Mark 15 - Defend Yourself! Mark 16 - He Arose!

 

Mark 15 – Defend Yourself!

 

When you face the unjust assaults of an evil world, remember Jesus. The world says, “Defend yourself!” but Jesus was silent. The world says “pamper yourself! But Jesus refused the drink. The world says, “save yourself! But Jesus remained on the cross and finished the work the Father gave Him to do.

 

The Chief priests were guilty of envy, and Pilate was guilty of compromise. Their sins led to the release of an evil man, the embarrassment of an innocent man, and the death of a good Man; yet envy and compromise are not looked upon as terrible sins today. Should they be?

 

Man was doing his worst, but God was doing His best and fulfilling His Word: “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom. 5:20). And He did it for you and me!

 

Mark 16 – He Arose

 

Because they forgot His resurrection promises, the women were in sorrow and worrying about the future: “Who will rollaway the stone?” When they learned that Jesus was alive their first response was fear and not faith; but then they became the first heralds of the resurrection. The angel had a special word for Peter who was no doubt still grieving his sins. The living Christ gives you something to look forward to. He goes before you!

 

All those Jesus appeared to became witnesses of His resurrection (Acts 1:22), just as we should be today (Rom. 6:4; Phil. 3:10).

 

The Servant is the Sovereign at the Father’s right hand! He humbled Himself in obedience, and God exalted Him in glory (Phil 2:5-11). But He is not idle, for He is working with His people as they take the gospel to every nation.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

Mark 14 - Preparation

 

Mark 14 – Preparation

 

Judas solved the chief priests’ problem by offering to lead them to Jesus. But how do you conveniently betray the Son of God? It is a very costly endeavor in every way.

 

Mary’s act of worship brought joy to the heart of Jesus and malice to the heart of Judas, who wanted the money she had spent (John 12:6). Other women came to anoint Him after His burial, but Mary did it when He could be encouraged by her love.

 

It meant much to Jesus to spend those hours with His disciples. He loved them (John 13:1), and their presence encouraged Him. He took the cup and the bread of Passover and transformed them into memorials of His own blood and body, for He wanted the disciples to remember Him.

 

The good fellowship in the Upper Room made the twelve forget the danger outside, so Jesus gave them warning. Peter was not the only one who boasted and felt self-confident: “And they all said likewise”. Heed His warnings; He knows what is coming.

 

Jesus’ prayers reveal the conflict of His holy soul as He faced bearing the sins of the world on the cross.  When you have a Gethsemane experience, pray what He prayed: “Not what I will, but what you will”.  Peter had a sword, but Jesus took a cup. You need not fear the cup the Father has prepared for you. Jesus could submit to the abuse of men because He had already submitted to the will of God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

Mark 13 - Take Heed

 

Mark 13– Take Heed

 

The Olivet Discourse was written with gentile readers in mind. If we are to be ready and faithful in these last days, we must heed the admonitions of Jesus.

 

Political and geological disruption will give false prophets and false Christ’s great opportunity to deceive people. Persecution against God’s people will either strengthen or weaken us. Many individuals will claim to be the Promised One or Savior, all of them will be frauds, but they will deceive many.

 

The Word of God is the only dependable light in this dark world (2 Pet. 1:19). Jesus has told us beforehand what to expect and what to avoid, and we must heed His words. His Word is dependable and durable, so trust it.

 

During the tribulations period, various signs will signal Christ’s return to earth; but believers today are looking for the Savior and not for signs. “Keep alert and keep praying!” is His admonition. “Do the work I have given you to do.” You want to be found faithful when He comes, and He could come today. Jesus admonished His followers to endure to the end, amid all the persecution, knowing that because He would ultimately triumph, they will too, if only they don’t give up.

 

Just as Summer arrives in Israel soon after the fig tree starts to blossom, so Jesus will return at the very end of the Great tribulation, In power and glory to set up His kingdom, His 1,000 year reign on earth. The Lord did not say these things to prompt speculation on when He might return, The Christian’s responsibility is to remain watchful, pure, and ready (I Thess. 5:6; 2 Pet. 1:10,11).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Mark 12 - The Passover

 

Mark 12 – The Passover

 

Each family chose its Passover lamb on the tenth day of the month and carefully examined it until the fourteenth day to be sure it had no defects (Exod. 12:1-6). During His last week of public ministry, God’s Lamb (John 1:29) was examined in various ways, and He passed every test. No guile was found in His mouth. (Isa. 53:9).

