Today’s reading is Mark 14. Here are some thoughts on this chapter:
- Did you notice the woman pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ head? People there were mad about her “wasting” money but Jesus said to leave her alone, that she was preparing his body for burial. He was telling them he would die soon but they still couldn’t understand how their expected king, the Messiah, would have to die.
- In verse 10 we see Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus 12 apprentices, go to the religious leaders and betray Jesus. Later Jesus says that he knows one of his apprentices agreed to betray him.
- In Mark 14 we read about Jesus giving his apprentices bread and wine and he said it represented his body and blood that would be spilled out for many. This is when Jesus instituted what we call Communion here at Verve. It’s when you eat a piece of bread and drink a small cup of juice. You may be thinking, “Wait, you have snack time in the middle of church?” Yes, kind of. And yes it’s kind of weird but we take it to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
- Next we read about Jesus in the middle of a meeting of the religious leaders. Mark tells us that they were looking for a reason to put him to death but could not find any. Finally, the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Son of God? Jesus said, “I am.” In Jewish religious law to say you are God was called blasphemy and this is what they finally charged him with.
- Next we read how Peter, one of Jesus closest friends, denies even knowing him.
This is a heavy chapter in Mark where we read about Jesus being condemned to death even though they couldn’t find anything he had done wrong. We read how they beat and mocked him. And we read the account of his closest friend denying even knowing him. What feelings does reading this bring up in you?
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