The women find an empty tomb Mk 16:1-8

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES

The Bible:  Gospel of Mark Series Icon

            

THE WOMEN FIND AN EMPTY TOMB

As the passion story began with a woman of Bethany anointing Jesus, so now it ends with the women coming to anoint  his body in the tomb.  The faithfulness of the women contrasts with the unfaithfulness of the disciples.

The women, the only ones who had not deserted Jesus, go early to the tomb and find it empty.  The sun, already risen can also be a symbol of Jesus already risen.  The young man, as Gethsemani suggests Jesus, now risen and at the right hand of God, sharing the fullness of divine power.  Does his message mean that Jesu have first have revealed his resurrection in a veiled manner to the faithful women through the unlikely sign a dark, silent and empty tomb?

Galilee, where the disciples are told to go, was the place of beginnings, the place Jesus first called His disciples and challenged them in astonishment and terror with the gospel of the king of God.  Now they are to go there to see the gospel of the raising by God of the crucified Jesus.

The strange ending to Mark’s Gospel puzzled Christian from the earliest, times, it seems since other ending were soon added. Most today however, favour verse 8 as the original ending If what Mark intended to write was the ‘beginning’ of the gospel of Jesus as in the Christ and Son of God, it makes sense the he concludes before the resurrection of Jesus is recognised by his disciples.  The shocked and terrified women become a symbol of the moment before the gospel of resurrection burst upon the word, but they too like the disciples, become unfaithful by saying nothing.

Each portrayed the beginnings of the mystery of the incarnation of Jesus by a frightened, obedient woman but Mark presents the beginnings of the mystery of the resurrection of Jesus by frightened, disobedient women.

The Burial of Jesus Mk 15L42-47

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

The Bible: Gospel of Mark icon.

During 2019, each week, I will write a weekly post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. If you are following this series for the first time, you will find this series under Scripture- New Testament- Gospel of Mark. 

Click here to read the first post in the series. I have written this series in different years (2012, 2015, 2018) with some irregularity, but am determined to complete this series this year since I am more than half way through this Gospel.

My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post we explore chapter 15:42-47 1which is called the burial of Jesus.

THE BURIAL OF JESUS.

 It was a Roman practice to let the bodies rot on the crosses or be eaten by wild animals.  However, for the Jews, this type of practice was unthinkable since a death was incomplete without a proper burial especially if the person lived according to the law as it was interpreted by the Book of Deuteronomy (Deut 21:22-23).

A prominent member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, Joseph from Arimathaea, the location of which is unknown, comes forward to perform this last act of piety for the dead Jesus. One interesting observation here- the Jewish people could have asked for Jesus to be released but instead asked for Barabbas, a common thief and criminal. Added to that, they. Although incited by the Roman officials cried out crucify Him.  Yet now, they afford Jesus a proper Jewish burial. Remember a proper Jewish burial was for someone who lived according to the law.  If they thought Jesus did not, then they could have agreed to the Roman tradition.  Just an interesting observation.

Since Joseph is not a disciple of Jesus, Mark again draws attention to the desertion of Jesus by all His disciples.  He was waiting expectantly, Mark notes, for the coming of the kingdom of God, suggesting it is more than Jewish piety or respect for the law that inspires Him to go courageously to Pilate and ask for the body of Jesu who faithfully proclaimed the coming of the kingdom of God.

The truth that Jesus really died on the cross, against some early doubters, is reinforced by the action attributed to Pilate.  He calls the centurion who was in charge of the execution to verify from him that Jesus is truly dead.

The devotion and care of Joseph, the non-disciple, is detailed for us in several ways.  He buys a piece of fine lines as a shroud for the corpse of Jesus.  He provides a tomb cut from rock. He rolls a stone, not doubt with the help of servants, across the entrance of the tomb.  These devout actions of Joseph also highlight the extreme poverty in which Jesus dies.

The faithful women stand silently watching all that Joseph does and where he hastily buries the body of Jesus, because it is already evening and Sabbath rest begins at sunset.  The women see that the corpse of Jesus is buried without the customary anointing of ointments and spices.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?

