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Mar
08

Gospel of Mark 15, Jesus King of the Jews!

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Day 43, Mark 15

Good Day Everyone! I am so fired up because we are in the second to last chapter of the Gospel according to Mark!

What I really see is how things seem to speed up at the end!  I mean we have days of healings and ministry work — and we know that for Jesus it was three years!

And then in only three days it was all over!  And funny that Jesus lived to be 33 or thirty three years old!

Well I am going to give you three points from this chapter:

  1. Handing Jesus Over
  2. Envy kills
  3. Jesus King of the Jews… The Sign

I will attempt to be brief today since many of you might need to read yesterdays reading — chapter 14 as well as this one!

1- Handing Jesus Over –

This is a theme that we have mentioned before, and it is happening and must happen in order for the mission of redemption to be accomplished. 

In this chapter I think we can read these words at least four times!  So I mention it as very important not to miss and for you to re read it if you missed the many places where it is written.

The Chief priests hand Jesus over to Pilate who then hands HIM over to the people — and Jesus is just handed over until He dies!

The next time you feel like someone else is deciding things for  your future… or people are not standing up for you…

When things seem to be out of control and not in your favor, think of how Jesus was unfairly treated and handed over many times in order that the plan of God would be fulfilled!

But did it look like God was in control then at all?  No it looked like the Pharisees and Scribes and Chief Priests were in control didn’t it?  Like they had all the power didn’t it?

Remember that if you are following God — HE is always in control!

2- Envy Kills -

We read here that Pilate knew that,

“it was out of ENVY that the chief priests had handed him over.”

Now first of all, how did Pilate know this?  Jesus didn’t talk much to Pilate and  He wasn’t looking so good! 

I mean what did Pilate think the chief priests had to be envious about? 

So there must have been something about JESUS — His presence — even in His suffering — in the midst of His silence — there must have been something about His peacefulness!

Envy is poison — and the problem is that it is like a bad seed — it starts out little but it takes root and then it grows into something larger than life!

It is true… it is an ugly green monster!!  Envy kills— because it leads to gossip and judgement and jealousy!

Jesus wants us to know that every spiritual gift has been given us by our father in heaven — so we don’t have to be envious — we all have gifts —

it is just that some have unwrapped theirs and others have not — some are still trying to figure  out how to unwrap!

3- Jesus King of the Jews… the Sign…

It finally hit me when I read this — especially the part where the people were passing by and saying things to Jesus on the cross, that they continued to harass Jesus for a sign…

they wanted a sign and then they would believe — but it was on their conditions and the sign that they wanted that Jesus really was who He said He was.

We know that Jesus was crucified for breaking the first three commandments…

- Love the Lord your God with all your mind, soul, strength

- You shall have no strange God’s before me — and Keep holy the sabbath day!

So the people wanted a sign that they came up with!!!   They didn’t want to go with any of the signs and wonders that Jesus performed….

And at the cross they still were demanding a sign === that Jesus would save Himself and come off the cross!

They mocked Him — and even those who were crucified with Him were abusing HIM!!!

Well it seems the charge against HIM ended up being the SIGN that they placed right over His sacred HEAD!

It read JESUS KING OF THE JEWS!  Later they would be infuriated to have that sign over His head but that is what they were saying…

So “watch” for when people tell you the opposite of what God is telling you or you sense in your spirit!

Remember this scene — Jesus had told them for years that no other sign would be given — but the sign of JONAH!  Repentance is the sign!

In this case the sign literally becomes “the sign”! 

Jesus was really the KING OF THE JEWS!!!

And there was the sign to prove it!

Since they did not believe the works they can believe the words!!!

Before opening this up for reflection and sharing…  check out this part about the women looking on from a distance –

these women had followed Him when he was in Galilee and MINISTERED to Him — These women are mentioned at the end here in gratitude!

I wonder how they ministered to Jesus?  We are all called to minister to the person of Christ!  And that is to be found in every human person!!!

OK there were so many different parts to this chapter — what did you get to stand out for you!

May God bless you with a faith on fire today!

