The Servant's Heart: Bible Talks on Mark

These simple meditations on the Gospel of Mark form a refreshing and clear introduction to the book. They originally appeared as “Bible Talks” in the Messages of the Love of God from 1943-1944. Diligent effort has been made to determine who the author was, but no written record or memory has turned up the answer.

Believing that their many insights would be appreciated by another generation, we have updated the style and form of expression while attempting to leave the original thoughts untouched. Questions to stimulate the habit of further meditation on the Word of God have been added along with suggestions for further reading. We hope you will find this book useful in beginning your study of the Book of Mark and in opening up some of its many treasures.

Bible Truth Publishers

May 2007

The Servant Mark: Introduction

The writer of the second book of the New Testament was named John Mark. He did not tell anything about himself, as the only mention is in the title, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Mark.” He was not one of the twelve apostles.

In another book, Acts, his full name is given. There we learn that he lived in Jerusalem and that many people who loved the Lord met at night in his mother’s house to pray. It was a time of great danger for those who believed in Jesus, because the leaders of the temple had killed some of them, and Peter had been put in prison.

But while they were praying, Peter came to the house and told them how an angel had come to the prison and led him out. Mark probably was a young man when he heard the earnest prayers and the words of Peter telling how he had been freed by the angel.

Mark loved the Lord Jesus. Not long after that night, he went with Paul and Barnabas to other lands and was their servant, or helper, while they told people of Jesus as Saviour. After a time Mark went back to Jerusalem, and then he again journeyed with one of the men. Later Paul wrote for him to come to Rome, saying, “He is profitable to me for the ministry.”

Meaning of Ministry

The word “ministry” or “minister” in the Bible did not mean what it does now: It meant service, or serving others. It was not a high place, but a humble one, as Jesus told His disciples, “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

It is not written what Mark did as a servant to Paul or others, but in some way he helped so that the gospel, the good tidings of Jesus, was told to many. Perhaps the greatest work which the servant Mark did for others was writing the gospel of the Lord Jesus, which presents Him as the holy Servant for God. It is the shortest of the Gospels.

Background Reading

Read these verses about Mark:

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode. And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark (Acts 12:12-25).

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John [Mark] to their minister (Acts 13:5).

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus (Acts 15:39).

Further Meditation

1. What men wrote of themselves as “servants”? (See Romans 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1; Revelation 1:1).

2. Consider consulting Manners and Customs of the Bible by J. M. Freeman for more on what was expected of servants in the time of John Mark.

The Holy Servant: Mark 1

The second book of the New Testament, Mark, presents the Lord Jesus as the holy Servant for God on earth. The prophets had written that the Holy One would come as a Servant as well as the King.

“Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him” (Isa. 42:1).

That Servant’s coming was as sure as the heavens and earth having been created, for these words follow: “Thus saith God the Lord, He that created the heavens ... He that spread forth the earth ... He that giveth breath unto the people upon it ... I the Lord have called Thee ... and will keep Thee” (Isa. 42:5-6).

This Servant would be meek and humble, unlike any other, and He would do great good for people: He would open the eyes of the blind, cause the deaf to hear, bear the sorrows of the people, and preach God’s words to them (See Isaiah 42:2, 7; 53:3; 61:1).

Jesus’ Public Work Begins

In this history of Jesus, as the holy Servant, the story of His birth is not told. However, when He began His important work for God, He came to the Jordan River to be baptized by the prophet John. The Spirit from heaven then rested upon Him, and His faithful, constant work began.

This holy Servant made the blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb speak, the lame walk, and the sick well. He cured the lepers, fed the hungry, and told God’s words: He did all that the prophets had foretold and more.

A good servant does his work promptly, and that was told of the Lord Jesus many times in this Book of Mark: Jesus went or did “immediately” or “straightway” (right away). When He cured sickness, the persons immediately were made well.

When Jesus called the men of Galilee to follow Him, they came immediately as good servants (Mark 1:20).

Despised Servant

We would expect such a faithful, holy Servant for God to be treated well by all men, but He was not. The prophets had also written that of the holy Servant: Isaiah wrote, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not” (Isa. 53:3).

Jesus spoke of Himself as coming to “minister,” to do for others, or serve. He said, “Even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

“The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6).

“Christ ... who ... made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:57).

Further Meditation

1. Why did the Spirit rest on Jesus before He began His public service?

2. How did Paul the servant suffer?

3. For more perspective on suffering, consider reading The Sufferings of This Little While by J. N. Darby (only 4 pages).

A Roof Opened: Mark 2

Jesus cured so many sick persons in one city that when He came there again, a crowd came to the house where He was staying.

There were four men who came carrying a sick man on a couch, but they could not get to the door because of the crowd. The sickness of the man was palsy, in which the limbs of the person are often paralyzed. The four men were so sure that Jesus could cure this man and they were so eager to get him to Jesus that they found a way to do so.

They took the sick man up onto the roof of the house and opened a portion of the roof large enough to let the man on his bed down into the room where Jesus was. In warm lands, houses are not always made as secure as where it is cold, so it may not have been very difficult to remove part of the roof. Yet it shows how much the men wanted their sick friend cured and how certain they were that Jesus would cure him.

The men were not disappointed. Jesus spoke to the man and said, “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.”

Wonderful Cure

He also told him what was even more needed: His sins had been forgiven. The man was cured; he stood up, took his bed, and walked out of the house, where all the people saw him.

They knew how sick the man had been and were amazed to see him walking, and they said, “We never saw it on this fashion.” They meant they had never seen so wonderful a cure before.

No doubt Jesus could have cured the man without his being let down through the roof, yet He was pleased to see how fully the men believed in Him.

Who Can We Bring?

We wonder, as we read this story, if we each know someone who needs to be “brought” to Jesus, who only can forgive sins. Perhaps we could find a way for someone to read or hear His words if we would be as earnest as the men with the sick friend.

It was in the same city where the man with the palsy was cured that Levi lived; after that time he also went with Jesus. His other name was Matthew; he was the disciple who later wrote the Gospel we call “Matthew” (Matt. 9:9).

Jesus went from the house to the seashore, which was nearby; many people followed Him, and He taught them out of doors. No doubt there were boys and girls among those who came to listen to Him, and we can all understand His words.

These are some of the words He said: “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick.”

Then He told them that He came to save those who were sinners, those who knew they needed a Saviour. Those who refused to admit they were sick with sin would not come to Him.

Further Meditation

1. How did Naaman’s wife’s maid do a job similar to the paralytic’s friends? (See 2 Kings 5).

2. What difficulties do we need to overcome to bring the gospel to our friends?

3. Further encouragement for focused, earnest service can be found in One Thing by H. Smith.

Places Around Israel: Mark 3

It is told in this chapter that a “great multitude” came to hear the words of Jesus or to be healed by Him: They came from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, Tyre and Sidon, and beyond Jordan.

Do you know where Galilee, Judea and the other places were? If you know about the places, you will enjoy and understand the accounts better. The names were of real countries or cities. God’s Word is meant to be real to us now.

All that country was once called the land of Israel, but when that nation lost its power, the land was called Palestine. It is a narrow country in western Asia, along the east edge of the Mediterranean Sea, as you may know. Since its revival in 1948, it has continually struggled to survive.

Lebanon and Syria are on the north, Jordan is on the east, and a part of Egypt is south, but its borders have changed some at different times.

The Land in Jesus’ Day

When the Lord Jesus came to earth, there were three main divisions: Galilee in the north, Samaria in the center, and Judea in the south. Perhaps you know that Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, was a town of Judea, a few miles south of Jerusalem, the capitol city.

When a young child, Jesus was taken to Nazareth to live. It was in the land called Galilee, and it seems He lived there the majority of His life on earth. The large lake or sea, called Galilee, was in that region, and there were several large towns on its shores. Capernaum, on the northwest shore, was where Jesus did so many miracles.

There were mountains and much wild, grassy land around Galilee. From those places and to the seacoast were where the people came to see Jesus.

Long Trips to See Jesus

If you have a Bible, an atlas, or a school map of Asia, look for these names, and you will see that people came from some distance to meet Jesus. There were highways and roads in those times, but not as easily traveled as now, and the people walked long distances.

The people who came from Jerusalem came sixty miles or more. Idumea was south of Judea, and people came from there. Tyre and Sidon were cities on the Mediterranean Sea, with mountains to be crossed. So all those people made long journeys to see and hear Jesus. Those who believed Him were not disappointed. He taught them of God as they had never heard before.

Some of the towns were later ruined in wars, but Jerusalem is still a most important city, and Bethlehem and Nazareth are towns, although called more by Arab names.

Read the names of twelve men chosen to be with Jesus, and see how many you remember (Mark 3:14-19).

Further Meditation

1. What small but important detail about travel in Bible times is hidden in John 4?

Wonderful Seed: Mark 4

The Lord Jesus often taught the people as they followed Him in the streets or in country places or by the sea. One day He sat in a boat near the shore of the Sea of Galilee, while the people stood or sat on the shore, and He told them a parable about a special kind of seed. It was a most important lesson, and He wanted them all to listen carefully. He said, “Hearken; behold, there went out a sower to sow.”

Then Jesus told them of four kinds of ground on which that seed fell:

1. Some fell by the wayside, where the ground was so hard that the seeds could not take root, and birds carried them away.

2. Some fell on stony ground, where the seeds got no deep roots, and the young plants withered away.

3. Some fell among thorns, where the strong weeds crowded out the tender plants.

4. Some fell on good ground; there the seeds got good roots; plants sprang up and grew and produced grain, some thirty, some sixty, some one hundred times as much as the seed sown.

The Meaning of the Seed

You see the seed was all the same and all good; the difference was in the ground where it fell. Jesus explained the parable, and we learn that He was the “Sower,” and He would use only good “seed.” But it was a very special kind; it was not grain, but the words of God. The “ground” where the seeds fell was not earth, but the hearts of the people who heard Him speak.

As you know, in every good seed there is a life germ which takes root in the soil and sends up shoots, which bear the same kind of seed. So when Jesus called God’s words “seed,” He meant those words have life and will take “root” in the hearts of those who receive them.

The Lord is still sowing the precious “seed” in the hearts of boys, girls, men and women, whenever they hear His words read or spoken. Let us think of some of those words as “seed” and of our hearts as the “ground.”

Important Words

Here are words which we all know:

“Unto you is born ... a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

“The Son of Man [Jesus] came ... to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).

If, when you hear these words, you feel no need of that great Saviour and are careless of why He came to earth, your heart is like the wayside ground, and God’s wonderful “seed” cannot take “root.”

It is only when we feel we need the Saviour and believe God’s words about His Son that our hearts can be like good ground, and the precious “seed” takes “root.” Then there will be “fruit,” or blessing, for us and for others, and God will give more of His good “seed.”

