Search The Scriptures —Study 32 — Mark 15: 1-21

Study 32 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 15:1-21

The main concern of the Jewish leaders now as to get their verdict carried into effect. For this they required the Roman governor’s decision, for the Romans reserved to themselves the right of capital punishment.

1.      What mistakes did Pilate make and what were the reasons underlying them? Are there any of these that we are in danger of repeating? If so, what positive action can we take to avoid them?

2.      Notice the amazing silence of Jesus (verse 4, 5; cf. 14; 60, 61a). Try, also, to picture the mocking of the soldiers, remembering that Jesus had just been scourged, a punishment of brutal severity. Why did Jesus submit without protest to such treatment, and why did God allow it to happen to Him? Cf. Phil. 2:8; 1 Pet. 2:22-24.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 31 — Mark 14:53:72

Study 31 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 14:53-72

The object of the Jewish council was to find legal grounds for putting Jesus to death. It had been previously decided that He must die. (14:1), but some ground must be sought, which would justify their action in condemning Him, and enable them to secure Pilate’s confirmation of the verdict. Cf. Lk. 23:1, 2.

1.      Verses 53-65. Note that the one definite charge, on which the decision to have Jesus put to death was taken, was His claim to be the Christ. Cf. 15:26. How did Jesus declare that His claim would be vindicated? Cf. Acts 2:32-36. What is your attitude to His claim?

1.   Observe the experiences through which Peter passed on this eventful night. What were the contributing factors which finally led up to his denial of Christ? See 14:29, 37, 50, 54. What can we learn from all this that will help us to be prepared for temptation?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 30 — Mark 14:26-52

Study 30 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 14:26-52

1.      Verses 26-31. Peter evidently found it much easier to apply the Lord’s words to the other disciples than to himself.  What wrong attitude does this reveal? Do we ever refuse to accept what the Lord is plainly trying to teach us?

2.   Verses 32-50. What caused our Lord’s distress? What is meant here by ‘the hour’ and ‘this cup’? Why was Jesus ready, in a way His disciples were not, for what had to be faced? What exactly was His petition? Was it answered, and if so, how? Cf. Heb. 5:7, 8; Ps. 119: 50, 92.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 29 — Mark 14:1-25

Study 29 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 14:1-25

1.      Verses 1-9. What some said about the value of the ointment and the need of the poor was perfectly true. Why then did Jesus commend Mary for her extravagance? What does this incident teach us about right priorities in Christian service?

2.     Verses 10-21. What do these verses suggest was the motive which lay behind Judas’ act of betrayal? Is our own attitude one of condemnation, or are we prepared to share the solemn heart searching of verse 19?

3.     Verses 22-25. Consider use here of the words ‘bread’, ‘blood’, ‘my’, ‘gave’, ‘take’, ‘drank’, ‘covenant’. What light do they throw on the nature and method of salvation? Cf. 1 Pet. 1:18, 19.

Notes

1.      Verses 8-9. Note Jesus’ remarkable prediction of the future world-wide preaching of the ‘gospel’; Cf. 13:10. There was in the woman’s action a recognition both of the unique Person and of the impending work of Jesus; and these are both essential gospel truths.   

2.     Verse 22. The expression ‘This is my body’ corresponds to the Passover formula, ‘This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of affliction’. It indicates a symbolical commemoration, not an actual ‘transubstantiation’.        

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Search The Scriptures —Study 28 — Mark 13:24-37

Study 28 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 13:24-37

1.      Among the many puzzling details of this passage concerning the coming of the Son of man, what are the facts about which we can be certain? What particular error do we need to avoid?

2.     If we are expecting Christ to return, what difference should this make to the way we live our lives and why?  Cf. 2 Pet. 3:10a, 11b, 14.

Notes

1.      Verses 24, 25.  The phraseology may, as in the Old Testament, symbolize national and international upheavals. Cf. Is. 13: 10; 34: 4; Ezk. 32:7, etc.

2.   Verses 33-37. ‘Watch: i.e., be wakeful and alert.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 27 — Mark 13:1-23

Study 27 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 13:1-23

1.      Verses 1-13.  Notice how Christ translates the abstract enquiry of His disciples into the personal and moral realm. How can we prepare ourselves to meet similar dangers?

2.     Verses 14-23. What is here foretold? How are Christ’s followers to act when it happens? To whom are they to look for deliverance? Of what are they to beware? What may we learn from such a passage concerning God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility?

Notes

1.      Verse 14. ‘The desolating sacrilege’: this is the sign of the impending destruction of the Temple for which the disciples had asked (verse 1-4).   It refers to the desecration of the holy place by Roman invaders. Cf. Dn. 11:31.

2.   Verses 15. ‘Him who is on the housetop’: the flat roofs of houses in Palestine were used for places of rest and social intercourse.  Cf. Acts 10:9.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 26 — Mark 12:28-44

Study 26 From the Book of Mark is: Mark 12:28-44

1.      Verses 28-34.  Jesus pronounced this scribe to be ‘not far from the kingdom of God’. What would he have needed to do to enter in?

2.     Verses 41-44. Jesus did not deny that the rich gave much, but merely stated that the widow had given more.  What does this teach us about the way God measures our giving?   How do we match up to this standard? Cf. 2 Cor. 8:12; 9:7.

3.   The Scribes undoubtedly had an intellectual mastery of Scripture and professed to accept its authority without question.  Why then did Christ condemn them and in what way is this a warning to us? Cf. Lk. 12:47, 48.

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