• Imagine that you are these solders.  What do you see and hear and feel? What can I learn from this?
• Are there any present-day situations which have all the hallmarks of a similar execution (e.g. the assault on the beliefs of the Church and its constant persecution by the media or when Judges do not speak up for the right outcome out of fear of the crowd?
•  Imagine being the women from Galilee and share their feelings as they watched the burial of Jesus by others.  What questions do I want to bring to Jesus? 
• Imagine being Joseph who was a non-disciple fronting Pilate for the body of Jesus. What would he have felt going to Pilate and what would you want to say to him’.?  In what ways do we offer help to non- disciples of Jesus in our lives?
•         Imagine being Pilate who was conflicted about handing Jesus over to the Romans.  Does his act of handing the corpse of Jesus to Joseph without causing problems serve as some form of repentance for what he did? How do we right wrongs?
  
• ·         What is reading the Gospel passage with the eyes and ears of disciple mean to me?

• How does Jesus make clear His teaching to me in this passage?         
• Consider a situation in your life today where the teaching of Jesus needs to be applied.
  
• Consider how much my faith means to me and what does my faithfulness/unfaithfulness to my church/parish mean to me and others?

• What are the areas in my life I need to bring to Jesus in the light of this teaching?
  
  
• Am I willing to look into myself with honesty and ask how much do I grasp what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus in the light of this teaching? 

The Crucifixion of Jesus Mk 15 21-41.

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

The Bible: Gospel of Mark icon.

During 2019, each week, I will write a weekly post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. If you are following this series for the first time, you will find this series under Scripture- New Testament- Gospel of Mark. 

Click here to read the first post in the series. I have written this series in different years (2012, 2015, 2018) with some irregularity, but am determined to complete this series this year since I am more than half way through this Gospel.

My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post we explore chapter 15:21-41 1 which is called the crucifixion of Jesus.

THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS.

 The death of Jesus is the final climax of his revelation to the world of the power of God.  With the identification of Jesus as the Son of God by God Himself at the river and on the mountain, by Himself in His passion and now, by a Gentile at the cross, the four great pillars of Mark’s Gospel are in place.

In the journey to Golgotha, about 500 metres, a stranger forced to carry the cross after Jesus emphasises his aloneness. The crucifying begins about nine in the morning. A humanitarian offering of wine, drugged with myrrh to reduce pain is made, but Jesus refuses it.  He hangs naked on the cross, for His clothes are divided among His executors.  He is called king, the charge again Him put about His head, as He hangs on a cross between the two thieves.

The two thieves, the passers-by, the priests, and the scribes mock Jesus as one who can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days and who saves others but not himself.  They taunt Him to do what He cannot- to be king without the cross.  The truth is spoken in the malice and blindness of those who speak it.

The darkness at midday aptly symbolises how none see what is really happening.  At three, when Jesus calls out, someone from compassion, or curiosity to see if Elijah will come, offers him vinegar.  But Jesus with a cry of strength breathes out his life. This cry of strength and breathing is last is significant because for all other human beings, when it comes to die, the person breathes his last not by choice. The time has come and the breath leaves the body. In the case of Jesus, He literally breathes his last by choice and shows that He is God.

The tearing open of the temple veil dramatically symbolises that the power of God is no longer separated and hidden from the world, but is made accessible to through the death of Jesus.  The centurion before Jesus, proclaims Him Son of God at a time he appears hardly human, while the faithful women from Galilee watch everything from a distance.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?

• Imagine that you are these solders.  What do you see and hear and feel? What can I learn from this?
  
  
• Are there any present-day situations which have all the hallmarks of a similar execution (e.g. the assault on the beliefs of the Church and its constant persecution by the media or when Judges do not speak up for the right outcome out of fear of the crowd?
  
  
•  Imagine being Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross unwillingly. What questions do I want to bring to Jesus?  

•  Imagine being one of the people offering Jesus the wine drugged with myrrh . What would you want to say to Him when you realise who it was, you have ‘drugged’.?  In what ways do we offer wine with myrrh in our lives?
  
  
• Imagine being the Centurion who speaks the truth about God in a hostile environment.  When am I like the Centurion or why do I fear being like the Centurion?
  
  
•  What is reading the Gospel passage with the eyes and ears of disciple mean to me?
  
  
• How does Jesus make clear His teaching to me in this passage?
  
  
•  Consider a situation in your life today where the teaching of Jesus needs to be applied.
  
  

• Consider how much my faith means to me and what does my faithfulness/unfaithfulness to my church/parish mean to me and others?

• What are the areas in my life I need to bring to Jesus in the light of this teaching?
  
  
• Am I willing to look into myself with honesty and ask how much do I grasp what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus in the light of this teaching? 

