She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. – Mark 14:8

CONSIDER
The journey of life consists of a series of paths. There are paths we gladly walk, and there are some we tread reluctantly. What do you do when you’re faced with the choice between safe, comfortable terrain apart from God or a difficult course with him by your side? Jesus not only wrestled with this reality, but his obedience paved the way for us to be shaped by his presence. As we trust God for the strength to follow his voice, we’ll find that Jesus and the life of faith he calls us to, are nearer than we could have imagined… within walking distance.
That’s good news, because proximity to Jesus is key to every decision we make. This Sunday we asked, “Are you doing what you can with what you have?” and responded that the answer is  “no” for all of us! There’s always a little more… more open-handedness, more time, more stretch, more patience, and the list goes on. But unless the object – and source – of that intention is Jesus, we miss the point, just like the ill-intentioned religious leaders and the well-intentioned (but clueless) disciples. The gospel must inform the decisions we face, especially if we are to “become gospel-centered influencers in every sphere of life.”
With our three year celebration fresh in our minds, as a church let’s be unified in our desire to together be on mission and advance the kingdom, allowing every decision to be informed by the truth of the gospel. And let your next step be proximity to Jesus.

APPLY
How does the Gospel inform the decision(s) I’m currently facing?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, – Mark 14:1

GREEK
δόλῳ/dolō: trickery, bait, decoy

CONSIDER
There are some people who refuse to make excuses for not accomplishing their goals. In the late 1800’s a group of anglers found themselves out of bait, but rather than packing up and going hungry these innovators cast their lines with pieces of Ivory soap – and caught their fair share of catfish as a result! That kind of tenacity is commendable and ought to be applauded.
But tenacity isn’t always an admirable quality. The religious leaders had had enough. Jesus was gathering followers, preaching a message of compassion, and challenging the status quo. He was threatening the system they were benefitting from – one that had been in place for centuries. Unfortunately, their anger caused them to also be tenacious. So how do you arrest and eliminate someone with Jesus’ kind of influence? The religious leaders did it by dolō(trickery, bait, decoy). Jesus did nothing unlawful or worthy of a death sentence, so much like fish bait or a hunting decoy, the chief priests and scribes had to create the illusion of impropriety. Manmade bait and decoys are designed to look authentic and attract prey, but are not at all what they seem to be. And Mark’s use of the Greek word dolō expresses the same idea. The good news is that the very thing that Jesus’ enemies meant for destruction became the catalyst for our benefit! The religious council may have succeeded in arresting him by dolō, but the fruit of Christ’s obedience despite their trickery illustrates the upside-down nature of the Gospel, and how God would stop at nothing to accomplish his plan to rescue us.

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How does the Gospel inform the decision(s) I’m currently facing?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. – Mark 14:6 ESV

GREEK
Ἄφετε/Aphete: to leave; forgive

CONSIDER
Picture this. It’s wedding day and a well-meaning bridesmaid is obsessed with making sure the bride stays hydrated and well fed. At every turn, even mid-conversation, the bridesmaid is attempting to feed the bride. Out of frustration, the bride finally turns and takes a bite of the sandwich being pushed in her face. Relief turns to panic as she wonders if the bridesmaid has fed her the right sandwich – the one she wasn’t allergic to! The bridesmaid, whose primary role was to care for the bride, had gotten so focused on making sure she ate that a critical error was nearly made. Thankfully, that true story ends well, as the correct sandwich had been fed to the bride! It’s amazing, though, how easily we can be focused on the right thing and have good intentions, but actually miss the important thing. The disciples experience this tension in verse 6. “But Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.’”

A plain reading of the verse could lead one to conclude that Jesus is correcting the disciples for scolding this woman who had just poured the flask of ointment over him. However, a closer reading of the original Greek reveals that Jesus is challenging the disciples to actually (Aphete) forgive the woman. The tense of this verb (aorist, active, imperative) means Jesus is saying the woman must be forgiven (imperative) by the disciples based on a previous event (aorist, in reference to the mission having been clarified) of which they are aware. If Jesus is commanding them to forgive her, it means that what she has done requires forgiveness. So are the disciples right and wrong? Yes! They were so focused on ministry to the poor that they lost sight of the larger mission. Jesus declares the disciples are right but that the woman is doing the beautiful, eternal thing. They were right to care for the poor, but this woman must be forgiven of her “wasteful” act because she is actually living in line with the mission he has already made clear. Like the disciples, we can be right, but miss the important thing. Let us never get so caught up in secondary things that we lose sight of the message and mission and even Jesus himself!

