Tag Archives: Mark

Isaiah 40- Prepare The Way

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The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:3-5

This week is Christmas week, often this is a busy time where we are all preparing for the events to come. We are preparing a meal for our families and friends to come over and celebrate, we are preparing gifts to exchange with one another, we are preparing Church services and events to fellowship and worship the newborn King. Let’s not forget to prepare our hearts for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah foretold about a voice that will be yelling in the wilderness to “Prepare the way for The Lord ” of course we know that Isaiah was speaking of John the Baptist. The one Jesus called “the greatest of all prophets”(Matthew 11:11) The one who preached a strong message of repentance and baptized people to prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ

It’s also very interesting that Jesus’ deity is revealed here also, as the original Hebrew reads “Prepare the way for Yahweh” , John the Baptist is preparing for the coming of God in the flesh Jesus Christ. 

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins Mark 1:2-4

And it was confirmed in the New Testament, that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of this prophecy by Isaiah. Therefore the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus is Lord and God (John 20:28) To deny the deity of Christ would to deny the prophecy of Isaiah and the testimony of John the Baptist. How are we to prepare for the coming of The Lord? By repentance of our sins

This Christmas season, it’s a good reminder for the Church to prepare the way for The Lord Jesus Christ. Prepare your hearts , to love The Lord God with all your mind, heart, and soul. Prepare your mind to be focused on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Prepare your family to know about The Lord and all that he has done for us, Amen!

Mark 16- The Great Commission

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Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:14-16

Before Jesus ascended back to Heaven, he gave his disciples their marching orders known as “The Great Commision” These orders were not just for the Apostles but for us also, we also need to be obedient to Christ and follow his commands. 

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone! Sounds like a simple command, but how many Christians are actually doing this? We see many Christians dividing themselves and some even hiding from the world, when we should be going out into the world and talking about Jesus! It’s easier to avoid people who don’t have the same beliefs and worldview as you, but how will they know the gospel unless its heard by You!

You might say, what’s the big deal? Well notice Christ’s words, “They that don’t believe will be damned” Your service is vital to someone’s eternal salvation, if the seed of the gospel is never planted, they may never receive Christ!

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  Mark 16:17-18

You might say “Well I feel powerless or unequipped to go out and preach” This is not true, as a Born Again believer, you are filled with the Holy Spirit. The same spirit that rose Jesus Christ from the dead, is living inside of you! In the name of Christ, the Apostles cast our demons, healed the sick, and spoke in tongues, how? Because they were filled with the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus Christ

Notice in the very beginning in verse 14, Jesus rebuked his disciples for their lack of faith and belief. Is your heart right with God or is it hardened? Take the leap of faith and Go preach the gospel to the entire world, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Amen!

Mark 16- The Resurrection of Christ

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And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. Mark 16:1-4

There is a good reason why Easter is the biggest day in Christianity, because as the Apostle Paul said “Without the Resurrection our faith would be worthless” (1 Corinthians 15:17) The Resurrection of Christ is the central theme of our faith, all our hope and victory is through the Resurrection of Jesus. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow! Jesus has defeated sin and death forever!

Notice , the woman discovered the tomb on Sunday morning, this is stated in all the 4 gospels. This is why Christians began worshipping on Sunday morning, to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, there is no paganism or conspiracy theory about Sunday. It became “The Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10) when Jesus walked out of that Tomb!

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Mark 16:5-7

The greatest words spoken “He Is Risen” , the grip of sin and death have been broken by Christ, the head of Satan was crushed, Jesus has now reconciled us back to our Heavenly Father through his death and resurrection. If the resurrection didn’t happen, we would still be dead in our sins, we wouldn’t have the living hope of Jesus, because He lives , we can now always face tomorrow!

So what were they told to do “Go tell everyone” , God wants us to share the good news (gospel) about the Resurrection of Christ, because of what Jesus accomplished, there will always be good news in a dark world. We have victory because of Christ alone!

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. Mark 16:8-10

Notice again it states “Jesus was risen on the first day of the week (Sunday)” There is no mistake Christ was Risen on Sunday, this is why Sunday is The Lord’s Day. Secondly notice what Mary did after Jesus told her He is Risen, she went and told them! Mary and the disciples were fulfilling “The Great Commision” “Go and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) These are our marching orders!

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today, as the old hymn celebrates! Alleluia! Share the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone you meet! We have victory over Sin and Death because Jesus Is Risen! Amen!

