Day 46:
Mark 16:1-8 and Matthew 28:11-15
The Resurrection

Marks account of the resurrection becomes dis-jointed after verse 8 and the common view is that verses 9-20 have been added in by someone else later on. It is possible that an original ending written by Mark was lost.  To be honest no-one really knows why Mark's Gospel ends as it does but that does not affect the authenticity of the rest of the book.

Since the point of this guide is to focus on Jesus, and letting God speak, it does not really matter where we take the story of the resurrection from. The next few days take readings from Mark, Matthew, Luke, John and the Acts of the Apostles to try and leave a true historical account of the resurrection in your mind as you finish off this journey through the remarkable life of Jesus.

Try and put yourself in the place of these three women who were the first to discover the empty tomb! How would you have reacted to this unsettling event?

Let God speak to you about this first resurrection encounter and the attempted cover up described by Matthew. What effect has this had on you?

Day 45 Mark 15:1-47
The Trial and Death of Jesus

Mark’s description of the crucifixion is short and factual and can be read all the way though from the trial to the burial in one chapter. The Jewish way of counting hours is from sunrise (6am) to sunset (early evening). The third hour is 9am and so on. Crucifixion was a Roman punishment and was brutally painful and humiliating. It was unusual that Jesus died within 6 hours and that Joseph would be given permission to take away his body.

Read the whole of chapter 15 slowly and reflectively. 

Let God speak to you through it and
ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand why it was all necessary.

What impact has reading the account of the crucifixion of Jesus made on you?

Day 44: Mark 14:66-72 

Peter Disowns Jesus

This situation is all too familiar – the steady realisation that you are either going to have to say something important or remain silent. Since Peter was not the silent type he ended up denying Jesus. The fact is that a Galilean would normally be considered worthless amongst the people of Jerusalem (John 1:46 Nazareth was in Galilee) and Peter was well beyond his limits in this situation. It would not be long before he would stand up in Jerusalem and defend Jesus. (Acts 4:8) But for now he would have to live through his denial.

Think practically about the difference between Peter at this trial and Peter in Acts 4:8. Ask God to teach you lessons through this that you need to know.

Expect that you might face similar soul destroying situations because God allows this to happen.  What encouragement has God given you about this?

Day 43: Mark 14:53-65
Before the Sanhedrin

Jesus faced a formidable bunch of accusers. The Sanhedrin was the high court of the Jewish world and the Romans, who occupied Israel, allowed them to run their own court except that they could not pass a death sentence. Were they were right to pass a sentence of blasphemy? In front of them Jesus confessed to being the Son of God using the Jewish phrase “I am” which was only ever applied to God. However, this was done in a great hurry with no real evidence, no fair trial and no-one could agree about what they were accusing him of doing.

The case against Jesus goes on today. Think about some of the arguments set against Jesus in your world.

How can you be ready to combat those arguments?

Day 42: Mark 14:32-52
Gethsemane and Jesus Arrested

            The Jewish authorities were expecting resistance to Jesus’ arrest but in the end there wasn’t any. The crowd carrying swords and clubs were a mixed bunch of Jewish officials and Roman soldiers (John 18:3) but Mark describes them as an unruly crowd. Some people think that Mark was the young man who fled naked. He describes the fear vividly.

Reflect on the account of Gethsemane and the arrest. 

How has God spoken to you today through this reading?

Day 41: Mark 14:12-31
The Lord’s Supper and Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

This is now Thursday evening; the night before the crucifixion. It coincided with the night when the Jewish people celebrated the Passover and the seven day feast of unleavened bread (no yeast) began the next day. As leader and teacher it was Jesus’ responsibility to organise and host the Passover meal. Jesus had already made the arrangements. The meal took place inside and then Jesus led them on to the Mount of Olives just outside the city walls of Jerusalem.

The Passover is the time when all Jews remember that they were set free from slavery in Egypt in 1450BC under Moses. A lamb had to be killed by each household to provide blood to put on the door posts to prevent the angel of death killing their firstborn sons. (Exodus 12:12-13) This was followed by a time when they carried bread without yeast from Egypt which they had made before they left to provide for their journey. Jesus became like the Passover lamb and therefore it was very significant that his death happened straight after the Passover meal.

The prophecy that this band of men would be broken up like sheep being scattered is taken from Zechariah 13:7.

As you read through this account you begin to get a sense of the sadness that is coming over the disciples who had followed Jesus for nearly three years.