Jesus is mocked by the solders Mk 15 16-20

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

The Bible: Gospel of Mark icon.

During 2019, each week, I will write a weekly post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. If you are following this series for the first time, you will find this series under Scripture- New Testament- Gospel of Mark. 

Click here to read the first post in the series. I have written this series in different years (2012, 2015, 2018) with some irregularity, but am determined to complete this series this year since I am more than half way through this Gospel.

My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post we explore chapter 15:16-20 1which is called Jesus is mocked by the solders.

JESUS IS MOCKED BY THE SOLDERS

The soldiers have heard Jesus called by Pilate the King of the Jews. Three times he has used this title for Jesus. Now the solders, possibly hardened mercenaries from Syria or from some other country unfriendly to the Jews, decide to have their cruel fun with this so- called King of the Jews. It may be their of giving insult not only to Jesus but to the whole Jeish race whom they probably despise.

When the solders take Jesus back to their military barracks, they stage a save entertainment for themselves by a mock crowning and enthronement Mark gives stark detail of the indignities they inflict on Jesus.

The vivid and detailed description of Mark may even suggest the reports of eye witnesses and an historical basis for this horrible story of barbaric ridicule and mockery.  Jesus, is already weakened and humiliated by the terrible scouring, even before the solders begin.

The solders call all their company together to share in the fun.  They dress Jesus in a faded purple cloak, probably an old military cloak.  The twist some thorns into a rough crown for Him.  A king must have a crown on His head.

They perhaps seat Jesus somewhere and begin to salute Him in mock respect.  They call Him king of the Jesus.  Perhaps it is a reed or stick which they have already put into His hands that use to strike Him on the head.  Some spit upon Him, They kneel before Him in mock respect, each one probably trying  to outdo the other in cruelty and ridicule.  When they have satisfied themselves and finish, they strip the purpose cloak from Him and dress Jesus in His own clothes again.  Jesus will not be led na naked through the streets to the place of execution, as it seems those condemned to crucifixion by the Romans commonly were.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?

• Imagine that you are these solders.  What do you see and hear and feel? What can I learn from this?
• Are there any present-day situations which have all the hallmarks of a similar execution (e.g. the assault on the beliefs of the Church and its constant persecution by the media or when Judges do not speak up for the right outcome out of fear of the crowd?
•  Imagine being the one of the soldiers who mocked Him. If you had the opportunity
  What questions do I want to bring to Jesus?
  
  
• What questions do I want to bring to Jesus?
  
• Imagine being one of the people watching this mocking of Jesus. What would they want to say to Him when they realise who it was, they mocked.?  In what ways do we mock Jesus in our lives?
•  What is reading the Gospel passage with the eyes and ears of disciple mean to me?
• How does Jesus make clear His teaching to me in this passage?
  
  
•  Consider a situation in your life today where the teaching of Jesus needs to be applied. 

• Consider how much my faith means to me and what does my faithfulness/unfaithfulness to my church/parish mean to me and others?

• What are the areas in my life I need to bring to Jesus in the light of this teaching?
  
  
• Am I willing to look into myself with honesty and ask how much do I grasp what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus in the light of this teaching? 

Let us remember at what cost and the great price with which we received redemption.

Jesus is handed over for execution Mk 15 1-15

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

The Bible: Gospel of Mark icon.

During 2019, each week, I will write a weekly post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. If you are following this series for the first time, you will find this series under Scripture- New Testament- Gospel of Mark. 

Click here to read the first post in the series. I have written this series in different years (2012, 2015, 2018) with some irregularity, but am determined to complete this series this year since I am more than half way through this Gospel.

My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post we explore chapter 15:1 -15 which is called Jesus is handed over for execution.

JESUS IS HANDED OVER FOR EXECUTION.

Now we come to the day of Jesus’ death. Early in the morning, the Jewish leaders hand Jesus over to Pilate who is named without any introduction. Mark presues his readers know who he is.

For the first time the binding of Jesus is mentioned and Jesus  is also called a king which is a political title.  This title is used of Jesus for others six times during the last day of his life, yet nowhere else does it appear in Mark’s Gospel.  Mark seems to suggest the king of king Jesus really is.

One senses that in reality Jesus is not on trial, but the others-Pilate, the priests, the crowds and Barabbas. The silence of Jesus and his short, probing reply to Pilate show him more as a judge than a defendant.  The priests appear to act out of envy towards Jesus.