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How does the Gospel inform the decision(s) I’m currently facing?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
– Mark 14:22, 23 ESV

CONSIDER
“Ask Jesus to give you a vision for your year.”
As we begin this new week, how do we apply the text without allowing the urgent, day-to-day grind to overshadow it? The answer to applying the text may be found within the text itself and in the taking of communion, which we were privileged to share together! Why do we take communion? To remember. And remember we must. Remember what Jesus has done for us. Remember to read the truth found in his Word. Because not only does the day-to-day induce forgetfulness, but pain also makes us forget, as does disappointment, fear, and the list goes on. We sang together “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” What a powerful and profound use of the word “turn.” We may not wake up with our eyes on Jesus, but as we turn our eyes away from the temporal, the to do list, the bad news, or even social media, and turn toward Jesus… “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” So, friends, let’s purpose to turn our eyes on Jesus. Rehearse his goodness. Intentionally apply the text. Even right now you can stick a note on your bathroom mirror, set a phone alarm, download a wallpaper, or ask for accountability, but choose to remember. He most certainly wants to give you a vision for your life.

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Ask Jesus to give you a vision for your year.

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”
– Mark 14:22 ESV

GREEK
εὐλογήσας/eulogēsas: having spoken a blessing over

CONSIDER

“Ask Jesus to give you a vision for your year.”

The apostle Paul loved the church in Ephesus. Now, that may go without saying since he was integral to its planting, but Paul’s care for those that comprised this church has stood out to theologians. He spent two and a half years preaching and teaching there and wrote what has been called “The Queen of the Epistles” to its members. And in Ephesians 1:3, Paul declares that God has eulogēsas (spoken a word of blessing over) us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. Paul wanted his friends in Ephesus to know that Christ is the spoken word of blessing that grants access to every spiritual asset we could ever need. God refused to withhold blessing to us even though it would cost him his Son. Eulogēsas is an aorist active verb, denoting a willful action that comes before another willful act.
This is important to keep in mind when reading today’s verse. In it, Jesus takes bread and after eulogēsas it, distributed it to his disciples and encouraged them to eat. For us, the importance of the blessing wasn’t only in the symbolism of the communion bread, but also in the audience he was distributing it to. Jesus actively blessed an emblem that he knew would be eaten by his betrayer. Just like his heavenly Father, Jesus refused to withhold blessing to those who would be undeserving of grace or unwilling to reciprocate. And this week, as you pray for God to give you a vision for your year, our hope is that your vision includes emulating Christ Jesus by intentionally blessing those in your spheres of influence.

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Ask Jesus to give you a vision for your year.

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”
– Mark 14:18 ESV

GREEK
παραδώσει/paradōsei: to hand over, to give or deliver over, will betray

CONSIDER
“The Last Supper” is a 15th century mural painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. The painting depicts the angst among the disciples after Jesus announces that one of them will betray him. We can’t be sure Da Vinci’s work is a precise visual representation of how the “last supper” actually looked, but it does accurately portray the closeness and intimate nature of a meal together in Jesus’ day.
Up until this point in Mark, Jesus has repeatedly mentioned that he would be delivered into the hands of religious leaders. Now suddenly he reveals that in fact there is a betrayer in their midst! This is reminiscent of Psalm 41:9 which reads, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” This verse is actually quoted in John’s account of the night Jesus was betrayed. Why is this significant? Meals were not only indicators of social status, but to share a meal was an indication of friendship and trust. Both the account and the usage of the greek word reveal the depth and personal nature of the betrayal. While Jesus surely must have felt the sting of being handed over by his disciple, we must remember it did not come as a surprise! He knew that Judas would paradōsei him! But Jesus willingly reclined at the table with his betrayer, nevertheless offering his presence and friendship. If we’re honest, we have more Judas tendencies than we’d like to admit; we have and paradōsei Jesus. Yet he chooses friendship with us and draws us close.
If you take a quick look at Da Vinci’s masterpiece, you’ll notice that the center of the painting – the vanishing point and origin for its perspective lines – point us right to the face of Jesus. And when it comes to our own betrayal of Jesus, we need look no further than his wonderful face for eternal perspective. He doesn’t define us by our sin or betrayal. In fact, because of his sacrifice, Jesus stands in our place so the Father sees him and not our sin. What hope! What joy for our future! Take some time now to repent, and ask the Lord to give you a vision for your future, so that your year may be defined not by your past, but by his finished work.

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Ask Jesus to give you a vision for your year.

