Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

Scripture: Mark 14: 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 Jesus said, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’” Observation: Mark’s entire gospel is an unveiling of the identity of Jesus. It takes a long time for those who are closest to him to truly understand who he is. The religious leaders never allowed themselves the benefit of the doubt. They simply wrote Jesus off and rejected everything that he said, never considering whether he was telling the truth.   In an odd twist, those who rejected Jesus did declare that the Messiah had to be the Son of God. For those who would receive Jesus, we can learn from his accusers’ rejection. The true identity of Jesu...

Scripture: Mark 14: 50 All of them deserted him and fled. Mark 14:51   A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked. Observation: The disciples had so vehemently declared that they would never desert Jesus. Only a few hours later, they were terrified after the guards come to arrest Jesus. The gospel writer wants to make it clear that ALL of them panicked and ran away.   To place the disciples’ fleeing into context the gospel writer adds the story of the young man. This is perhaps harkening to the passage in Amos 2:16 “‘Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day,’ declares the LORD.” These are the Lord’s bravest warriors and yet, they have been driven by their fear and fulfilled Jesus’ prediction that they would leave him.   Application : Jesus was prepared for the difficulty which he would face, but his disciples where ...

A season of prayer in Ukraine Scripture: Mark 14:32   They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34 And said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” 35 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” 37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? 38 Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and t...

Our daughter, Christy, in our apartment in Moscow where we enjoyed singing, playing, and praising the Lord.  Scripture: Mark 14:22   While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:26     When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Observation: Jesus and his disciples were celebrating the passover meal together. As was the custom, there were Psalms sung throughout the evening. We read this passage and think that all of these events happened quite quickly when in reality Jesus and his disciples relaxed and...

Scripture: Mark 14:10   Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. Observation: The anonymous woman had just come into the company of Jesus and his disciples to anoint him. This would have been highly suspect because men and women were to practice social distancing in the day with the woman never having come into physical contact with Jesus. The section ends by contrasting the action of Judas. He had been in physical proximity, near to Jesus for an extended period of time but now he chooses to go out.   Evidently wanted posters had been placed throughout the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was a wanted man, and his whereabouts came with a reward. Again we find the juxtaposition between Judas and the woman. One found Jesus, entered near and gave him everything...

Scripture: Mark 14:3   While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Observation: A very obscure woman whom many have tried...

Scripture: Mark 13:28   “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Mark 13:32   “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes ...