Month: April 2021

Mark 14.12-62

For some it is hard to accept that anyone would deliberately choose to go to their death by Roman crucifixion. Others may argue that it was a plan that went terribly wrong. Possibly he had planned to dramatically leap off the cross in the form of a miracle just as those who taunted him challenged him to do. How can we know from Mark’s account that Jesus’ death was not a mistake or accident?

Mark 14:12-26 Jesus knew that the Passover meal would be his last meal with the disciples, and had prepared for it in advance. He also knew that one of the disciples would betray him. He sent two of his disciples into the city to meet a man carrying a water jar (a very unusual event as that was women’s work) who would lead them to a pre-prepared room. At that Passover meal Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ v18 After sharing bread and wine with his disciples Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. v25

Mark 14:27-31 Jesus predicted he would die the next day (the Passover meal was on a Thursday evening – Jesus was crucified on the Friday). He knew his disciples would desert him and that Peter would disown him. Jesus said to them, You will fall away for it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”’ v27 Jesus answered Peter’s protestations that he would never desert him with, ‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ v30

Mark 14:48-49 Jesus knew that his arrest and execution would fulfil prophecies made in the Old Testament Scriptures. As the scribes and elders v43 arrived with soldiers to seize Jesus and take him away under guard, Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ v49

Mark 14:61-62 Jesus knew that his death would not be the end. He would sit at the right hand of God the Father (“the Mighty One”), and return “on the clouds of heaven’. Jesus was unmoved when false testimony was given against him by numerous witnesses because he knew the path he was on. He then answered honestly in a way he knew would incense the high priest, as he confessed he was the Christ when directly challenged. ‘Jesus said, “I am, (I am, was the unspoken name for Almighty God.) and you will see the Son of Man (A term used in Daniel for the Messiah or the Christ.) seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus’ death was neither an accident or a mistake. Jesus’ death was the ultimate act of obedience to his Father as he prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ Mathew 26.39 Jesus’ death was Jesus accomplishing the work the Father had given him to do prior to returning to the Father. In Jesus’ words, ‘I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.’ John 17.4-5

(Includes extracts from Christianity Explored Leaders Handbook)

How do you respond to knowing that Jesus deliberately chose to die for you and others?

Be Thou My Vision – Celtic Worship ft. Steph Macleod

Mark 12:18-27

There are often questions in people’s minds about how relationships will continue beyond death into life beyond death. These are not new questions. The Sadducees used their questioning on a specific aspect of relationships beyond the grave with the motive of discrediting Jesus’ assertion regarding not only his own resurrection but all ideas that resurrection was in God’s plan at all. The Sadducees were mainly from aristocratic and priestly families. They were in the majority in the Sanhedrin, the ruling religious council. They were conservative in their beliefs and practices. They rejected all the Old Testament as God’s word with the exception of the Mosaic books, Genesis to Deuteronomy. Based on their understanding of the law they rejected the idea of the resurrection. The Pharisees in contrast did believe in resurrection after death. 1

When the Sadducees devised their question about a widow successively marrying seven brothers in accordance with the law as each brother died in turn following her marrying him they were also motivated by the divisions represented on the Sanhedrin.

In his answer, Jesus makes two things clear. First, there is indeed life after death for God’s people. He reminds the Sadducees that in the Old Testament books of the law, God refers to himself as, ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ Because God is the God of the living, not the dead, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob must still be living. vv26-27 Second, Jesus makes it clear that we shouldn’t think of life after death as though it were exactly the same as this life, just with the bad bits taken out. There will be significant differences. One difference is that people will not marry or be married. This is because marriage is a temporary institution which anticipates and reflects the marriage of God and his people. That is the perfect marriage that God’s people will enjoy after death in the new creation that God has prepared for them. This is why Jesus is described as the bridegroom and his people are portrayed as his bride. 2

References that speak of Christ as the bridegroom of the church – Mark 2:19-20, Revelation 19:7-9.

(1 – The above paragraph is almost entirely based on notes in NIV Study Bible 2015.)
(2 – The above paragraph is almost entirely based on notes in Christianity Explored Leaders Handbook 2016.)