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” – Mark 14:36 ESV

CONSIDER
How will I lay down my agenda to do God’s will?
Jesus could have pulled the sinless-innocent-all-powerful-son-of-God card, escaped those trying to put him to death, and walked away from the will of his Father. He had every right to do so. Yet he chose to align his will with the Father’s. He knew what lay ahead of him; still he willingly suffered and died to take our punishment on himself. Jesus didn’t give in to a guilt trip or respond out of fear; he was compelled by a redemptive plan and moved by love.
So HOW do we, too, align ourselves with God’s will? It’s a great question, but maybe the first one we have to answer is “WILL we align ourselves with God’s will?” and then answer the how. If you find yourself willing but unsure how, we encourage you to begin your week simply declaring your desire to obey and even repenting from disobedience. Then begin to ask the Holy Spirit how to lay down your agenda and do his will. As we heard in the message, it would be tempting to start by asking “why,” but true obedience requires trust, not necessarily understanding, especially when it comes to a loving God who died so you could be in relationship with him.
Here are some practical thoughts to take steps forward in doing God’s will…
Carve out time to pray specifically to that end. Read the Bible to align your heart with God’s. Consider evaluating things that are out of alignment. Take stock of what you spend time doing that doesn’t point you to Jesus or that isn’t sowing eternal seeds. Examine your motives. Ask for accountability. Be willing to make room to hear what the Spirit is saying to you. And be encouraged, if you are desiring to do God’s will and pursuing him, you won’t miss it!

APPLY
How will I lay down my agenda to do God’s will?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” – Mark 14:29

GREEK
σκανδαλισθήσονται/skandalisthēsontai: become entrapped, get tripped up

CONSIDER
The cobra lily is a carnivorous pitcher plant that traps its prey through a combination of tricks and disguises. An insect becomes attracted to the plant by its color and nectar but becomes disoriented by the cobra lily’s false windows and obscured exit. Falling deeper into the pitcher, the exhausted insect is enticed by the large amount of nectar at the bottom and finally drinks itself into such a stupor that it drowns in the very thing by which it was lured.
It’s not hard to see the similarities between the cobra lily and what Jesus predicted for Peter in Mark 14. As Jesus predicted his death and subsequent scattering of the disciples, Peter replied, “ Even though they all skandalisthēsontai(become entrapped or get tripped up), I will not. Peter wasn’t simply declaring that he would never deny Jesus, he was also asserting that even if the rest of the disciples were to fall into the trap of apostasy, he never would. But the thing about traps is that you don’t know you’re caught until it’s too late! In this regard, Peter seemed to be more confident about his ability to navigate the future than he was passionate about the Gospel. He even thought he knew better than Jesus about his capacity to skandalisthēsontai. It’s when we let our guard down (no matter the reason) that we are at risk of missing the warning signs of the traps in our environment. Don’t mistake hubris for faith; we will only be able to navigate the traps that the world tries to lure us with as we keep our eyes on Jesus.

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How will I lay down my agenda to do God’s will?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

“And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.” – Mark 14:33 ESV

GREEK
ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι/ekthambeisthai: to be amazed; be alarmed

CONSIDER
At this point in the Gospel according to Mark, we’ve seen Jesus be troubled and even righteously angry, but this is the first time we see him seemingly caught off guard by what he is experiencing. What would cause Jesus, the Messiah, ekthambeisthai (to be amazed; alarmed)? At face value this verse is somewhat confusing, if not troubling. The verse following records Jesus saying: “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.” What would cause Jesus this type of alarm?
We see throughout history men and women of the faith that “died well” and were calm in the face of martyrdom. Polycarp (a bishop of Smyrna and disciple of John the Apostle, one of Jesus’ disciples referred to in this verse) was burned at the stake for his faith. An onlooker recorded Polycarp’s last words to the Magistrate overseeing his death. Polycarp said, “The fire you speak of lasts but an hour and is quenched with a little. But what do you know of the fire of judgment? So come. Why delay? Do what you will.” Such courage and confidence in the face of death! So why does Jesus begin ekthambeisthai? Certainly he could face death even more confidently than Polycarp. Certainly he knew what lay ahead; Jesus had even spoken to his disciples of his impending death. So why the great distress?
Jesus, without sin, had lived in constant communion with God. Now he turns to the Father and, instead of Heaven opening up, he gets a foretaste of distance from God. For the first time he is experiencing separation from his Father. We know this because the cup of wrath Jesus speaks of in verse 36 is used in the present tense. The cup has been placed before him and it is troubling! While it’s well established that Jesus went to the cross understanding he would do the Father’s will and die for our sins, it matters that he began ekthambeisthai in the Garden. He actually began to experience the agony of separation from God prior to the cross and he still went. What great love! In full knowledge of what he’d face, he moved toward the cross so that he could be a bridge between us and the Father. He bore the weight of separation from God so we wouldn’t have to. So no matter what we face between now and eternity (including being burned at the stake) we can have confidence that we’ll never be abandoned. We can lay down our own agenda, knowing that God’s way is better, and the promise of his presence is ours both now and forever.