Further Meditation

1. Consider these additional scriptures that mention God’s Word:

a. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23).

b. “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass” (Isa. 32:20).

c. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” (Eccl. 11:6).

2. What does the Bible use plowing as a figure of?

3. For more help on the parable of the sower, you might read Notes on the Parables of Matthew 13 by W. Kelly (only 32 pages).

A Girl Raised: Mark 5

There was a little girl at her home in a town near the Sea of Galilee who was dying. We do not know her name, but her father’s name was Jairus; he was a ruler, or leader, in the synagogue, a building where the Scriptures were kept and where the people met to honor God.

Jairus must have listened to Jesus when He read the Scriptures and taught the people. He must also have seen Him heal the sick and lame, for he believed that Jesus was from God and could make his little daughter live, so he went where Jesus was by the sea and begged Him to come to his house.

Jesus was willing to go with Jairus, and they started towards his home. But so many people crowded around them to speak to Jesus or to be healed that they could not pass on quickly. Before they reached the house, messengers came to tell Jairus that his little daughter had died, and they said he need not trouble Jesus, whom they called “Master,” meaning “Teacher.”

Jesus’ Power

But Jesus knew that He could still bring joy to that home, and He went into the house with Jairus. The relatives and friends were all weeping because the girl was dead. They did not believe that Jesus had power to do anything for her. They knew He was a great teacher, but not that He was the Son of God.

At death, the spirit which is within us, and which we cannot see, leaves the body. The father and mother of that girl loved her and wanted her with them, but they could not call back her spirit (See James 2:26; Ecclesiastes 12:7).

But the Lord Jesus had power over even the spirit. He took that little girl’s lifeless hand in His and called to her in their language, words meaning, “Girl, arise!” Her spirit returned to her body, she rose up, obeying the voice of Jesus, and walked. Jesus told her parents to give her food to strengthen her body.

We know that the father and mother were most happy and thankful to have their child alive again; all were greatly astonished at this wonderful event. This girl may have been the first person raised from death by Jesus.

Genuine Comfort

This story gives us the same comfort in the mighty power of Jesus. But when He raises all His people, it will not be to die again, but to live forever with Him. He said, “Where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:16-18).

But there are no words of comfort to any who do not believe on the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. They have no hope at death.

Further Meditation

1. Why is Jesus called “the firstfruits of them that slept,” when others, such as Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter, had already been raised from the dead?

2. What are some of the ways that Christ’s coming is a comfort to a believer whose saved loved one has died?

Jesus, Meek and Humble: Mark 6:1-44

Jesus went to Nazareth, which had been His home, and the people were astonished to hear His wise teaching in the synagogue. Yet they would not believe that He was from God and greater than they, nor would they show Him respect. Instead of listening more, they talked against Him among themselves.

Jesus did not do great miracles there, as in the towns nearby, because of their unbelief. He did, however, heal a few sick ones who, perhaps, believed His words. Instead, He went to teach and help people in other towns.

No Proud Servants

You notice that Jesus sent His disciples to teach people in the same plain, humble way: They were to go even where the roads were rough and stony. Therefore, they needed to wear sandals, but they were not to take an extra coat or scrip (a bag or wallet for food), nor money. They were to go as very poor men and get food on the way as best they could. All this would teach the disciples, and those they went to, that there was to be no pride, and that God’s words were for the poor.

The disciples were given power from Jesus to heal the sick and cast out wicked spirits, and many were healed. Although Jesus and the disciples went about in so humble a manner, the news of the miracles was told in all places. When Herod, the ruler, heard about them, he said the prophet John must be alive again and doing the wonderful things.

Herod had given the awful order for John to be killed, although he knew that John was a holy man of God (vs. 20).

He seemed to want to think that John was alive, so he would no longer be guilty of his death. But he did not go to see if it were John, and he kept on in his proud ways.

Many people who heard of the miracles wanted to see Jesus and came where He and the disciples were, so they had not chance even to eat their meals. Then Jesus told the disciples to come apart to rest, and He went with them in the boat across the Sea of Galilee to land where no people lived.

The Miracle of the Loaves

But the people saw them leaving in the boat, and they hurried along the shore to the same place. When Jesus saw they were waiting for Him there, He was sorry that they had no one to teach them God’s words, and instead of resting, He patiently taught them again.

When evening neared, the disciples spoke to Jesus to send the people to their homes, but He wanted them first to have food, for they had a long distance to walk. The disciples said it would require two hundred pennyworth of bread for so many. A penny was of much greater value in their money than it is to us today, and the men spoke as though they could not buy so much.

Perhaps you know what a wonderful thing Jesus did. He took the five loaves of bread and two fish they already had, gave thanks to God, broke all into pieces, and gave them to the disciples to pass to the people sitting on the grass.

In the hands of Jesus, those few pieces of bread and fish became many, more than enough to supply those five thousand men, beside women and children (Matt. 14:21).

Further Meditation

1. How else did the Lord keep His servants humble?

2. What are some of the ways that Jesus showed He cared for His people’s physical needs?

3. If you’d like to meditate more on the Lord Jesus, you’ll no doubt enjoy A Short Meditation on the Moral Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ by J. G. Bellett.

Jesus, the Son of God: Mark 6:45-56

After Jesus had supplied the meal for the great company of people in the wilderness, He told His disciples to go in the boat to another place on the shore of Galilee, and He went alone on the mountain nearby to pray.

The disciples seem not to have gone toward Bethsaida, as Jesus said, but toward another place (John 6:17). They rowed very hard all night, but the wind was against them, and at the fourth watch, which was the early morning, they were still far from the shore, very tired and discouraged.

But there in the stormy sea, those men saw a wonderful sight: Jesus walking on the water coming to them. He kept on, as though for them all to see that He was walking. At first the men were greatly frightened and thought Jesus was a spirit, until He spoke to them, telling them to be of good cheer. He said, “It is I; be not afraid.”

Great Wonder

Jesus came into the boat with them and the wind stopped. The disciples were filled with wonder that Jesus had walked on the water, more than at all the other wonders they had seen. They knew He had power to cure all sickness, feed the hungry and raise the dead, and they had already seen Him still a storm. They believed His power was from God and that He would be their King; they loved Him and had left all to be with Him.

But when they saw Jesus walk upon the sea, they realized that He was different from all others, that He was One from heaven, the Son of God (Matt. 14:33). Because Jesus lived so humble a life, they had believed Him only to be God’s prophet and King. He was not a spirit, which they could not see (Luke 24:37-39), but a perfect man, yet divine. This is a mystery we do not understand, but all who have truly learned of Jesus reverence Him as the holy Son of God. That is the reason His words, His deeds and His death on the cross for sins have such value.

The Patient Servant

When Jesus and the disciples landed on shore and people saw Him, they all hurried to bring their sick friends or relatives to be healed. It seems there were too many for Him to go to each one. They carried the sick ones on their beds or blankets and placed them beside the road where Jesus would pass. They begged Him if they could touch just the border of His garment. “As many as touched Him were made whole.”

This shows how constantly and patiently Jesus kept on going to all the villages to do good for all as God’s Servant; no one was missed who reached out to Him for help.

Do you suppose there was a sick one who was not willing to put out his hand to touch Jesus? Such a one would be carried home again, still helpless. Many now miss a far greater blessing from the Lord Jesus.

Although He is now the risen One in heaven, we may “come” to Him in as simple a way as the sick ones. If we believe He is our Saviour, we “touch” Him by faith, and His power gives eternal life to the soul.

Which disciple asked to come to Jesus on the water (Matt. 14:28)?

Further Meditation

1. What other scriptures show that Jesus is God?

2. Which Old Testament believers got tired of serving unresponsive people?

3. For more on the subject of quiet obedience, you might enjoy reading Obedience and Submission: Healing Principles by J. H. Smith.

He Could Not Be Hid: Mark 7

Some men came to Jesus, not to be helped, but to find fault. Those men kept rules, which were not in the laws given by God, but had been made by men of Jerusalem, when they became careless of God’s words. Those rules were for how people should wash their hands and dishes, just how much water they should use, and such things. They considered anyone who did not keep those rules “defiled,” unfit for God.

Those men saw that the disciples did not wash according to their rules and complained about them to Jesus. He knew the men were themselves disobeying God’s laws, although keeping their own rules so strictly. They had added to God’s laws, even though He had said, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you” (Deut. 4:2).

Jesus knew the men were not being honest with the people, but deceiving them, and He told them, “Ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

What Defiles?

Then Jesus called the people about Him to listen, and said, “Hearken unto Me every one of you, and understand.” He explained to them that it was not unwashed hands which made them unfit for God. Instead, it was wicked thoughts, desires, and plans of evil in the heart that defiled a person and made him unfit for God.

The rules of men are still often given, instead of God’s words, which are always true and honest. We need to be sure we follow God’s words, and not what are only men’s rules.

Soon after this talk, Jesus went from Galilee to the country near Tyre and Sidon, which were by the Great Sea. Many people had come from there to Galilee to see Him (Mark 3:8), and it may have been to the house of someone who had believed Him that Jesus went.

He did not wish it to be told that He was there. Perhaps this was because people would come only to be healed or to see His power, yet not believe who He was. But we read these words: “He could not be hid.”

One woman heard He was there and came begging Him to save her daughter from an evil spirit. Jesus said that the daughter should be well.

Power and Tenderness

We are thankful for those words, “He could not be hid.” They show us His power as a light not hid and also His tenderness, never refusing one who trusted His mercy, no matter what person or of what nation.

Jesus next went to a country east of the Jordan River. There a man was brought to Him who was deaf and who also could not speak clearly. That was a sad, hard condition, but Jesus did not refuse to help him.

First, Jesus led the man aside from the crowd, not to make a display of His power. Then He placed His fingers in the man’s ears, touched his tongue, looked up to heaven and sighed, and said to the man, “Be opened.” The deaf man heard the words of Jesus and immediately spoke clearly.

Further Meditation

1. How did the Pharisees show they thought they were better than others?

2. If you would like to think more about the beauty that couldn’t be hidden, you might enjoy The Loveliness of Christ by H. Smith.

The Multitude Again Fed: Mark 8:1-21

There was much wild, grassy land on the sides of the mountains near the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where the Lord Jesus taught the people, who came in great numbers from the villages around to hear His words or to be healed. They may have gone to their homes at night, but they returned the next day, for Jesus said, “They have now been with Me three days.”

Jesus knew they had no food with them that evening, and He felt sorry for them and said, “If I send them away fasting [without eating] to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for [many] of them came from far.”

The disciples had a few loaves of bread and a few small fish, but there was no place nearby to get more. Not long before this, Jesus had made the few loaves and the fish one boy had to become enough to feed more than five thousand people. This probably was not the same place or the same people, but Jesus supplied their need in the same wonderful way.

Well Rewarded

He said for the people to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God, broke them in pieces, and gave to the disciples to pass to the people. By His power, that bread and fish were not only enough for all in the big company, but more than enough, showing His power could not all be used, however much was needed.

