Mark 14:27-42 Unkept promises It is perhaps somewhat telling that, at least according to tradition and a few ancient sources, John Mark, the so name author of the Gospel of Mark (though there is no named author for any of the Gospels within the text, nor throughout the New Testament), wrote his Gospel from listening…
Lent 2019 Day40: Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:12-26 A Proposal Much of what occurs in this passage follows the traditional Jewish Passover meal of the time. Due to a quirk of history (providence), there were two traditions of Passover at the time Jesus came into Jerusalem. One would have celebrated Passover on Thursday, the other on Friday. So Jesus is able…
Lent 2019 Day 39: Mark 14:1-11
Mark 14:1-11 Anointing Jesus is anointed at the house of Simon the Leper. This is a familiar passage, but there are three things I’d like to highlight in it. The alabaster jar/box carries deep significance related to a woman’s wedding. As part of the dowry, or possible just before the ceremony itself, the woman would…
Lent 2019 Day 38: Mark 13:1-37
Mark 13 Buckle up, it’s a long one Abomination unto Desolation The last time I wrote or spoke about this passage, my words were largely misunderstood. That being the case, though, I do not think that I should somehow avoid talking about such a passage. With that in mind, I’m going to dive right into…
Lent 2019 Day 37: Mark 12:35-44
Mark 12:35-44 First will be last and last will be first In today’s passage a contrast is set up between the teachers of the law and a widow. The teacher’s of the law act like they have an absolute knowledge. They believe they have a corner on the market, yet Jesus begins (in today’s reading)…
Lent 2019 Day 36: Mark 12:28-34
Mark 12:28-34 Love When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he was being asked what had, by that time, become a fairly standard question that rabbis would ask one another. This teacher of the law, if nothing else, at least recognized the quality teaching of Jesus. Jesus’ response, while not phrased in this particular…
Lent 2019 Day 35: Mark 12:13-27
Mark 12:13-27 Images and Appearances When Jesus asks the Pharisees whose picture is on the coin, he uses very specific language: “Whose image is this?” This is a call back to Genesis 1. When God created humanity God created them “in the image of God.” So when Jesus asks whose image is on the coin,…
Lent 2019 Day 34: Mark 12:1-12
Mark 12:1-12 A Prophetic Life “Speaking prophetically is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” So my preaching professor ingrained into my head. Examining the Old Testament prophets, this is certainly the case. Isaiah’s message of condemnation to an overly comfortable Israel shifts to one of conciliation given to a nation in exile. Jonah’s…
Lent 2019 Day 33: Mark 11:27-33
Mark 11:27-33 Authority Several Jewish leaders question Jesus. By asking whose authority Jesus is acting under they are simultaneously questioning any authority of Jesus and placing their authority over his. Jesus, knowing that the time of his crucifixion is not quite yet, turns the question back onto them: What about John the Baptist? This puts…
Lent 2019 Day 32: Mark 11:12-25
Mark 11:12-25 Withering Trees Around the retelling of Jesus overturning the tables in the temple (a warning to those who seek to use the gospel solely for commercial gain) we have the interesting episode of the fig tree. Jesus comes to a fig tree, finds out it doesn’t have any figs (and it’s not yet…
