Mark's abrupt ending is not satisfying to some, but he brilliantly turns to us for our response to his Jesus message.
We may have been taught that Jesus died and rose for our sins, but Mark never says this in the text. Then why the death of Jesus? You may be surprised.
How Jesus is arrested at night, why a man runs away naked, and why is Pontius Pilate's behavior in Mark so different than historical accounts?
An anonymous woman anoints Jesus with an expensive oil causing a controversy but we learn that the woman identifies Jesus and therefore the anointing is warranted. And then Jesus ends up in the garden before his death and wants his disciples to stay awake, and they cannot. Difficult scene....
Mark uses the literary genre of Apocalyptic Literature to point to a greater truth, Watch, be aware!
Religious authorities continue trying to trap Jesus with legal questions, but Jesus turns inward toward the law of love. Jesus also protects the widow which points to all those who are vulnerable.
Jesus makes a lot of noise in his entry into Jerusalem, escalating the drama by overturning the tables of the temple moneychangers. Is this a critique on the business of religion?
Jesus is questioned regarding divorce by the Pharisees, and we learn divorce law in Jesus' time. Then Jesus warns of power and $$$. Strong messages to use regarding power and $$$.
The Transfiguration offers a turning point where in a Moses like moment Jesus' identity is revealed on a high mountain. Then we hear the importance of prayer, unity, and justice.
The two feedings in Mark are directed toward a Gentile and Jewish audience. He is trying to address both the depth and breadth of the faith. We are rooted in depth, but also we ought to spread our faith breadth.
Jesus cements his identity as a pastor, not a lawyer. He is concerned about what is inside a person's heart, a crucial shift from conventional Jewish law. Are we concerned of the heart of others? Or do we judge quickly?
Mark delves into revealing the identity of Jesus - Jesus is rejected in his hometown, sends out the 12, John the Baptist death, then oversees a miraculous multiplication of loaves and fishes, then finishes with walking on the water. The disciples still struggle in their faith.
Mark Chap 5 shows several miracles with deeper symbolism that point to struggles in the early church. Also a miracle is first dependent on the faith of the individual, do we have this sort of faith in our life?
Jesus speaks in parables using agriculture to point to greater meaning. In a parable, identify the characters/objects, then identify the SURPRISE to uncover the message.
In Mark chapter 3, Jesus continues his ministry and encounters resistance from a surprising group - his family.
Jesus begins his ministry by shaking up the religious establishment by claiming to forgive sins, eating with tax collectors, and plucking grain on the sabbath.
Mark begins with Jesus' ministry. Jesus heals, but essentially forgives. Jesus in healing the leper calls us to reach out to the lepers of today, creating an inner conflict.
Mark was the first gospel written a source for Luke and Matthew and therefore probably best to read Mark first.
God scatters humanity after they attempt to build a tower? Why? Are there connections to today and what is the final message of the first 11 chapters of Genesis?
Noah and the Flood, did it happen? Why was it written? What is the message for us?