Go into all the World Mark 16:9-20 Mark is clear as he begins his Gospel that the story of Jesus is Good News. I think today many would advise Mark, if his purpose is to convince people that Jesus really was the Messiah, the Son of God, whose life death and resurrection was the cataclysmic moment in human history, he should really do some editing. In chapter 4 Jesus’s followers fail to grasp his teaching Read more…
The Resurrection Mark 16:1-8 I grew up with stories that ended with ‘happily ever after…’ My children’s favourite stories ended with Harry climbing aboard the Hogwarts Express at the end of the school year. All of these stories ended, and they ended neatly and tidily. Even if the author left a tantalising clue to a sequel, hidden in the final pages, you could rely on there being a resolution. None of those things are true Read more…
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last Mark 15:37-47 Many victims of crucifixion died quietly after many hours or even days on the cross, their point of death hard to mark. Jesus dies in a marked way at a definite point in time. His death is a defining moment in the relationship between God and humanity. This is a moment not simply defined by clock or calendar but one that has eternal significance. Read more…
Why have you forsaken me? Mark 15:16-32 Jesus is handed over to a squad of soldiers whose job it is to degrade, humiliate, torture and crucify. Jesus is now in the courtyard of the Roman headquarters, separated from his own people and alone. The torture and mockery are routine, applied without pity or feeling. Jesus’s back would have been torn to shreds by a multi-stranded whip with pieces of metal or stone imbedded in it. Read more…
Yes it is as you say Mark 15:1-15 Jesus’s trial before the Chief Priests the night before had been irregular and unlawful as all Jewish trials had to be conducted during the hours of daylight. Pilate was the prefect (governor) of Judea and would only come to Jerusalem when there was the possibility of unrest or rebellion such as at the time of the Passover when Jewish patriotic feelings would be heightened. Roman prefects had Read more…
I am Mark 14:53-65 The Sanhedrin was the council of the Jewish leaders. It had power to make decisions on matters of Jewish law and could sentence people to death but not carry out the sentence. Under Roman occupation only the Romans could execute those found guilty of capital offences. Initially at his trial, Jesus remains silent in the face of the charges and accusations made against him. Some suggest Jesus didn’t want to dignify Read more…
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow Mark 14:32-42 In the garden of Gethsemane we see Jesus in deep anguish, wrestling in prayer, facing the horror of the hours to come and expressing an honest desire to have the suffering taken from him. He brings all the disciples to the garden, telling them to ‘sit here while I pray,’ (NIVUK) before leading Peter, James and John a little further to keep watch. He knew time was Read more…
You will all fall away Mark 14:27-31 and Mark 14:66-71 Wearing masks during the pandemic was important in limiting the transmission of the virus. But they do cause difficulties, not least I find myself sometimes not recognising people behind the masks. More seriously for some the covering of the mouth and face limits communication in reading lips or facial expressions. There are other kinds of masks that we all wear. Two decades ago, John Powell Read more…
Take it Mark 14:12-26 The words ‘Take it: this is my body’ and ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many’ (NIVUK) have been central to Christian worship. We know it as communion. The meal which Jesus and the disciples were sharing was most likely the Passover meal. It was a meal with prayers and symbolic actions to tell the story of how God protected them from the plagues and Read more…
She has done a beautiful thing Mark 14:1-11 In this encounter, an un-named woman appears whilst Jesus and his companions are at a meal. She takes her jar of expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’s head. Sometimes hosts would anoint honoured guests with oil, as an act of hospitality but anointing with oil was also something done to prophets, priests and Kings in Israel. Whilst the woman may have simply intended her action to Read more…