Today we will look back over the Book of Mark and discuss the big ideas.  We will also explore the four different endings of the book.

We will also look ahead at the Book of 1 Peter and discuss the author, date, reason for the book, and its big themes.

Welcome to episode 96 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Mark, covering chapter 15:33-47.  The series is called “Get in, buckle up, and hold on!”  Today, we look at Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.  We will cover: 

• Events during the crucifixion (vv. 33-37) 
• Events following the crucifixion (vv. 38-47) 

Key takeaways: 

• Jesus’ death is accompanied by four key events that have theological significance for Mark:  

1. The darkness, symbolizing end times judgment;  
2. Jesus’ cry of dereliction from Ps 22:1, indicating his despair in experiencing God’s cup of wrath;  
3. the tearing of the temple curtain, representing judgment against the nation and the coming end of the sacrificial system; and  
4. the cry of the centurion, confirming the identity of Jesus and foreshadowing the gospel’s acceptance by the Gentiles. 

• Shockingly, it is this Gentile centurion who first recognizes that Jesus’ divine sonship and messianic identity are confirmed not through conquest, but through suffering. 
• Unlike other rabbis of his day, Jesus elevated women to the position of disciples. 

Quotable: 

• God’s justice is the ultimate answer to the problem of evil: How can a good and all-powerful God allow evil to continue in the world? It will not continue forever, and every sin and injustice will be paid for. 

Application: 

• Justice is a prominent theme in Mark.  God is not only a God of love and grace; he is also a God of justice. 
• Astonishingly, it is a Gentile who first recognizes that Jesus’ divine sonship is not repudiated by his death, but is confirmed by it. It is as the suffering Messiah and Son of God that Jesus fulfills his purpose and calling. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 95 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Mark, covering chapter 15:16-32.  The series is called “Get in, buckle up, and hold on!”  Today, we look at Jesus’ mocking and crucifixion.  We will cover: 

• The contempt (vv. 16-20) 
• The cross-bearer (v. 21) 
• The crucifixion (vv. 22-32) 

Key takeaways: 

• Jesus is mocked, beaten, and spat upon repeatedly.  These actions were predicted by Isaiah as how the Lord’s suffering servant would be treated (Isaiah 50:6-7) 
• The skull-like outcrop known as Gordon’s Calvary and the adjacent Garden Tomb, though popular devotional sites, have little corroborating evidence as the site of the crucifixion and were first identified as possible sites in the nineteenth century.  Nowhere is it stated that Golgotha was a hill, but it may have gotten its name from being a low-lying hill in the shape of a skull. 
• All four Gospels describe a written notice, or “inscription,” identifying the charge against Jesus (the king of the Jews). 
• The religious leaders view Jesus as a failure because he is unable to save himself from Roman crucifixion. The irony of Mark’s drama is that by staying on the cross, Jesus is fulfilling the role of the Messiah, bringing salvation to Israel by offering his life as a ransom for sins. 
• The upside-down values of the kingdom of God are subversively bringing transformation and renewal to a fallen world. 

Quotable: 

• No challenges we face in life are outside of God’s control or sovereign will. 

Application: 

• The death of Jesus is an act of reconciliation, God’s sacrificial gift to the world, an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 
• In our world today we see and hear of unspeakable acts of evil.  We wonder, “Where is God?” The answer we see here is that he is on the cross, experiencing and absorbing the hatred and evil of humanity—refusing to lash back and instead offering God’s forgiveness. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 94 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Mark, covering chapter 15:1-15.  The series is called “Get in, buckle up, and hold on!”  Today, we look at Jesus’ trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.  We will cover: 

• The conspiracy (v. 1) 
• The confusion (v. 2) 
• The charges (vv. 3-5) 
• The custom (v. 6) 
• The choice (vv. 7-14) 
• The chastening (v. 15) 

Key takeaways: 

• The Jewish religious leaders rejected Jesus for the same reasons people reject him today.  He was a threat to their power.  He did not meet their expectations.  He exposed their sins. 
• Jesus is indeed Israel’s King, the Messiah who will establish an eternal throne and crush all human kingdoms under his feet. Yet to accomplish this, he must suffer and die as the righteous and innocent servant of the Lord, who provides atonement for sins. 
• In this passage and on the lips of a pagan governor, the two great themes of Mark’s Christology are revealed:  
• victorious King  
• and Suffering Servant.  

Jesus is both “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and the sacrificial “Lamb” of God 

• It was neither the Romans nor the Jews who were responsible for Jesus’ death.  It was rather his enemies who were responsible. 

Quotable: 

• The response to Jesus’ death should not be to seek someone to blame, but to offer praise and thanks to God for His indescribable gift. 

Application: 

• From a theological perspective, the question of who killed Jesus has a more profound answer.  We are all ultimately responsible for Jesus’ death, since he died as a sacrifice for our sins. 
• Ultimately, it was God Himself who was responsible for Jesus’ death.  It was He who delivered over Jesus to his suffering and death. 
• It was also the son himself who voluntarily laid down his life as a ransom for many. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 93 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Mark, covering chapter 14:53-72.  The series is called “Get in, buckle up, and hold on!”  Today, we look at Jesus’ trial before the religious leaders and Peter’s actions.  We will cover: 

• Jesus is denied by his follower [Part 1] (vv. 53-54) 
• Jesus is denounced by his foes (vv. 55-65) 
• Jesus is denied by his follower [Part 2] (vv. 66-72) 

Key takeaways: 

• Though seemingly a disaster for Jesus, God’s plan of redemption moves forward toward his death as a ransom for sins. 
• Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin is hardly a legitimate trial, since the goal is simply to find sufficient evidence to put Jesus to death. 
• Jesus’ immediate vindication will come when he ascends to the right hand of God. His ultimate vindication will occur when he comes in glory to judge and to save. At that time, those who are presently standing in judgment over the Son of Man will be judged by him.   
• We talked last time about Jesus’ humanity on display in the Garden of Gethsemane.  And in the passage today, we see his deity.  The apparent tragedy unfolding in Mark’s gospel is all part of God’s plan of salvation. 

