beloved Son. So we see here the Trinity. The Son is revealed as a
Man; the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father's voice
is heard. Remember that all God's purposes of blessing centered in
Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:47 describes two men, Adam, the first man...
Christ the second Man. Adam's race failed God, so we can
understand why the Father's delight is expressed here.
Mk 1:14-15 Remember it was the "gospel of the kingdom" which
Jesus preached. The kingdom was announced but never established,
because He was rejected. But He shall yet come again and set it up
in power - Rev. 11:17.
Mk 1:16-20 Two sets of brothers are invited to follow the Lord
Jesus. They become disciples and apostles of His. Notice two words
in verse 18. "Forsook" and "followed", and four words in verse
20... "they left" and "went after". They were so attracted to
Jesus that they forsook their nets and left their father!
#791
God has put a wall - an unseen wall - of grace around us.
MARK 1, Verses 21-45
Mk 1:21-45 The miracles we read of here are not simply a sign
and proof of His power, but also were a demonstration of His
tender love and goodness.
Mk 1:40-45 The leper knew of the Lord's power, but did not know
if He was willing to heal him. Jesus shows His compassion. The
power and willingness are freely shown to the poor leper (a
picture of sin which contaminates all who are touched) and Jesus
touches him (but Jesus is not contaminated).
Mk 1:44 Only when we go through an experience of His love and
grace is our heart really drawn to Him, and our lips opened to
tell others.
#792
We must learn to know God in secret if we would be courageous
for Him in public.
MARK 2
Jesus is the Preacher, verse 2; the Healer, verse 11; the
Caller, V.17; the Bridegroom, V.19; the Lord of the Sabbath, V.28.
Mk 2:1-12 The consciousness of our need, and the confidence in
the love, grace and power of the Lord combine to bring about this
deliverance from sickness and sin (the true root of all evils)
Psalm 103:3. God delights to forgive.
Mk 2:14-17 Matthew (Levi) was a Jew and a tax-collector for the
Romans. The Jews hated to acknowledge that a Gentile nation was
over them, the people of God. But they detested a Jew who would
work with the Romans. The scribes and Pharisees raise the question
as to how it could be possible that a righteous teacher would sit
and eat with unclean men and sinners. Grace is the opposite to
law, with all its hardness.
Mk 2:15 They eat, but then they follow Jesus!
Mk 2:18-22 Jesus is the Bridegroom. He was present, so His
followers did not fast. But later they would, for the joy of His
presence would be turned into sorrow by His absence. The other
reason is this: it was impossible to mix two systems -
Christianity and Judaism. The new wine (the true and the spiritual
power of Christianity) could not be put into the old bottles (the
old institutions and ceremonies of Judaism). If done it would
destroy the bottles. Sad to say present day Christianity has taken
on many of the Old Testament ceremonies - rituals - music -
ministers - altars - thus adapting itself to appeal to the old
nature in us.
Mk 2:23-28 The Sabbath, the last day of the week, was a sign of
God's rest in the first creation. It also was a sign of the
covenant (agreement) He had made with Israel. Because of sin, man
can never share this rest with God. God tried again, and gave man
a covenant - the law - but immediately they broke it by building
the golden calf. Then finally, they crucified God's Son. The only
Man, God could have communion with - the Son of His love - the
Lord of the Sabbath. From man's side, - all was broken and
finished. David is used here as a picture of the same point. The
Sabbath - the sign of the first covenant was broken and so
disappears. Christianity is founded on a new work - the cross of
Christ. He remained dead over the Sabbath and rose on the first
day of the week - the Lord's Day - Sunday. So resurrection is the
beginning of the new creation.
#793
God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us
a comforter. (2 Cor. 1:4)
MARK 3
Mk 3:1-6 God finds His true rest in showing His love to a world
of evil. Graciously the Lord Jesus heals the poor man. The
Pharisees thought nothing of doing evil so long as tradition was
maintained. They hated the Herodians. Here they are discussing
together the destruction of Jesus, Jesus the Doer of all good!