The people who ate that meal must have sat in great surprise. Later, as they walked to their homes, they must have talked together and wondered. How well they were repaid for their long walk over the rough terrain. They had listened to One from heaven and been fed by Him! Many believed He was a very great Teacher and Prophet. About this time the disciples said they believed He was the Christ, who was the One promised to come to earth.

Later those who believed the Scriptures and the words of Jesus learned more about the One who took so humble a place on earth. He was the One who, in the beginning, had created all things and was also the Giver and Sustainer of life. One disciple afterward wrote, “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life” (John 1:34; see also Col. 1:16-17).

Lasting Satisfaction

A few days after the two miracles of the loaves, Jesus told some of the people that He was “the bread of life.”

The bread He supplied for the two meals satisfied them only for a short time; the next day they must have more. But all who believed Him should be satisfied with life forever (John 6:35).

It is nice for us to notice in these miracles that Jesus used the food which someone had to make more. That showed His kindness and that it is His way to bless even a little that is given to Him, making a very great blessing for others.

Although Jesus had done as no one of earth could, He soon after had to remind the disciples of the two miracles, for them to remember who He was (vss. 19-20).

Further Meditation

1. What other examples can you give of people who got far more than they expected when they came to Jesus?

2. Who else in Scripture found that God used the little they had to do a great work?

A Blind Man Made to See: Mark 8:22-26

Jesus came to Bethsaida, a town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, where a blind man was brought to Him. It is not said that the man asked Jesus to give him sight, but his friends besought Jesus to touch him. They were certain of what Jesus could do, and the man must have been willing.

Jesus had healed the blind before this, by touching their eyes, but there is more told of this case. First, Jesus took the man by the hand and led him out of the town. He would not show His power in the midst of the open unbelief of the people.

Blindness is one of the many sorrows in the world since there was sin, and unbelief is spoken of as “blindness.”

Yet Jesus showed full mercy to the man himself in his trouble. He put His hands upon him and then asked him if he saw anything. The man looked up and said he saw men as trees, walking. He saw, but not correctly. Jesus touched his eyes again and told him to look up. Then he saw every man clearly, so, of course, he saw Jesus and must have been very happy.

Why Jesus Asked for Silence

Jesus told the man to go to his home and not to go into the town or tell of his cure to any there. The people of that place had seen the greatest of Jesus’ miracles and listened to Him tell God’s words, yet they did not believe Him or think He was sent by God. Because of that, He had spoken of woe, or judgment, to them, saying, “Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon [Gentile cities which did not have or know the Scriptures], they would have repented” (Matt. 11:21).

But the people of Bethsaida had not been sorry for their sins, and Jesus could do no more for them. This must have been the reason He led the blind man from there. Yet in spite of the people’s sin against Him, He used His power for one willing to be helped.

Proving Who He Was

To restore sight to the blind was one of the special good things which the Holy One who came to earth would do, as promised in the writings of the prophet (Isa. 29:18; Luke 4:18).

And Jesus restored many blind, as the obedient One. We find He also taught the people by the ways that He used, and those ways are told in the Gospels to help us learn His truths.

We do not always understand the lesson to be learned, but as we think about it, some other part of God’s Word seems to give the meaning. One thing for us to think of in this story is that, however little trust the blind man had, Jesus took him by the hand and led him where He could give him sight. One touch of the Lord made the man see; because He is the true light for the soul, one “touch” by Him gives “sight” to any willing one.

The man did not at first see those around him rightly; it was a confused view, as though men were in a high position. Whatever the lesson in that, it required the touch of Jesus and to look up, as He instructed, for him to see every man clearly. We know he then saw Jesus, as He would have him, and others, in their place.

Further Meditation

1. What were some of the other prophecies that the Lord fulfilled in His lifetime?

2. You might find Thirty-Three Prophecies Fulfilled in One Day a fascinating and encouraging article to study.

A Talk on a Journey: Mark 8:27-38

Jesus had been to the towns and villages “throughout all Galilee,” doing great miracles for all and teaching the people. He had been to Tyre and Sidon, on the Mediterranean Sea, and also to the country east and south of Galilee (Mark 1:39; 7:24, 31). His visits south to Judea and going through Samaria are also described (John 4:34).

Here it is written that Jesus and the disciples started to the country north of Galilee to the towns of Caesarea Philippi, about twenty-five miles from the Sea of Galilee. That was near Mt. Hermon and was in the borderland of the nation of Israel when they first had the country in early times (Josh. 11:17).

Complete Service

This shows us how Jesus went to all parts of the land of Israel, everywhere doing good to so many and telling God’s words. All peoples of the land must have heard of Him. They were people who knew the writings of the prophets, of a Holy One to come to earth. They should have understood by the great miracles and wise answers and teachings of Jesus that He fulfilled all the promises.

On their walk to the northern border, Jesus and the disciples were, perhaps, more away from others, and Jesus asked them, “Whom do men say that I am?”

The sad answer to his question was that people thought He must be a prophet, not that He could be the promised Messiah.

Then Jesus asked the disciples, “Whom say ye that I am?”

It was Peter who answered, and he said, “Thou art the Christ.” That meant the Messiah, the One anointed and sent by God, as told in their Scriptures (See Matthew 16:16; John 1:41; 6:69).

The disciples then fully believed that Jesus would be their great King, but Jesus knew He would be refused as the Messiah and King, and He began to explain to the disciples what would be done to Him.

Rejected Not Accepted

He said that He “must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

Peter did not think that the Lord would be so treated or that He should say this. Yet that was also what the prophets had written — that the Holy One would be led “as a lamb to the slaughter,” be “stricken,” and “bare the sin of many” (Isaiah 53).

He asked the people, who were then listening, this question: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

“What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Not to believe the Lord Jesus is the One who suffered for our sins is to lose our soul, and the things gained while in this world would be lost.

Only Christ could pay the price of a soul. As He had said, He came “to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Further Meditation

1. What made it so hard for the disciples to understand that the Lord was going to be crucified?

2. What other prophecies show that the Lord was going to be rejected?

3. A beautiful type of the rejected Christ can be found in Joseph: Revealer of Secrets, Saviour of the World by H. Smith.

A Boy's Sad Condition: Mark 9:14-50

In Galilee, the land north of Judea, the people refused to honor God for many, many years, although they knew His care and power. One king placed a gold calf for them to worship (1 Kings 12:28-31). They followed the way of Satan until even children suffered by wicked spirits.

When Jesus came to Caesarea, in that land, there was one poor boy dreadfully troubled by a wicked spirit, which caused him to be deaf and dumb, to hurt himself, and even to fall into the fire. His father heard of Jesus and brought his son to see if Jesus could help him. But Jesus was then up on the mountain, and the disciples could not help so dreadful a case.

When Jesus came down from the mount, the man begged Him to help. He said, “If Thou canst do anything ... help us.”

This man did not know that Jesus was the Lord and that there was no case too hard for Him to cure, or he would not have said “if.” Jesus told the father to believe, and He commanded the evil spirit to leave the boy and not return, and the boy was freed.

Satan’s Power Broken

This story shows how awful is the power of Satan, who has no kindness for any and who would even harm children. How different from the Lord Jesus, who did good to all and was tender and kind to children. He came to earth to break the power of Satan, as was promised (Gen. 3:15; Heb. 2:14).

But sin and Satan still cause the suffering of war and all other evils. Jesus spoke plainly of the end of sin. He spoke of the hand or the foot or the eye “offending.” The word “offend” has the meaning “to sin against God.” A person’s hand may do what is wrong, his foot may go to wrong places, or his eye may see evil. Unless the sins are stopped — “cut off” — the whole body is soon in sin, and the end is a place of suffering named hell.

The Lord spoke of the suffering of hell as “fire,” which causes the most severe suffering we know. Natural fire can be put out. But Jesus said that the “fire” of hell is not “quenched” (put out); the sorrow there will not end.

Serious Consequences

This lesson of Jesus is the saddest of all, and some think there is no place of punishment. But He spoke plainly and repeated the words “the fire is not quenched” several times, so we must believe Him. At another time He said the place of suffering was prepared, not for people, but for Satan and his angels (Matt. 25:41). This lesson shows that those who always want to follow Satan’s ways must share that place of suffering.

But let us remember that Jesus Himself died to bear the punishment for sins for all who believe Him. He now urges, by His Holy Spirit, men, women, boys and girls to let Him save them.

Jesus said His people were to be “salted” — kept for Him — by “fire” (judgment) that He bore on the cross. He also said they should “have salt” in themselves. To keep right in themselves, for Him, they must judge their sins; to judge means to decide against our sins, which we should all do in our hearts and minds each day.

Further Meditation

1. How does the expression “shall not the Judge of all the earth do right” relate to punishment for sin?

2. What is meant by “judge not, that ye be not judged”?

3. You might find the pamphlet Self-Judgment by H.E. Hayhoe helpful in considering the theme at the end of this chapter.

Love for Little Children: Mark 10:1-16

Jesus, with the disciples, left Galilee to go to Jerusalem, a journey of sixty miles or more. The people in the towns on the way had before heard of Jesus or had seen Him, and very many came to Him to have some question explained. He answered all carefully and taught them.

At one place little children were brought for Him to bless them, which meant to speak words of peace and promises of good. The disciples thought the people should not trouble Jesus with the little ones and were sending them away. But Jesus saw them and told them to let them come to Him. He took those little children in His arms, put His hands on their heads and spoke words of blessing to them.

Enough Time for Us

The Lord was not too busy to have time for the little children and to show them His tender love. The disciples should have known to be kind to those little ones and should have known that Jesus would want to bless them. Before they left Galilee, He told them to receive children in His name, or, in other words, as He would. He had then lifted a little child and set it where they could all see, showing them there were none too young or too humble for Him to receive.

He also told how great a sin it is for anyone to “offend” — sin against — a child who believes in Him. No doubt the greatest wrong to be done to children is to keep them from learning of the Lord or to tell them His words are not true (Mark 9:36-37, 42).

Jesus said that anyone who would be in His holy kingdom must be as a little child. How can a grown person be like a child? You know a tiny child believes right away whatever it is told and trusts. If it is offered a gift, it holds out its hand to receive it.

A Place With Jesus

So to have a place with the Lord Jesus people must believe His words, just as simply and honestly as a little child, and accept His love and care. If we are too proud to believe God’s words and think we can come to Him in our own way, we cannot be saved or learn more of Him.

We know from Jesus’ words that He loves all children and wants them to be told of His love. It was for them as much as for grown people that He made that last journey to the city where He was to die in order to save them from the punishment of their sins.

If you have a little brother or sister, tell them about Jesus, who, now in heaven, sees and loves them. You will find how simply they will trust Him. Sometimes older people tell what is not true to little ones. When the little children see that, they do not trust them, but they can always trust the Lord Jesus.