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  • Anonymous

    Oh my goodness! This makes me so sad. The first thing I thought was Jesus’ feelings when he was tied up and taken to the elders. Like He said in Getsemani, he always walked in public and they didn’t take Him. I never realized the pain that being tied up causes. Once a client of mine was wrongly accused of hitting her husband with her car. It wasn’t true. I was there and he couldn’t even show a mark in his body. However, because there was an accusation, the Police said they had to take her and tie her with hand cuffs, becasue they were forced to do it. You have no idea how that girl cried. She was so humiliated and hurt. I even cried. I was able to convinve the police to let me drive her to the station and avoid the hand cuffs. After much crying, and seeing how the husband was having fun with what was going to happen to her, they let me drive her. I have an idea of how Jesus must have felt. I think the pain is even deeper that getting hit physically.
    Now I think how He must feel everytime we sin against Him, again and again. I think that the fact that the apostles did not stay awake with Him, or when Peter denied Him must have felt worst than the physical pain. I think the body sort of shots down when it is in pain.
    And everytime I forget about Him, or sin or deny Him, it must at least feel like the handcuffing. And now I remember how that girl cried. She was in real pain. So much, that the police felt sorry for her. After reading this passage (which I have read more that a hundred times in my life) I remember my client and really feel sad. and I ask the Lord’s forgiveness for all the times I let Him be handcuffed, and taken and forgotten by me. This will make me meditate on His pain for a long time.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    OH WOW — this is so great! I love the real life example that can evoke the emotion — then you can get it touch with that emotion and applyit to understanding what Jesus went through! PERFECT! I know myself that I will never read these chapters the same way— This is also perfect to get ready for lent!!! Thanks for the share!

  • Ann

    I read this chapter in the Lab at the Hospital waiting to have blood taken. My eyes were filling up with tears. Tears of regret for the times I have smacked Jesus in the face with my sins. Doing what I wanted to do,even knowing it was wrong and doing it anyway, Lord have mercy on me a sinner!
    You spoke of envy,envy that turns to jealousy, judgement and gossip. How many times I have been envious and the negative emotions just run all over me. Like ANTS. Thank you Jesus for your all consuming love , for dying for me, making it personal, dying for MY sins.

  • Anonymous

    i can imagine how Jesus must have seemed like such a failure – even to his own disciples and apostles. you follow a man who you think is God and then see this pitiful figure hanging on a cross and suffering and dying.

    when i despair i think of resurection. i will rise above just as Jesus did if i trust in Him. i think how amazing it is that we have such a forgiving and mericiful God. then i think of what a safe life i have had even with all my pains and sufferings. and every time i turn away from Him, i know that He will welcome me back. and all Heaven will rejoice. do i feel that way with people?

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Such incredible insight!! Great questions to contemplate and then to seek THE WAY! Because JESUS is THE WAY!
    I love this — great share!!!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    PRAISED BE JESUS for the gift of tears!!! I am so grateful for this share — it really makes it all real and it unites us all as we all go through the same temptations and we can see we are not alone — so we will fight the enemy as ONE — and turn to our Merciful God!!! Thanks for sharing this!

  • cuquilavergne

    Oh my goodness! This makes me so sad. The first thing I thought was Jesus' feelings when he was tied up and taken to the elders. Like He said in Getsemani, he always walked in public and they didn't take Him. I never realized the pain that being tied up causes. Once a client of mine was wrongly accused of hitting her husband with her car. It wasn't true. I was there and he couldn't even show a mark in his body. However, because there was an accusation, the Police said they had to take her and tie her with hand cuffs, becasue they were forced to do it. You have no idea how that girl cried. She was so humiliated and hurt. I even cried. I was able to convinve the police to let me drive her to the station and avoid the hand cuffs. After much crying, and seeing how the husband was having fun with what was going to happen to her, they let me drive her. I have an idea of how Jesus must have felt. I think the pain is even deeper that getting hit physically.
    Now I think how He must feel everytime we sin against Him, again and again. I think that the fact that the apostles did not stay awake with Him, or when Peter denied Him must have felt worst than the physical pain. I think the body sort of shots down when it is in pain.
    And everytime I forget about Him, or sin or deny Him, it must at least feel like the handcuffing. And now I remember how that girl cried. She was in real pain. So much, that the police felt sorry for her. After reading this passage (which I have read more that a hundred times in my life) I remember my client and really feel sad. and I ask the Lord's forgiveness for all the times I let Him be handcuffed, and taken and forgotten by me. This will make me meditate on His pain for a long time.

  • frken

    As to how the women ministered to Jesus, it is believed that they helped finance the ministry. The same happens today as women support many good causes

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    OH WOW — this is so great! I love the real life example that can evoke the emotion — then you can get it touch with that emotion and applyit to understanding what Jesus went through! PERFECT! I know myself that I will never read these chapters the same way— This is also perfect to get ready for lent!!! Thanks for the share!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Amazing to me though that at that time the women had the money — they didn’t seem to have many rights back then — unless they were widows or single and they made a living — so interesting — I was thinking that they may have provided meals too and prayers of course — I know they provided their homes in the early church too — thanks!

  • Ann

    I read this chapter in the Lab at the Hospital waiting to have blood taken. My eyes were filling up with tears. Tears of regret for the times I have smacked Jesus in the face with my sins. Doing what I wanted to do,even knowing it was wrong and doing it anyway, Lord have mercy on me a sinner!
    You spoke of envy,envy that turns to jealousy, judgement and gossip. How many times I have been envious and the negative emotions just run all over me. Like ANTS. Thank you Jesus for your all consuming love , for dying for me, making it personal, dying for MY sins.

  • marionraffa

    i can imagine how Jesus must have seemed like such a failure – even to his own disciples and apostles. you follow a man who you think is God and then see this pitiful figure hanging on a cross and suffering and dying.

    when i despair i think of resurection. i will rise above just as Jesus did if i trust in Him. i think how amazing it is that we have such a forgiving and mericiful God. then i think of what a safe life i have had even with all my pains and sufferings. and every time i turn away from Him, i know that He will welcome me back. and all Heaven will rejoice. do i feel that way with people?

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Such incredible insight!! Great questions to contemplate and then to seek THE WAY! Because JESUS is THE WAY!
    I love this — great share!!!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    PRAISED BE JESUS for the gift of tears!!! I am so grateful for this share — it really makes it all real and it unites us all as we all go through the same temptations and we can see we are not alone — so we will fight the enemy as ONE — and turn to our Merciful God!!! Thanks for sharing this!

  • Anonymous

    Oh sweet Jesus. The meaness of the scribes,the evil in their heart jus to satisfy themselves,that they think they are right and justified to accuse you and then kill you. All I can say is please have mercy on them for they not know what they do.!!!!!!!!!! Then the nerve of them to continue and want Barabbas to be released who was so evil,he committed murder and there you are having done nothing but preach and heal people and show kindness and love and the hard evil hearts of the scribes to shout Crucify Him. My sweet Jesus it’s horrifying and unspeakable that these people could do such a horrible things, and if that wasn’t enough the soldiers mocked you and spat on you and the worst thing they place the Crown of Thorns on your head. Forgive me Lord for not being patient and for not having any courage. I don’t think I could have gone on, but you did for our redemption. Praise you Jesus King of the Jews!!!!!!!!!! The degrading continues while you are on he cross, it says they reviled you and mocked you and those who were crucified with you are abusing you. My heart is breaking for you : How brave you were and so innocent!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you sweet Jesus for doing the will of the Father and for suffering so much for my horrible sins, my lack of faith, my unforgiveness,for being selfish, for not turning my cheek again I say for suffering on the cross for 3 hours. Please Jesus I beg you for mercy on me and my family!!!!!

  • angel

    It is scary that God allowed the suffering, but He didn’t chose what was happening to Jesus-the people did. God let them be free in their choice-even if it was wrong. God (and Jesus trusted Him) knew the outcome. He had to let His Son go through it all as human, for humanity, to be united divinely and gloriously with God forever. That is what He wants for us too.

  • frken

    As to how the women ministered to Jesus, it is believed that they helped finance the ministry. The same happens today as women support many good causes

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Amazing to me though that at that time the women had the money — they didn't seem to have many rights back then — unless they were widows or single and they made a living — so interesting — I was thinking that they may have provided meals too and prayers of course — I know they provided their homes in the early church too — thanks!

  • marylatini

    Oh sweet Jesus. The meaness of the scribes,the evil in their heart jus to satisfy themselves,that they think they are right and justified to accuse you and then kill you. All I can say is please have mercy on them for they not know what they do.!!!!!!!!!! Then the nerve of them to continue and want Barabbas to be released who was so evil,he committed murder and there you are having done nothing but preach and heal people and show kindness and love and the hard evil hearts of the scribes to shout Crucify Him. My sweet Jesus it's horrifying and unspeakable that these people could do such a horrible things, and if that wasn't enough the soldiers mocked you and spat on you and the worst thing they place the Crown of Thorns on your head. Forgive me Lord for not being patient and for not having any courage. I don't think I could have gone on, but you did for our redemption. Praise you Jesus King of the Jews!!!!!!!!!! The degrading continues while you are on he cross, it says they reviled you and mocked you and those who were crucified with you are abusing you. My heart is breaking for you : How brave you were and so innocent!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you sweet Jesus for doing the will of the Father and for suffering so much for my horrible sins, my lack of faith, my unforgiveness,for being selfish, for not turning my cheek again I say for suffering on the cross for 3 hours. Please Jesus I beg you for mercy on me and my family!!!!!

  • angel

    It is scary that God allowed the suffering, but He didn't chose what was happening to Jesus-the people did. God let them be free in their choice-even if it was wrong. God (and Jesus trusted Him) knew the outcome. He had to let His Son go through it all as human, for humanity, to be united divinely and gloriously with God forever. That is what He wants for us too.