Mk 3:7-12 The Lord withdraws from prominence and contact with
the Jewish leaders, but continues His healing and work of grace
and love.
Mk 3:13-21 He withdraws further to a mountain, and there calls
those He chose to be His apostles. They were to "be with Him".
Only Mark says this.
Mk 3:21-30 His friends think He is out of His mind; the leaders
ascribe His wonderful works to the power of Satan! The Lord shows
how impossible this last point is.
Mk 3:31-35 Because of the above, Jesus renounces all
relationship with His people. He now is forming new links with
souls.
#794
Never does the human soul become so strong as when it dares to
forgive an injury.
MARK 4, Verses 1-25
Mk 4:1-20 The Lord had come to collect the fruit from His
vineyard (Israel) but there was none. So He becomes a Sower of
seed (the Word of God). The Word is received in different ways.
How deeply it penetrates the heart is the factor. Does the Word of
God affect our heart and life? The devil wants to take away the
Word. Unless the conscience has been touched, the Word at first
brings joy, but it does not last. When the conscience has been
awakened then there is no joy at first. But when the seed works,
then the light reaches in, and confidence in God develops, and joy
follows.
Mk 4:21-25 A serious warning. Let the things we hear in the
Word take hold of us. "Take heed what ye hear". Most of our
problems stem from not doing this.
#795
God formed us; sin deformed us; Christ transforms us.
MARK 4, Verses 26-4l
Mk 4:26-29 Interesting and instructive. The Lord came to earth,
worked, sowed the seed. At the end He will come back for more work
at harvest time. But in between these two He "sleeps" (He is away
in heaven), is out of sight, seated on the right hand of God. He
allows the gospel to grow, apparently without having anything to
do with it until the harvest. In secret He is working. Let us not
think He does not see all!
Mk 4:30-32 The seed is small when planted. Christianity at the
beginning was very limited... just in Israel. But now has been
spread over the whole earth.
Mk 4:35-41 A parable with great meaning for us. The Lord was
going away, and it would appear that He is separated from them,
and us. The Lord gets into a boat to cross the sea, and falls
asleep. A storm comes up, the disciples are afraid and wake Him.
He rises, speaks, stills the storm, and then has a word for them
and us. Do we think the boat holding the Son of God could have
sunk with all on board?
In all the difficulties and dangers of the Christian life,
during the whole journey we are conscious we are in the same boat
with Jesus, if we are doing His will. It may seem as if He is
sleeping. But His security is ours. Will He fail to carry out in
the future what He promises in verse 35?
#796
Where would you be if your physical and financial condition
were suddenly adjusted to match your spiritual condition? (2 John
2)
MARK 5
Mk 5:1-21 Yesterday, His power over nature and storms, today
over demons. A picture of the world being influenced by Satan, and
preferring Satan to God. The great power of God is able to drive
away the evil power of Satan, but Satan persuades the people to
drive away God in the Person of Jesus. The power of God is more
terrible to man than the power of Satan. The swine probably are a
picture of the end of Israel under Satan's influence in the
tribulation. The man who is cured is quiet and wishes to be with
Jesus. Possibly a picture of the remnant of Israel to be healed in
the future during the tribulation period.
Mk 5:22-43 Another picture of the relationship of God with
Israel. Jesus came to heal Israel, but Israel was in fact dead
(speaking spiritually). When Jesus arrived, it was necessary to
raise Israel from the dead, this is portrayed in the damsel. He
came to do it the first time, but shall carry it out in the
millennium.
Mk 5:25-34 But coming in before the final healing of the girl
(Israel) a woman in deep need has individual faith, and she is
completely healed. Sincerity is nice, but it is not enough. Faith
is needed. Faith is always answered. He may make us wait, but He
will not fail us.
Mk 5:35-43 The girl appears to be dead. Jesus raises her. So in
the last days, Israel shall be restored! But it will be the Lord's
voice which will do it.
#797
Christ's yesterday was the accomplishment of redemption. His
tomorrow is the having His Church with Himself in glory. But He is
a living Christ for today.