In one of the answers of Jesus on this journey (Mark 10:6), He spoke of “the beginning of the creation” when “God made” the first man and woman. This fact agreed with what was written in the first book of the Bible (Genesis). These words of Jesus prove that the account of Genesis is true. Those who say that man began by chance, or by a gradual growth of cells, or some other way, not written in the Scriptures, speak falsely. They have not believed God’s words as little children.

Further Meditation

1. As busy as He was, did Jesus ever not have enough time for something?

2. What keeps souls from coming to Christ?

A Rich Young Man: Mark 10:17-31

As Jesus was leaving a city on His way to Jerusalem, a young man came running to ask Him a question. This man was a leader, or ruler, of the people, and no doubt he had heard of Jesus and His miracles, which could be done only by the power of God. Yet he did not speak to Jesus as One from heaven — only as “good Master,” meaning “Teacher.” He knelt down, but that seemed in honor of a teacher, not in worship to the Lord.

Eternal Life

His question was, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” All life on earth has an end, but eternal life has no end; such a life for God’s people was written of in the Scriptures, which the man knew, as Psalm 16:11, Psalm 23:6 and Daniel 12:2. But it must be given by God, the eternal One (Deut. 33:27).

The young man thought he could do something to obtain that life. Jesus spoke to him of the laws that God had given His people. The man said he had kept all those laws from his youth.

Jesus knew the man had not perfectly kept all God’s words, which said to give God the first place and to do for his neighbor as for himself. The man was very rich and there were many poor among his people. So Jesus told him to sell what he owned and give to the poor, and Jesus promised him treasure in heaven and invited him to follow Him.

But this man did not care as much to have treasure in heaven as he did to have his treasures on earth. He also did not value the invitation to follow Jesus, wonderful as it was, because He was the Son of God.

Jesus loved the young man, but he did not love Jesus and went back to his riches instead of going with Jesus. But his riches could not make him happy; he went away sad. He had come running, and it is right to hurry to come to Jesus. It seems he had not hurried to know Jesus, but rather to not miss something for himself.

Perhaps the man would have been willing to give some of his property to the poor, but he could not part with all, as Jesus said. The Lord Jesus lived as a poor man on earth, and the young ruler could have had the great honor to have given for His needs, as some others did (Luke 8:3).

God’s Work

When the man had gone away, Jesus said to the disciples, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! ... It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Efforts have been made to refer “the eye of a needle” to a wicket gate, through which a camel can pass, but only with great difficulty. The Lord speaks of it as something “impossible” except to God. Doubtless a common needle was alluded to.

The richest man cannot buy eternal life, nor carry his wealth into the holy kingdom of God. No man, rich or poor, can enter by anything he can do. All must come the way God made possible, by the work of His Son.

Further Meditation

1. What did the Lord Jesus say is eternal life?

2. Who were some of the wealthy men and women that Jesus saved?

3. An excellent, general reference, with help on the subject of eternal life, is the Concise Bible Dictionary.

Rise; He Calleth Thee Mark 10:46-52

This is the story of a poor, blind beggar. He sat beside the highway near a city which Jesus passed through on His way to Jerusalem. His name was Bartimeus, which meant “blind son,” so he must have been blind when he was born. He was very poor, or he would not have sat beside the road to beg.

This man seems to have heard before about Jesus and the great things He had done, and he believed Jesus could cure his blindness. He also believed that Jesus was the King to come from the family of King David, as promised in the Scriptures. When he learned that Jesus was then passing along the highway, he began to call to Him, saying, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

There was a crowd on the highway, and persons near the blind man tried to stop him from calling. But Bartimeus was so anxious to have his sight and so sure Jesus could help him that he called out even more.

The Master’s Call

Jesus heard his cries and stopped and said he should be brought to Him. Then the people near the blind man told him, “Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee.”

The poor man did not wait to obey. He threw aside his cloak, to go more quickly, and came, or was led, to Jesus.

Jesus kindly asked what He could do for him. Jesus knew what the blind man needed, but it seemed He wanted people to tell Him their needs. When Bartimeus heard the voice of Jesus, he knew this One, who would be King, was the Lord, and he answered, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.”

Jesus caused him to see and told him that he could go his way. But the man did not go his own way; he followed Jesus on His way to Jerusalem.

We need the mercy of the Lord, His pity and power, as much as the poor, blind man. He could not give himself sight; we cannot save our souls from sin. There were some things the blind man could do: He called, he rose and came to Jesus, he asked for mercy, and he confessed Jesus to be his Lord.

The Lord’s Call to All

We must do the same, must call or want His mercy, must rise and “come” to Him (believe His call), and must confess Him as our Lord, the One with all power and right over us.

You may think that He has not called you to come, but the last chapter of the Bible gives His call to everyone. It is, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). “Rise; He calleth” you.

No more was told of Bartimeus, but when he went on with Jesus, he would learn that Jesus was refused as King. Jesus again told the disciples He would be King, but first He would be cruelly treated. So they were afraid to go on, but “Jesus went before,” and they followed Him (vs. 32). He kept on as the obedient, holy Servant for God, all the time doing good to the people. He wanted the disciples to do good and serve one another, and He said, “Even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister [serve], and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Further Meditation

1. Why do we tell the Lord our needs in prayer when He already knows all about them?

2. How can we respond to God’s call if we are “without strength”?

3. For in-depth help on this Gospel, you might find An Exposition of the Gospel of Mark by W. Kelly a challenging but helpful book.

The Ride of the King: Mark 11:1-12

When the Lord Jesus and the disciples came to the end of their journey, Jerusalem, a very special event took place — Jesus rode into the city and up its streets to offer Himself as the great and holy King for Israel, promised by God (Zech. 9:9).

Most kings in those times rode on horses or with horses and chariots, but the kings of Israel, when crowned, rode on asses or mules. These are not as swift as horses, but patient, surefooted and safe. A horse was used for battle — an ass for work and to carry loads. The king of Israel was to come peacefully, not as for battle, nor as a conqueror over the people, but to help them. He was chosen by God and meant to rule for God (1 Kings 1:32-39).

The Borrowed Donkey

That was the reason Jesus, as rightful King, chosen by God, rode on an ass into the city where the kings had lived and ruled. Jesus and the men with Him had, no doubt, walked from Galilee, and He had no animal to ride; one had to be borrowed. Jesus knew where to send the disciples to get one, and they were to tell the owner that the Lord had need of it.

The animal is spoken of as a colt; perhaps we would have called it a donkey. It must not have been very little, but was young and had never been ridden on. Usually a young animal, not trained to be ridden, would not let a stranger on it. But that colt let the men place the garments on its back and let Jesus ride into the city and up the streets. It must have gone obediently, showing Jesus had power over the animal, the same as fish and the wind and sea obeyed His will.

This ride was made a few days before the feast of the Passover, when the people of Israel came to Jerusalem from all countries to keep the feast. So there were many who saw Jesus as He rode through the city. Many had come from Galilee and towns along the way, who had seen the wonderful cures of the sick, blind and lame, and other great miracles; some had been raised from death.

The Welcome

No other could do as He did or had such wisdom, and the people wanted to honor Him. Some spread their cloaks along His way; others cut branches from trees, probably palm branches, much used to welcome great heroes. They were under the Roman nation, with no king of their own, and would have gladly made Jesus King.

They sang from the psalms, “Hosanna,” which meant, “Save, we beseech Thee,” and, “Blessed [is] He that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Psa. 118:25-26). This was true of the Lord Jesus. He came in the name of God, His Father, not by His own authority. When He came to the temple, the leaders there should have crowned Him the great King, chosen by God. But they did not, nor did they welcome Him, nor give Him a place to stay for the night. Mark wrote, “Jesus entered into ... the temple: and when He had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, He went out unto Bethany [a village nearby].”

Further Meditation

1. What other evidence is given in the Gospels that Jesus was the Creator?

2. How were man’s and God’s hearts shown in this incident?

3. You might find further help on this subject in Man’s Heart and Christ’s Heart by J. N. Darby.

A Tree Without Fruit: Mark 11:12-14

When Jesus and the disciples were going from the town of Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus saw a fig tree leaved out and went to it to see if there were any figs on it. He was hungry, but there were no figs, only leaves. This was in the spring and not the time of ripe figs. Yet, since the leaves were out, there should have been figs on the tree, although perhaps green. A fig tree is not like other trees; its fruit starts to grow before the leaves.

The leaves of the fig tree give shade from heat, yet the real purpose of the tree is for fruit, and it is depended on for food in that land and spoken of many times in the Old Testament (1 Kings 4:25; Mic. 4:4). So this tree was not a good one, but useless. And Jesus said that it should never have fruit.

The next day, when the disciples passed that way, they saw that the fig tree was dried up from the roots. A fig tree is a very sturdy, strong tree, and the disciples wondered that this one was so soon withered (Matt. 21:20-21). They spoke to Jesus to look at it, and He said to them, “Have faith in God.”

The Careful Judge

His answer showed that the spoiling of the tree was not natural, but by the power and judgment of God. And it was for a purpose, not to please Himself, but to teach a lesson to the disciples and us, who now read the story. Since Jesus knew all things, He knew before that the tree had no figs, but He went Himself to prove it. This shows how careful He is as Judge: Nothing will ever be unjustly judged by Him.

And we notice it was a tree, not a person that He cursed, or judged. He has great mercy for men, women, boys and girls, and He is ready to bless them. But things which are said to be for God but are only a display, without true love and work for Him, will be judged.

The nation of Israel had been like a tree, to grow and bear “fruit” for God. Jesus, the Son of God, came Himself to see if there were “fruit,” true service, but found none, only a display of sacrifices and laws. From that time it was no longer a nation for God, but “withered away.”

Jesus also told the disciples to have faith — believe that God would do what they asked of Him, even so great a thing as to remove a mountain and cast it into the sea.

The Point of the Story

But the withered fig tree seems to specially teach of what would be prayed for in judgment. Christians do not pray for God to judge, because He is now waiting to bless. But the Psalms give prayers of the people of God asking for judgment. Men, like the disciples, of the same nation, in their greatest trouble will pray for punishment on their enemies, which will then be for His honor, and their faith is to be in God (Psa. 143:12). The Lord Jesus also said, “When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Further Meditation

1. Where else in the Scripture does the Lord “investigate” before He judges?

2. What other use of “fruit” as a symbol is given in the Scripture?

3. An excellent introduction to the subject of forgiveness can be found in Bible Questions and Answers by H. P. Barker.

Sent From the Temple: Mark 11:15-33

For many years the great temple of God in Jerusalem was the place where people who believed God came to praise Him. It was the only place where animals could be sacrificed, as God had said must be done, because of sins.

God had given directions for all that was to be done there, for the work, the dishes to be used, and all else. Many of those laws were in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, and men, called priests and scribes, were to instruct the people and see that all was done as God had directed.

