This is interesting that the pilot seemed to know Jesus was Messiah but still let Him be crucified because of the chief priest getting the people to shout out “kill him”. Rather, than do what is right, Pilate let Jesus be crucified to appease the people and Jewish authorities. It seems like we sometimes let our sins get in the way of having a genuine relationship with our Savior. Jesus was on the cross not just because of their sins but for ours also. We in a sense also crucified Christ because of our sins (Hebrews 6:6). One thing I took from this chapter is that it is more important to follow God than enjoy the pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25). Which means doing the right thing regardless of how we are treated which is why 1 John 3:10 speaks of loving our brother see Mark 16:15. Jesus in the strictest sense had every right to save Himself from the cross, He suffered for us so we should be willing to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29). However, I am thankful that Christ’s life is not all about suffering. In fact I am thankful that Jesus died to free me from the eternal consequences of sin. We are commanded to basically be a disciple of Christ, and I think that means loving not just God but our Christian and Non-Christian brothers and sisters. How can we do this? In my opinion the best way to do this is to run the race of life faithfully (Mark 13:13) with endurance which to me means being obedient to Christ and following His teachings as best as possible because that is part of being a disciple of Christ! The context of the verse is that we should love one another just as Christ has loved us. If we are in Christ the Holy Spirit leads us, and as we allow the spirit to lead us we can overcome much of our weaknesses and God will help us to remain in Him (John 15:4).

My study and observation of Mark 14. This chapter talks about the Passover, the plot to kill Jesus and a woman anointing Him with oil. It also covers Peter the Apostle’s denial 3 times of Jesus. It talks about Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus. They break bread and drink wine as part of the prediction that Jesus would give Himself as a sacrifice for them. Jesus is arrested at Gethsemane, has a trial, Jesus also tells them that He will rise from the dead. This is the longest chapter in the Gospel of Mark as it is 72 verses. Mark 14:28 Jesus says, “But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.”. It seems like the people may not have understood but at the end of Mark they see that He rose from the dead and begin to understand His resurrection prophecy once they see Him.

My study and observation of Mark 13. Jesus predicts that the Temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed. Mark 13:2, “And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”. Jesus warns about false prophets who say, “I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”. Christ talks about wars and rumors about wars. The Lord teaches that the Gospel must be preached throughout the world before the tribulation and end of the world will take place. Jesus says He will come back in the clouds and that everyone will see him. Mark 13:32, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”. Since Christ didn’t know when He would come back we should be careful not to believe those that try to predict the end of the world at a certain time. Jesus said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:33”. Praise God that Jesus will come back. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 12. This chapter opens with Jesus teaching in Jerusalem. The chapter talks about the wicked farmer. He leased the land to vinedressers and went into a far country. The farm in the parable relates Israel to a vineyard. Depicted here is God as the owner of the vineyard. The religious leaders are those that look after the vineyard. Just as those in the parable are beaten and killed in the same way many of God’s prophets were killed from the times of the Old Testament even until John the Baptist. The religious leaders were about to reject Jesus and God was going to take away some advantages from Israel and reach out His hand to the Gentiles. Chapter 12 also covers Jesus talking to the Pharisees and Herodians saying that it is right to pay taxes to Caesar. It also talks about Jesus’ greatest commandment “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31”. In Mark the challenge to Jesus’ authority are all taking place during His visit to the temple. Mark 12:36 in reference to Jesus says, “For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.”.

My study and observation of Mark 11. In this chapter a great crowd gathers as Jesus enters Jerusalem. “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Mark 11:9”. Jesus overturns the tables of money changers and says, “…Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. Mark 11:17”. The temple area was filled with people seeking to greatly profit from selling doves who worked together with the priests and robbed the people by forcing them to purchase approved sacrificial animals at inflated prices. The temple is God’s house so Jesus had the right to purge them of the crooked sellers.

My study and observation of Mark 10. It gives more teachings of Jesus as His journey progresses towards Jerusalem. The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus and get Him to speak against Moses or against popular thought; they hoped to catch Him in a trap. In the chapter Jesus condemns divorce, speaks of riches and service. Mark 10:2 says, “And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.”. ” Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.” “And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. – Mark 10:11”. Mark 10:24 says, “And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” The people then begin to question if anyone can go to Heaven and Jesus tells them it is possible because all things are possible with God.

My study and observation of Mark 9. It starts out with Jesus saying, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power”. It most likely is speaking of where Moses & Elijah appeared & Jesus was transfigured, His face and clothes becoming exceedingly bright. Many believe the unnamed mountain was Mount Tabor in Lower Galilee, Israel. The facts of the prophecy are that Peter, James, & John see the glorified Christ before they die. Mark 9:7, “And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”. Jesus then clearly says to the disciples to keep the transfiguration a secret until He rises from the dead. “And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. – Mark 9:10”. Praise God that Jesus died, rose from the dead and loves us. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 8. It contains two miracles of Jesus the multiplying of the 7 loaves and fish into enough to feed the masses and the healing of a blind man. In Mark 8 Peter confesses to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ”. Jesus accepts the title of Christ, and says that God gave Peter this divine revelation. Jesus without doubt declares himself to be both Christ and the Son of God. Mark 8:31 says, “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Praise God that Christ atoned for our sins on the cross and rose from the dead. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 7. Jesus and His disciples are eating with unwashed hands  and the Pharisees and scribes try to find fault in it. They were holding the tradition of people, such as the washing of pots and cups. Jesus makes it clear that the things that come out of the mouth (the words) are what makes a person unclean, not the food that goes into it. What enters into the belly does not enter into the heart. From our hearts comes evil thoughts. Mark 7:22-23 says, “Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
M’r:7:23: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Jesus heals a young woman’s daughter that is demon possessed. Mark 7:30 says, “And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.”. Mark 7:37 says, “And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” So this verse tells us that they were amazed by the healing Jesus did. Praise God. Amen.

My study and observation of Mark 6. In this chapter, Jesus travels to Nazareth and encounters rejection by His own family. Jesus sends His Apostles in pairs to many cities in the region, where they might be rejected. After that Christ goes to the Sea of Galilee and does many miracles such as feeding five thousand by multiplying the 5 loaves of bread through the power of God. Jesus in Chapter 6 also walks on water. John the Baptism is also beheaded. Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Praise God for His love. Amen