Mark 1-21ff--And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, -What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth- Have you come to destroy us- I know who you are-the Holy One of God.- But Jesus rebuked him, saying, -Be silent, and come out of him-- And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, -What is this- A new teaching with authority- He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.- And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.--And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.--That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 1-14 - 20--Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, -The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand- repent and believe in the gospel.---Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, -Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.- And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Mark 1-1-15--The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.--As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,---Behold, I send my messenger before your face,- who will prepare your way,-the voice of one crying in the wilderness-- 'Prepare the way of the Lord,- make his paths straight,'---John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, -After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.---In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, -You are my beloved Son- with you I am well pleased.---The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.--Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, -The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand- repent and believe in the gospel.-

On April 27, 2019, the Chabad of Poway, a synagogue in California, was attacked by a shooter who is alleged to have posted an anti-semitic manifesto online. The shooter was a current member of Escondido Orthodox Presbyterian Church, a congregation with which we share fellowship. --Following the shooting, much commentary explored the question of whether the Reformed faith tolerates or encourages anti-semitism and racism. --The elders of Christ Reformed encouraged Pastor Brian Lee to explore this question in a special catechism lesson, using Heidelberg Catechism Question 54 to explore racism in the light of the catholicity of the church---54 Q. What do you believe concerning -the holy catholic church-- --A. I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.

Mark 1-1-3--The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.--As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,---Behold, I send my messenger before your face,- who will prepare your way,-the voice of one crying in the wilderness-- 'Prepare the way of the Lord,- make his paths straight,'-

Mark 16-1-8--When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, -Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb-- And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back-it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, -Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen- he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.- And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

For a special Good Friday service, Brian preaches through Psalm 22.

Psalm 22--My God, my God, why have you forsaken me-- Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning--O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,- and by night, but I find no rest.-Yet you are holy,- enthroned on the praises of Israel.-In you our fathers trusted-- they trusted, and you delivered them.-To you they cried and were rescued-- in you they trusted and were not put to shame.-But I am a worm and not a man,- scorned by mankind and despised by the people.-All who see me mock me-- they make mouths at me- they wag their heads---He trusts in the Lord- let him deliver him-- let him rescue him, for he delights in him---Yet you are he who took me from the womb-- you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.-On you was I cast from my birth,- and from my mother's womb you have been my God.-Be not far from me,- for trouble is near,- and there is none to help.-Many bulls encompass me-- strong bulls of Bashan surround me--they open wide their mouths at me,- like a ravening and roaring lion.-I am poured out like water,- and all my bones are out of joint--my heart is like wax-- it is melted within my breast--my strength is dried up like a potsherd,- and my tongue sticks to my jaws-- you lay me in the dust of death.-For dogs encompass me-- a company of evildoers encircles me--they have pierced my hands and feet--I can count all my bones--they stare and gloat over me--they divide my garments among them,- and for my clothing they cast lots.-But you, O Lord, do not be far off-- O you my help, come quickly to my aid--Deliver my soul from the sword,- my precious life from the power of the dog-

1 Peter 5-1-5--So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed- shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you- not for shameful gain, but eagerly- not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for -God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.-

1 Peter 4-12-19--Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God- and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God- And---If the righteous is scarcely saved,- what will become of the ungodly and the sinner----Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.