Thieves

The temple was large, with rooms and courts and lots of space. Instead of keeping it in the order told by God and to honor Him, men used it as a marketplace to buy and sell for their own profit, and not only that, they were dishonest in their dealings.

Some men sat at tables where, for a fee, they would change the Roman or other coins of the people to the temple money, as no other could be used in gifts for the temple. One gift was always a certain small coin (Ex. 30:13-16; Ex. 38), but the men who made gain by this had no right in the temple (Psa. 15:5).

At the time Jesus was on earth, many men of Israel lived in other countries and came to the temple at the feast time, so at those times a great number of doves, sheep, goats and cattle were needed for sacrifice. There were many coins to change, and the selfish men had plenty of business.

Jesus saw the wicked dealings of the men and told them the words of God, “My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer.”

But He said they had made it “a den of thieves.” His words tell how very wicked they were, and He sent them from the temple.

The True Sacrifice

The priests and scribes were willing for the dishonest selling to be done. So they were more angry than ever at Jesus when He stopped the men. It was only a few days after this that Jesus became Himself the great sacrifice for sins by His death on the cross. And no more animals for sacrifice were required by God, as these verses tell: “Nor yet that He [Christ] should offer Himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with the blood of others; ... but now once ... hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:25-26).

“Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28).

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Heb. 10:3-12).

The offerings of the animals had to be done over and over, whenever a person sinned and also on special days. The people were so careless about their sins that the men in the temple sinned even with buying and selling the animals and were not honest.

But the life of the Lord Jesus was so precious, He suffered only once for sin, and all who believe in Him may know their sins forgiven. The cleansing of the temple teaches us of the holiness of God, and selfish and wrong acts in work for Him dishonor Him as much now as then.

Further Meditation

1. What were the different kinds of sacrifices that the people offered?

2. Who could offer sacrifices in those times?

3. You would find Christ as Seen in the Offerings by R. F. Kingscote to be an excellent source of meditation on the different kinds of offerings in the Old Testament.

Wicked Keepers: Mark 12:1-12

Do you remember about the big cluster of grapes which two men carried between them fastened to a staff, to show the people what a good land God had given them (Num. 13:23-27)? Those grapes grew in a valley of the land, later called Judea, of which Jerusalem was the chief city. So it was a good land to grow grape vines, and the people there have always had fine vineyards.

No Fruit for God

The Lord Jesus told men of the temple a story of a certain vineyard and its keepers. He said the owner planted the vines, placing a hedge around to protect from animals. He built a tower for a watchman to stay to guard against thieves, and a vat was made for the pressed out juice. Then the owner went to a far country, leaving men in charge of his fine vineyard.

When it was time to gather the fruit of the vineyard, the owner sent a servant to receive his share. But the keepers were dishonest men who wanted all for themselves, and they treated the servant roughly and would not give him any share of the fruit.

The owner sent another servant, whom they treated still more roughly, threw stones at him, and gave him no fruit. Yet the owner was very patient with those keepers and sent other servants to them, but the keepers became even more cruel, and they hurt and killed them.

The owner had one son whom he said the keepers would be sure to treat well, and he was sent to the vineyard. But when the keepers saw that the son had come, instead of giving him his father’s share, they said to one another, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.” They killed that son and threw him from the vineyard.

The Hidden Meaning

This was a sad story, or parable, and it had a sad meaning hidden in it. The men to whom Jesus told it were leaders of the people of Israel at that time. Their nation was called “a vine” for the Lord. He had led them from slavery and “planted” them in the good land of Canaan (Israel). He had protected them from enemies, as the watchman did the vineyard. He had chosen men to be leaders of the people, as “keepers.” The “fruit” the Lord wanted in return was the love and joy of the people. He sent men called prophets to tell them His words, but the leaders had treated them cruelly and would not listen to His words. They were like the rough keepers of the vineyard.

At last God sent His beloved Son to tell His messages to the people to see if they would give Him honor.

We know the Son who came to tell His Father’s words was Jesus, and the men who would not welcome Him or believe His words were the most wicked of all the “keepers.” Those men who listened to His parable were even then trying to find a way to take Him when the people would not know it. They, as the builders, rejected Him as the stone, but God will give Him the place of honor, as the cornerstone of the building (Psa. 118:22-23).

Further Meditation

1. Why did the Lord Jesus often speak in parables?

2. What other warnings did the Lord give to these leaders of the people?

Caesar’s Tax: Mark 12:13-17

The people of Israel were once a free nation and had their own king for many years. But they sinned so greatly that God let other nations conquer them, as He had said (Deut. 28:47-48). When the Lord Jesus was in the land, they were under the Romans, whose ruler was called Caesar, and tribute (tax) was paid to him.

Some were willing to pay tax and others were not, and men of each party came to ask Jesus if it were right to pay tax to Caesar. These men did not believe Jesus was from God. When they said He taught “the way of God in truth,” they were not sincere, but spoke in flattery. Their goal was to tempt Him to speak against Caesar, so He would be punished.

Paying Taxes

But Jesus did not speak against Caesar. He told them to show Him a tax coin, which they did. Money in those days had the likeness and name of the ruler impressed on it, as it often has now. Jesus asked the men whose likeness and name was on the coin. They said, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus answered their question. He said, “Render [pay] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Jesus did not free them from the burden their sins had brought; instead He told them to pay it. They saw He had answered them wisely, for they knew they had not given God obedience and honor which was due Him.

If they had welcomed Jesus, the Son of God, as their King, they would have been free of all their burdens. But before He rules as King over all, sin must be punished.

Jesus came first to give His life to save the souls of all who will believe Him and to call them from this world’s interests to Himself. Since the rule of the Caesars, God has allowed many rulers in the countries, but the answer of the Lord Jesus to those men has taught His people to pay whatever tribute or tax is asked. Much the same words were written to the early Christians: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due” (Rom. 13:78).

Powers Ordained by God

In that same writing, it is told that all rulers or “powers” are “ordained” or set by God, and the Christian is to respect them. But just before, in that writing, it is told that the Christian owes himself to God; all that he is is to be for God (Read Romans 12).

It is not told when Christ will come as the rightful ruler over all, but this is one of the sure promises of God: “Thus saith the Lord God ... I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him” (Ezek. 21:26-27).

Pharisees: those who believed the laws given to Moses, but few of them lived to honor God (Matt. 23:17).

Sadducees: those who did not believe that the dead rose, nor believed in angels, nor that man has a spirit (Acts 23:68).

Herodians: those who were not as interested in God or His laws as they were in Herod, the ruler chosen by Caesar.

Further Meditation

1. When will God Himself “reign in righteousness”?

2. What is a proper motive for paying taxes, going the speed limit or obeying city regulations?

3. For a thorough exposition of Romans 12, you might find Notes on Romans by W. Kelly to be helpful.

A Question for Jesus: Mark 12:18-27

When men of Jerusalem asked questions of Jesus, it was not because they wanted to learn, but to try to puzzle Him and show Him to be wrong. But, instead, they were proven wrong. His answers were so plain that we may now learn from them about the most important things we could wish to know.

One question the men asked was, If a woman’s husband died and she married again, whose wife would she be when the dead rise?

Those men did not believe that the dead ever rose, or that people had a life that did not end. They spoke in ridicule of such a hope, although they quoted from a law given by God (Deut. 25:5). They should have known the law was for life on earth, not for heaven.

Jesus answered that they were wrong, because they knew “not the scriptures, neither the power of God.” He said that the dead shall rise, but that there will not be family relationships as on earth. He said, “They neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.” (See also Luke 20:34-36).

God has given us those we now love so much, and we can be sure it will be far more wonderful as His family in heaven — all dear to all.

Proof From Scripture

To prove to the men that those who believe God would rise, Jesus repeated words God said to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Ex. 3:16).

Those men were dead when God said the words, and Jesus said that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Therefore, those men were living, although not in bodies on earth, but with God (Eccl. 12:7).

The “everlasting” promises were not yet fulfilled, but must be, so their bodies must be raised (Gen. 17:7-8).

The men who asked the question had the writings by Daniel and others about resurrection: “Them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and contempt” (Dan. 12:2; see also Job 19:25-27; Psa. 17:15; Isa. 26:19).

Resurrection

At another time Jesus told them much the same words as Daniel used. He said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of [judgment]” (John 5:28-29).

It will be the voice of the Lord Jesus, the Son of Man, that they shall hear, but the last book of the Bible tells of time between the resurrection of those who believe God and those who do not (Rev. 20:5-6, 12-14).

The Lord Jesus also said He was the resurrection and the life. Therefore it is by Him that those who believe God have life with Him. Also because of Him, their bodies will be raised (1 Cor. 15).

“God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (1 John 5:11).

Further Meditation

1. What other Bible characters asked insincere questions?

2. On what occasion did Jesus say, “I am the resurrection and the life”?

3. Some helpful comments on resurrection can be found in The First Epistle to the Corinthians by H. Smith.

Another Question: Mark 12:28-37

One of the scribes, who made copies of the Scriptures and also taught the people, asked Jesus this question: “Which is the first commandment of all?”

He meant, Which were most important of the words given by God for the people of Israel on Mt. Sinai? These were first carved on stone slabs and kept in the gold-covered chest, or “ark,” many hundreds of years. They were perfect instructions for the people who had asked for God to tell them what they should do (Deut. 5:27).

Two Key Categories

No doubt that scribe had copies of those words, called the Ten Commandments, and seemed to think some were not important. But notice, Jesus divided them into only two parts: one part telling what the people were to do for God, and the other part, what they were to do to others. He said, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

“And the second is ... Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other ... greater than these” (vss. 29-31).

The last commands were all included in “the second” by Jesus, for if each “loved his neighbor as himself,” as He said, no one would “kill” or “steal” or do any wrong to others. So the answer of Jesus showed all God’s words were important, although the scribe should have known they should first give themselves heart, soul, mind and strength to God, to whom they owed all (Deut. 6:45).

Jesus was the only person who fully kept those holy laws. He once said, “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17).

The answers of Jesus made the men of the temple know that they were not keeping God’s words. Nonetheless, they did not welcome Jesus, the righteous One, and did not ask Him any more questions.

Jesus’ Question

But He asked this question: “How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?”

The scribes read the writings of the prophets, which told of the Messiah, the anointed One from God, to be son, or heir, of King David (Psa. 132:10-11; Isa. 9:7). The title, the Christ, means the same, in the New Testament.

Yet Jesus said that David wrote of this great One to come as “his Lord” (Psa. 110:1). Jesus asked how that could be. The question is not answered here. He had before told them that He came from God, and the prophet John had told them Jesus was the One to come. As a man on earth, He was of the family of David, heir to the throne. But He was also the Lord from heaven, so David’s Lord.

Jesus will at last take that place as Ruler over men, but if we trust Him as Saviour, He is even now our Lord.