Mark 15- The Burial of Christ

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And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. Mark 15:42-44

One of the debates of Christianity is “What day did Jesus die”? The long Church tradition has been Good “Holy” Friday, which is correct based on the scriptures. Verse 42 makes it clear, Jesus died on the Preparation Day, which is Friday. The Sabbath is on Saturday, so Friday was always known as “Preparation Day” a day to get ready for the Sabbath, since you were limited on what you could do as far as cooking, cleaning, ect

The prophecy of Isaiah 53 is amazing in detail, as it predicted Jesus would not only die with the wicked, but with a rich man, being Joseph of Arimathaea. This is also clear evidence that not all religious leaders rejected Jesus as the Messiah. As not only was Joseph rich but he was also on the council of Sanhedrin. This historical evidence also refutes any false religions claim that Jesus was never buried

And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. Mark 15:45-47

The tomb, which Satan and all the wicked people thought was their victory over Christ, became our evidence of our victory over sin and death through Jesus. Little did they know on Sunday morning, Jesus would walk out of that grave and reign forevermore. It’s amazing how God used the hearts of men like Joseph to orchestrate this and also used the hearts of wicked men like Pilate. God is always in control

The stone which they sealed the tomb with, was never thought to be rolled away forever. The stone was no match for the power of God, who raised Christ from the dead, crushing Satan forever! The victory that nobody saw coming, o death where is your sting! O grave where is your victory! Jesus overcame it all ! Christ tasted death for just a short time, so we may never have to, Amen!

Mark 15- The Death of Christ

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And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. Mark 15:33-35

The darkest moment in the history of the world, when Christ was abandoned on the cross and the wrath of God was poured down upon him for the penalty of our sins! Jesus was the only one who could take this cup, he was the only one who could be an atonement for our sins. And while it was the darkest day, it was also a day of victory as Christ crushed the head of Satan, defeating sin and death forever!

As prophecied in Psalm 22, My God, My God , why have you forsaken me? The moment Jesus became the sacrificial lamb for the wages of our sins. The fulfillment was being paid, as Jesus would justify us before The Father , by being the ransom of sin for his elect

And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. Mark 15:36-38

And when Christ fulfilled the debt for our sins, the veil was torn. The veil that separated us from God has now been removed because we have been washed clean by the blood of Christ. We have now been reconciled back to God through Jesus, not only can we now stand in the presence of God, but God now lives inside of us!

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. Mark 15:39-41

The blood of Christ that was shed for the world, even the Roman soldier confessed Jesus is the Son of God. The New Covenant is not just for Israel, but for everyone who calls upon the name of The Lord, Jew and Gentile. The veil has been torn, the ransom has been paid, we are now children of God through Jesus Christ

If you want salvation, you must come to the cross of Christ, you must repent of your sins, have faith that Jesus is your Lord, and receive the Holy Spirit, It is finished in Jesus name Amen!

Mark 15- The Cross of Christ

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And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. Mark 15:21-24

When we look at the crucifixion of Christ, there are so many details that have symbolic meanings. First we see a man named Simon who helped Jesus carry the cross with him to Calvary. This is symbolic of ourselves as Jesus commanded us “ To deny ourselves, carry our cross, and follow him” (Matthew 16:24) Remember Jesus took our place on that cross, we deserve that punishment on the cross, but Jesus took our place

All the details were prophesied hundreds of years ago in Psalm 22, the offering of a drink, the crucifixion, and dividing of garments, all the details were foretold by God before this even ever happened. 

And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. Mark 15:25-28

Again more prophecy is fulfilled which was foretold in Isaiah 53, Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God was killed with the sinners. Jesus became our curse,  so we can be redeemed for our sins! One thief mocked Christ even to his death, while the other thief confess Christ and received amazing grace, salvation that could only be earned by Jesus

And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. Mark 15:29-32

The religious leaders of Israel taunted and mocked as they crucified their own Messiah. The blindness of their eyes and hardness of their hearts was fully displayed, as Jesus told them “These people honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from him” (Matthew 15:8) If the religious leaders truly knew God, they would have known Jesus is their Messiah

All this took place to give us eternal life, to reconcile us back to our Heavenly Father. Jesus took our place on the cross, Hallelujah to the Lamb of God, Amen!

Mark 16- The Ascension of Christ

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So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Mark 16:19

As Christians we often celebrate the different events of Christ’s life, such as the Incarnation at Christmas, His death on the cross on Good Friday, and of course the Resurrection of Christ on Easter. The Ascension of Christ is one of those important events that is often overlooked by the Church today

The early Church felt it was a central doctrine as it was in the early Creeds (Apostles and Nicene) however how many Churches today are celebrating and teaching about the Ascension today? Christ being Ascended into Heaven is an essential doctrine because it was a sign and accomplished several things

First we notice in verse 19, Jesus The Lord is sitting at the right hand of God the Father. The right hand of God is the highest place of exaltation, there is no other position higher that anyone could obtain, and there is nobody else who could ever obtain this position except Jesus the Christ

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen Mark 16:20

As we notice in the next scripture, when Christ was ascended, then his disciples went forth and preached the gospel everywhere! The responsibility of teaching went from Jesus to his disciples, we are responsible as Christians to preach the gospel to everyone and everywhere as stated in the Great Commision!