MARK 6, Verses 1-29
Mk 6:1-6 Jesus leaves Jerusalem and goes up North to where He
had lived most of His human life. He preaches in their synagogues,
but the people can't understand how a person who was a carpenter
could speak such wisdom and do such miracles. They couldn't relate
the greatness with the humanity. They didn't know that Almighty
God had become a Man, and that He was speaking to them! But we
must remember that what God is, is much more displayed in the
humbleness of this Man than if He had come as a powerful and
glorious king! Only being a carpenter was enough to make the
people reject Him.
Mk 6:5 tells us the effect of unbelief!
Mk 6:7-13 The Lord sends out His twelve apostles. We have a
proof of His power more remarkable than His own miracles, and that
is that He gives others the power to perform miracles themselves.
Only God could do this.
Mk 6:11 What a judgment pronounced by one Who had the power to
carry it out!
Mk 6:14-29 When King Herod heard of the works of Jesus, his
conscience bothered him, and he immediately recalled what he had
done to John the Baptist. The details of that dreadful party are
told. Herod prided himself on his power, but it only proved his
weakness, and his wickedness.
#798
Your life either sheds light, or casts a shadow.
MARK 6, Verses 30-46
Mk 6:30-32 The disciples come back and recite to Jesus all that
they had done and taught. He gently leads them to a quiet spot to
rest. The flesh had become excited, and this is dangerous for a
believer. Particularly when there has been success. We need to get
alone with Jesus.
Mk 6:33-44 The disciples are glad of the rest, but displeased
at the crowds coming to spoil it. Jesus has loving sympathy,
teaches and feeds them. Read Psalm 145:16. This shall be fulfilled
completely in the millennium, but Jesus was a Man here on earth
Who could do this now.
Mk 6:37 The Lord does not say, "I will give them food", but
"Give ye them to eat". The Lord wants us to use His power in
bringing blessing to others.
Mk 6:45-46 The story of Jesus present and future. Now we are in
the boat on our way to the other side. He is separated from us
because this world has rejected Him. But verse 55 goes on to the
millennium, when He shall be received with joy, and blessings will
richly flow out from Him.
#799
God's ways are behind the scenes; but He moves all the scenes
which He is behind. We have to learn this, and let Him work, and
not think much of man's busy movements: they will accomplish
God's. The rest of them all perish and disappear. We have only
peacefully to do His will.
MARK 7
Mk 7:1-23 Two important points to learn here. The religious
hypocrisy of the Pharisees is exposed and judged by Jesus. All
these washings were despised by God. Secondly, the Lord shows that
what comes out of a man's mouth defiles him, because it comes out
of his heart, not what goes in. People can be religious without
being holy. They washed their hands, but not their hearts.
Believers may fail, and often do, but the soul that is resting on
the grace of God only looks to God for approval.
Mk 7:24-30 He goes up to the north and shows the wonderful
grace of God to a poor Gentile woman who was outside Israel. Her
humble remarks show that she knew she deserved nothing. God in His
grace brought blessing to her. The only condition too for blessing
to any.
Mk 7:31-37 The state of this poor man represents the state of
His beloved people... they were deaf to the voice of the good
Shepherd, and their tongue was tied so that they could not give
the praise to God. Israel was without speech or hearing! The Lord
sighs, the ears are opened, and the tongue is loosed.
Mk 7:37 "He hath done all things well". Do you see that many
times a day?
#800
In God's service our greatest ability is our availability.
MARK 8, Verses 1-21
Mk 8:1-9 They have seven loaves. The number "7" is the complete
number. Seven baskets are filled with the food left uneaten. The
number fed was 4,000. The number "4" is that which speaks of
"universal" - going out in four directions - North, East, West and
South. God's grace and love and provision go out world wide.
Another way it can be applied. Three represents heaven - the
Trinity, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Four represents the
earth - as mentioned above. Seven is completion, when heaven and
earth shall be in harmony, and Christ shall be the centre of all -
Eph. l:10.