These verses teach us more about those commandments:

“The law has been our tutor [teacher] up to Christ” (Gal. 3:24 JND).

“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Rom. 10:4).

“Ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14).

Further Meditation

1. What can we learn from the Ten Commandments in this day of grace?

2. To further consider Jesus’ question, you might find it helpful to read Revelation 22:16.

3. Consider reading The Moral Content of the Ten Commandments by C. H. Brown.

4. You might find it helpful to listen to Grace Reigning by R. Thonney.

Who Gave the Most? Mark 12:41-44

One day the Lord Jesus saw the people putting gifts of money into the chest or treasury of the temple. The money was to be used to keep the temple in good repair and thereby honoring to God. Many who were rich put in much. Then a poor woman came and dropped in two small coins, called mites, which together were only the value of a farthing (English money), or a little more than one-half cent of our money.

We would think so small a gift would be of no help for the great temple, but notice what Jesus said to His disciples about it: “Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

What Jesus Values

Jesus often used the word “verily,” which means “it is true,” but it meant even more when used by Him. “Verily, I say unto you” meant that He spoke with authority to them as no one else could, and about an important matter. He knew that the people who put in much money had plenty left for their needs and their comforts. He also knew what others would not give. And He knew that the poor woman had nothing left, not even for her needs.

It is good to know that the Lord valued those two coins. We see that He really counts what is left more than what is given, and that true giving is to give what we might use for ourselves.

The woman could have kept one of the coins for herself, but she put in both, willingly. It is not that the Lord needs the gifts — all really belongs to Him — but He has always given His people the joy of sharing in what is for Him.

When King David collected the gold, silver, precious stones, marble, wood and other things to build the first temple to God, he said, “Now ... our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. ... All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee” (1 Chron. 29:13-14).

A Good Use of Money

In the time of the young king Jehoash, when the temple had been neglected, a chest was made ready with a hole bored in the cover for the people to put in gifts of money to repair it. Much money was put in, and the men in charge used it faithfully for material and for the workmen to make the repairs (2 Kings 12:9-15).

The willing gifts, large and small, honored God. His people now are not to keep a great temple, but there are as many or more ways for them to give to Him. They may help to provide His written words for others. They might also help those who tell of the Lord Jesus to those who do not know Him, as people of one town sent funds to Paul while he taught others (Phil. 4:14-17).

Many boys and girls now have more coins than the poor woman. If they have first given their hearts to the Lord, they will find joy in giving for Him.

The giving of the poor widow seems to have been the only thing which the Lord Jesus could commend in His visit to the temple, where all should have been for God’s praise.

Further Meditation

1. What other scriptures deal with how to handle our finances?

2. Who else was commended for their use of money?

3. To dig deeper into this subject, you might read Christian Giving by A. P. Cecil and others.

Stones to Be Thrown Down: Mark 13:1-2

As Jesus and the disciples were leaving the temple, one of them said to Him, “Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”

The temple building then was not the one for which King David provided the beautiful stones (1 Chron. 29:2), but it was built on the same site with very large stones. It had porches with high pillars, and no doubt it was a beautiful building.

But even the disciples did not seem to understand that those great stones and all inside were not meant simply to be admired. Its purpose was to teach all who looked at the temple that the Lord of all the earth was to be honored there. The stones taught of His wisdom and power, for He had created them.

God’s Meeting Place

But most of all, God had said He would meet with His people there and speak with them. They could come there in sorrow or joy and pray to Him. Even a stranger, one of another nation, could come there to pray, or if the people were in trouble in a faraway land, they were to pray with their faces toward the temple (2 Chron. 6:5, 29, 32, 38; Dan. 6:10).

It was there that the scrolls of the Scriptures were kept and copied and read to the people, and where they praised God with music.

Sacrifices of animals could be offered in no other place, and all the men of the nation were to go there three times a year to feasts (Deut. 12:13-14; 16:16).

So no matter how far away people of Israel lived, the temple, or house of God in Jerusalem, was the most important place on earth to them. And we can understand the sorrow of the disciples when Jesus said to them, “Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

The Reason to Destroy the Temple

When God sent His Son Jesus to that nation, as the prophets had said, He came to the temple (Mal. 3:1) and must have been there many times. He told them God’s words and that He was from God, and He proved by His wisdom and miracles that He was the promised Messiah. Yet the leaders would not believe Him and were soon to have Him put to death.

That was why the great temple would be broken down. The Lord Jesus fulfilled in His death all the sacrifices, and those who trust Him come to God by Him (Heb. 9:14).

It is not written that Jesus told the disciples when the temple would be destroyed — only that it surely would take place. After His return to heaven, the disciples went to the temple to speak to people. The last mention of the building was when Paul was there (Acts 21:30). But from history by men, we know that temple was entirely broken down in battle in 70 A.D., and many people were made slaves. That was about 35 years after Jesus said those words.

The Jewish people have never since had a temple in Jerusalem. The building now on that hill is in honor of a false prophet and called the Mosque of Omar.

Further Meditation

1. What kind of access do we have to God’s presence today?

2. For more on worship today, consider Five Letters on Worship and Ministry in the Spirit by W. Trotter.

3. You will find a fascinating historical account of these times in Josephus: The Essential Writings.

Christ's Coming in Power: Mark 13:3-27

There is a high ridge east of the city of Jerusalem, called the Mount of Olives, because of many olive trees growing there. It was a quiet place where Jesus came with the disciples away from the crowded city. From there they could see the temple which Jesus had just said would be broken down.

He had before told them that He must die and be raised and return to His Father, but also that He would come again with power (Matt. 16:27). The disciples asked Jesus when all this would be and what sign there would be.

Jesus’ Warning

Before Jesus answered their questions, He warned them of men who would say they were Christ and would do wonders, but were false. His coming would be very different and could not be mistaken, for He would appear in the clouds with brightest glory.

He told them that His “elect,” those of the “seed of Abraham” as promised, would be gathered from all parts of the earth for blessing (Gen. 13:15; Acts 3:25).

Jesus told them what would be a “sign”; it had already been written by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 9:27): An “abomination” would be seen “standing where it ought not.” A wicked man will cause the sacrifices and worship of the Jews to stop, and he will set up an idol in the temple to be worshipped instead of God. This “sign” would be seen before Christ’s coming with power, while there would be awful trouble for the saved people in Judea, so that they have to flee to the mountains (See also Matthew 24:15-16; Revelation 13:14-15). This most wicked man, called the “man of sin” and “the false prophet,” will go into the temple and declare himself to be God, and all who do not believe in God will obey that most wicked man (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:3-12).

But that wicked one’s power will end when the true Christ appears in the heavens, and his awful judgment is told (Rev. 19:20).

Jesus told the disciples that before His coming, the gospel of the kingdom must be told in all nations (vs. 10). Those disciples would tell of Jesus, the coming King.

When the most awful troubles are endured, men of the nation of Israel will tell of the Messiah to come. “Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels ... neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32).

Another Coming

We who are now the Lord’s are told of another coming in the air, to call all who have trusted Him as Saviour, before the time of trouble told here. Of this no “sign” is given.

“I will come again, and receive you unto Myself” (John 14:3).

Further Meditation

1. Why will God permit the “wicked man” to reign for a brief time?

2. If you’d like an excellent overview of coming events, consider Outline of Prophetic Events by B. Anstey.

3. For more on the subject of the Lord’s return, you might find The Lord’s Coming by C. H. Mackintosh to be quite helpful.

Left in Charge: Mark 13:28-37

The Lord Jesus had told some of His disciples the certainty that He would return in power to fulfill all God’s words. He also told them of great sorrows in Judea before that coming, but He said that none will know the day or hour for His return. He told them these words: “The Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.”

The Lord Jesus spoke of Himself as “Son of Man.” He would be away from His disciples (or all who believed His words) for some time, and He would give them work to do for Him.

While He’s Absent

He was Himself a holy Servant for God while on earth and knew the work to give each one. He had before told them to serve one another. Their “authority” for all they did would be His words.

He commanded the porter to watch. A porter is one to watch at all times, to announce an arrival, and other duties. So the “porter” may teach us of the Holy Spirit, most necessary for His “house”: None can enter except by the Holy Spirit, who also awakens His people to danger and teaches them of Christ, what is for Him and of things to come (John 16:13; 3:5).

In the great time of trial told by Jesus, the Holy Spirit is to give men the words to say to rulers about Christ (vs. 11).

Watching

Jesus told them plainly again that none knew the time for His return. He said, “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

Jesus mentioned all the divisions of time as then used, and in much the same way as we now say, excepting the early morning time called “the cockcrowing.” They would know no set time of day to expect Him; they could only watch.

The Lord did not mean that His people do not need sleep for their minds and bodies; He meant they were not to be as not knowing, or careless, about His coming, or as if “asleep” to their work for Him.

Jesus had told the disciples of His coming with glory, which time none knew, and the same is true of His coming in the air to call His people to be with Him, as He said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself” (John 14:3), also mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. No time is told; they are exhorted to “wait” for Him (1 Thess. 1:10).

One of the wonderful things about the words of the Lord Jesus and about all Scripture is that what was said to people then has a deep lesson also for His people of later time. That includes us now and for a time still in the future.

What “shall not pass away” (Mark 13:31)?

Further Meditation

1. What other passages in the Word of God show us how we can “watch” for the Lord to come?

2. How do we know that every scripture has an important lesson to teach us?

3. For a challenging look at this topic, consider reading The Watching Servant by J. N. Darby (only 24 pages). You will probably find it easier to read than you might think.

A Beautiful Act: Mark 14:1-9

A few days before the Lord Jesus was put to death, a supper was made for Him and His disciples in the house of a man named Simon. While they were eating, a woman came with a box, or flask, of choice oil and poured it on the head of Jesus.

To put oil on the head was a custom of the people, perhaps because of the heat and dust, and was a courtesy to a guest. Most often olive oil was used. Expensive oil, as the woman had, was used only by kings and rich men. Some present at this meal were indignant at what they called this “waste” and said the oil could have been sold for more than three hundred pence (the normal wage for about a year of work) and the money given to the poor.

A Beautiful Work

But the woman had a very special reason for using the rare oil, that was more than to honor Jesus as a guest, although that would have been a right use. Jesus Himself told her reason; He did not call it a waste, but a “good,” or beautiful, work, and said, “She is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying” (vs. 8).

Jesus had plainly told them He must suffer and die, as was written by the prophets (Luke 24:44-46), yet none seem to have believed Him, except this woman. She understood He was giving Himself for her sins, as for all.

Oils and perfumes were used to show esteem for persons at death. She knew when the wicked men would take Jesus she could put no oil on Him, so she did it before. Her love and appreciation were a great contrast to the hatred of the men who were then planning to take His life. They would have sharp thorns hurt His head; she put on Him soothing oil, the best she could obtain.

