Monthly Archives: October 2025

MARK’S GOSPEL…NOT HETE! – 43

Bible Study, ,

Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

‭

What a starling announcement! Not here! “But He is supposed to be here! We saw His body being carried here. Why is He not here? Who carried Him away? Where is He?”

A thousand questions flooded the confused thoughts of these two women. Who is this young man? What is he saying? The last thing on their minds was…Jesus is alive! That was an impossibility beyond common sense. 

The stone slab on which Jesus body lay was bare…empty…the body gone! A faint bloodstain was  the only evidence that a broken body had indeed been on that piece of rock, but where was He?

They hardly heard the young man’s explanation. Risen! That was not possible. Nobody can simply rise and walk away from his own burial place, especially since the entrances was blocked by a massive, immovable stone!

They could not deny the fact that the tomb was empty… so, where next? 

“Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid…

‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Terrified out of their wits, the women fled the scene, ignored the angel’s instruction, and went to ground, hiding their secret from even their closest associates…and here Mark’s story abruptly ends. What happened to the end of the manuscript?

There is no explanation for this inconclusive conclusion except that the final triumphant declaration of the resurrection might have somehow got lost or deliberately been removed. Who knows? 

However, this magnificent story  could not have been left incomplete. The message must be told. “He has risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

Some unknown writer closed the gap. In a brilliant summary, taking into account all the events after the resurrection of Jesus, including the disciples’ stubborn unbelief until they themselves saw Him, and the unseen world of Jesus’ exaltation, we are assured of the truth, “He is risen indeed!”

“When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 

When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 

Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

MARK’S GOSPEL…A LOUD VOICE – 42

Bible Study,

Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭33‬-‭34‬, ‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)….With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!””

There is something unusual about the behaviour of Jesus…a dying man, suspended between heaven and earth by nails in His hands and feet, His lungs constricted by the weight of His body. 

Every breath was agony as He pushed against the nails to take a shallow breath. He would eventually suffocate when His body grew too weak to relieve the pressure on His lungs…an agonising death, like the slow leak of a punctured tyre. 

Yet, twice in Marks record, Jesus cried out with a loud voice…how was this possible? 

First, He called to the Father in the prophetic words of David, 

…“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭34‬ NIV

What was He saying? 

Was this the human Jesus, feeling the terrible isolation from the Father that the sin of the world was inflicting on Him? Had the Father, in that moment, literally forsaken His Son, left Him to suffer alone, with no comfort or assurance of His presence?

Was Jesus, as He had done so many times before, in the agony of that moment fitting perfectly into the picture of prophecy? 

What do we make of Paul’s statement, as he outlined the broader context of Jesus’ death…?

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ…”

It seems that the Father was there, perhaps hidden from His Son’s conscious awareness, but nevertheless present to supervise this crucial moment when the universe itself held its breath for the outcome! 

It is impossible for God to absent Himself from any spot on earth since the Scripture itself assures us that He fills heaven and earth with His presence.  

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

David himself cried out…

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV

“He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Although it is impossible for God to absent Himself from any geographical location on earth, in the darkness of human experience He can be as absent as it seems.   

Second, Jesus cried out in a loud voice at the moment of His death! Dying people don’t cry out…they whisper or are silent. 

In His many debates with His enemies, He stated categorically that He was in charge of His own death. 

 “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.””

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Again, this very statement is a declaration that He was giving Himself voluntarily as an atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world. No other human has ever died in this way, controlling his death to his last breath. 

Is it any wonder that a seasoned centurion, who had witnessed the deaths of many criminals executed by crucifixion, should make this his conclusion…

“And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

MARK’S GOSPEL…CRUCIFIED – 41

Bible Study, ,

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mark’s carefully crafted report has many details. However, unlike Isaiah’s prophecy, he offers no interpretation except a reference, here and there, to prophecy fulfilled. After all, he was telling the story of a servant! The Servant’s feelings, emotions, suffering, are not the issue. What matters is how He took His punishment…rebelling or submitting? For our salvation, this was the crux. 

In His extreme weakness after taking a beating to within an inch of His life, Jesus had a moment of reprieve. The soldiers had pity on Him, or did they? Was it compassion that made them force Simon of Cyrene to carry His cross, or was it impatience?

The crucifixion was carried out with military precision. The soldiers had done it before…many times. They were merely carrying out the instructions of their commanding officer. They were hardened to the screams, the cries for mercy, the writhing in pain, even the swearing and cursing from the lips of the condemned…but this man?  

“Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me…Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22‬:‭12‬-‭13‬, ‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Not only was He condemned but also treated in the cruellest way possible, with the jeers, taunts, and insults that could have crushed His soul.  

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Son of God, this Servant of Yahweh, felt it all in the most intense of suffering!

Body battered and beaten, flesh flayed to the bone, hands and feet pierced with huge iron nails, naked and exposed, taunted, mocked, and insulted, He was eerily quiet. No sound came from Him, not a word of abuse, not a threat or protest of innocence, not a cry for mercy…only a flicker of pain across His face that spoke more loudly than the agonising cries of the guilty. And one soldier took note!

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Did they drop the upright into the hole with a little more care than they did for the other two criminals? Did they treat Jesus a little more gently, kindly than normal? I think not! They were possibly even rougher, even more cruel, to force a sound from this unusual man… and at least one of the co-crucified took note!

With practised indifference, the soldiers did what they always did. They crouched on the ground at the feet of the condemned and gambled for the discarded clothing. Some garments were in tatters, hardly worth a second glance but….