What made them all desert Jesus and do you think any of them had any choice in this? How can you keep your heart right with God right through to the very end?

Day 40: Mark 13:24-37 

The Day and Hour Unknown

You can read the second part of Jesus’ prophecy from verse 24 to 37. He moves on from the destruction of Israel to the judgement of God on all the nations of the world. The clue is found in Isaiah 34:4 which uses similar pictures of judgement. Prophesy is very difficult to pin on to a time scale because some of the language used is in a picture form. Sometimes it feels like looking at a distant mountain range where you cannot tell which mountains lie in front and which are behind and you cannot measure the distance between them with your eye. However, there are some certainties in the account. One is that Jesus, the Son of Man will return again (Mark 13:26). Another is that no one (including Jesus himself) knows when it will actually happen. The delay is an act of mercy until every nation on earth has had the opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ.

Try to move away from speculations (thoughts about when it might happen and trying to match world events to the end of the age).

Instead focus on becoming prepared.

Ask God to show you what it means to “Watch”. What are you watching for and what practical thing can you do to watch?

Day 39: Mark 13:1-23
Signs of the End of the Age

Read through from verse 1 to 23. This is only part of the account that Jesus gave to his disciples to prepare them for the future. Looking back on history we now know that Jerusalem was ransacked by the Romans in AD70 and this was the ‘end of the age’ in which the Jews were able to live as a complete nation in the land of Judea which they had occupied for about 1400 years. The Temple was destroyed as Jesus foretold and the Jewish leadership was finally judged at its root as pictured by the fig tree that you read about a few days ago. 

When the disciples went out to preach and build Christian communities throughout Judea and Samaria they experienced many of the things spoken here by Jesus. Some things such as the floggings and a famine were written down in the records of the early church (Acts 5:40 and Acts 11:28). Many of the other things were not specifically recorded but we know Christians were severely persecuted during the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero (AD 54 onwards). Nero was a weak and ineffective leader who blamed the burning of Rome in AD64 on the Christians. Horrific stories are told of Christians being burned alive at Nero’s parties and in that atmosphere it is likely that families would disown the Christians and brothers would betray each other. Nero committed suicide in AD68 and this began the slow squeeze by the Romans on the Jewish people in Judea which ended up with the fall of Jerusalem in AD70 under the Emperor Titus.

The “abomination that causes desolation” is first prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 9:27) and is most likely to refer to the deliberate destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem and all the things that Titus may have done there as a brutal leader.  Jesus knows everything that is happening but for the disciples of the early church they could only see parts of it as it unfolded.

Let God speak to you about things in this account that may distress or make you fearful of what following Jesus could involve.

How would you prepare yourself for being persecuted at any level for being a Christian? (Think and pray about Mark 13:11)

If you want more information about whether persecution happens today look at www.opendoorsuk.org

  Day 38: Mark 12:28-34
The Greatest Commandment

This question could go badly wrong since the teachers of the law could count more than 600 statutes of law passed down by Moses and they all had different levels of importance. Jesus quoted the most famous one from Deuteronomy 6:4 which the devout Jews recited twice a day. Jesus showed that he knew the book of the Law and he won this man’s attention.

How is it possible to love God when we have never seen Him?

Ask God to speak to you and show you how to do this.

  Day 37: Mark 11:27-33
The Authority of Jesus Questioned

This is now Tuesday in the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. Imagine the scene for yourself where Jesus arrives back in the Gentile area of the temple after turning out the moneychangers on the previous day. He is questioned directly by the elders of Israel who were lay representatives of  the Sanhedrin (the supreme court of Israel) who judged the most difficult cases that affected Jewish life. The chief priests, including Caiaphas the ruling high priest, and the teachers of the law were all part of the Sanhedrin.  Jesus’ answer only deepens their belief that he is a threat to their authority. However, Jesus moves on to a full day of teaching and no one tries to stop him

Consider how Jesus answers the leaders. This is an example of wisdom and Jesus used it a lot.

Are there any situations in your life that need wisdom?
Have a look at James 1:5-6.

  Day 36: Mark 11:20-26
The Withered Fig Tree

Trees don’t naturally wither so quickly from the root but when they do they never recover. It is not so obvious when the Jewish leadership would totally lose their authority but the fig tree was a picture that when it happened it would be final. However, the most important thing for Peter is that Jesus wanted him to become very certain that God would act decisively in response to believing faith. Only two months later Peter was living out what Jesus had taught him. (Acts 3:1-8)

Is God speaking to you about believing faith?

