Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:61b-62, NIV)
As we get closer to the cross, Mark slows down the account of Jesus’ life. Because of that, we’re able to see some of the detail of those final few days. Jesus stands alone before the Sanhedrin, betrayed and abandoned, just as he said would happen. He answers the high priest honestly, but is condemned to death. This is what must happen — it is the fulfillment of the scriptures — and Jesus willingly dies for those who desert him.
I hope that you’ll be able to join us in-person or online this Sunday, as we look at the next part of Mark’s gospel together.
“Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” (Mark 14:35-36, NIV)
Jesus has shared the Last Supper with his disciples, and he now goes out to pray in Gethsemane. His prayer reveals that he knows what is about to happen, but that he also knows that his death on the cross is the only way for us to be saved.
I hope you’ll join us online at 10:30am for our Sunday morning service, as we look more at Jesus’ prayer, and as we see how God’s love for us is demonstrated in, and by, Jesus.
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’” (Mark 14:22, NIV)
The Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, the Eucharist: why do we celebrate it? What does it mean? Why do we miss it so much at the moment? How can a simple meal, 2,000 years ago, consisting of bread and wine mean so much to Christians in the 21st century?
I hope you’ll join us online at 10:30am for our Sunday morning service, as we look at Mark's account of the Last Supper.
“‘Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’” (Mark 14:9, NIV)
I hope you’ll join us online at 10:30am for our Sunday morning service, as we hear again about an unnamed woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ head.
“As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’
‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’” (Mark 13:1-2, NIV)
There are some things that we think will last forever. As the disciples looked at the huge stones of the temple, they must have been impressed by the workmanship and the permanence of this incredible building. Jesus looked further ahead, to a time when the stones would be scattered on the ground. He knew that there would be a time of distress coming for the temple. He also knew that Christians would suffer as well, just for following him.
I hope you’ll join us online at 10:30am for our Sunday morning service, as we look together at how Jesus’ warning of difficulty should help us as we look to the future.