Peter demonstrates that Jesus is the Messiah.Adventist World Radio

Mark 14:53–59 describes Jesus being brought to the Sanhedrin and the first part of the trial. It is an exercise in frustrationAdventist World Radio

The Gospels do not go into great detail about Judas’s motivation. But Ellen G. White writes: “Judas had naturally a strong love for money; but he had not always been corrupt enough to do such a deed as thisAdventist World Radio

Leaving the walled city of Jerusalem where they ate the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples go across the Kidron Valley to a garden on the slopes of the Mount of OlivesAdventist World Radio

Mark 14:12 notes that this is the first day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed. The meal was on Thursday eveningAdventist World Radio

Judas’s betrayal also is unforgettable. Mark implies that his motivewas greed. The Gospel of John makes it explicit (John 12:4–6).Adventist World Radio

And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will’ ” (Mark 14:36, NKJV)Adventist World Radio

The Coming of the Son of Man part 2. The great event described in Mark 13:24–32 is none other than the return of Jesus Christ in glory.Adventist World Radio

The great event described in Mark 13:24–32 is none other than the return of Jesus Christ in glory, preceded by signs in the sun, moon, and starsAdventist World Radio

Mark 13:14, regarding the abomination of desolation, is the fulcrumaround which the chapter pivots.Adventist World Radio

Jesus comes to the central point about the fall of Jerusalem in Mark 13:14. He refers to “the abomination of desolation.” The Lord says that the reader should understand. With these words, Jesus is pointing the disciples to the book of Daniel.Adventist World Radio

As we have noted, the temple complex was a truly amazing structure. Josephus notes that the Royal Portico on the south side of the complex had 162 pillars, each of which three men clasping hands could reach around (Antiquities, 15.11.5 §§413–414).Adventist World Radio

The Jerusalem temple was an amazingly beautiful structure. The temple mount dominated the city, and the massive stones involved in its construction are a marvel to this day, some weighing hundreds of tonsAdventist World Radio

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven’ ” (Mark 13:26, 27, NKJV).Adventist World Radio

He declares that the open sinner is less guilty than is he who professes to serve God, but who bears no fruit to His glory.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 584.Adventist World Radio

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But while peaceably subject to the laws of the land, they should at all times give their first allegiance to God.”—Ellen. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 602Adventist World Radio

The day after Jesus cleanses the temple, the religious leaders confront Him in the temple courts, asking by what authority He acted the day beforeAdventist World Radio

Then He says the leaders have made the temple a den of robbers (Jer. 7:11). Then,at the end of this amazing day, Jesus leaves the city with His disciples (Mark 11:19).Adventist World Radio

The Triumphal Entry. Jerusalem is located in a hilly region at an elevation of about 2,400 feet (about 740 meters). In Jesus’ day its population was perhaps40,000–50,000, but this swelled at Passover.Adventist World Radio

Jerusalem Controversies. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses’ ” (Mark 11:25, NKJV).Adventist World Radio

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The title “Son of David” in Jesus’ day had two concepts connected with it—the restoration of a king to Israel’s throne (compare with Isaiah 11; Jer. 23:5, 6; Jer. 33:15)Adventist World Radio

Jesus then calls the group together to give one of His most profound teachings. He indicates that Gentile rulers use power for personal advantage.Adventist World Radio

Mark 10:27 seems like a beautiful place to end the story: you cannotmake it to heaven on your own, you need the grace of God in order tobe saved.Adventist World Radio

While children were desired, they were of low social status, along thelines of slaves, actually (Gal. 4:1, 2).Adventist World Radio

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’ ” (Mark 10:45,NKJV).Adventist World Radio

Herod had beheaded John the Baptist because of his rebuke regarding this illicit relationship (see Matt. 14:1–12)Adventist World Radio

Jesus immediately picks up on the expression of doubt. The Lord’s response can be paraphrased, “What do you mean, ‘If You can’?” (Mark 9:23).Adventist World Radio

leaders are tasked in the kingdom of God with the responsibility to care for these new converts with special care, similar to the Old Testament ethic of caringAdventist World Radio

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’ ” (John 3:16, ESV)Adventist World Radio

The betrayer is not pointed out at this time, but the reader already knows who it is because of the identification of Judas (see Mark 3:19)Adventist World Radio

Luke notes that they were talking about Jesus’ departure (Greek-exodos) that He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem (Luke 9:30, 31). ‘If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us’ ” (Mark 9:22, NKJV).Adventist World Radio

When Jesus first called the disciples, He said He would make themfishers of men (Mark 1:17)Adventist World Radio

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34, NKJV).Adventist World Radio

“Among the followers of our Lord today, as of old, how widespreadis this subtle, deceptive sin.Adventist World Radio

The Lord’s manner of healing the man is curious, particularly for modern readers. He puts His fingers in the man’s ears, spits, touches his tongue and sighs.Adventist World Radio

Divine power. Jesus takes the opportunity to warn the disciples against the “leaven” of the Pharisees and Herod (Mark 8:15), meaning their teachings (compare with Matt. 16:12).Adventist World Radio

He has shown that she who has been regarded as an outcast from Israel is no longer an alien, but a child in God's household. As a child it is her privilege to share in the Father's gifts.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 401.Adventist World Radio

First, it would be odd for Jesus suddenly to dismiss Mosaic instructions in Mark 7:14–19 when He had just defended Moses against tradition in Mark 7:6–13.Adventist World Radio

Inside Out. There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man (Mark 7:15, NKJV).Adventist World Radio

During the time between the testaments, the idea of washing hands in order to remain ritually pure was extended to commonpeople, even though these rules originally applied only to the priests inthe Old Testament (Exod. 30:17–21).Adventist World Radio

A Different Kind of Messiah. After the disciples return from their mission, they go with Jesus to a remote area on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee to rest. But a large crowd of 5,000 people arrives at the location before themAdventist World Radio

God's mission. In the evening the disciples recommend sending the crowd away tofind food, but Jesus tells them to feed the crowdAdventist World Radio

The mission of the Twelve Apostles in taking the message of Jesus everywhere stands in sharp contrast with the imprisonment and silencing of the BaptistAdventist World Radio

So it is likely that he is desperate. This desperation is exemplified by Jairus’s falling on his knees before Jesus.Adventist World Radio

Can You Hear a Whisper Above a Shout? The man rushed at Jesus—no word about the disciples (they probably ran off). When the man came near to Jesus, he fell down before Him.Adventist World Radio

At the beginning of Mark 4, Jesus steps into a boat to teach the crowd on the shore. In Mark 4:10–12, it seems He may have gotten out of the boat and talked with the disciples privatelyAdventist World Radio

However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you (Mark 5:19, NKJV).Adventist World Radio

True holiness is wholeness in the service of God. Love is the underlying principle of God's governmentAdventist World Radio