Mark 12: Trials

An empty tomb, witnesses, and fear. If the Gospel of Mark is “the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” then how does it end?

A look at Mark’s depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus. We examine Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 to explore how Jesus fills the role of Suffering servant, and thus becomes the stand-in vessel to suffer God’s wrath and to inherit God’s blessings. And through it all, we come to realize God’s representative is God himself.

Judas betrays him with a kiss; but “all the disciples forsook him and fled.” Mark 14 is a look at betrayal…theirs, and ours.

Mark chapter 13 has always been a difficult one to interpret. Some call it the Olivet Discourse. Some call it the “Little Apocalypse.” I call it difficult! In this lesson, we consider the likely reference to the fall of Jerusalem and the possibility of a reference to the cataclysmic change at the end of time.

In Mark 12, Jesus engaged in a series of 4 questions. The point of each is to reveal that the central question ought to be about the God we see preached by (and revealed through) Jesus Christ. Money, Power, and the authorities of this world are set opposite the call of the kingdom–to follow Jesus in giving all.

In Mark 11, Jesus enters into Jerusalem and overturns the tables of the money-changers in the Temple. The people spread out palm branches upon his arrival, and Jesus curses a fig tree in the process. What does this all mean? How does Zechariah 14 and the revolution of the Maccabees factor in?

Mark 8-10 appears to be a hodgepodge of stories and sayings. But is there a method to Mark’s madness? There is! All of these stories revolve around two basic callings of discipleship: (1) total humility, and (2) total surrender. Mark is asking his readers to start first with these two principles

Jesus speaks harshly about traditions over people, then he offers healing to outsiders. Finally, he offers a “double touch healing” to make a point for the disciples…and for us. Mark 7 & 8.

Who provides your bread? In Mark chapter 6, Mark tells us that sometimes God provides enough bread to last the day, sometimes he provides more than enough, and sometimes he calls upon you to be bread for the world. But in all things, God sees your plight, runs to you, and reveals his glory. Will we forget about the bread?

A Look at Mark chapter 5, where Jesus heals a man possessed by “Legion”, followed by an older woman and a young girl.

We take a look at Mark chapters 3 and 4. Who makes up Jesus’ family? What is a parable? How does God break open our world?

We look at the controversy stories in Mark 2:1-3:6 to discover a God who, in Christ, radically forgives, and a Christ who, following the Spirit, reframes how we read the law and how we see our God.

We dive into Mark chapter 1, beginning with an announcement that would get you killed! Daring to claim the good news is that another king has arrived; the good news is not about Caesar, but Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Picture a lion. Wild. Untamed. Not safe. But fast, strong, and in charge. This is Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. This is the kingdom of God in strange and mysterious ways. Mark portrays Jesus and His kingdom memorably. Will we follow Jesus to the cross, declaring God to be Lord of all? Will we enter the wild kingdom? Welcome to our series Jesus Christ and the Mysterious Kingdom of Suffering Servants. This introductory lesson shares the background to the Gospel of Mark and provides a run-through of Mark’s highlighted points.