Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Mark 14-16  Mark compresses the next events into an abbreviated account of the Passover supper, the trial, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of Jesus.   He hits all the main points:
The betrayal of Judas
The denial of Peter
The prayer in Gethsemane
The trial before Pilate
The burial by Joseph
And the ascension into Heaven.

He also adds a few things that the other gospels do not:
The "certain young man"  who wore only a linen sheet and who ran away naked.
The name of Simon of Cyrene's children, Alexander and Rufus.
The presence of Mary, the mother of Joses, along with Mary, the mother of James and Salome at the crucifixion and at the tomb.
And the granting of "signs" ( v17-18) to "accompany those who have believed" -

Verse 14 of chapter 16 stands out to me:  " And afterward He appears to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He was risen." 

Perhaps they thought that if Jesus was truly alive, that He would have come to them first.  Whatever the reason, Jesus knew their need to see Him for themselves.  Imagine what that would have been like!  To see Jesus in the flesh... in His resurrected and glorified body!  One day, we will have that privilege .. and oh what a day that will be.

Father in heaven,  let Your kingdom come!  We look with longing to see Christ return and reign forevermore!  Yet, we thank You for Your patience, knowing that You do not want to see any perish, but all to come into Your kingdom.  I pray for my loved ones who have unbelieving and hardened hearts and ask You to call them to Your salvation by faith in Jesus Christ!  Nothing is impossible for You, Almighty God.  Open eyes and hearts I pray, in the Name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.

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