Biblical Literacy Podcast

Mark taught Part 2 of the Road to Emmaus from Luke 24: The Story Behind the Story on the Road to Emmaus.Luke 24:27 is a reflection of what Moses in the Old Testament says about Jesus.Through Moses, we read the prophetic words of who and what Jesus would be, live, and do. Mark shares the Israelites weren’table to free themselves from slavery. Slavery begat slavery and sin begat sin, absent the redemptive hand of God. It’s impossible to have redemption of sin without death so redemption for the Israelites came from God. During the passover, the blood of the lamb was painted on the doors in the shape of a cross, showing the Passoverforeshadowed Jesus’ death on the cross. Listen to Mark show through Scripture the prophetic meaning of the Israelites freedom from death and our Lord and Savior Jesus.

Mark continued with Bible Study While Living with the Coronavirus. This week’s lesson focused On the Road to Emmaus from Luke 24:13-35. Easter Sunday has the power to change our lives, who we are, how we live, and how we interact with others through the power of the risen Savior. Mark provided three points from the Emmaus story: 1. Journey of Luke. He tuned into journey and structured his writings like an hourglass. 2. Journey of Emmaus. The journey to faith is a journey from sad thickheadedness to enthusiastic joy. 3. Journey of Life. Not to lose sight of the Resurrection. The last people that should experience sadness in this world are the ones who understand God resurrected His Son Jesus Christ from the dead. We are the children of God. The power that raised Jesus from the dead will raise us from the dead. Listen to Mark teach how the two men on the road to Emmaus rose from darkness to hurry back to Jerusalem to share the light of the risen Savior.

On Easter Sunday, Mark continued his series: Bible Study While living with the CoronaVirus. His lesson focused on the Empty Tomb with three questions for all of us: Was the death of Christ necessary? Why the empty tomb? What does this mean for me? Mark shared solid answers to these questions using Scripture passages to strengthen our faith. Listen to his reasoning with an in-depth study of what the empty tomb and Christ’s victory over death means for our faith.

Biblical Study While Living with Coronavirus, lesson 4. This is Palm Sunday and this week, Mark weaves together 3 strands of thought:

1. Jewish Exile in Babylon: Jeremiah: 29:1-14. The people had to live through the crisis.

2. Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Zach 9. & John 12:12-16. Many people looked for a king who’d free them from the tyranny of the Romans, not save them from their sins.

Through both of these times, we see God’s message to keep going because He is at work and will bring good out of a bad situation.

3. Corona Pandemic: The same three points that applied to those times also apply to the current Corona Pandemic: We must 1. Keep Going recognizing 2. God is at work and that 3. God brings good out of every bad situation.

Biblical Study While Living with Coronavirus, lesson 3. Mark taught from Isaiah 40: Comfort for God’s people. In this text, we read and understand God’s broken heart for His people. Israel had lived unfaithful to God, and He would tear Israel apart. Jerusalem walked away from God, but Jesus is the return of God to His people. Matthew 28:20 tells us that Jesus is with us always to the end of the age. In applying the text to today: In Isaiah 40:29-31, God promises power to the faint, strength, and His presence. Mark concludes with a list of some of God's promises taken from the Bible. Comfort ye my people. God is in control.

Mark taught this week’s online class, Lesson 2 of Biblical Study While Living with the Coronavirus, from The Stone Chapel at The Lanier Theological Library. The number one issue facing most people during the worldwide pandemic is fear and uncertainty. The Bible speaks about these concerns. Those in biblical times shared similar anxieties: life, health, loved ones, jobs/finances, economy, life changes, supplies to exist, and more. Psalm 42 & 43 speaks to our concerns. The psalmist was having a tough time holding his stressful life together. He learned surviving emotional turmoil means engaging the head and not just the emotions of the heart. Even Jesus quoted passages from these Psalms while in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Mark points out that God isn’t finished with us yet. Let’s continually put our fears and uncertainties before God.

Mark taught this week’s class titled: The Time of the Season -The Church During Times of Crisis and Change. God is sovereign, but we are to take precaution for thewelfare of others. Throughout time, the church has faced challenges in meeting for worship. The church has always and continues to figure out ways to adjust. The church knows God is in control. According to the church’s liturgical calendar, weare in Lent, a season of reflection renewal, preparation, repentance,and looking for ways to grow closer to God. Listen to Mark teach this season through Lent: Mark12:26-27, Palm Sunday: John 12:12-15, and Good Friday: John 19:28-30

David Capes, the Senior Research Fellow at the Lanier Theological Library, taught this week’s classes. He continued with the series: Passages Worth the Dig with the topic, “Judge not lest ye be judged” from Matthew 7:1-5. The question arises: What did Jesus mean in this passage? Today’s stats show many view Christians as judgmental. Jesus did not say to be neutral, form an opinion, or express an opinion. He did say to use righteousness with justice. We are to be careful how we judge. Listen to David teach the church’s role as a self-correcting body that is to eliminate harsh tones, judgmental attitudes, holier than thou responses, and a lack of humility