University Avenue Church of Christ

UA-NT-10 Essay on Mark 13-16

Written by Eddie Sharp Friday, 26 February 2010

The prophecy of the end of Jerusalem is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is not in John because Jerusalem is no more when John writes his gospel. We hear the ominous warnings about the end of Jerusalem. There will be signs; however, Jesus tells the four fishermen that opposition and persecution are not special signs. Such trouble is just business as usual.  The special signs are going to be Roman symbols seen in and around the temple. The word from Jesus is that they should flee to the mountains when those signs are visible.

Words about the signs of the end of Jerusalem expand to comments about the end of all things. About that final end, Jesus says we should be alert and ready always because only the Father knows when the end will come. This reality should keep us focused all our lives.

The anointing at Bethany is sandwiched between the plotting of the Jews and Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus. The anointing looks like what people should be doing for Jesus. Why would anyone want to kill this man? I hope our hearts are much like the woman in Simon’s house.

With the Pharisees and Sadducees making their evil plans, Jesus gathers his apostles for the Passover meal. At the meal Jesus tells them of the impending betrayal, their coming trials and Peter’s impending denials. The good news is that the Passover supper is going to continue into the new age of the kingdom of God. The feast will be the memorial to the body and blood of Jesus.

As Jesus pours out his heart to the Father, the disciples sleep and the crowd of angry men approach. Judas kisses Jesus, and the crowd takes Jesus away. They lead Jesus away to a mockery of a trial. Jesus is silent in the presence of false witness after false witness. But when he is asked straight out if he is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One, Jesus cannot help but tell the truth about himself: “I am….”

We are amazed at the quiet way Jesus accepts his role in this drama. This is the time of his service. He says little. He is respectful of despicable people. Pilate is continually surprised that Jesus says nothing in the face of the Jewish accusations.

The trial runs its course. Barabbas goes free—the life of Jesus traded for his. We cringe when we hear the people cry, “Give us Barabbas.” But really letting a guilty man go free with Jesus crucified in his place is not surprising is it? God has bought freedom for all of us through the Son on the cross.

The mocking is so sad. The soldiers mock Jesus. The spectators mock him. The chief priests and teachers of the law mock him. They are so secure in their own position and power that they speak down to Jesus. They pour down disdain on God in the flesh.

Some do not mock him. As Jesus dies, the centurion who is standing in front of Jesus, who heard everything and who saw the grace he kept through the ordeal says, “Surely this man was the Son of God.” This is exactly how Mark introduced Jesus to the Roman audience in the first sentence of the gospel. Here at the end, the Roman soldier at the foot of the cross affirms the identity of Jesus.

The godly women —many women (15:41) —did not mock him. They had followed Jesus and cared for his needs during the long ministry. They do not mock him.

Jesus is buried. True to his words along the way to Jerusalem after three days he lives again. The young man (angel) declares, “He has risen! He is not here.”

The gospel of Mark is compact. The message is clear. It challenges all who read it to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God bless the reading of his word.