Week 4            Introduction to Mark chapter 13-16

The disciples were high in emotion.  A few days earlier Jesus had officially presented Himself as the Messiah. He had cleared the temple of merchants and outwitted the religious leaders. Surely Jesus would set things in order soon. Basking in their potential roles as His closest friends, one of the disciples looked at the beautiful temple and exclaimed

"Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" 13:1a

Never could they have expected His reply:

"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus.

"Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." 13:2

We can only imagine what they may have wondered: What did He mean? Would there be a battle? Would Jesus stake over the temple by force? If so, where were Jesus’ soldiers?

A few got up the courage to ask.

"Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" 13:4

Again, never could they have expected His reply...

Assignments:

1. Read chapter 13

Look at His answer section by section (v5-8) , (v9-13),  (v14-22),  (v24-27), and watch for words frequently used. These are often key words that unlock the main idea in a passage. How do you think the disciples felt about His answer?

2. Read Chapter 14

While the plot against Jesus moved forward, Jesus prepared for His burial.

This is a long chapter. Take it section by section. The chapter covers the Wednesday and Thursday of Jesus’ last week. Watch how the events of this chapter unfold. There are several interesting people who play important roles. Look carefully at the evidence against Jesus. Make a list of the charges and evidence against Him.

3. Read Chapter 15

Time reference: The Passover meal took place Thursday evening and lasted several hours. Afterwards Jesus went out to pray, where He was arrested. He was examined by the Sanhedrin (the ruling council of religious leaders) in the early hours of Friday morning.  It was almost dawn when He stood before the Roman governor named Pontius Pilate. The crucifixion began at 9am.

Write out the insults of those who passed in v30-32.  Then think back over the early chapters and consider His words and His works. Had He not already revealed Himself in various ways on many occasions?  Yet a Roman centurion, who stood in front of Jesus and watched Him die came to realize and exclaim: "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

Years later Peter would write of that day:

When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 1Peter 2:23

In Chapter 15 we see Jesus’ character revealed - completely unselfish. Jesus did what no one else could do: the Just suffered and died for the unjust.    

4. Read Chapter 16.

Death was not the end of Jesus. Buried on Friday before sundown, in the tomb on Saturday, Jesus was raised from the dead on Sunday. After His resurrection Jesus greeted His followers and then He sent them out!

Compare Jesus’ last words with His first (Mark 1:15 and Mark 16:15-16) and you’ll see: Jesus never wavered from His task.