Now when [He] rose early on the first [day] of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. 12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told [it] to the rest, [but] they did not believe them either. 14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with [them] and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

– Mark 16:9-20 (NKJV)

When Jesus rose from the dead, to those who heard first, it seemed beyond belief. Even though trusted friends and people they knew told them what they had seen, the disciples were slow to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. It wasn’t until they saw him for themselves that they believed. This isn’t a fairytale ending. The frustration of the disciples seeming inability to believe points to authenticity of the message. It was a hard pill to swallow, but one they were able to accept when they saw Jesus themselves.

I wonder if those first witnesses of the resurrected Jesus were discouraged when the others didn’t believe them? Regardless of how their message was received, it didn’t change the truth of what had happened. All those days or hours the disciples didn’t believe Jesus had risen didn’t change the fact that he had.

Those first witnesses had a job to do; tell people that Jesus was alive after his crucifixion. The response of those who heard wasn’t up to the witnesses, it was in part up to those they were witnesses to. It’s the same in the world today. Christians are called to be faithful witnesses of the Lord. We can’t control people’s heart or even demand a response. We can plead with folks and point to Jesus, but at some point folks have to trust Jesus for themselves.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for the gift of salvation that comes through trusting in you. Give us grace to encourage folks around us to put their trust in you alone for salvation. Give us boldness to be a witness to you. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

PS – I’ve enjoyed this challenge of writing something every day in response to the reading of the gospel of Mark. I’m taking a small break for December and hope to be back writing something on a regular basis in January. I’m not sure what format that will take quite yet. See you then!

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary [the mother] of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first [day] of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away–for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 “But go, tell His disciples–and Peter–that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” 8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

– Mark 16:1-8 (NKJV)

What a shock and surprise it must have been for the women to come to the tomb that day and find it as it was! What an even greater shock when the entered in and found a messenger inside. Could it be true that Jesus had risen from the dead? What would this mean for the disciples? What did this mean for Peter?

Did you catch that? Peter is called out by name. The message was clear from the lips of this heaven sent messenger. Jesus would be looking to see the disciples AND Peter in Galilee. Peter didn’t have to guess if he was still invited or welcome. Peter was specifically told to look for Jesus there.

There are times in life that we have blown it. We may feel like a Peter. We’ve let others down in general or we feel like we’ve let Jesus down particularly. You may wonder if God could still love you? Look how Jesus dealt with Peter after Peter denied him… He invited him back into fellowship (we see this even more keenly in John 21). Keep that in mind. If you find yourself far from Jesus today, as long as you are breathing, there is a way back to him. What Jesus accomplished on the cross and in the tomb was to bring Peter back into fellowship, not drive him further away. If you find yourself wandering, come home today!

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful that Jesus beat death! We are grateful for the resurrection! We are grateful you called Peter by name to assure him that he was welcome. We thank you have authored such a great faith in us that includes being forgiven and being able to forgive others. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary [the mother] of Joses observed where He was laid.

– Mark 15:42-47 (NKJV)

If you ever plant a seed you will notice that there is a time where nothing seems to be happening. You look in your garden or flower bed for several days and you don’t notice anything. You stare with hope and anticipation. You plant it but there is not a plant, yet. While you don’t see anything above the soil, beneath the surface there are all kinds of things happening.

This is the moment in the gospels where it appeared as though God were silent. Jesus had been crucified, the disciples scattered, and the awful process of mourning was in full effect. This was a time for tears and sorrow. Jesus who had once been so vibrant and full of life was dead… What must this have been like for those followers who saw his body? Such heart break. Such hurt… but all was not lost because God was still working.

There are moments in life where it feels like God is silent, but I would propose to you that is the moment he is doing his greatest works. It was the silence between the death of Christ and his resurrection that bought our peace. It was in the midst of the greatest sorrow that He was accomplishing what would become our greatest joy.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for the silent moments of life. We know that even when the world seems to stop, you are still moving. Please give us grace and confidence in you, even when we don’t see you working. Give up patience to “wait upon the Lord.” Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard [that], said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put [it] on a reed, and offered [it] to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

– Mark 15:33-41 (NKJV)

While Jesus was on the cross he uttered the words, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” If you have never made the connection before look up and read Psalm 22. That Psalm was written several hundred years before Jesus was crucified and hundreds of years before crucifixion in general was even a thing.

So why was Jesus quoting this Psalm? I can think of four reasons. One, anyone who knew their Hebrew song book would know that what was happening was the fulfillment of prophecy uttered by David in that Psalm, or they could at least see the correlation.

Secondly, I think that Jesus was in a sense praising God on the cross for what was about to be accomplished. There is great comfort to be found in singing while suffering. Paul and Silas sang in prison and many saints have sung a hymn at the moment of their martyrdom.