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How will I lay down my agenda to do God’s will?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. – Mark 14:72 ESV

CONSIDER
In what area of my life do I need to stop denying Christ?
If you haven’t heard this week’s message, have a listen. In the text we read of the sobering aftermath of Jesus’ arrest. The disciples, including Peter, who had just said they would not deny Jesus and would even die for him, do in fact abandon Jesus. And we read in verses 66 to 72 of Peter’s denial of Jesus.
Verse 72, at first glance, is heart-wrenching and even discouraging. If Peter, who walked and talked with Jesus was capable of denying him, then certainly we are susceptible to the same. But fast forward to the end of Peter’s life and he died honoring Jesus, even in the way in which he was martyred. So what happened in between? He denied Jesus multiple times, but repented and did so in a quick manner. He grieved, even wailed over how he denied Jesus. Peter’s return to the presence of his Lord was “within walking distance,” and the steps he took included tears and lament, not polished or striving words.
When you find yourself denying Christ in any area of your life, remember that, like Peter, your story isn’t over! Jesus has covered the distance between us by taking our place on the cross. We need only step into his presence, repent, and be transformed by his forgiveness.

APPLY
In what area of my life do I need to stop denying Christ?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.”  – Mark 14:44 ESV

GREEK
παραδιδοὺς/paradidous: the one who gives over; give that which is in close proximity to

CONSIDER
Since 1974, Professor Deborah South-Richardson has been studying a phenomenon known as “Everyday Aggression.” This is the term used to describe a relationship formula: the closer two people are, the more potential for pain to be inflicted on one person from the other. Basically, South-Richardson found that the people we feel most comfortable mistreating are the people we would say we love the most. There are many theories as to why this is, but one thing is clear: the closer we get to someone, the more potential we have to hurt or to heal, to do damage or do good, to give to them or to take from them. And this reality may nowhere be more strongly illustrated than in this week’s passage. In it, Judas is called the paradidous (surrenderer; giver of what can only be gained through close proximity), and it’s easy to see from the Greek the role that being a trusted friend had in his treachery. Only someone who knew Jesus intimately would know his whereabouts in a large city and be able to identify him in the darkness of a garden at night. And the pain of that betrayal was intensified by the fact that the paradidous was someone who Jesus had spent the past three years sharing his life with. During his earthly ministry, you may have expected to see Jesus treat Judas like a “necessary evil,” someone to put up with until he could execute the work of disloyalty that Jesus knew he would commit (See Mark 14:18). But we never get even a hint of mistreatment on Jesus’ part, as evidenced by the disciples having no inkling that the betrayer was Judas until the night of his betrayal. This is important to remember as we grow in our relationship with Jesus. It can be tempting to think that falling victim to temptation or the seduction of sin as we mature in our faith will cause him to get exponentially angrier with us than when we first came to know the Lord. But the patience, love, and grace of Christ are greater than any sin we could commit toward him! He knows you – flaws and all – and still chose to die in your place so that you could experience the freedom that comes from a relationship with him.

APPLY
In what area of my life do I need to stop denying Christ?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” – Mark 14:49 ESV

GREEK
ἡμέραν/hēmeran: day; daylight period; period; daylight

CONSIDER
Chances are you have never heard of Eugene Brown. He lived in an 810 square foot house and drove a truck with 74k miles on it. The local mail carrier spoke with him daily, and after five days of not seeing him in August of 2015, she notified the authorities. Sadly, he had passed away from a stroke. Upon entering the humble home, they discovered his body and a rather empty space. He had no furniture, not even a bed! There was a small mat rolled out on the floor of one of the bedrooms. Mr. Brown had told some that he was wealthy, but no one believed him, a preconception reinforced by seeing the inside of his home. Everyone was shocked to learn that he had amassed $2.7 million! Just goes to show that you can think you know someone, and be totally wrong.
It is easy and even understandable to read this week’s passage and focus on Judas “the betrayer,” Peter “the denier” or even the remaining disciples that would flee for their own protection and safety when Jesus was arrested. However, in verse 49 Jesus focuses on another group of people that have spent time with Him. We’re told those coming to arrest him have been with Jesus for more than just one hēmeran. This reality should cause those of us who profess to be Christ-followers to take pause. It is possible to hear the teachings of Jesus hēmeran after hēmeran and still not know him or recognize him as God in our lives. The depth of cluelessness in regard to the character of Jesus is revealed in how this group comes for Him: with swords and clubs. They are missing who he is and why he has come altogether. They’ve heard his words but deny what he’s saying. When we have preconceived ideas, even daily exposure to the truth of the Gospel can fall on deaf ears! We must come with open hearts and minds, recognizing his authority. It is not until we choose to increase our proximity to Jesus, take him at this word, and understand the implications of the Gospel, that we will be able to stop denying him.

APPLY
In what area of my life do I need to stop denying Christ?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

Mark 15:1-15 ESV

CONSIDER
Our application this week is “What will I do to express repentance to the Lord?” And so in response, the first song we sang began with the line “Your kindness leads me to repentance, Your goodness draws me to Your side, Your mercy calls me to be like You, Your favor is my delight.” As we apply the text and express repentance to the Lord, it’s important to note that God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. It’s not shame or guilt or fear of hell that moves us away from sin and to turn toward God; it’s his great love. His goodness both compels and delights us. Friend, God’s heart is not to restrict or punish you. It’s to set you free… really free… spiritually free. This song (You Are Good by Kari Jobe) continues, “Every day I’ll awaken my praise and pour out a song from my heart.” And that’s our challenge for today: awaken your praise – intentionally speak or sing God’s praise and the truth of his goodness. As you “rehearse” the kindness of God, it begins to dispel lies that may creep in about repentance. Though uncomfortable at times, what a gift to be so loved that the Spirit is unwilling to leave us in our current state. Take some time to pour out your praise to God who lovingly convicts (convicts not condemns) and who leads us into freedom for his glory and our joy. We pray this heart of repentance is the backdrop to applying the text and preparation for gospel mission this week.

APPLY
What will I do to express repentance to the Lord?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. – Mark 15:5

GREEK
θαυμάζειν/thaumazein: wondered, marveled, admired

CONSIDER
Aeschylus never saw it coming. Of all the ways to die, having a turtle dropped on your head is probably one of the more unexpected. But that’s how one of the most prolific playwrights in Ancient Greece met his end. The preferred meal for vultures in Sicily is the tender meat of the tortoise, and the preferred method of cracking into their tough shell is to carry them in their beaks to extreme heights and drop them onto a rock below. Unfortunately for Aeschylus, the vulture that mistook his bald head for a rock had incredible aim, and he died instantly from the impact.
As the details of Aeschylus’s death began to spread around the Greek world, it left many people stunned. People found it hard to wrap their minds around something that was so nearly impossible to believe. That sense of bewilderment and confusion is what Mark sought to express in our verse today by using the word thaumazein (wondered, marveled, admired) to describe Pilate. Jesus was being accused of many things by the crowd that wanted him dead. Pilate offered Jesus an opportunity to defend himself, refuting people’s claims and potentially exonerating himself. So when Jesus remained silent before his accusers, Pilate thaumazein. It was unbelievable to him that someone who was so clearly innocent of the flimsy charges against him wouldn’t use the opportunity to set the record straight. To many throughout the centuries, anyone who would refuse to protect their rights at the expense of their freedom would clearly be the reason they thaumazein. It’s hard for many of us to process the fact that Jesus could have leveraged his right to save himself, but instead he gave up that right to rescue us. And just like Pilate stood amazed at Jesus’ response to the crowd, when we see Jesus clearly we’ll experience the same wonder at his response to our need.

APPLY
What will I do to express repentance to the Lord?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

“For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had deliveredhim up.” – Mark 15:10 ESV

GREEK
παραδεδώκεισαν/paradedōkeisan: hand over; deliver; betray

CONSIDER
Without question, when Americans think of betrayal, one name comes to mind… Benedict Arnold. This Revolutionary War General turned on his fellow soldiers, his trusted friend George Washington, and his country as a whole! He offered the British the ability to over take West Point in exchange for a large sum of money and a British military commission. Historians indicate a number of motives that may have prompted him to commit such an act of betrayal. One thing all of the theories have in common, though, is that he believed he had something to gain.
The chief priests centuries earlier were no different, when they decided to paradedōkeisan (hand over; deliver; betray) Jesus. Their envy and pursuit of power was so obvious that Pilate was able to see it plainly. We likely reflect on the chief priests and on Benedict Arnold and conclude we aren’t capable of such betrayal. But the reality is, as humans, we paradedōkeisan Jesus every time we prioritize ourselves, our desires, our opinions and our will over the Gospel mission. Yet Jesus doesn’t vilify us or deem us turncoats. No, in the face of knowing we would paradedōkeisan Jesus, he chose to go to a cross and die the death that we deserve. In our betrayal we are loved, and that should move us to repentance.

APPLY
What will I do to express repentance to the Lord?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

Mark 15:16-32 ESV

CONSIDER
Spend ten minutes a day this week re-reading the passage and thanking Jesus.

It’s a unique application compared to most, but we’re confident that reading and meditating on this scripture text – even for ten minutes a day – will stir your heart and lead to deep thankfulness. If you do nothing else, it’s a win to dwell on what Jesus has done for you! And if you’d like, you may also consider some additional ways to engage the text:

• print out the scripture or use your “Mark Journal” to highlight and take notes on what stands out to you on a particular day

• write down anything you don’t understand and commit to learning more (feel free to email us at connect@centerwaychurch.com if you’d like help)

• challenge yourself to memorize a verse from this text or a verse about salvation or thankfulness (examples: Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 2:20, John 3:16, 1 Peter 2:24, Colossians 3:17, Colossians 4:2)

• mediate on the scriptures, using them as a catalyst for repentance in areas you identify with those who mocked Jesus or put conditions on their belief in him

• allow the text to move you from understanding biblical teaching about Jesus (Christology) to examining the impact of salvation on your life (Soteriology)

Wednesday and Friday we’ll dig a little deeper, but for today, let your Monday begin with time reading and thanking God!

