Final Farewell to Mark

As a final farewell to my blog posts related to the book of Mark, I'd like to direct readers to a companion site, the 9-Year Bible wiki.

Blog posts encourage daily reflection, but are not ideal for creating a "big picture" view of a book of the Bible.

This new wiki may help me balance day-to-day thoughts with a longer-term approach to understanding what I've read.

Jesus' Last Week

Palm Sunday: parade
Monday: Jesus cleanses the temple
Tuesday: Jesus annointed
Wednesday: strangely silent [what happened? why no public record?]
Maundy Thursday: the Last Supper
Good Friday: the cross
Saturday: despair
Easter Sunday: Resurrection Day

One Amazing Week!

Jesus' last week fills Mark 11-16.

It's amazing how much can happen in seven days.

Paralytic Revisited

In 2:1-12, we learn that Jesus is more concerned about our sins than our illnesses.

But as I reflect upon my prayer life, I spend much more time and energy on the physical than the spiritual.

This reflects an imbalance in my priorities.

The Twelve

In 3:13-19, Jesus picks his 12 disciples.

What did Jesus see in Judas? Did he have any redeeming qualities, or was he selected simply because Jesus needed a traitor to betray him?

Would I have been qualified to be one of the twelve? How would I live differently if I were one of the twelve?

Fishers of Men

In 1:16-20, we see Jesus recruit "fishers of men."

What does it mean for me to be a fisher of men? How about you, dear Reader?

Personality of John Mark

The author of Mark is clearly focused on the concrete, the here-and-now. He spends little time in the abstract beyond the words of Jesus' parables.

I believe that he may have been an Inspector (ISTJ).

Generally speaking, Inspectors are not comfortable with anything that gets too fancy. Their words tend to be plain and down-to-earth, not showy or high-flown (Keirsey.com)

This describes Mark's sparse, concrete narrative. It is quite different in style (though not content) from the other synoptic gospels.

Most measures of personality type separate people into four main categories. There are four gospels.

Maybe I'll discover in further study that the other three gospels were written by people with the other three main personality types.

Chapter-by-Chapter Overview of Mark

1. John the Baptist, Start of Jesus' Public Ministry
   
2. Jesus Heals, Physically and Spiritually
   
3. Jesus Picks the 12
   
4. Jesus Speaks in Parables
   
5. Jesus Heals Again
   
6. John the Baptist's Death, Jesus Feeds the 5000 and Walks on Water
   
7. The Heart of Man
   
8. Peter's Confession of Christ
   
9. Transfiguration
   
10. Rich Young Ruler
    
11. Palm Sunday
    
12. Give to Caesar, Widow's Generosity
    
13. Eschatology
    
14. Maundy Thursday
    
15. Good Friday
    
16. Easter Sunday
    

NIV Study Bible Overview of Mark

This is my favorite online study resource. Follow the link for an excellent overview of the book of Mark.

Reviewing Mark

The best part about Mark is that it is full of stories.

I look forward to summarizing what I've experienced over the past 17 weeks.

Be Amazed

I think it's odd that the angel who greeted Mary and Mary said, "Do not be amazed."

What other reaction is there? Why did the angel say this?

How cool that Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus three times on Thursday night and Friday morning, is specifically singled out for the good news.

It is not possible to dig a hole so deep that you can't get out.

Forgiveness is instantaneous and infinitely powerful.

This is amazing. As we forgive others, we'll experience forgiveness ourselves.

Monday AM

In verses 1-4, we meet Mary and Mary on their way to Jesus' tomb. In their time and culture, the dead were not embalmed but anointed.

In one sense, their act of devotion is impulsive, because they realize a large stone should be in front of the tomb.

On the other hand, their devotion is rewarded in an unimaginable way.

Go ahead and be impulsively loyal and devoted, even in impossible circumstances.

Outline of Mark 16

I'll focus on verses 1-8 since the remainder of the chapter was not in the original manuscripts.

1. Mary & Mary, Crack of Dawn Monday
   
2. How Will We Move the Stone?
   
3. Angel Announces: "Jesus Has Risen!"
   
4. Mary & Mary: "Holy Crud! What Just Happened?!"
   

Jesus' Burial

It must have seemed like a lost cause when Joseph of Arimethea asked for Jesus' body.

The guy is dead. Why go out of your way and risk your reputation after learning that Jesus appears no different than any other wannabe leader?

I suppose you could say that loyalty continues after death. But more importantly, if a goal is in God's will, there is no such thing as a lost cause.

Joseph's loyalty was rewarded three days later when Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus In Charge

In Jesus' final moments, I'm struck by a small detail I've never noticed before.

Crucifixion made it difficult for people to breathe, yet in verse 37, Jesus "uttered a loud cry" and then died.

This reminds me that even when he appeared most helpless, Jesus was completely in charge of his fate.

Consider the Source

In verses 22-32, we read about Jesus' crucifixion.

The people who wanted to see him dead mocked him in his suffering.

Most telling is what the chief priests and scribes were saying:

He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!

They acknowledge the power Jesus exhibited in his previous miracles. But evidence is irrelevant once people have made up their minds.

Even if Jesus had come down from the cross, they would not have believed.

The next time you are criticized, persecuted, mocked, consider the source. Take courage from Jesus' example.

Jesus Mocked

In verses 16-21, Jesus is mocked as the "King of the Jews." In the midst of the hatred, the soldiers and religious leaders actually continue in the pattern of Jesus' other detractors. They state truth despite their sarcasm.

When do I speak truth in sarcasm? How much better off would I be to speak the same truth in love?

Trial by Mob

In verses 1-15, we see that even at the darkest time of Jesus' life, he is still well aware that nothing happens without God's permission.

Pilate believes that he's in charge, but everything that happens is a result of what was already written about in the OT.

How do we handle our trials by mob? We know that we will face difficulties to help us develop our perseverance and character.

Do I approach these situations with bitterness or with thankfulness? Do you, dear Reader?

Outline of Mark 15

1. Jesus Tried by Pilate
   
2. Jesus Mocked by Soldiers
   
3. Jesus Crucified
   
4. "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?"
   
5. Jesus Buried by Joseph of Arimethea
   

Mark 15 Audio

Peter's Denials

At the end of chapter 14, we follow Peter as Peter follows Jesus through his last night on earth before crucifixion.

When Jesus says you're going to fail, don't bother fighting it.

Have I ever sensed Jesus telling me I'd fail? I'm not sure. I don't think so.

But I have gotten into situations where it was clear that things weren't going according to plan. Rather than fighting through the situation, it might sometimes be better to acknowledge that things aren't going well and ask to try again.