Third, finish the Psalm and you’ll see the finished work of Christ on the cross. He was looking ahead to what these moments of agony would accomplish. He would not be separated from God forever and People from all nations would come to worship the Lord.

Finally, He felt every bit in whole what David felt in part as he penned the song. The very fabric of the Trinity was at its stretching point. He felt the full weight of what it was for the Father to turn his back on the son.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for the gift of salvation and marvel at the great lengths that Christ went to on the cross. He didn’t just die a simple death on the cross for our sins, but he was mocked, he was betrayed, he was abandoned all so that we might come to faith in you. He took on the cup of your wrath so that we might have eternal life. Words can’t express the gratitude that rightfully wells up in our heart when we realize what a great and costly salvation is ours in Christ. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take [it]. 24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them [to determine] what every man should take. 25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” 29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! [You] who destroy the temple and build [it] in three days, 30 “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

– Mark 15:21-32 (NKJV)

At some point everyone needs to walk through a cruel place in history. You need to sit in a place that once held slaves and imagine the terror of that place. You need to walk through a battlefield and hear the screams of young soldiers echo through your ears. You need to smell the places where evil existed in a tangible form and feel the weight of what wickedness.

I think we are supposed to sit and meditate on this passage for a while. We are supposed to feel the injustice. It’s uncomfortable. We want to get to the good part. We want to punch through to the resurrection. We want to hear the good news that, “He is risen!” We don’t like being in the darkness. We don’t like the storm. We don’t want to be around the stench of death, betrayal, forsakenness for too long… But I think the gospel demands it.

If we jump to the joys what we know are coming too soon they will be shallow joys. We won’t ever know the depth of real joy until we can feel and know the depths of sorrow that Jesus went through on our behalf. If our nostrils are never made truly uncomfortable by the stench of what our sin has borne, we won’t fully appreciate what it is to be free from it. We will treat costly grace like it is cheap token given out at a convention.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Give us grace to feel the weight of our sins so that we might feel the great relief of having them paid for by Christ on the cross. Help our finite minds to grasp at grace. Give us gratitude in our hearts. Let us have real and lasting joy at what it is to be forgiven. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. 17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His [head], 18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. 20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

– Mark 15:16-20 (NKJV)

The soldier mock Jesus and cloth him in the royal color of purple and fashion a crown of thorns to go on his head. They were mocking him, but the symbols they offered of a royal robe and crown were more true than they could ever know. We want to take a moment and examine that crown they placed on Jesus.

Thornes come into the world as a curse after sin has entered the world (Genesis 3:18). I’m sure the soldiers didn’t think about any sort of symbolism at all when they placed the crown on Jesus’ head. I imagine they thought this was only another cruel thing they could do to him to mock him. Thorns hurt, that was the point. I don’t know that any were aware that this was the symbol for the curse and this is why Jesus was going to the cross to begin with.

When it comes to the crucifixion story I can’t help but marvel at all the small details that were there from the beginning to show that this act was both cruel on the part of those crucifying Jesus, but also somehow sovereignly appointed. There are too many coincidences in the story for it to have been an accident.

What these cruel soldiers intended for evil, God would turn around and use for good (Genesis 50:20). If God can do this with the crucifixion of Jesus, perhaps it is true that in our own lives the sorrows will give way to rejoicing once we see how even the evils committed against us turned out for our good (Romans 8:28).

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful that you can take even the evil things that have been done and turn them on their head for the purpose of good. We thank you that Jesus bore our curse on his head not just figuratively, but literally he suffered for our sins so that we might be restored to a right relationship with you. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, [who was] chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask [him to do] just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do [with Him] whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” 14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” 15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged [Him], to be crucified.

– Mark 15:6-15 (NKJV)

When we read this passage I think we can see four things of gospel importance. First, I think we are meant to see that Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent and he was looking for a way out of punishing Jesus. For the gospel to make sense we must understand that Jesus was innocent. He was not condemned by his guilt, but because of the sin of others against him.

Second, we see how easily the crowd was swayed. It didn’t take them long to turn on Jesus. All it took was a little prompting by the chief priests. This should cause us to pause and examine our own hearts. How often are we easily swayed by the things that people tell us rather than the truth of the matter. I can’t tell you how many times someone has shared with me an unfounded reason for rejecting Jesus. They had believed something a stranger said rather than examining the evidence themselves.

Third, we see the malice and hatred of the chief priests. How did it get to this? How did these supposed holy and righteous men come to the place of murder. I think we can again see ourselves here. Sin starts small but often brings us to a place of total hatred and malice towards the truth. We might begin with ungodly council, but if we tread the path for long we end up sitting in the seat of the scoffer (See Psalm 1).

Finally, I think we are supposed to see that an innocent man was traded for a guilty man. Barabbas was guilty and deserved crucifixion, but he was saved that day because Jesus died in his place. We stand in the place of Barabbas, set free because Jesus paid the price.

The Christian’s response should be gratitude, humility, and confidence. We should be grateful that our sins have been forgiven because Jesus has taken our place. We should live in humility because we are set right with God, not by our action, but by Jesus. And we should live in confidence because our sins no longer hang over our head separating us from God.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thankyou for your overwhelming grace. You have been good to us. We thank you for the grace given to us in Jesus Christ! We thank you for your kindness to us and Jesus’ substitutionary atonement that has given us new life. Christ died a death we deserve and rose so that we might have eternal life. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led [Him] away, and delivered [Him] to Pilate. 2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “[It is as] you say.” 3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

– Mark 15:1-5 (NKJV)

I think we can see three things in this passage. On one level we want to note the innocence of Jesus and the measure of self-control he exhibits. When he is harassed and accused of “many things” he remains silent. But when Pilate asks him if he is the “king of the Jews,” Jesus replies simply but straightforwardly.

The world might condemn Christians for many things. They may not like or agree with our stances on certain issues. It would be easy to get sidetracked into a yelling match trying to defend ourselves on these things, but the most important thing is to testify to who Christ is.

That leads us to the second thing I think we are supposed to see in this passage, Jesus is bound, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say in a sense he was bound because sacrificial lambs were bound and we are meant to see Jesus as the sacrificial lamb. This was the Passover. Lambs were being slaughtered. It was necessary for priests to look over a lamb for blemishes and then offer the lamb for sacrifice. Much like this group was assembled to look Jesus over and then hand him over. These men are unwittingly going through aspects of the same ritual used to offer a lamb on that day (sunrise, inspection, binding, etc.).

Thirdly, I think we see the guilt of the men who offered up Jesus for crucifixion. They bring a verdict different than their sham trial. They bring a charge that Pilot has to hear. He can’t turn a blind eye toward someone claiming to be the rightful ruler of the Jews. Along the way they scream all sorts of other offenses at Jesus, but he doesn’t respond to defend himself. This only goes to highlight the anger and vitriol in their own hearts.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful that Jesus was presented at a spotless sacrifice. Help us to focus on the main events of this passage that we might see the witness of Jesus and how we are to be witnesses for him. Give us grace to hold to a consistent witness of you if we are ever under trial. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is [one] of them.” 70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are [one] of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows [it].” 71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” 72 A second time [the] rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

– Mark 14:66-72 (NKJV)

It was a moment of weakness. It was a night of betrayal. It was everything Jesus said would happen. Peter didn’t know the gravity of it all until it had happened until he heard the rooster crow. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. There he was, Peter, they guy who said he’d stand beside Jesus no matter what and here he was cowering in the courtyard cursing when a young servant girl asked him if he even knew Jesus.

It took a moment for his heart to catch up with his ears, but when it did he realized the depth of his betrayal. Tears flooded his face. When he thought about it, he wept. The stone cold, brave fisherman was reduced to tears.

So why are we reading about Peter here? What does this tell us about Jesus? Jesus was right in the things he had told Peter and all the disciples before. Somewhere earlier in the night Peter chose to think that Peter was self-sufficient and that should the enemy come, Jesus would need him… He didn’t think that he’d need Jesus. So pride crept in Peter’s heart. This pride that Peter thought would leave him standing in confidence had left him weeping and frustrated with himself of having denied knowing Jesus.

Sadly, there are moments in my life where pride has crept in. I look back and am ashamed of what I thought and how I ended up. I am grateful to know the rest of Peter’s story and mine. I am grateful that Jesus restores the broken. Sometimes that’s what it takes to be really used by God, you have to know your own brokenness and his grace.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We thankyou for the gift of brokenness over our sin and pride. We don’t want anything standing in the way of our knowing and loving you! Help us to see ourselves as we really are. Empty us of our pride that we might receive more of you. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What [is it] these men testify against You?” 61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 “You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

– Mark 14:60-65 (NKJV)

They sat in judgement of Jesus, trying to piece together a case, ready to take anything evidence they could find against him. When nothing was found, they invented their own evidence. They took what he said and instead of examining it, they took it as blasphemy They had reached a conclusion about Jesus a long time ago, the trial was just a mere formality. Once they had the verdict in hand they didn’t mind torturing him according to their whims. To them it was a game. They sat in authority.

These men were judging Jesus, but Jesus would judge them. He would come on the clouds. They would see him. They would feel and know the sins of their heart on that day… So here is the thing. Jesus suffered injustice at their hands, but he would offer them justice. We can say that he was wrongly condemned but those who are condemned on that day will have to admit that their condemnation is just and right.

Yet, here is the incredible thing. Jesus who suffers injustice and will come again on the clouds with justice… offers forgiveness for those who repent and turn to him in faith! He is just in that the sentence is declared and he justifies us by paying the penalty himself.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We thank you for such a great salvation. We are amazed at your grace given to us. As we read this account of injustice, we are grateful for your grace and forgiveness. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.