THIS WEEK’S TEXT
And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

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Spend ten minutes a day this week re-reading the passage and thanking Jesus.

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. – Mark 15:22 ESV

GREEK
ἀγγαρεύουσιν/angareuousin: press or force into service

CONSIDER
Many historians trace the first public postal system back to Augustus Caesar and the Roman Empire roughly around the time of Jesus’ birth. Fast horses traveled from town to town via the burgeoning Roman highway system. But the precursor to this highly organized delivery operation was thought to be the tabellarii system developed by the Persian Empire. This was a network of couriers that were commissioned by the king to send his royal messages and decrees from one part of the empire to another. If a royal messenger – known as an angeroi – came across an issue that kept him from delivering his news, he had complete authority from the king to force horses, vessels, and even men to help him complete his mission. This Persian word was then adopted into Greek vocabulary and came to be known as forced conscription of a person to complete a task they weren’t expecting to complete. So when the Roman soldiers needed someone to carry Jesus’ cross up Golgatha, they chose to angareuousin (press or force into service) a passerby named Simon of Cyrene.
What a beautiful representation of what it looks like to be a Christ-follower! Even though God never forces us to serve him or conscripts us against our will, the opportunities he provides to follow Jesus often appear suddenly with little warning. The four gospels each share a unique piece of this story, and Mark tells us that Simon was simply a passerby, traveling through Jerusalem from the countryside. He certainly didn’t wake up expecting to carry a torture device up a hill! But Mark also references the fact that Simon’s sons were named Alexander and Rufus, and we see in Romans 16 that Paul wants to greet a man named Rufus, along with his mother. Did Simon’s cross-bearing act change the legacy of his family and lead to entire generations following Jesus? It’s impossible to tell, but some of the earliest church fathers believed this to be true. It wouldn’t be surprising to find out that this was the reality, however, because the call to suffer for Christ is often sudden, costly, and rewarding.

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Spend ten minutes a day this week re-reading the passage and thanking Jesus.

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

“Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. – Mark 15:32 ESV

GREEK
πιστεύσωμεν/pisteusōmen: to trust, to put faith in, to believe in

CONSIDER
We can’t be certain who coined the phrase “seeing is believing.” However, the phrase has been echoed for generations. Why is that? The idea that if we’ve witnessed something then it must have happened, resonates with humanity. We like to think that we are the gatekeepers of reality. Harry Houdini made a living as an escape artist, illusionist and stunt performer. He was quoted as saying, “Never try to fool children, they expect nothing, and therefore see everything…” As humans, more specifically adults, we often need to see something in order to believe it. Yet Houdini made a living fooling adults into believing they had seen something that they in fact had not. Is this a case of misplaced willingness pisteusōmen (to trust, to put faith in, to believe in) or does it point to something deeper?
Jesus in Mark 10:15 states, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” As followers of Jesus, we are to have a childlike desire pisteusōmen. Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” But in Mark 15 we see humanity declaring that in order pisteusōmen Jesus, he must do what we expect. That is our downfall and fast track to deception. No, we must choose pisteusōmen Jesus because he is God and worthy of our surrender. Let’s come to Jesus this week not with our preconceived expectations and desired outcomes but rather with childlike faith so we may actually see that he is good and his ways are higher than ours. Let’s meditate on what he has done for us.

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Spend ten minutes a day this week re-reading the passage and thanking Jesus.

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. – Mark 15:38 ESV

CONSIDER
The veil – or curtain – separating the holy of holies from the rest of the temple was crafted more like a wall than a curtain we may picture. If you missed the message, it’s worth a listen to hear more about its dimensions and implications. But for our purposes in devoting time to the Lord this Monday, it’s important to be reminded that Jesus was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices, and as the veil was torn in two, it proved we now have direct access to God. The old hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” proclaims the lyric, “what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” Let’s not allow this life-changing truth to become so familiar that we lose the wonder of coming directly to the Lord. Take some time right now to talk to God. What a privilege!

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What do you need to bring directly to the Lord this week?

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When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. – Mark 15:41 ESV

GREEK
διηκόνουν/diēkonoun: to serve with one’s abilities in an active way

CONSIDER
One of our Because and Therefore statements at Centerway says, Because God gave us everything, we value GENEROSITY therefore we are open-handed and happily go above and beyond with our time, our talent, and our treasure. We steward our spiritual gifts and serve. We are contributors not consumers. This statement reminds us that following Jesus will cost us something, and yet the very things we steward don’t originate from us but are the gifts we have been given by God. Now, when we understand this truth, we’ll begin to better appreciate the women that today’s verse recognizes.
When Jesus began his earthly ministry up in the rural towns and countryside of Galilee, Mark tells us that there were a group of women who came diēkonoun him (to actively serve in a practical way). This Greek word is taken from a term (diákonos) that literally translates to “kicking up dust [because one is] on the move.” So these women weren’t simply passive fans of Jesus’s teaching who showed up to hear him teach now and then. They were marked by how they actively leveraged their gifts to glorify Jesus as he ministered to others. In fact, this use of the word diēkonoun is the first to be used in reference to humans in the New Testament (the other two refer to angels), and is where we get the Christian designation deacon. Put altogether then, Mark describes these incredible women as disciples who kicked up dust with all their activity and who served Christ in ways that foreshadowed Biblical church leadership. Although choosing diēkonounwas costly for these women, the sacrifice and effort to give away what didn’t originate with them was well worth it! As you come directly to the Lord with other things this week, consider also pausing to ask how you may actively serve him in practical ways.