Pilate, although eh recognises that Jesus is not politically dangerous, acts for shallow reasons of political expediency to placate the crowd.  The crowed chooses Barabbas, literally ‘son of the father, ‘one who destroys life in others, as the one they want to have among them.  The true Son of God, who brings the gospel, they reject and want crucified.

Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged, a usual punishment before crucifixion.  It was generally done with leather whips loaded with bone or metal, and the person was sometimes tied to pillar, perhaps bent over a low pillar.

Then Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified.  This is the tenth time that the phrase has been used by Mark in story of the Passion.

For Christian faith, this can imply a deeper mysterious  handing over of Jesus by God to the world, no matter what the cost, to bring into the world god’s power to free from evil an bring life to all.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?

• Imagine that you are Pilate.  What do you see and hear and feel? What can I learn from this?
  
  
• Are there any present-day situations which have all the hallmarks of a similar execution (e.g. the assault on the beliefs of the Church and its constant persecution by the media or when Judges do not speak up for the right outcome out of fear of the crowd?
  
  
•  Imagine being the one of the chief priests and scribes. What questions do I want to bring to Jesus?
  
  
•  Imagine being one of the people scourging Jesus. What would they want to say to Him when they realise who it was they scourged?
  
• In what ways do we scourge Jesus in our lives?
  
•  What is reading the Gospel passage with the eyes and ears of disciple mean to me?
  
  
• How does Jesus make clear His teaching to me in this passage?
  
•  Consider a situation in your life today where the teaching of Jesus needs to be applied. 

• Consider how much my faith means to me and what does my faithfulness/unfaithfulness to my church/parish mean to me and others?

• What are the areas in my life I need to bring to Jesus in the light of this teaching?
  
  
• Am I willing to look into myself with honesty and ask how much do I grasp what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus in the light of this teaching? 

The Condemnation and Denial Mk 14: 53-72

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.

THE BIBLE: GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.ICON.

During 2019, each week, I will write a weekly post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. If you are following this series for the first time, you will find this series under Scripture- New Testament- Gospel of Mark. 

Click here to read the first post in the series. I have written this series in different years (2012, 2015, 2018) with some irregularity, but am determined to complete this series this year since I am more than half way through this Gospel.

My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post we explore chapter 14:53 -72 which is called The Condemnation and denial.

THE CONDEMNATION AND DENIAL.

Mark consistently focuses attention on Jesus and what really happen to him in the deeper and broader perspectives of God’s view of things and how Christian faith quickly came to understand the passion.

Mark is not overly concerned with Jewish legal processes. Nor is his chief aim to give a strict account of historical events.  He was unlikely to be in a position to do that, even had he wished. 

Jesus is before the men of power- priests, elders, and scribes.  Peter sits with the servants of the enemies of Jesus, to warm himself in the cold night air of Jerusalem. Already we sense the separation of Peter from Jesus, despite his show of loyalty in following him.

The witness against Jesus is false, not because it is necessarily untrue, but because it is given out of malice. The climax comes when the high priest asks Jesus  if He is the Messiah and the Son of the Blessed One.  For the first time, Jesus clearly accepts these two titles together, Christ and Son of God (1:1).

Standing in weakness before the powers of the land, he is less likely to have His claim to them misunderstood.  Yet at once Jesus describes Himself as the Messiah in terms of the name, He uses of Himself the on of Man, but now a Son of Man will will bring the full power of God into the world, in word from a psalm and the prophecy of Daniel. (Ps 110:1 and Dan 7:13).

After Jesu is condemned, insults, violence and mockery are heaped upon Him by His enemies.  Outside, Peter, His disciple denies Him three times, publicly separating Himself from Jesus.  Jesus is now entirely alone.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

.

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?

• Imagine that you are the disciples- What do you see and hear and feel. What can I learn from this?
  
  

·         Imagine being the one of the chief priests and scribes
What questions do I want to bring to Jesus? 

·         What is reading the Gospel passage with the eyes and ears of disciple mean to me?

• How does Jesus make clear His teaching to me in this passage?
  
  

·         Consider a situation in your life today where the teaching of Jesus needs to be applied.

• Consider how much my faith means to me and what does my faithfulness/unfaithfulness to my church/parish mean to me and others?

• What are the areas in my life I need to bring to Jesus in the light of this teaching?
  
  
• Am I willing to look into myself with honesty and ask how much do I grasp what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus in the light of this teaching?