Jesus’ garments were unusual,  His outer garment, a seamless robe, as Mark took pains to mention, the evidence of His office as High Priest…was highly symbolic and significant…

Google explains…

“In Jesus’s day, the most prominent figure, who wore a seamless robe, was the Jewish High Priest. This sacred, one-piece garment was part of the high priest’s priestly vestments, symbolizing unity and holiness, and was an integral part of his ministry when performing rituals in the Temple.”

“Jesus’ seamless robe holds significance as a symbol of divine unity, Jesus’ unified and perfect character, and the unity of the Church, representing the indivisible body of Christ. Its un-torn nature symbolized the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, highlighting Jesus’ role as a perfect high priest whose divine mission could not be fractured.”

And so, the soldiers, callous and unaware, unwittingly fulfilled yet another prophecy,

“They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As the spectacle of this crucifixion unfolds, darkness and light clashed, with darkness the seemingly undisputed winner except for one thing…

Peter, the traditionally recognised source of Mark’s gospel, put this pinnacle moment in history, and its eternal outcome, into its divine perspective…

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s story was conceived in eternity, written in prophecy, and fulfilled in time. It reached its climax at 3pm on that Passover day when Jesus and the Passover lamb took their last breath together, sealing forever the fate of darkness and releasing on mankind the era of grace!

MARK’S GOSPEL…THE TALE OF YWO SONS – 40

Bible Study, ,

Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭6‬-‭12‬, ‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”

‭‭

A twist in the tale! Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against Him. Mark even diagnosed the motive of the religious leaders for the abominable travesty of justice…

“fthonos”, meaning “envy”. 

Envy is more than jealousy. Envy includes the desire to do away with the person whose goods or attributes are desirable. It has in it the thought of corruption, to defile or destroy. 

So, Pilate was at war with himself. Should he risk antagonising the Jewish leaders by releasing Jesus, or does he violate his conscience by condemning an innocent man? Then a lightbulb moment! He’d throw the choice back on them! A strange custom came to mind…to release a condemned criminal of the people’s choice at Pentecost. 

Jesus or Barabbas? For Pilate, the choice was obvious. Barabbas was a murderer. Would they really want a murderer on the loose among them again?

Let’s examine the credentials of these two men. They were both “sons of the father” as Jesus claimed and Barabbas’ name meant. 

Was Jesus “Son of the Father”? Apparently “yes”, since He was on trial for this claim. He, according to the witness of Scripture, is…

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word…”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬a NIV‬‬

What of Barabbas? His name, Bar-Abbas” means “son of the father”. Was he the son of his father? We know nothing about his father except that he inherited the nature of his “father” – Adam. In Adam’s nature was the lawlessness and wickedness of rebellion against God, confirmed by Barabbas’ evil deeds and inherited by all mankind. Barabbas, the murderer, was a true son of his father!

So, for Pilate, this was the way out of his dilemma. He no longer had responsibility for Jesus’ death if the people chose Barabbas. 

Despite the terrible evil of the people’s choice, and despite Pilate’s guilt no matter how much he tried to shrug it off, the tale of two sons is a strange twist in this story but the heart of the gospel…the Son of God died in the place of “the son of the father”. 

Did Barabbas stand at a distance, watching the lifeblood of his substitute dripping on the ground? Did he see the head of Jesus hanging lifeless on His chest? Did he think, at that moment? …”He died for me!”

Attachment.png

MARK’S GOSPEL…THE TRIAL – 39

Bible Study, ,

Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭53‬, ‭55‬-‭59‬, ‭61‬-‭62‬, ‭64‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together…The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even then their testimony did not agree. But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer…Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” ….“You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.”

‭‭

In a court of law, “A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.” This is the way justice is supposed to work. A justice system is responsible to examine the evidence objectively and make its judgment by determining the guilt or innocence of the accused based on the reliability of the evidence and the truthfulness of the witnesses. 

However, in Jesus’ trial, every rule of law and justice was overturned in favour of a predetermined verdict of “guilty as charged.” The judge and jury were determined to kill Him, so their “evidence” was contrived to confirm their verdict!

The legal team was made up of, supposedly, the most respected, most trusted, most honest men of integrity in the land of Israel, the representatives of divine justice which they were tasked to represent by dispensing the law of God truthfully and accurately.

So, they found Jesus guilty of all charges and condemned Him to death! First, the charges…blasphemy against God according to their law… , second, treason against Rome according to Roman law. 

Was Jesus guilty of blasphemy? No! Was He the Son of God? Yes! Why then, was He found guilty? The verdict depended on the perspective of the court. Jesus backed up His claim to be the Son of God by His words and works. His miracles were, primarily, evidence that He was who He said He was.

For example…

To His disciples, He said…

“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

His authority to forgive was backed up by a miracle. 

“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

“Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?”

‭”But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

However, the religious leaders refused to believe the evidence.

Was Jesus guilty of treason? This charge was for Pilate’a benefit and for Pilate to decide as the representative of the Roman government. Did Jesus claim to be a king in rebellion against Rome?

“Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭18‬:‭33‬-‭38 NIV‬‬

Pilate was both mystified and convinced, by Jesus’ answer, that He was no threat to Rome. He released Him to be crucified only on the insistence of the Jews that He was guilty of blasphemy by the standards of their law. 

So, by the grossest miscarriage of justice in history, in the face of all the overwhelming evidence that Jesus was the Son of God, they condemned Him to death and crucified Him. 

Who was right? The Jews or Jesus?

Although Jesus was forced into this situation by the Jewish authorities, He went willingly because it was according to His Father’s will. He submitted, not to His accusers but to His Father because this was the only way to redeem His people from sin. 

Peter said…

“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul said…

“…and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The war between darkness and light raged in the courtroom that day, and darkness won…or did it?