February 28th A Bible Study to continue

Mark 15 – 16
Wes called our attention to the fact that many of us face the struggle of defending ourselves in the criticism or judgment comments of others. He emphasized those verses in Mark that described the challenge of such in our Savior's last hours.
Mark does not slacken the temp of his action-packed gospel as the sacrifice of the Servant of God is so near. In the building of the climax, the plan of God is blending with the plot of the enemies of Jesus. Impending death hung over the peaceful evening in Bethany and the wonderful fellowship of the Passover supper.
Ahead is awaiting for Jesus, betrayal, arrest, trial, denial, physical abuse, crucifixion, death—the mission of the Servant – our Savior – is at last accomplished. Redemption has been achieved – His resurrection and ascension are the facts that confirm.
The Lord prayed and was betrayed
He was tried and crucified
And He was resurrected.
Have you ever faced a situation where you felt you stood completely alone? Perhaps you took a stand for something you were convinced was true and right but at the crucial moment when the opposition appeared at its strongest, you found yourself forsaken and alone. It is a terrifying feeling – perhaps a feeling you have experienced in the past or are wrestling with today.
Take courage. You are not alone. Your Lord and Savior went through a much more difficult, painful, experience during his arrest, trial and execution. It seemed to everyone watching that His cause was lost and His enemies had won. In fact, just before He died, even His heavenly Father turned away from Him. His victory (AND OURS) over sin and Satan, death and hell, was confirmed by His triumphant resurrection on that glorious Easter morning.
This week “let’s do” a project that will be greatly beneficial: Collect a stockpile of verses for those times when you feel all alone, deserted, left in the dust. Heb. 13:5 “I will never, never, fail you nor forsake you.” Matt 28:20 “Be sure of this, that I am with you always. Heb. 4:15-16; 12:3 Keep you collection handy…memorize the ones most comforting.
PILATE – Repeatedly stated that he found no fault in Jesus…his problem was that he lacked the courage to stand for what he believed. He wanted to avoid a riot, so he was “willing to content the people. Pilate did not ask, “Is it right” Instead he asked, “Is it safe? Is it popular? … what might that be called today, PEER PRESSURE…which is not limited to the young folks! “I have glorified Thee on the earth…”I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. John 17:4 It would be wonderful if all of us could give that same kind of report when we get to the end of life’s journey. To know that we have accomplished His work and glorified His name would certainly make us look back with thanksgiving and ahead with excitement and anticipation.
THE SERVANT’S DEATH – 15 : 21 -41 The Jews reckoned time from 6:00 A.M to 6 P.M. – the 3rd hour 9 A.M. …the 6th hour NOON and the 9th hour 3 P.M.
3rd – According to law the guilty victim had to carry his cross or at least the beam to the place of execution. He was in such a physical state that he could not continue…Simon of Cyrene…He could have called 10,000 angels yet He willingly bore the suffering on our behalf. The victim bore the cross because he was found guilty…but OUR LORD WAS NOT GUILTY! We are the guilty ones and Simon carried it on our behalf.
Golgotha is a Hebrew word that means skull.
Jesus refused to take the narcotic potion that would help deaden the pain. Prov.31:6. He refused the cup of sympathy so that He might better drink the cup of iniquity Matt 26: 36-43. What a picture of for us as we do God’s will and share “the fellowship of His suffering”. Phil 3:10
Crucifixion was a detestable thing…not mentioned in decent society. Most horrible form of death that man could think of Psa. 22
6th hour – darkness…miracle not some natural phenomenon…it would not be possible to have an eclipse during full moon at Passover. God was saying something to the people. Reminder of 1st Passover…3 days of darkness followed by the last plague, the death of the firstborn. The darkness at Calvary was an announcement that God’s Firstborn and Beloved Son, the Lamb of God was giving His life for the sins of the world. Also announcement that judgment was coming and men had better be prepared.
9th hour…7 statement from the cross. The darkness symbolized the judgment Jesus experienced when the Father forsook Him. There was not only darkness over the land, but there was darkness in the minds and hearts of the people.
“It is finished…Father into Thy hands…Jesus was not murdered, He willingly lad down His life for us. He was not a martyr, He was a willing sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Earthquake and the veil in the temple was torn in two: The veil had separated man from God, but by His death Jesus had opened the curtain for the whole world a “new and living way.
The women were near and watching: Faithful to the last…last at the cross on Friday and 1st at the tomb on Sunday. What a contrast to the disciples who had boasted that they would dir for Him. The church owes much to the sacrifice and devotion of believing women.
16:1-18 “delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification Rom 4:25
A dead Savior cannot save any one. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is as much a part of the Gospel message as His sacrificial death on the Cross. … proves that He is what He claimed to be – the Son of God Rom 1:4 It is one thing to hear the message and quite something else to meet the risen Lord personally. When you meet Him, you have something to share with others…just as the women had such exciting news when they ran to tell the disciples.
Great com. Matt 28:16-20 The message is the Gospel – the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The ministry is to share this message with the whole world.
Snake bites…it is tragic when well meaning but untaught people claim these signs for themselves and then die because of snake bites or poison. Of course, the excuse is given that they did not have enough faith! But whatever is not of faith is sin, therefore, they should not have done it in the first place. The person who takes up serpents just to prove his or faith is yielding to the very temptation Satan present to Jesus on the pinnacle of the temple Matt 4:5-7 Cast your down…He wants us to show off our faith and force God to perform unnecessary miracles. Jesus refused and we should do likewise. Yes, God cares for His children when, in His will, they are in dangerous places, but He is not obligated to care for us when we foolishly get out of His will. We are called to live by faith, not by chance, and to trust God not to tempt Him.
Paul and Mark emphasize the need for God’s people to get the message out to all nations and there is the added assurance that God is at work in and through us.
Ascension marked the completion of His earthly ministry and the beginning of His new ministry in heaven as High Priest and Advocate for His people. One of His heavenly ministries is that of enabling His people. By His Spirit the Lord want to work IN us Phil 2:12-13…WITH US Mark 16:20, FOR us Rom. 8:28
The Lord’s work has not ended. He is still working in and through His people to save a lost world. What a privilege to have the Lord working with us. What an opportunity and obligation we have to carry the Gospel to the whole world.
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many! Mark 10:45
Are you serving – or are you expecting others to serve you?