Mk 8:10-13 Israel had rejected Him, yet they persist in asking
for a sign. It was useless to give proof to hearts which had
decided not to believe. The trial was over. So He groaned in
spirit with sorrow.
Mk 8:14-21 The disciples themselves were really blind, not
willfully, but in fact. So here, the Lord has instruction for
them. They had faith, but lacked understanding.
Mk 8:15 Pharisees = hypocrisy; Herod = worldliness.
#801
Those who can see God's hand in everything can best leave
everything in God's hand.
MARK 8, Verses 22-38
Mk 8:22-26 Possibly the blind man's experience was like the
disciples... they saw only partially. The Lord keeps on, until the
blind man saw clearly. When the Holy Spirit came down, then the
disciples saw plainly.
Mk 8:27-33 The Lord asks a vital question. Upon Peter's reply,
He tells them not to tell any about Him. Why? Because He had been
completely rejected. So He turns their thoughts to the cross. But
notice He does not say that Christ must suffer, but the "Son of
Man". This is His rejection title, and also that by which He shall
be known when He comes in glory and power - Matthew 26:46. Peter
did not understand that the cross was the road to glory.
Mk 8:33 The Lord knew that what Peter had just said was not
understood by the other disciples, so He speaks very strongly to
Peter.
Mk 8:34-38 To follow the Lord down here is not an easy road. It
will mean taking a low place, enduring sorrow and loneliness. But
the end of that road is glory.
#802
The moment we stop learning, we start forgetting.
MARK 9, Verses 1-32
Mk 9:1-10 The Lord always connects suffering with glory. He has
been speaking of suffering, so now He is going to show some of
them the glory. Read Peter's own words in his Epistle, 2 Peter
l:16-18, where he tells of this experience. What a privilege for
stumbling Peter to be a witness of the Lord's glory. Soon it will
be ours too! And forever!
Mk 9:5 Ever-impetuous Peter desires to put Christ, Moses and
Elias (Elijah) on the same level. But Moses and Elias disappear
and Jesus only is seen.
Mk 9:9-10 Although this experience was well-suited to
strengthen the faith and increase the intelligence of the
disciples, they were not to speak about it until Christ's
resurrection.
Mk 9:11-13 We need to listen to God. Then we understand
plainly.
Mk 9:14-29 Another example of the Lord's patience. Notice that
the poor father does not lose out because of the failure of the
disciples. "Bring him to Me", must have been sweet music to the
father. What was lacking? Power? No. Prayer and fasting.
#803
Never let the things you don't understand rob you of the joy of
the things you do understand.
MARK 9, Verses 33-49
Mk 9:33-37 When Jesus was repeatedly reminding them of the
future cross for Him, they are arguing as to who was the greatest!
Little wonder that they lacked power. (Sin allowed in our lives is
the only thing which weakens us.)
Mk 9:38-40 The cause of their reasoning is found in the words
-"he followeth not us".
Mk 9:41-50 The Person of Christ is the deciding factor. A cup
of water given in His name would not lose its reward.
Mk 9:43-48 An eternity of blessing with Christ is better than
to keep a right hand, foot or eye, and find oneself in eternal
torment. The fire is a picture in Scripture of the searching out
power of divine judgment.
Mk 9:48-49 Salt represents the power of the Holy Spirit to keep
us from all that is impure.
#804
I can take the bitter as well as the sweet, knowing that the
cup is mingled by One who loves me too well to add one ingredient
that may be spared.
MARK 10, Verses 1-27
Mk 10:2-12 God created man in innocence. But with the entrance
of sin by man, the relationships of life have been spoiled. The
Pharisees ask a question regarding the married state. God takes us
back to what He instituted at the beginning. Doing what we want
brought in the break up of marriage.
Mk 10:13-16 Children (in Scripture) are a picture of what
believers should be... dependent and trusting.
Mk 10:17-27 God created the beautiful nature around us,
although thorns and thistles are found in it. We find that which
is lovely sometimes in a person's character, sometimes even in an
animal. But in man as man, is there really any good? Paul gives
the answer in Romans 7:18. This is clearly seen in the rejection
of Christ. The young man has many nice qualities in his character.
The Lord says there is no good in a person (Romans 3:10). The man
was looking at the Lord as a Rabbi. The Lord is God, although He
hid His divinity in human form. The man did not know who the Lord
was. He, like the world today was seeking his own interests and
pleasures; and really has no heart for God at all.
Mk 10:21 The Lord exposes the human heart, the young man's true
state. The love of riches ruled his heart. He finds himself in the
presence of Him Who searches the heart! Did his riches keep him
from being grieved? No, they never satisfy; only Christ can.
#805
Where He places you as a laborer in His harvest is His
decision, but whether you will be His disciple is your decision.
MARK 10, Verses 28-52
Mk 10:28-31 The disciples are astonished at what had been said
to the young man. If a rich, good-living man, who had kept the
law, was far from the kingdom of God, who then could be saved? In
the Old Testament God had blessed a faithful man. But with the
coming of the Lord Jesus, the true, lost condition of man was
exposed. We all need to realize our lost condition, and that we
need to be saved.
Mk 10:32-34 Once more He tells of the cross. Understanding of
this only came later.
Mk 10:35-45 How little they were learning what the Lord had
been teaching, may be seen in this part. James and John had faith
that He would reign, but the old nature in them comes out. The
Lord leaves to the Father the right of choosing: His part is the
cross!
Mk 10:46-52 This poor beggar has no false ideas of his worth or
condition, and he receives a blessing. In verse 47 we have the
sinner's call: in verse 49, the Saviour's call and the servant's
call. The man rose, came, and followed!
#806
There is one reality for every man - Jesus Christ.
MARK 11
Yesterday's chapter ended the story of Jesus in His lowly
service to Israel.
Mk 11:1-11 Today we begin a new section. The humble Servant
rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and presents Himself as a King.
Once more He carried out what was written hundreds of years before
in the Old Testament about Him. Read Zechariah 9:9 - isn't that a
thrilling verse!
Mk 11:9-10 "Hosanna" is like a prayer in heaven to bless the
One (Jesus),who comes in the name of the Lord.
Mk 11:11 The people really had no interest in Him, so as it was
late in the day, He left His city of Jerusalem and retires to the
little village of Bethany. How sad!
Mk 11:12-14 This fig tree is a picture of Israel. Because
Israel bore no fruit (would not obey God and would not have Him),
Israel is set aside. The curse is pronounced on the tree. But
always remember that Israel is yet going to come into blessing.
But it is going to be because the Lord Jesus died for them.
Mk 11:15-19 Though He would not defend Himself, He is very
jealous for God's house - the temple. We must remember that after
He is totally rejected, God Himself turns away from that temple.
It became a dead place - Luke 13:34-35, Mark 14:1-2.
Mk 11:17 Read Mal. 3:1-2.
Mk 11:27-33 This is the third time in this one chapter that
Jesus comes into Jerusalem. This time, the religious leaders try
to catch Him with words. But He reduces them to silence. He had
told them Who He is, but they would not believe. To reject the
Lord Jesus is fatal.
#807
No one asked more questions than Peter; he was not just
curious, he wanted to know! This is how we grow.
MARK 12, Verses 1-17
A simple story with an important meaning. "A certain man", is
the Lord. A vineyard is the land and people of Israel.
"Husbandmen" - the leaders of Israel. "A servant" refers to the
prophets of the Old Testament.
Mk 12:3-11 This is Israel in the Old Testament.
Mk 12:6 What a lovely picture of God's beloved Son!
Mk 12:10 Refers to the Lord Jesus in the future.
Mk 12:12 The wicked men to whom the Lord had been telling the
story, realized its meaning, yet it did not change their attitude
toward Him.
Mk 12:13-17 They try to catch Him in another way. What a
perfect answer He gave them.
#808
Compassion is love in action.