Jesus is the Head of the Church and we are the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1) The Ascension completes the exaltation of Christ! Also because Christ has ascended , he sent the promise of The Holy Spirit (Acts 1, Luke 24, John 16) The Holy Spirit has equipped the Church to be Christ Body and fulfill his work here on Earth

Because of the Ascension of Christ , we know that Jesus is sitting on the throne at the right hand of our Heavenly Father, Jesus is in complete control as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Amen

Mark 15- Crown of Thorns

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And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! Mark 15:16-18

The Crown of Thorns was a symbol meant for shame and humiliation, but actually it was for our redemption. As the Roman Soldiers mockingly put that crown on Jesus head, they didn’t realize they were crowning the true King of King and Lord of Lords! Every drop of blood shed by those thorns and nails, was for the atonement of our sins. 

They mockingly saluted Jesus as the King of the Jews, what the Romans soldiers didn’t realize is one day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and King! Every knee will bow in Heaven, on Earth, and in Hell, Jesus is Lord and King over ALL

And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. Mark 15:19-20

Notice they put the color of purple on Christ, this is the color of a King. While the Roman soldiers were doing this mockingly , they were actually fulfilling prophecy and affirming who Jesus really is, the King of all Kings! Satan put the evil in their hearts to kill an innocent man, but God in his wisdom and glory used this moment to crush the head of Satan, and defeat sin and death forever!

Jesus took the punishment for our sins, he allowed the wicked to mock, beat, and crucify him, because Christ loved us enough to take our place! We deserve to be on that cross, not Jesus! Until you understand this, you will never understand the grace of God

As Jesus prophesied he is being led like a lamb to the slaughter, Jesus is the Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world! Thank you Jesus! Amen!

Mark 15- We Are Barabbas

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Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them Mark 15:6-8

The trial of Jesus was such a sham, Pilate asked Israel to make a choice, either release a convicted murderer Barabbas or  release the Son of God Jesus Christ. You would think the decision would be easy, however because of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their eyes, Israel choose a convicted murderer over their Messiah. Oh how the mighty have fallen

Now when we look at this event, I want you to see this from a spiritual and symbolic perspective. You are Barabbas! You might say well “I’m not a convicted murderer” Yes however we are all sinners and deserve the wrath of God. However Jesus took our place! We should be up there getting the death sentence on the cross, however Christ the sinless Lamb of God, took our place on the cross! 

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. Mark 15:9-11

Pilate in mockery called Jesus King, however he was correct! Jesus is the King of Kings, and by the evil Pilate and the religious leaders were performing, they were actually fulfilling prophecy. They were fulfilling scripture that Jesus the Messiah must be handed over to sinners and die for our sins. Notice the chief priests influenced the people to choose Barabbas, a convicted murderer! These men were supposed to be experts in the Law of God, but they were blinded and hardened by their own pride and arrogance.

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. Mark 15:12-15

The same crowd that was shouting “Hosanna” a few days ago is now shouting “Crucify Him”  Israel turned on their own Messiah and killed him, Gods own people killed Gods Son, how the mighty have fallen!

Jesus willingly went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world Amen!

Mark 14- The Trial of Christ

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And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together. Mark 14:55-59

The religious leaders were desperately looking for any evidence they could use against Jesus to legally put him to death, however they couldn’t find anything. Many false statements and accusations were made against Jesus, however none of their stories would line up. Finally one tried to quote Jesus by saying “I will destroy this temple in 3 days” , now we know that this is a reference to John 2:19 “Destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days”

Obviously the religious leaders had no idea what Jesus was talking about, they took Christ’s statement out of context and twisted it to fit their agenda, does that sound familiar? We know that Jesus was prophesying about his own resurrection, Jesus was referring to his own physical body not the physical temple

And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:60-62

Finally the religious leaders just ask Jesus straight out, “Are you the Messiah”? Jesus makes it clear by saying “I AM”, notice the reference to the Great I AM statement by God in Exodus 3. Jesus makes 7 “I AM” statements throughout the gospel of John demonstrating his deity

Jesus adds further that he is The Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Father, coming in the clouds! This is an obvious reference to Daniel 7, the religious leaders knew exactly what Jesus was talking about, he is the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecies

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. Mark 14:63-65

The amazing thing is, even after Jesus revealed his deity to them, the religious leaders rejected all the evidence and sentenced him to death! The religious leaders killed their own Messiah! Just as Jesus predicted they would do in the Parable of the Wicked Tenants

All of this was to fulfill the mission that Jesus came to do, to do for the sins of the world. The time was coming for the Lamb of God to be the atonement for our sins, to be the suffering servant, to bear our curse on the tree, Amen!