Are there any unresolved situations (mountains) surrounding you that need to be brought decisively into line with God’s will?
What can you do about it?

  Day 35: Mark 11:12-19
Jesus Clears the Temple

The fig tree is a picture of the Jewish religious leadership. This tree promised so much from a distance to Jesus who needed some food but there was no fruit when he got close up. That is why Jesus brought judgment on the tree and it is the same reason why his last four days in Jerusalem would bring judgement on the leaders of Israel who had outward show but could not offer spiritual food and guidance to the people. So the account of the fig tree and clearing the temple are directly connected and relevant to each other.

The traders were Jewish people taking advantage of Jewish pilgrims who needed to buy animals for sacrifices and the market was set up in the outer court where the Gentiles were also able to visit. Thousands of pilgrims were gathering for the Passover and the seven day feast of unleavened bread which was about to begin in a few days time.

Read this bible account through slowly and several times. 

Ask God to speak to you. Write down what you believe he has said.

Change of Gear

The remainder of Mark’s Gospel now focuses on only one week in Jesus’ life which begins with four days in Jerusalem teaching the people and ends with his resurrection at the beginning of the following week.

Day 34: Mark 11:1-11
The Triumphal Entry

This very dramatic event appears to be totally spontaneous judging by the makeshift use of a borrowed donkey, the coats and the palm branches. However it was prophesied in detail by Zechariah (9:9) 500 years earlier and Zechariah explains that this lowly animal was a symbol of gentle peace in contrast to the traditional stallions used by invading kings. A mule (donkey/horse) was used by King David and his princes (1 Kings 1:33) and David is often thought of as the father of the Jewish nation and a picture of the King that Jesus was to become.

Even the words used by the crowd that seemed spontaneous were also loaded with special significance on this day. The word Hosanna literally means “Save us, we pray” and is traditionally sung by Orthodox Jews in Hebrew each morning during the seven day Feast of Booths (harvest) when people remember Gods sheltering presence. This feast, the Sukkot, anticipates the coming kingdom of the Messiah when all the nations will go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord (Zech 14:16).

The Triumphal Entry marked the beginning of five dramatic days that ended with Jesus’ crucifixion. No-one at the time knew that would be the outcome.

How do you think the Jewish leaders may have reacted to this event? (John 12:16-19)?

What is your response to the fact that Jesus is declared to be King of all kings?
Are you able to accept his full authority in your life in all your decision making?

Day 33: Mark 10:46-52
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

The phrase  ‘Son of David’ relates back to King David of Israel who lived 1000 years before Jesus. It would be understood by the Jewish leaders as a title given only to the Messiah whom they expected to come to liberate Israel from their enemies (Jeremiah 23:5-6). Previously Jesus did not want people to declare who he was but now he allowed this blind man to shout it out.

Why did Jesus allow Bartimaeus to shout freely whereas previously he didn’t allow a leper to tell people who he was? (Mark 1:44)

Bartimaeus’ faith was completely unstoppable and led to his healing. Think of some times when your own faith has been like this.

Let God speak to you about this and encourage you to press on (Hebrews 6:10-12). 

  Day 32: Mark 10:35-45
The Request of James and John

James and John were fisherman and these fiery characters were called the “sons of thunder”. James was eventually martyred (Acts 12:2) but John was radically changed and went on to become the “apostle of love” who wrote John’s Gospel and Revelation. However, at this point in the journey they did not understand why Jesus had to die and Jesus had to give them a lesson in the kind of leadership he had come to demonstrate.

Why did Jesus come to be our servant?

What impact does this radical teaching about leadership have on your life today?

Day 31: Mark 10:32-34
Jesus Again Predicts His Death

(Compare with Day 27). This account makes it clear that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to die soon. The title ‘Son of Man’ is only ever used by Jesus to describe himself as a coming king. It is based on a prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14 which describes a future authority figure who would be worshipped by people from all nations and whose kingdom would never end. This is the Messiah which all Jewish people look forward to but have never yet recognised as Jesus.

Why did Jesus have to die?
Was there no other way?

What is your own response to Jesus’ courage in taking these steps to face a very brutal and shameful death? 

How will this help you to serve him better when the going is hard and you are facing opposition? (Hebrews 12:3) 

Day 30: Mark 10:1-12
Divorce

This journey to the East side of the Jordan River was the beginning of Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem and his death. Divorce was not some minor issue. John the Baptist had already been beheaded for making King Herod’s divorce public and maybe the Jews were hoping to stir things up for Jesus while he was in Herod’s territory (NIV study bible note on Mark 10:2) .

Some of you reading this may have personal experience of divorce or separation and may need to know how to move on from this in the light of this passage. If God has spoken to you, raising any unresolved concerns, it could be helpful to talk to a trusted Christian leader about this. You may be in relationships outside of marriage and have never clearly thought about this in the light that sexual union is part of Gods created order that produces unbreakable bonds with another person. 

What did Jesus teach about marriage and divorce? 

Let God speak to you about this and help you take specific steps to recover Gods will for you to live in a committed partnership of marriage. Be honest with yourself and recognise that it will require steps of courage and wisdom to make any changes that are necessary. 

The New Testament also contains helpful teaching on divorce and re-marriage. 1 Corinthians 9 (the whole chapter needs careful reading)

Day 29: Mark 9:42-50
Causing to Sin

Choices in life lead to eternal consequences. The choice to avoid doing wrong may have to be radical because life without God is a reality. Hell is a real place to be avoided at all cost and Jesus tells us that eternal punishment is permanent.
These words are not popular.

Think about some practical examples where you could cause another believer to sin and how that could be avoided. (Romans 14:1-12)

Be honest with God. Ask him to show you anything which needs radical attention in order to keep you from falling away God’s way. Jude 24

Day 28: Mark 9:2-13
The Transfiguration

This event probably happened on Mount Hermon near Caesarea Philippi. The three closest disciples saw Jesus in a very different form. (John 17:5). Moses was there to represent the law of God because Jesus came to obey the law completely on our behalf (Matt 5:17). Elijah was there to represent prophecy, healing and the supernatural life that could never die (2 Kings 2:11-12). Elijah also had to suffer under Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-3); John the Baptist suffered and Jesus would soon need to suffer and die.

Why was it necessary for Peter, James and John to see Jesus in this unusual and awesome state?

What do you make of the transfiguration? If your faith is earthbound what does this do for you? 

Let God speak to you about heaven and its reality.

Day 27: Mark 8:31- 9:1 

Jesus Predicts His Death

Peter did not like the teaching that Jesus was destined to die and rise again. Our natural selves hate the idea of sacrifice because it is a difficult path. Jesus used this opportunity to rebuke that thought in Peter and to lay down the sacrificial pattern for discipleship.

Have a think about the exchange that Jesus requires for us to follow him.

Ask God to show you what that means and what practical things in life need correcting to allow you to follow Jesus.

Day 26: Mark 8:27-30
Peter’s Confession of Christ

Caesarea Philippi was a place, about 20 miles north of Lake Galilee, where Jesus could get away from too much attention. There was time for thinking and reflection as well as preaching in the villages. This life on the road with Jesus was all part of building trust in Him. The name “Christ” is a Greek word meaning the Anointed One and has the same meaning as the Hebrew word “Messiah”.

What difference do you think it made to Peter once he had realised and confessed that Jesus was God’s Anointed one (Messiah)?

Have you ever had a moment of revelation where God has shown you something important?

 Is this now the time to reflect and see greater things that will make a difference to your life?

  Day 25: Mark 8:22-26
Healing of a Blind man at Bethsaida

This was a private healing witnessed only by those close to Jesus. It was becoming risky working in the towns where Jesus was once popular. This healing is very similar to the one in John 9 which caused so much fuss from the religious leaders. Nevertheless, for this beggar man, this was the best day ever and he had been given a new opportunity in life!

If Jesus only came to bring life (John 10:10) why were the religious leaders getting so upset?

How will you deal with opposition when you attempt to bring life to others in Jesus’ name?

Day 24: Mark 8:14-21
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

Editors note: Some sections of Mark’s gospel have been missed out in this 49 day blog. I have mainly chosen the sections that show the journey that Jesus was on during his three year mission. I think that Mark’s gospel shows that journey more clearly than the other gospels. If you would like the sections that fill in the gaps just post a comment and these can be included as an additional blog that you can visit at some other time if you want to. The sections have not been missed out because they are not important but because to do the whole thing would take a massive 70 days ! 

Jesus was still on the move and they have crossed over the Lake of Galilee several times in the last few stories. The conflict with the religious leaders and the Roman leaders was becoming more intense and Jesus uses the last miracle to explain about their evil intentions because yeast was a symbol of evil and corruption. They needed to understand that God’s intentions are always good and that He provides good things.

Why did the disciples immediately feel guilty when Jesus started talking with them?

Are you fully secure in your relationship with God and do you believe He loves you even when you feel guilty about your failings? 

Reflect more deeply today on His great love for you which is unconditional. It will transform the way you love and serve Him.

  Day 23: Mark 7:30-37 

The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man

Jesus returned to the Decapolis still keeping on the move. The description of this miracle indicates that healing was not always instant or easy. It took time and some deep emotion in Jesus. Elijah, the prophet, also took time and effort when bringing God’s healing to the widow’s son. (1 Kings 17:17-24)

What does this show you about healing when things do not seem straightforward?

Why didn’t Jesus want the people to broadcast news about this miracle?

  Day 22: Mark 7:24-30
Faith of the Syro-Phonecian Woman

You can touch or click on the map to bring up a larger size if you cannot see enough detail

Jesus now had to keep on the move as his teaching was really stirring things up. He moved towards Tyre, in Gentile territory, well away from Galilee. Even so, people knew about him and even the Gentiles wanted his help, especially when they were in the grip of evil powers.

Why did Jesus first reject this woman’s desperate cry for help?

What made him eventually help her? 

Can you see how God can release you from some of these?

  Day 21: Mark 7:1-23
Clean and Unclean

This account may not follow on directly from the last one since Jewish writers didn’t keep everything in a neat diary form. It shows that the religious teachers were concerned enough (about Jesus’ teaching) to come all the way from Jerusalem, seventy miles away. (several day’s journey) They came to oppose Jesus’ teaching and make the people hold on to their traditions. But Jesus had clear answers to all that they said.

Take some time to think about Jesus’ answers especially in verse 20-23.

What unhelpful traditions are you bound by?

Can you see how God can release you from some of these?

  Day 20: Mark 6:45-56
 Jesus Walks on the Water

Jesus withdrew to pray, probably because the people wanted to make him a king. (John 6:15) The plan was to meet on the shore near Bethsaida (and go on to Capernaum according to John). The storm changed all this and they ended up further west in Gennesaret. (the region west of lake Galilee) Jesus’ appearance on the water was frightening because local Jewish people were superstitious about water spirits that appeared in the night to bring disaster (NIV study note on verse 49). Storms were common on this sea but this one was memorable.

Jesus uses circumstances to train us.
What would his disciples have learned from this situation?

This story has many possible applications to us when things get out of control.
Is God saying anything in particular to you?

  Day 19: Mark 6:30-44
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

This event happened somewhere on the north east shore of the Sea of Galilee well away from the influence of the synagogues. Jesus knew these people needed teaching and were wandering aimlessly through life without any real direction. Jesus’ popular movement attracted a lot of people and this was an opportunity to plant simple and straightforward ideas about the Kingdom of God. The people were not expecting to stay so long which is why they ran out of food.

Why do people need a Shepherd?

Do you recognise this in people around you?
What can be done to meet that need?

  Day 18: Mark 6:14-29
John the Baptist is Beheaded

Herod Antipas was the Roman ruler of Galilee. He was one of several sons of Herod the Great who died in 4 BC and divided his kingdom into parts for each of his sons. John the Baptist suffered a martyr’s death because he was not afraid to do the will of God and publically expose Herod of his adultery with his brother’s wife. Herod apparently respected John but his partner, Herodias, hated him. People did not yet understand who Jesus was and so the nearest powerful figure they could connect him with was John the Baptist.

How was it that Herod listened to John even though
 John had been so publically critical of him?

How does this encourage you when the Spirit of God
may be urging you to speak up about anything? 

  Day 17: Mark 6:6b-13
Jesus Sends out the Twelve

This story reveals another side of Jesus’ work. Up until now Mark has only mentioned Jesus’ preaching, deliverance and healing. Now the twelve disciples were sent out with very clear instructions about being equipped, what they should do and how they handle the response.

They went out to preach, cast out demons and to heal because they had been given authority over evil spirits.

Do you have the same expectation that this can also be done in our generation? 

What could prevent it?

Let God speak to you about this.