The Lord’s Approval

The Lord Jesus was so pleased that there was one who believed Him when others did not understand or believe that He said, “Verily I say unto you [very important], Wheresoever this gospel [the story of Jesus] shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

It is almost two thousand years since this loving act was done, and the story has been read and told many, many times, as Jesus said it should be. No one can now anoint the Lord Jesus with oil, but this story teaches that He is most honored when His words are fully believed and when His people value His death above all else.

It was for His joy in those who love Him that the Lord Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2).

In what village was this act done (Mark 14:3)?

What was the name of the woman (John 11:2)?

When can the poor be helped (Mark 14:7)?

The following verses show the use of oil as pleasing: Psa. 23:5; 92:10; 104:15; Eccl. 9:8; Isa. 61:3; Matt. 6:17.

Further Meditation

1. Where else are special oils referred to in the Bible?

2. For more wise words on the general topic of worship, consider Christian Worship by W. Kelly.

3. You might find The Land and the Book by W. M. Thompson to be an excellent reference for cultural issues such as the one referred to in this chapter.

A Man With a Pitcher: Mark 14:10-26

The disciples asked the Lord Jesus where He wished them to prepare the Passover supper which was not to be eaten in the temple, but in homes. They had no home in Jerusalem, but Jesus knew where they could find a room. He told two of them, “Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman [owner] of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? And he will show you a large upper room furnished. ... There make ready for us.”

The two disciples were so directed that they could not make a mistake. The man with the pitcher of water met them and led them directly to the “upper room” where our Lord knew they would find all that was needed for the solemn meal.

The Remembrance

This was not what we would call a “feast,” but a time to remember that God had saved their nation from death in Egypt and to rejoice and thank Him. It was to praise God that they had sung a hymn (or psalm) that evening before they left Egypt (Deut. 12:7, 12).

That same night Jesus showed the disciples how to keep a new “feast.” He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave to them to eat. Then He gave thanks also for the cup, in which was the “fruit” (juice) of the grape vine, and gave them to drink.

This was a most simple “feast,” told of in few words, yet it was to be done to remember the greatest of all events, the Lord Jesus’ giving His body in death and shedding His blood, not as the Passover for one nation, but to save the souls of men, women, boys and girls of every nation who will believe in Him.

Clear Direction

We may wonder that the Lord’s directions to find the place to keep the “feast” are so fully written. How can anyone now be helped by hearing of the man with a pitcher of water whom the disciples followed?

We find God’s Word is called “water” (Eph. 5:26); it is to our souls what water is to our bodies. It tells of God’s salvation and of all His way for His people. Yet they could not understand it without the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

From this it seems the man with the pitcher of water was a picture of the Spirit with the words of God. The Spirit leads by God’s Word to where the Lord still keeps the “feast” with His followers. The Lord desires that those who love Him keep that simple “feast” of remembrance with Him until He comes (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:26).

Further Meditation

1. What other scriptures refer to the Spirit of God by using the figure of moving water?

2. Where else in the Scripture is water used as a figure of the Word of God?

3. You might find help related to the topic of this chapter in Why Do We Meet as We Do? by J. R. Gill.

The Lord Betrayed: Mark 14:26-52

The disciple Judas, who had secretly agreed to betray Jesus to the men who hated Him, left the house after the Passover supper (John 13:26, 30). It was later in the evening that Jesus and the other disciples went out of the city to a place on the side of the Mount of Olives.

The disciples slept on the ground while Jesus went a little way from them to pray. He was “exceeding sorrowful.” He knew the time had come to give Himself into the power of the men who were planning His death and to suffer from their cruelty. Far more than that, He was to suffer from God’s punishment for the sins of many. That was why the Lord Jesus prayed, “Take away this cup from Me.”

He did not mean a cup He could see, but to take the punishment of God against sin was called “taking the cup.” Yet He said, “Not My will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Intimate Language

Jesus spoke in the language the disciples knew, and His first word, “Abba,” has been kept for us now to know. “Abba” meant Father. Just think of how the very word He used will always remind His people of His perfect obedience to God, His Father.

Before long, Judas came with a band of soldiers and many men sent by the priests, for he knew the place on the hillside where Jesus often went. The soldiers did not know Jesus, but Judas had told them that the man he would kiss (as was a custom for friends) would be the one to take captive.

Judas at once came to Jesus, calling Him “Master, Master!” and kissed Him. This was most wicked and deceitful. When the soldiers took hold of Jesus, one disciple who had a sword started to fight against them. Jesus could have prevented them from taking Him, but He did not resist. He said, “The scriptures must be fulfilled.”

Scripture Fulfilled

Earlier in the night, Jesus told the disciples this scripture: “Smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered” (Zech. 13:7).

Jesus was the “Shepherd” that God would “smite,” and the disciples were as “sheep.” They fulfilled those words, for it says, “They all forsook Him, and fled.”

That was a very sad night for those men who loved Jesus; He had told them other words which would have comforted them, if they had remembered them, telling them where to meet Him after He would arise from among the dead (Mark 14:28).

There was a young man who started to follow after Jesus, but he was not one of the disciples. He seems to have been roused that night from sleep and hurriedly wrapped a cloth or sheet about himself to come to the place. His name and his reason for coming are not told, but when the men tried to take him, he left his wrap in their hands and escaped.

The soldiers led Jesus back into the city to the chief priests. What is the name of the place where Jesus prayed (Mark 14:32)?

Why did Judas betray the Lord (Mark 14:10-11)?

What did the soldiers carry (John 18:3)?

Further Meditation

1. In a figurative sense, why did the soldiers need torches in the presence of the “light of life”?

2. What has the Lord given to comfort us in His absence?

3. For some very refreshing ministry on this part of the Lord’s life, consider reading The Evangelists by J. G. Bellett.

A Trial in the Night: Mark 14:53-65

The soldiers took Jesus to the palace of the high priest, the leader of the Jewish people. His house was near, or a part of, the temple. It was night, but there were priests, scribes and others waiting, as had been planned, to question and witness against Jesus. They wanted to hurry through a trial of Jesus when most of the people would not see or know what they did.

These men who gathered in the palace knew the laws given to Moses to direct them how to give any accused person a fair trial with witnesses. They would know the words by the prophet, “O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (Mic. 6:8).

Injustice

They did not do justly or love mercy. They had before tried to puzzle Jesus with questions and have Him speak wrongly. Because He had told them God’s words and had shown their ways to be wrong, they were so angry that they determined to condemn Him to death, although He had done no wrong.

Their witnesses did not speak truthfully, and they did not agree in what they said. At last the high priest asked Jesus, “Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

The Lord answered plainly, “I am,” and told them of His coming with power.

The high priest called His answer “blasphemy,” words against God. Then they all agreed Jesus deserved to die.

There were certain things people of those days did to show their feelings to others; they “rent,” or tore, their clothes to show great grief or shame. But the high priest was not to do so (Lev. 21:10), yet the high priest that night rent his clothes to show he thought the words of the Lord Jesus were shameful.

Some of the men spit in the face of Jesus to show their contempt of Him; others covered His eyes and then struck Him with their hands (called “buffeting”) and said for Him to name who struck Him.

Meekness

Yet Jesus did not answer or resist. He proved the words written long before of the Holy One to come: “I hid not My face from shame and spitting” (Isa. 50:6). It was also written of Him, “He was despised and rejected of men.” “He was taken from ... judgment [not given righteous judgment]” (Isa. 53:3, 8).

However, those men had no right to punish anyone by death; all they could do was to accuse and witness against Jesus and to send Him to the Roman ruler for another trial. They hurried to do this early in the morning.

Do you know what time of the year this was? It was the time of the Passover feast, also called the feast of unleavened bread, because they then ate only unleavened bread (without yeast) for seven days. This was in their month Abib, the same as late March or early April to us (See Exodus 13:3-4, 6; Luke 22:1).

Further Meditation

1. What produced the hatred these men had for the Lord Jesus?

2. What other scriptural principles were violated that day?

The Lord Jesus Denied: Mark 14:66-72

The men we call disciples had seen the great miracles done by the Lord Jesus and had heard His words and believed Him to be the Holy One expected by their people. They thought He would soon take the throne as King over Israel. So when He told them, before the soldiers came to take Him, that they would all be “offended” that night because of Him, they could not believe they would ever turn from Him, or deny they belonged with Him.

One disciple, Peter, said he would never deny the Lord, even if others did. Then Jesus said to Peter, “Verily [truly] I say unto thee ... this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice [three times]” (Mark 14:30).

Fleshly Courage and Fear

It was not long before the soldiers and other men came, with lanterns and weapons, to take Jesus. At first Peter tried to fight against them and struck one man with a sword. But Jesus healed the man, showing kindness to an enemy.

Yet Jesus did not use His power to save Himself, but He let the soldiers bind Him and lead Him away. The disciples became frightened that they would be captured too, and all ran away.

Later, Peter followed to the palace where they took Jesus and went in where the servants were. It was a cold night in early spring, and he sat down by the fire. He was a stranger to the servants, but they all knew of the taking of Jesus. A maid, who perhaps had sometime seen Jesus and the disciples, noticed Peter and said to him, “Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.”

Peter answered that he did not know or understand what she said, meaning he did not know anything about Jesus. Then he went from the room onto the porch, and just then he heard a cock, or rooster, crow, as they do very early in the morning. But Peter seems not to have then recalled what Jesus had told him.

Final Moments of Fear

Soon the maid told the servants that Peter was one of those with Jesus. But Peter denied again that he knew Him. Afterward, a servant said to him, “Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.”

No doubt Peter thought they might make him a prisoner, as they had Jesus, and he very wrongly answered again that he did not know Jesus.

After that he again heard a rooster crowing. Then he remembered the Lord’s words telling him that he would deny Him, and he realized he had not been true to the Lord. He was sorry and ashamed, for he really loved Jesus.

Peter seems never afterward to have been afraid to speak for the Lord Jesus; he spoke even to those same priests who were against Jesus and told them that there was no way to be saved but by the name of Jesus. He did not fear, although they had him put in prison (Acts 4:6-12; 5:18).

“If any man suffer as a Christian [because he belongs to Christ], let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16).

Further Meditation

1. When had the Lord warned Peter?

2. How did the Lord prepare for Peter’s restoration even before he denied Him?

3. For more on Peter’s life and work for the Lord, consider reading the comprehensive and helpful book, Simon Peter: His Life and Letters, by W. T. P. Wolston.

A Wicked Choice: Mark 15:1-20

The Lord Jesus was taken by the chief men of Jerusalem to the hall of Pilate, the Roman governor, for trial. He was bound as though a man to be feared, and the priests told Pilate that He claimed to be the King of their nation. This would not be allowed by the Romans, and they expected Pilate would soon punish Him.

Pilate asked Jesus, “Art Thou the king of the Jews?”