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What do you need to bring directly to the Lord this week?

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“And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.” – Mark 15:33 ESV

GREEK
σκότος/skotos: darkness

CONSIDER
Ernest Shackleton was the captain of the Endurance, a ship and crew whose goal was to cross Antarctica from sea to sea, via the South Pole. This endeavor was called the “Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.” But the journey went very wrong when the Endurance was caught in polar ice, ultimately leading to its hull being crushed. The entire crew survived to tell the tale of being stranded for nearly two years! At times they were starving and freezing, but they all acknowledged that the worst part of their failed expedition was… darkness! At the South Pole, the sun goes down in mid-May and does not return in the sky until late July. The seasons endured in skotos were the most difficult.
As humans, we all share a common disorientation in the dark. It’s what causes people to extend their hands when the lights go out or why avalanche victims sometimes dig down instead of up. For some this induces fear and for others it simply means they take caution. Whatever your response, the reality is that we are all disoriented by skotos (darkness). But the good news of the Gospel is that because of Jesus, we don’t have to live in the disorientation and fear evoked by spiritual skotos! Jesus endured darkness so we can walk in the light. Because of the cross we are never aimless or abandoned; we have direct access to God!

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What do you need to bring directly to the Lord this week?

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And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. – Mark 16:15 ESV

CONSIDER
Today is the last Monday devotional from the book of Mark! We began this journey on September 13, 2020, and the first devotional was sent that next day at the start of our “Questions & Answer” series. Moving through Mark’s gospel has spanned six series, 50 weeks (we studied in Isaiah during the summer months), and you’re reading the 148th devotional our team has written to take us deeper into these 16 life-changing chapters. The most sung song on a Sunday while we grew through Mark was “Build My Life.” And while not included for that reason, it seems fitting that we sang it yesterday in our Sunday gathering!
It’s also interesting to note that the book of Mark begins with John the Baptist proclaiming Jesus and ends with Jesus commanding his disciples to proclaim the gospel. So, fun facts aside, how will we proclaim the gospel this week? Certainly the method of proclamation may look differently “as we are going” about our lives, but we would all do well to begin our week with a simple prayer found in the chorus of “Build My Life”:

Show me who You are and fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

May the “firm foundation” of the love of Jesus lead us and compel us to proclaim the Gospel in every sphere of our lives.

Build My Life written by Brett Younker | Karl Martin | Kirby Kaple | Matt Redman | Pat Barrett

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How will I proclaim the Gospel this week?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. – Mark 16:15 ESV

GREEK
πάσῃ τῇ κτίσει/pasē tē ktisei: every element of creation

CONSIDER
When Paul wanted to explain the sin of idolatry in Romans 1, he boiled it down to humanity’s desire to worship ktisei (creation, anything that has been formed) rather than the Creator. When Jesus gave his command to proclaim the Gospel in Mark 16, he instructed his followers to do so to pasē tē ktisei (every element of the created order). A cursory reading of this verse might tempt us to believe that Jesus wants us to proclaim his truth to people, trees, dogs, birds, and bodies of water. As fun as that might be to try, there actually is a social norm being challenged by Jesus’ word structure. The Roman Empire had a notorious social hierarchy, going all the way back to the patricians (wealthy upper class) and the plebians (everyone else). The patricians could own land, vote, etc. while the plebians could only hope to achieve this status by marrying into a patrician family, and that was only possible after 445 B.C. For Jesus’ audience, class was divided in many ways, but the deepest divide was felt in three specific areas: male-female, slave-free, and Jew-Gentile. If you landed on the “wrong” side of one of these relationships, you might not be considered worth the effort or risk to announce the Good News to. But by telling his followers that it is imperative to proclaim the gospel to pasē tē ktisei, Jesus rejected a social hierarchy and celebrated the value of every single person instead. When we are tempted to think that a person is “too far gone” to receive the Gospel with joy, or when we believe sharing Jesus with a certain group or class is beneath us, may this command in all its social disruption reverberate in our hearts and lives.

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How will I proclaim the Gospel this week?

