Mark 15 - 2.29.24
S –34 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?). Mark 15:34
O – After all the events had happened just the way Jesus had told them they would, His disciple betraying him, another denying Him, He was then handed over to be crucified. Even though Pilate gave the Jews a choice of prisoners to release, knowing Jesus was innocent, they chose Jesus. They mocked him, beat him, spit on him and nailed him to a cross.
A – There is so much to talk about in this chapter, but two things stick out to me today.
One is that we complain about so many things; so much that is unjust in our lives, and in our world. We complain about giving our time and attention to others because we are too busy or overwhelmed. We are tired, broke and in pain, yada yada yada. But if we think about what Jesus did for us… really take the time to think about it, perhaps we’d shut up?! Or rather we should. Maybe that’s harsh, but as a Christian and a follower of Christ, we have nothing to complain about! And I’m speaking to myself here. Jesus endured everything He did as a completely innocent man….FOR us, who are NOT innocent in any way! He is the leader who paved the way and made the ultimate sacrifice for us. We are His followers and nothing we endure will EVER be comparable to what He endured. Because of us, He had to be separated from the Father for that moment He took on our sins, and Because of Him, we never have to be separated from the Father. There is no sacrifice that we must make to be with Him AND we get to be in eternity in heaven with Him, which none of us deserve.
The second thing is something that has always stood out to me because as we just read in Mark 14, Jesus KNEW He was going to be arrested, tortured, beat, and killed on the cross. He was willing to make that sacrifice all along, yet in this one moment it’s as if He is wondering why this was happening and that never made sense to me. I did some digging in gotquestions.org and found some things to help clarify.
In those awful moments, as evil men were allowed to do whatever they wanted to Jesus, our Lord expressed His feelings of abandonment. He did not ask why God was forsaking Him out of surprise. He knew in His mind that he would be separated from God. However, in that moment, the pain of being separated from His Father, as God placed the sins of the world on His Son, Jesus felt the desolation of being unconscious of His Father’s presence. He knew it was coming but perhaps did not expect to feel disconnected from the Father and that was a pain ultimately worse than the physical pain.
Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely, he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us He was made a sin offering, and He died in our place, on our account, that He might bring us near to God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
I don’t think we can ever grasp what that felt like to Jesus. He was the one being who had direct communication and access to God all His life, and suddenly could not feel God’s presence. What despair that would have felt like.
P – Thank you God that I, we, NEVER have to be separated from you. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice of your beloved son! Thank you that you are with us in all that we do, and in every difficult and joyful circumstance. You protect us, rejoice with us, comfort and love us today, tomorrow, and always. Thank you that there is nothing that I must endure to be in your presence or to spend eternity with you. Help me Lord when I am feeling sorry for myself and my circumstances to remember that Jesus already paid it all for me and there is nothing on earth that I need to fear, worry, or complain about. Thank you that in a world that can feel so chaotic that I can live in the peace of knowing you are with me always. Amen!
- Crystal Flory
Mark 14 - 2.28.24
Scripture
Mark 14:39-40
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Observation
The disciples failed Jesus in his time of need. When they realized what they had done, “They did not know what to say to him.” How many times have I found myself in that same position - Lord, what can I say? I don’t deserve it, and yet you love me.
Application
Mark 14 describes the last supper, Jesus’ time of prayer at Gethsemane, his arrest and trial. As I read this chapter, which is leading directly to the crucifixion, I noticed that Jesus was failed over and over by those closest to him. Judas, one of only 12 chosen to spend time in discipleship with Jesus, turned him in to be arrested and killed. At Gethsemane, Jesus tells Peter, James, and John, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death …. Stay here and keep watch.” I don’t think Jesus is prone to melodrama - this should have caught their attention. But three times he came back and found them sleeping. Peter denies him, again and again.
Jesus knows exactly what is in store for him. He knows that the authorities are going to arrest him, beat him, torture him and kill him. But he also knows that those closest to him, the ones he loves the most and he has poured his heart and time into, are also going to betray him. And still, he is willing to make the sacrifice.
The idea that Jesus would sacrifice himself for those that were so close to him, but repeatedly failed him is so hard for me to understand. The fact that he does the same for me is beyond my comprehension. I am overwhelmed.
Prayer
Thank you for your incomprehensible love and forgiveness, Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for continuing to work on my heart.
Mark 13 - 2.27.24
SCRIPTURE: Mark 13:5-7, 32-33
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
“32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert[e]! You do not know when that time will come.
OBSERVATION: Jesus is talking to his Disciples about the end times. There’s a lot to absorb in this chapter but the one thing that stood out to me are not the world events but the personal warnings and the connected promises. Yes, there are lots of warnings in this chapter about the events before Christ returns. Apparently, one of those warnings is of key importance because he warns about false teachers twice. The first warning is in verses 5 – 6 but then in verse 21 – 23, he warns us:
21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
APPLICATION: Jesus was especially concerned about us being led astray. He knows our weakness (Hebrews 4:15). He knows we can be tempted (Hebrews 2:18). He knows our fears (John 14:27). He is intimately acquainted with all our ways (Psalm 139:3). In knowing us so well, this chapter is a blessing in preparation (verse 23: So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time). Being prepared for the end times is just like preparing for an emergency. When we are prepared, we have the tools ahead of time to help us through the emergency and to safety. The same is true for these end time warnings. He wants us to be prepared and not fall victim to false teachers or false messages and ultimately be ready for His return.
He also doesn’t want us to be concerned about the day or time of his return. He prepares us by letting us know no one knows the exact day or hour of Christ’s return but to “be on guard! Be alert!.” We don’t have to worry about the details but He simplifies everything by saying to just be ready.
Throughout this chapter, Jesus gave us some great action words to help us: Watch out, be on guard, be alert, and don’t be alarmed. How can we accomplish all of these action words? How can we be prepared but well prepared? One roadmap in the Word is in the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10 – 17). It is only when we’re prepared and watchful to these signs, knowing they must take place (verse 7), we can then avoid the false teachers. Each step, each event is one step closer to the blessing and promise: Christ’s return. In the end, we have the sweet return of Jesus!
PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for preparing us in your return. You are such a loving and caring God. You have given us everything we need to be prepared for your return. Help me to be on guard and alert to all of these warnings. Help me to be strong and ready for everything that brings your return closer! Come Lord Jesus. Amen.
- Mary Oberg