MARK 12, Verses 18-44
Mk 12:18-27 The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection. So
they try to corner Him with this supposed case. The blessed Lord
Jesus not only has all the answers, but He Himself is the answer
to all our problems and questions. God is a living God, and God of
the living.
Mk 12:28-34 This man understood that obedience to God is more
important than offering God sacrifices.
Mk 12:35-37 The answer to this question proves that Jesus is
Divine. He is Lord of David, as God. He is the Son of David, as
Man.
Mk 12:41-44 The poor woman is noticed by the Lord. Read 2
Samuel 24, the middle of verse 24. To follow the Lord will cost us
something. This chapter has shown us many classes of people, and
what the Lord thought of each. The woman is devoted to a place. In
14:3, a woman is devoted to a Person!
Mk 12:10, 24 and 26 In each an appeal to go to the Scriptures.
#809
Materialism is not what you have, but what has you.
MARK 13, Verses 1-13
From chapter 11 and the following, we have been seeing the
changes resulting from the Lord's rejection. In chapter 11, verse
11 we read of Jesus entering the Temple. In verse 1 of today's
chapter, we see His going out of the temple. We do not read in
this gospel of His going into it again. The Lord left the temple,
the glorious centre of the Jewish religion. God was finished with
it. A new one will come later (V. 35) and He will be its Master.
Just think of how many people today, Jews, Catholics and
Protestants, are clinging to the old customs and traditions. (Read
2 Cor. 5:17).
Mk 13:3-4 The disciples question Him about what He had said in
verse 2.
Mk 13:5-end The Lord gives them a grand outline of what would
take place in their lifetime and right on till when He would
return in His glory. But four times He said "take heed", (watch
for them), and then look at the last word of our chapter.
Mk 13:5-8 The main character of Satan, the Devil, is to
deceive. (From the Garden of Eden - 2 Cor. 11:3 to the end in Rev.
12:9 - Satan, in these verses is like the "deceiving serpent". (V.
5, 6, 22).
Mk 13:9,12,13 But here as the "roaring lion" in violence.
(Satan's two characters.)
Mk 13:10 This refers to "the gospel of the kingdom" which Jesus
and His disciples preached when He was on earth. The nation of
Israel rejected it. Today we have the gospel of the grace of God,
going out to all the world. But this verse is the future. (After
the believers are taken to be with the Lord). Then those in the
world, who may not have heard the gospel, will then have an
opportunity (see also Matthew 24:14).
Mk 13:11 In the meantime they could count on the Spirit of God
(after Jesus had returned to heaven) to give them help as to what
to say.
Mk 13:12-13 The more closely they lived to please the Lord, the
more they would be misunderstood and hated. We too... (2 Tim.
3:12).
#810
God will never allow a situation to develop in any believer's
life to which he cannot respond Biblically.
MARCOS 13, Verses 14-37
Mk 13:14,17 The "great tribulation" commences in the middle of
the 7 years ("D" on your chart) and goes on for 31/2 years.
Mk 13:18 His loving care was so great that He even thought of
the weather!
Mk 13:20, 22, 27 Wonderful to see that the Lord's chosen ones,
the "elect", will be preserved through these hard days.
Mk 13:21-23 Many would claim to be the Messiah. The antichrist
(the false Messiah) will appear on earth soon after we believers
have been taken to be with the Lord.
Mk 13:24-37 These verses are more precisely referring to the
"great tribulation".
Mk 13:37 But this surely applies to us today! Watch. For we
certainly need to be very careful that we are not deceived by
things which are being said these days.
#811
Father, make me sensitive to eternity, that I may see beyond
this little time box I'm in.
MARCOS 14, Verses 1-31
Mk 14:1-2 In two days the great annual celebration of the
Passover would take place. The Passover had been kept periodically
since Moses first received instructions from God, about 1,300
years before this. Every Passover reminded God of His beloved Son
who would die. God makes them carry out their wicked plans on the
very day the Passover was killed.
Mk 14:3-9 Some calculated the cost of this perfume; what a
working man might earn in a year. Though the disciples may have
felt the increasing hatred of the leaders against Jesus, this
woman, probably Mary (John 12:1-8) knew that it was going to mean
death. And her love to Jesus was so strong that she understood the
true situation better than the disciples. Another thing - we don't
find this Mary at the grave of Jesus, looking amongst the dead
people. She knew and remembered Him as living.
Mk 14:10-11 The opposite - a heart not pure. Though none of the
disciples could see any difference in the life of Judas, now the
secrets of his heart come out.
Mk 14:12-25 Now we see what was in the Lord's heart... love and
concern for His followers. He must show them the way He will give
Himself for them. So He starts a new thing here... the remembrance
of Him by His followers during the long time between His cross and
His coming again. We rest in the finished work of the first, and
with joy we wait for the second. Taking the bread and the wine
each Lord's Day, is a link with both. Actually to verse 21 is the
Passover. From 22 to 25 the remembrance of the Lord in a new way.
In the Passover they remembered the lamb, but in the bread and
wine, they remembered Him!
#812
We need never to be afraid of our weakness. What we may be
afraid of is our imaginary strength.
MARK 14, Verses 32-72
Mk 14:32-42 The three who were with Jesus on several special
occasions now have this privilege. But as so often happens when
the Lord gives us something to do, there is failure. But never
when He does a work. Did you find that word mentioned three times?
We had better "take heed" and "watch" too, for we are living in
difficult days.
Mk 14:37 Read again verse 29. Now read verses 37, 54, 68, 70
and 71. Peter thought he knew himself.
Mk 14:50 Totally forsaken! What loneliness for Him!
Mk 14:55-72 As you read these verses, turn to Isaiah 53:7 and
you will realize how perfectly this latter scripture was
fulfilled. Peter denies the Lord in verses 67, 68, and 71.
#813
You show your strength by what you stand for - your weakness by
what you fall for.
MARK 15
Mk 15:1-15 Today we read of Jesus standing before Pilate, and
yesterday in verses 53 to 72 we had read of Jesus before the High
Priest. In both He is condemned for what He had said of Himself.
Who Jesus is, is the most important single subject of your whole
life. If He were not God, then there is no heaven nor hell, there
is no eternity, the Bible is not true. But He is God, therefore
all these things are real and true. Everything hinges on this.
Mk 15:16-20 Jesus before King Herod; they mock Him, strike Him
and spit on Him. But the real hatred of Jesus was seen in the
priests.
Mk 15:21-47 His crucifixion, and death and burial.
Mk 15:32 The chief priests said that if they saw Christ come
down from the cross they would believe Him. But read 16:11 and
Luke 16:3l; John 20:29. We believe with our hearts - Romans 10:10.
Mk 15:33-34 Here we stop. We cannot follow Jesus into the
darkness. This was His alone. In these three hours, He bore the
punishment for the sins of all who believe on Him. Here He was
punished for sin by God. What He had suffered from men during the
first three hours on the cross was for righteousness. We may share
the first three hours never the last three.
Mk 15:34 The only words spoken on the cross recorded by Mark.
#814
Love to Christ is produced in the very same ratio that I know
His love to me.
MARK 16
The story of His resurrection is quite short in Mark. The
mighty power of God had raised the Lord Jesus from among the dead.
The women believed in His person - that He was the Son of God, but
the resurrection was just a little beyond their faith. But the
women certainly had more faith than the men! We never read of a
woman in the New Testament ever speaking a word against the Lord!
Mk 16:9-10 Mary Magdalene was the first to see the Lord,
because she was the most devoted to Him at this moment.
Mk 16:14 Even after He had risen from the dead, some of the
disciples did not believe. And so He had to speak strongly to
them.
Mk 16:19 Finally the Lord is received up into heaven to sit at
God's right hand.
Mk 16:20 There was no excuse for not believing. They had plenty
of proof, for it says "signs following". The Lord gave proof of
the truth of His word by signs and miracles being done. |