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“And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]” – Mark 16:20 ESV

GREEK
ἐκήρυξαν/ekēryxan: proclaim; preach

CONSIDER
According to Merriam-Webster, the word proclamation is defined as “the action of proclaiming: the state of being proclaimed. 2 something proclaimed specifically: an official formal public announcement.” So as the disciples went out to ekēryxan (proclaim; preach) they were making proclamations.
Arguably one of the most significant proclamations in US history would be the Royal Proclamation of 1763. It was issued by King George III and it followed the treaty of Paris, which formally ended the Seven Years’ War and transferred French territory in North America to Great Britain. The Proclamation outlawed all settlements west of a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains. According to history, this was one of the first significant areas of dispute between Britain and the colonies, and would ultimately become a contributing factor leading to the American Revolution.
Proclamations are polarizing. When we ekēryxan it causes others to make a decision. Do they agree or disagree? There is no gray area in proclamation. It draws a line and causes everyone to evaluate. Where have we drawn lines in our lives? Are those things worthy of our one and only life? Or are we, much like King George III, attempting to control something that is clearly beyond our control! As we heard on Sunday, we all ekēryxan something…the question is what? Because it goes beyond proclaiming – we are preaching with our lives, both in word and in deed!
May we surrender our attempts to control and to remain the king of our own lives, and instead acknowledge that the Gospel alone is worthy of our proclamation.

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How will I proclaim the Gospel this week?

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And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. – Mark 16:8 ESV

CONSIDER
As we head into this week considering what lie (or lies) we will replace with the truth, here are a few practical notes to consider…
– Remember that a lie is not always far-fetched or blatantly obvious. Often a lie even sounds reasonable, believable. Lies are a perversion of the truth but not necessarily “the opposite” of it. So consider what subtle lies you may be believing.
– The truth is found in God’s word. Jesus IS the way, the truth, and the life. Abide in him. Stay in his presence. Do not confuse true/factual things with THE truth. So measure everything against God’s word and what he says about you!
– The Holy Spirit is a kind and faithful teacher and will reveal to you the lies you believe. He will convict but will not condemn. Any shame or guilt you feel in the process is not from God. His revelation leads you into freedom!

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What lie will I replace with the truth?

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And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. – Mark 16:8 ESV

GREEK
εἶχεν/eichen: clung to, possessed, grabbed hold of

CONSIDER
In Mark 11, Jesus was approaching Jerusalem when he saw a fig tree in leaf. The abundance of foliage may have indicated that figs were growing early on the tree, but Jesus discovered that they were not. What made Jesus hope for fruit even though it wasn’t time? He noticed that leaves were already holding on(echousan) to their branches. The leaves were clearly not the only element of the tree, but to those observing, they were the fig tree’s most defining feature. That is important for our verse today because if we know what the nuances of this verb are, we can better understand what was happening to the women at the tomb. The two Marys and Salome fled from the tomb because trembling and astonishment had eichen (clung to, grabbed a hold of) them. This verse is squarely in the running for understatement of the Bible! Being astonished because you saw an angel in an empty tomb is pretty much the only acceptable response to the situation. But Mark is telling us that Jesus’ resurrection did more than cause an emotional response from these women; it redefined reality for them. Just like a tree is often defined by the leaves that grab hold of its branches (like in Mark 11), we are defined by whatever has eichen us. Depending on our perspective, we will be eichen by astonishment or skepticism, wonder or doubt, gratitude or denial, but whatever seizes us will mark us indellibly. These women may have been the first to be changed by the truth of the empty tomb, but thankfully we can have that same experience today! May we be numbered with those who allow the work of Christ to change us in such a way that we will never be the same.

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What lie will I replace with the truth?

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And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. – Mark 16:8 ESV

GREEK
ἐφοβοῦντο/ephobounto: be afraid; respect; worship

CONSIDER
Five hundred years ago, Niccolò Machiavelli famously said of leadership that “it is better to be feared than loved.” Any student of history would agree that this command and control approach to leadership has run rampant. But a 2014 study by Wharton professor Alex Edmans showed the stock prices of firms listed in “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” outperformed those of their more Machiavellian competitors. Turns out that loving those you’re leading garners their respect. All too often we view God as a command and control leader demanding we obey. But that perception flies in the face of the altruistic actions of Jesus dying a death that we deserve. So which is it? Does God want us to fear him or love him? The answer is yes… but not how you may think!
We typically equate fear with a cowardice response. So the concept of “fearing the Lord” may be off-putting. Thankfully, in the Bible, fearing God means being overwhelmed in awe of something. In verse 8, to ephobounto (be afraid; respect; worship) communicates that these women were so struck by what they’d witnessed, that they were moved to respect and even worship! So to fear the Lord is to be overwhelmed by his love. When we increase our proximity to Jesus and experience his unconditional love and grace, we are in awe of who he is and what he’s done for us! To ephobounto the Lord means surrendering ourselves, and then the lies that cause us to be scared are outweighed by the truth of who God says we are.

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What lie will I replace with the truth?

To listen to songs from this week’s worship set and the series on Spotify click here!