How does understanding that the relationship between Christ and the church is described as one of bride and groom affect our understanding of marriage during our lifetime?

How does the knowledge that life after death is more than life as it is now with the bad bits removed affect our hope in Christ’s new creation?

Oh God Our Hope in Ages Past – Westminster Abbey

Mark 13:13

‘Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.’

Jesus words in verse 13 can be viewed as over dramatic to emphasise a point, they did however carry great weight in the early church as standing firm in the face of opposition is a repeated theme in the apostle’s letters to the churches. Jesus’ words here, I believe, can be applied to more than one circumstance. They are set in the context of preaching the gospel to all nations. v10 They are said when Jesus was speaking about the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, finally completed in AD70. v14 The same passage also refers to heightened growth in evil prior to Jesus’ return. v26 This will also be accompanied by those who will seek to turn Christians from their trust in Jesus to other religions or sects. v22 Whenever active Christian life and witness is taking place opposition is liable to be present because it is challenging to the way of the world, especially people in power. One might ask the question, if there is no opposition how distinctive is the Christian life?
When Jesus refers to standing firm, to what is he referring and what is the reward for doing so? Jesus assures the disciples that if they do stand firm they will be saved and here he is meaning receive eternal life with him. James calls the reward a crown of life, ‘Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’ James 1.12
Standing firm in the New Testament includes continuing in the work of the Lord. This is sharing the gospel and doing good works. Paul urged the Galatians with, ‘And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.’ Galatians 6.9 He also told the Corinthians, ‘Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.’ 1 Corinthians 15.58
Standing firm involved one’s whole life. Jesus’ clearest teaching about what that meant is in what is known as the sermon on the mount. Mathew 5-7 Paul reminded the Philippians of the whole life approach, ‘Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,’ Philippians 1.27
Standing firm is not just about an individual’s resolve or even that of a church in one place. It is about standing firm in unity with the world wide church. Peter addressed this in particular as his letter was always intended to be shared by the whole church, wherever it gathered. He wrote telling the church to resist the devil and his temptations. ‘Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.’ 1 Peter 5.9 Standing firm as Peter emphasised is a spiritual matter achieved through the grace of God and not simply a matter of moral resolution. 1 Peter 5.10
Standing firm is also about living in the freedom from the slavery of sin that Christ has achieved for his disciples. ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened with again by a yoke of slavery.’ Galatians 5.1
Finally standing firm requires consistency in prayer. ‘Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.’ Ephesians 6.18 Through such prayer disciples will be, ‘strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that they may have great endurance and patience, giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified them to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.’ Colossians 1.11-12
Are we conscious that we are to stand firm in unity with the universal church?
Do we trust in the grace of Christ to stand firm?
Hallelujah, What a Saviour

Mark 13:9-13

Nadia is a Christian in a Central Asian Islamic country who became a Christian through her children’s prayers and God’s healing. When her children first became Christians she was very afraid for them in case they became victims of beatings, even to death, from their male relatives. She was also afraid of being socially cut off from family and community. Her fear caused her to be angry as she believed they had become part of a sect. She threw away their bibles, threatened them, hit them and tried to prevent them going to church. When she became seriously ill her children prayed for her and she was healed. She then realized Jesus was real and became a Christian, exposing herself to the dangers she had been so afraid of for her children. In particular she wrestled with how to cope with Ramadan which she felt she could no longer celebrate, however she realized this would have serious long standing consequences for her with her extended family and community. After seeking God and with advice from her Pastor she decided to respect Ramadan by cooking for her neighbours and inviting them for a meal, during the meal she would share the good news of Jesus. In this way respecting her community whilst being faithful to and honouring Jesus. (Open Doors Website, for security reasons Nadia is not her true name. https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/ramadan-central-asia/ )

Jesus warned his disciples that they would face hostility from religious and secular authorities for the sake of the gospel. v9 It would potentially cost them considerable punishment and it would be a direct consequence of being a follower of Jesus. ‘On account of me’, he said. He wanted to reassure them that they would be enabled by the Holy Spirit in what to say. Jesus was looking forward to Pentecost and their baptism in the Spirit and their subsequent ministry. This warning was not limited to Jesus’ immediate disciples but was intended for the whole future church. There are several examples of this in Acts, including Stephen’s story in Acts 7. Stephen was subject to false accusations from a group known as the Synagogue of the Freedmen, who were a collective of Jews from countries outside of Palestine and Judea. Acts 6:9 They accused Stephen of speaking against the temple and the Old Testament law stirring up the people and Jerusalem’s religious leaders. Stephen was brought before the ruling council, the Sanhedrin, where he made his defense and speaking in the Spirit, starting with Abraham, going on through account of the Exodus, the giving of the law and finally to David, Solomon and the building of the temple he explained how all that God had done and prophesied had been fulfilled in Jesus. How the killing of Jesus by the body that was trying him was exactly how their predecessors had treated the prophets they claimed to follow. Stephen was then stoned to death while at the same time he was given a vision of Jesus and prayed for his killer’s forgiveness.

Stephen’s trial and execution sparked a widespread persecution of the church and could have been considered a disaster for the early church. It actually caused a scattering of the early believers into the surrounding districts and countries starting the process of taking the gospel into the whole world.

From these two examples we can see that Jesus words came true both then and now. There will be persecution in various forms, some formal, some informal within communities. Persecution is linked to the public demonstration of faith and the sharing of the good news of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is active in demonstrating Jesus’ living resurrection power. Stephen was, ‘a man full of God’s grace and power, performing great wonders and signs among the people.’ Acts 6:8 Nadia’s children prayed for their mother’s healing and she was healed, leading on to her confession of faith in Jesus and engagement in a gospel ministry. She now trusts the Holy Spirit for the words to say at personal risk.

Elsewhere when Jesus was teaching about these things he said, ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.’ Mathew 10:16 In the same place he also said, ‘The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.’ Mathew 10:24 Indicating the path he followed would also be followed by his disciples.

Are we vigilant and praying for those who are experiencing persecution for the sake of the gospel?

Do we trust the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say when accounting for our faith in Jesus?

Do we take the time to be with Jesus so that we may know him more and grow to be more like him?

I’m no longer a slave to fear…Tasha Cobbs (Letting it rip)

John 13:1-37 (Part 1)

When Jesus’ closest friends asked him, “When will these things happen and what are the signs to look for?” v4 They were expressing a common anxiety to understand the bigger picture of what is happening around them as well as reassurance that it is all going to be alright in the end. We want to be able to plot our path through life and even beyond through death. It is natural to want to know how and when God will complete his work of salvation and new creation. Jesus had just pointed the most loved and venerated buildings in Israel, the temple, and said every stone will be throne down. The temple was much more than an iconic building it was the place where God met man and man could come to be reconciled to God through a sacrificial system. Jesus was in one way prophesying its obsolescence through his own sacrifice.

The disciple’s question starts a long interwoven discourse preparing the disciples for life following his ascension. The period Jesus then goes on to describe has continued to the present time and as such is deeply relevant to ourselves. Jesus discourse however is complicated and has been interpreted in a variety of ways over the centuries some of which have led people away from the gospel and faith in Jesus. Jesus warns of this within the discourse. vv21-23

Jesus is describing a world that has become corrupted, he is not only describing the corruption of mankind he is including the natural world as well. We have become aware of this living through the latest world wide pandemic. Each generation since Jesus will have seen signs as Jesus described. Watching an animation of the rapidly and continual changing national boundaries in Europe over the last thousand years makes one realise that there has never been a time when there were not rumours of wars and wars, or nation was not rising against nation.

Jesus is warning them and us to expect to be living in difficult times and this will be made yet more challenging if you are his disciple and engaged in gospel work. However, God has a plan. He will keep his word. He will return with great power. We are to see current and growing turmoil as a sign that his return is nearby. vv 26-31 They are all the unavoidable “birth pains” v8 of the coming new creation of which Jesus’ resurrection is the first fruits.

How Jesus says his disciples are to behave during this current age will be tomorrows reflection.

Give thanks that God has a plan that is being fulfilled through Jesus.

Give thanks God has not left us alone through life’s trials.

Heal our nation