 

In His replies, Jesus revealed to them who He was; yet they would not accept the truth. He is the Son sent by the father and the Stone rejected by the builders (Psa. 118:22-23). His enemies were so intent on destroying only themselves. The religious leaders immediately grasped that Jesus had spoken the parable against them. Ordinarily the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians were antagonistic against each other, here they start working together against their common enemy, Jesus.

 

All political questions and hypothetical doctrinal questions are chaff compared to the most important question of all: Is Jesus Christ your Lord and do you love Him?

Man bears God’s image, therefor the believer’s life belongs to God.

 

Love for God should naturally issue in love for other human beings, who are made in His image (Rom. 13:9).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.  J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Mark 11- Fulfilling Prophecy

 

Mark 11 - Fulfilling Prophecy

 

The donkey was a royal animal, and the event was a coronation celebration (I Kings 1:32-40). It was the only time our Lord permitted a public demonstration in His honor, and He did it to fulfill prophecy (Zech. 9:9) and turn the people’s hearts back to the Word of God. They did not listen. In calling Jesus the “one who comes” the crowd essentially calls Him the Messiah. Unfortunately, they meant in on their terms, not His.

 

The fig tree pictures Israel, taking up space but not producing fruit (Luke 13:6-9). When we stop bearing fruit, the problem always starts with the roots (Matt 3:10). Jesus reminds us that we must have faith and forgiveness when we pray, or God will not answer.

 

The Psalmist proclaimed, “Holiness adorns Your house” (Ps. 35:5). But unholiness made the temple a place for thieves to hide! The leaders were not praying; they were preying and using religion only to make money. Jesus cleansed the temple, in fulfillment of Malachi 3:1-3.

 

The leaders had not been honest with John the Baptist, and now they refused to be honest with Jesus. When we obey, God teaches us more (John 7:17); if we disobey, we close the door on God’s truth. The religious leaders believed they had all the authority and they feared Jesus would take it from them. They were referring to the cleansing of the temple.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

Mark 10 - How Far Can I Go?

 

Mark 10 – How far can I go?

 

The rabbis didn’t agree on their interpretation of the divorce law (Deut. 24:1-4), one school being lenient and the other strict. When you live “by permission,” you are tempted to follow those who tell you what you want to hear. Our Lord led the Pharisees back to God’s original plan and interpreted it for them. In marriage, God brings a man and a woman together, and human beings should not dissolve what God has united (I Cor. 6:16; Eph. 5:31). Divorce is a concession to the reality of sin- the hardness of heart in the world, not part of God’s ideal for marriage.

 

How much can I keep? The rich man was looking for a bargain, the best of both worlds; but he was doomed to failure. Perhaps he was wondering whether in resurrected reality he would be able to keep his property holdings. Calculation and crucifixion do not agree. At Calvary, there was no bargaining, just giving His all. Salvation is about what God does for sinners rather than what they do for God. Had the rich young ruler looked beyond his great possessions, he would have seen the real possession of those who believe: eternal life.

 

How much will we get?  Jesus promises to reward all who faithfully follow Him, but He warns against having rewards as your only motive for service. If you are His disciple, expect a cross, a cup, and a baptism, for the servant is not greater than His Lord. The important question is, “How much can we give? Salvation is all grace, all God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J, Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Mark 9 - Glory out of Suffering

 

Mark 9 – Glory out of Suffering

 

What happened on the Mount of Transfiguration was confirmation of the testimony Peter gave. But it was also a revelation of the glory of the Cross (Gal. 6:14). First the suffering, then the glory. Satan offers you glory without suffering (Matt. 4:8-10) but it ends up suffering without glory. Transfigured means to “change into another form”. It’s also used to describe the believer’s transformation into the image of Christ (Rom 12:2; 2 or. 3:18).

 

Their failure to deliver the boy grieved the Lord, gave support to the enemy, and robbed God of glory. The nine disciples who were left behind had neglected their spiritual disciplines and lost their power. When you find yourself defeated, turn to Him for victory and discover where you went wrong. Complacency is the enemy of spiritual power, and prayer is the discipline that reminds believers of their dependency.

 

Mark’s gospel emphasizes the importance of service. Do not aim for human greatness; aim to be more like Jesus Christ. Do not measure yourself by other servants; measure yourself by Him. Jesus declared that anyone working in His name, and who God works through, should be considered a partner, not a threat. Jesus expects unity (I Cor. 1:10-17).

 

If you pamper sin in your life, you will lose your “salty” character and not be able to affect others for Christ. Deal drastically with sin as a surgeon does with a cancerous tumor. You gain by losing. Jesus implores us to eliminate the impurity of selfishness and exhibit the purity of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.      J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.