The Lord answered, “Thou sayest it.” That meant, “It is true.”

Jesus had ridden into the city a short time before this to let the people accept Him as King, but these men had refused. They now said many false things of Him. Pilate wondered that Jesus did not try to answer or defend Himself, for he knew that the charges were untrue and wanted to free Jesus.

The People’s Choice

The Romans were severe rulers, yet it was a custom at each Passover time for them to allow the Jews to choose one prisoner to go free, as a very special privilege. Pilate asked if he should release Jesus.

There was then a man in prison named Barabbas who had rebelled against the government and also had killed someone. He was the man the Jewish leaders wanted to be free and urged the people to choose him.

Pilate let them have their way to quiet and please them, although he knew Jesus was just and innocent. Next he scourged Jesus, which means to whip with leather cords, and gave the soldiers authority to mock and crucify Him. They treated Him with great cruelty and then led Him away.

Man’s Heart and God’s Heart

To choose a man who had done much evil instead of the Holy One who had done wonderful good and fully spoken God’s words shows their hearts were full of hatred. It makes us know God’s love for sinners and the Lord Jesus’ love to bear such treatment.

The trial of Jesus was before the highest men of the Jewish nation and the judge Pilate, representing the Romans who then ruled all the world. They all refused the Son of God as King and Lord. All who were there must have made a choice in their hearts, and that is what we must each do now when we hear the words of the trial of Jesus and how He suffered, “the Just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18). It was for us He suffered, as for the people then.

There is to be a time when the Lord Jesus will be the great Judge. God “hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained” (Acts 17:31; 2 Tim. 4:1).

He will be the Judge at the “great white throne.” (Read carefully Revelation 20:11-15).

But He still waits, offering His love and sacrifice for all who will trust Him. These words were said by Peter concerning Jesus’ trial: “God ... hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate. ... Ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you” (Acts 3:13-14).

Further Meditation

1. Why did God permit such awful treatment of His own Son?

2. How else does God’s love get expressed in this story?

3. You might find more helpful thoughts on this sad time in Night Scenes of Scripture by W. T. P. Wolston.

Slain by Wicked Hands: Mark 15:21-38

The soldiers led Jesus from the hall where the Roman ruler had condemned Him to death to the Praetorium. Later they headed toward the hill outside of Jerusalem where they were to crucify Him.

The wooden crosses on which persons suffered this cruel death were very heavy; at first Jesus carried His cross (John 19:17), and then the soldiers compelled a man who was passing along the road to carry it instead.

Cruelty

When they reached the hill, the soldiers fastened Jesus on the cross. We do not like to think of the cruel treatment, but we know He was fastened with strong nails through His hands and His feet, which was foretold in Psalm 22:16 (See also John 20:25).

Two men who were thieves were crucified at the same time, one on each side of Jesus. This was the third hour of the morning; we would call it 9 a.m. Many people had followed them to this place, some who loved Jesus but many who did not and spoke in ridicule. The priests were there to mock Him, and even the thieves spoke against Him.

The Lord Jesus hung on the cross for six hours, through the middle part of the day. The last three hours, from the “sixth” hour (noon) until the “ninth” hour (3 p.m)., the sun gave no light: “There was darkness over the whole land.” Then Jesus spoke to God and gave up His life.

Laying Down His Life

All the cruel treatment did not take the life of the Lord Jesus, for He had said, “I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself” (John 10:17-18).

This was the great work which Jesus as the holy Servant of God came to do, to give Himself as the sacrifice for sins, as was pictured in all the sacrifices of all the years before He came.

Notice these words about the Lord Jesus: “Christ Jesus ... took upon Him the form of a servant, ... became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:5-9).

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).

“Ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23).

Note: The man who was made to carry the cross of Jesus did not live in Jerusalem, but in Cyrene, a city of northern Africa. Except for the soldiers’ orders, he would not have heard the words Jesus said or known so fully of His death. He may have been one of those who listened to the disciples soon after this (Acts 2:10). If he learned that the One whose cross he carried was the Christ who was going to bear his sins, how fully he would feel repaid for carrying that heavy cross! Men from his city later “preached the Lord Jesus” in other cities (Acts 11:20-21). His sons seem to be well known to Mark, the writer of this account, and to other believers.

Further Meditation

1. Why did God darken the whole world for those three hours?

2. Where in the Old Testament can we read of Christ’s inner feelings during this time?

3. You would, no doubt, find The Sufferings of Christ by J. N. Darby both challenging and uplifting.

The Burial of Jesus: Mark 15:39-47

One of the leaders of the Jewish people had not agreed to the evil plans against Jesus; his name was Joseph and his home Arimathea, near Jerusalem. He had listened to the words of Jesus and believed Him.

No doubt Joseph was with those who watched while Jesus suffered on the cross, for when he saw He was dead, he went to Pilate and “craved,” or desired very much, to be allowed to have the body of Jesus.

Death by crucifixion is very slow, lasting many hours, so Pilate thought that Jesus could not be dead yet. He called the captain of the soldiers, called by the Romans a centurion, to inquire of him. This man confirmed the word that Jesus was dead. Then Pilate gave permission for Joseph to take Jesus’ body.

Joseph bought fine linen cloth and went to the cross and took down the body of Jesus. Another leader who believed in Jesus helped Joseph wrap and prepare His body for burial, and they laid Him in a tomb nearby, belonging to Joseph. They rolled a great stone over the entrance and went away.

Divine Witness

The centurion who had charge of the soldiers may never have seen Jesus before that day, yet he too believed He was the Son of God. It was his duty to carry out the sentence of Pilate, but the patience and meekness of Jesus in bearing the mocking, the words He said and His prayer to God taught the centurion that Jesus was not like any other man. He said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.”

Later the centurion would know how the tomb of Jesus was guarded and of His resurrection, which must have taught him more.

Deep Grief

The women who stood where they could see the cross of Jesus had known Him in Galilee, where they had listened to His words, known His love for their children and His cures of all sickness and that He fed the hungry and raised some from death. Some of them had “ministered” to Him, which means they had in some way served Him — that may have been if He came to their homes, they provided food and a room, or however they could serve His needs.

Those women believed Jesus to be the Messiah promised in the Old Testament Scriptures, and they were deeply grieved at the cruel treatment He received that day. Two of them stayed to see where Joseph laid the body of Jesus in the tomb. Then they returned to the places where they stayed to prepare sweet spices and ointments to bring to His tomb after the Sabbath.

It was then near sunset when the Sabbath day began, and by the law of God to their nation, no work was to be done on the Sabbath, the seventh and last day of the week. For that reason, the day before the Sabbath was called “the [day of] preparation,” when all work was finished to be ready for the day of rest.

Further Meditation

1. Who saw Jesus after the soldier pierced His side and before His ascension back into heaven?

2. When will the unbelieving world next see Christ?

3. For brief articles on the cross, crucifixion, resurrection and related subjects, you might consider reading the Concise Bible Dictionary by G. A. Morrish.

The Stone Rolled Away: Mark 16

Some of the women who knew the Lord Jesus went to place spices about His body, as was then a custom. They came to His tomb early in the morning the day after the Sabbath bringing spices.

A tomb, or sepulchre, is not like a grave, but a small room, and often large enough for more than one person to enter. The tomb in which the body of Jesus was laid was cut out in the rocks. The women had seen the big stone which covered the opening. On the way they wondered who would roll away the stone for them.

When they reached the place, they saw the great stone was already rolled away. They saw an angel in a white robe who told them that Jesus was not there, but risen, and for them to tell His disciples.

Reality of Resurrection

That was wonderful news, but the women were frightened by seeing an angel and ran from the tomb. One of them seems to have stayed near, and soon she saw the Lord Himself. She went to tell the disciples that He was alive, but they did not believe her words.

Jesus had told them before His death that He would rise the third day, yet it was not until He came Himself to the room where they were that they believed that He was alive again.

Later the disciples returned to Galilee as Jesus had told them, and He met them there and taught them (Matt. 28:16). But it is not told that people who had not loved Him saw Him after He arose.

The Lord and the disciples were again near Jerusalem, for He was taken up from them into heaven, as they stood on the Mount of Olives, near the village of Bethany (See Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:10-12).

A New Work

The Lord Jesus would no longer be the holy Servant for God on earth, and before He left He told the disciples their work as His servants. He said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” “They went forth, and preached everywhere.”

It was a new work in the world to tell people of every race that One from heaven had died for them, and all who believed would be saved.

The disciples spoke much of Jesus being raised. They said, “It was not possible that He should be [held by death]” and that He was “the Prince of life.”

“With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 2:24; 3:15; 4:33).

But the people then did not have the New Testament to know the words and power of the Lord, as we now have. It is still a great wonder that the Lord saves “he that believeth” (Mark 16:16).

Those who love the Lord still rejoice that the stone of His tomb was rolled away, that death could not hold Him, and that He now lives in heaven and knows all who put their trust in Him.

Further Meditation

1. What other parts of the Word of God deal with the subject of resurrection?

2. What common themes did the apostles preach in the Book of Acts?

3. An excellent book on the theme of preaching in the whole world is The Great Commission by C. H. Mackintosh.

The Servant's Heart: Bible Talks on Mark

Table of Contents

Preface

The Servant Mark: Introduction

The Holy Servant: Mark 1

A Roof Opened: Mark 2

Places Around Israel: Mark 3

Wonderful Seed: Mark 4

A Girl Raised: Mark 5

Jesus, Meek and Humble: Mark 6:1-44

Jesus, the Son of God: Mark 6:45-56

He Could Not Be Hid: Mark 7

The Multitude Again Fed: Mark 8:1-21

A Blind Man Made to See: Mark 8:22-26

A Talk on a Journey: Mark 8:27-38

A Boy's Sad Condition: Mark 9:14-50

Love for Little Children: Mark 10:1-16

A Rich Young Man: Mark 10:17-31

Rise; He Calleth Thee Mark 10:46-52

The Ride of the King: Mark 11:1-12

A Tree Without Fruit: Mark 11:12-14

Sent From the Temple: Mark 11:15-33

Wicked Keepers: Mark 12:1-12

Caesar’s Tax: Mark 12:13-17

A Question for Jesus: Mark 12:18-27

Another Question: Mark 12:28-37

Who Gave the Most? Mark 12:41-44

Stones to Be Thrown Down: Mark 13:1-2

Christ's Coming in Power: Mark 13:3-27

Left in Charge: Mark 13:28-37

A Beautiful Act: Mark 14:1-9

A Man With a Pitcher: Mark 14:10-26

The Lord Betrayed: Mark 14:26-52

A Trial in the Night: Mark 14:53-65

The Lord Jesus Denied: Mark 14:66-72

A Wicked Choice: Mark 15:1-20

Slain by Wicked Hands: Mark 15:21-38

The Burial of Jesus: Mark 15:39-47

The Stone Rolled Away: Mark 16