Psalm 42 & 43 are clearly one Psalm ... the same refrain closes each stanza. It is a Psalm where the writer seems to be depressed ... but points us to the great confidence we can have in God.

In a strange way what we read in Mark 15 is the Coronation of Jesus as King.

Mark gives us the most surprising of the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection. He shows us the empty tomb… but gives us no resurrection appearances.

This chapter of Mark is in an apocalyptic style … and some would suggest is talking about the end of the world. But there is a simpler way to understand the chapter.

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem … the city of the King … to claim the throne. But the religious leaders are still questioning his authority.

There can be those things in life that will hinder us from following Jesus … attitudes, priorities, etc. Moses & Elijah appear … the voice from heaven testifies … to confirm who Jesus is … who the disciples are to follow.

This is a turning point in the book of Mark … the point when it finally clicks for the disciples who Jesus really is.

In this chapter we see Jesus confront the "traditions of men" … things that the religious leaders held as important … but Jesus views rather differently.

It becomes obvious there is a cost in following Jesus. The chapter begins with Jesus returning to Nazareth … we he has a less than enthusiastic response. But we are also told of the death of John the Baptist.

Jesus tells a series of Parables that explain what the Kingdom of God is like … but then gives us 4 miracles that show us what the Kingdom of God is like.