Quotable: 

• Jesus represents the model disciple who refuses to deny his calling despite persecution and even death. 

Application: 

• Jesus’ messianic purpose is not to conquer the Romans, but to suffer and die as a ransom for sins. 
• All of us have experienced failure at various times in our Christian lives, whether by falling into sin, allowing our relationship with God to grow cold, or keeping silent about our faith at times of doubt. Peter’s story reminds us that God loves us despite our failings, and like the loving father in the parable of the prodigal son, He is always waiting with open arms to welcome us back into full fellowship with Him. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 92 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Mark, covering chapter 14:32-52.  The series is called “Get in, buckle up, and hold on!”  Today, we conclude our discussion on Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and cover: 

• The agony of Jesus (vv. 32-42) 
• The arrest of Jesus (vv. 43-49) 
• The abandonment of Jesus (vv. 50-52) 

Key takeaways: 

• Jesus’ experience in the garden of Gethsemane reveals his true humanity and faithfulness to the Father’s will and stands in stark contrast to the spiritual and physical dullness of the disciples. 
• It is ironic that Jesus is delivered over by Judas to sinners, but also by God for sinners. 
• The theme of God’s sovereign purpose continues in this episode as Jesus again points out that all that is happening—even his betrayal—is the fulfillment of Scripture and part of God’s saving purpose. God will accomplish His plan despite and even through the evil actions of sinful human beings. 

Quotable: 

• Jesus had to be fully human so that he could be our substitute. 

Application: 

• Jesus’ prayer represents a model for believers in that Jesus brings his needs and desires to God but emphasizes most of all his submission to God’s will. Prayer should not be focused primarily on getting what we want, but on aligning our will with God’s. 
• The various actions taken by those present also provide us with examples of inappropriate responses to Jesus: 
• Outright rejection. Judas, the religious leaders, and the crowd represent complete rejection of Jesus and his claims related to the kingdom of God 
• Abandonment. Another inappropriate response to Jesus is seen in the disciples, who, though vehemently proclaiming their allegiance, flee the scene at the first sign of trouble.  When temptations, difficulties, or hardships come, they decide it is not worth it and move on to other self-help fads. 
• Inappropriate action. The disciple who draws his sword to strike has good intentions—to advance Jesus’ cause—but uses inappropriate means to do so. Many people in this world seek to promote the Christian faith, but do so in inappropriate ways or with the wrong motives. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 91 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Mark, covering chapter 14:1-31.  The series is called “Get in, buckle up, and hold on!”  Today, we conclude our discussion on Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and cover: 

• The plot [part 1] (vv. 1-2) 
• The preparation (vv. 3-9) 
• The plot [part 2] (vv. 10-11) 
• The Passover meal (vv. 12-26) 
• The predictions (vv. 27-31) 

Key takeaways: 

• If one theme holds the narrative together, it is the sovereign purpose of God, who is accomplishing His saving work through His servant, Jesus the Messiah. 
• Jesus came for a purpose far greater than feeding the poor, healing the sick, and raising the dead. He came to bring reconciliation between God and His creation. 
• Meals were rituals of social status in the Mediterranean world, and to share a meal indicated trust and friendship. Because Judas is at the meal with Jesus, this is the worst kind of betrayal, coming from a close friend and confidant. 
• Just as a blood sacrifice sealed the first covenant, so Christ’s death seals or ratifies the new covenant.  Jesus’ one sacrifice will provide atonement for all. 
• Since Jesus is bodily present, his disciples would not have thought that he was saying the bread had literally become his body. In the same way, since Judaism forbade the drinking of blood, the disciples would not have thought the blood was literal.  The bread and the cup signify, or represent, his body and blood. 
• Whether called the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist, or Communion, the ritual Jesus inaugurated at his last Passover is the most significant worship experience for the church today. 

Quotable: 

• God is sovereignly at work, even through those who oppose or fail Him.  God’s purpose is accomplished despite and even through the evil intention of sinners. 

Application: 

• While both evangelism and social concerns are essential tasks for churches, this passage reminds us that our ultimate purpose in life is to worship God and give Him the glory. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 90 of Grasp the Bible.  Since it is January 2023, Pastor Darrell preached a two-part series called New Year, New You.  The first week, he talked about having a new focus through having a persistent prayer life.  Today, he talks about new friends.  The primary passage is 1 Samuel 18:1-3.

Key takeaways: 

1.   Real friendships overlook differences 

2.   Real friendships lookout for one another 

3.   Real friendships look to carry on the blessing 

Quotable: 

We can have friends who are very different from us when we focus on the person and not everything else around the person. We need to separate the person who
has such great value from the circumstances, values and beliefs that they hold.  

Application: 

·      What if we kept our beliefs intact, but we just listened and got to know other people?  

·      What if we weren’t threatened by someone else’s viewpoint?  

·      What if we used social media to make friends rather than enemies?  

·      What if we looked at getting to know the person rather than ignoring them because we disagree on a particular matter? 

·      Friends call you up when you’re hurting.  

·      Friends push you to take a step of faith.  

·      Friends help you stay connected to the church.  

·      Friends are examples of what you should be in your marriage, family, and career. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 89 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our 4-week series on Advent.  Today we will talk about the love that God showed by sending His son in this week 4 episode.

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 88 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our 4-week series on Advent.  Today we will talk about the joy we experience at Jesus' birth in this week 3 episode.

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider.