by Kenny Burchard | Jan 21, 2019 | Hermeneutics
Being a Roman Catholic is, shall we say, a “package deal.” It is hard sometimes (even for life-long Catholics) to know what is optional and what’s mandatory in terms of both beliefs and practices. So, some Catholics, not knowing how to sort it all out, or simply not...
by Brad Blocksom | Dec 30, 2018 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 14:27-31 Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (and Reassures the 11) Last time Jesus introduced the disciples to the new covenant through the institution of the Lord’s Supper – communion! Verse 26 can be treated as a fitting conclusion to the...
by Luke Geraty | Nov 2, 2018 | Biblical Studies, Hermeneutics, New Testament, Scripture
On Sunday, I shared a message addressing the question, “Is Christianity oppressive to women?” Take a listen by clicking “play” above or go here and download it. My conclusion is that, yes, sometimes Christianity has been oppressive to women...
by Brad Blocksom | Aug 22, 2018 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 14:22-26 Jesus imparts new significance into an old custom Last time, Jesus called the 12 together to celebrate the Passover. But other than the mention that “as they were… eating” (Mark 14:18), there are no details of either the actual...
by Brad Blocksom | Jul 31, 2018 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 14:12-21 Passover with the Disciples Last time we looked at Judas’ deal with the Chief Priests to betray Jesus, and were left with a strong cause for self-examination. Now we return to the twelve disciples (including Judas) anxious to prepare for the...
by Kenny Burchard | Jun 18, 2018 | Biblical Studies, Humor, New Testament, Old Testament, Politics, Satire, Scripture
Below, you will find every text in the entire Bible (Old Testament and New), that definitively and substantively directs the United States of America in how it, as a sovereign nation, is to construct its immigration laws. I would be interested to hear in the comments...
by Brad Blocksom | May 22, 2018 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 14:10-11 The Plan to Betray Jesus We can’t examine this short passage without looking at the immediate context. The language and theme should cause us to recall to v. 1-2 where the religious leaders in Jerusalem “were seeking how to arrest...
by Brad Blocksom | May 1, 2018 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 14:3-9 Jesus is Anointed for His Death Last time we began the Passion narrative with the revelation that there was an explicit plot to kill Jesus. This time we see the surety of His impending death become clearer (though few present seem to see this truth). This...
by Kenny Burchard | Mar 17, 2018 | Biblical Studies, Hermeneutics
When I was about 19 years old and a very new Christian, one of my friends who was an older Christian was encouraging me to love Jesus with my whole heart, and to hold nothing back. That is the best kind of encouragement a person can give a young Christian. In order...
by Brad Blocksom | Jan 25, 2018 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 14:1-2 The Plot to Kill Jesus So we’ve finally finished our look at the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus predicts God’s judgment on Israel with the destruction of the Temple. Just prior to that we saw Jesus take on essentially every religious group in...
by Brad Blocksom | Nov 28, 2017 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 13:32-37 No One Knows When This is the final installment (Part 6) of our sub-series (the Olivet Discourse) within a series (Discipleship in Mark – Follow Me). So let’s launch right into it! “But about that day or hour” (the coming of the...
by Brad Blocksom | Nov 15, 2017 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 13:28-31 The Lesson of the Fig Tree And now a Parable about a fig tree. It would seem that this fig tree is being symbolically used by Jesus in a significantly different way from the withered fig tree of Mark 11:12-14 & 20-25. There the fig tree serves as a...
by Brad Blocksom | Oct 10, 2017 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 13:24-27 The Coming of the Son of Man (though we know not when) Verse 24 gives the timing of the coming of the Son of Man in relation to “that tribulation” (what tribulation, you ask? The war in Judea as just described in v. 14-23). The return of...
by Michael Sterns | Sep 7, 2017 | General, Scripture
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God! Working with people in the context of a local church is hard. I don’t think I have to explain it. If you’ve done anything with people, you’ll know that people sometimes suck. Some people intentionally...
by Brad Blocksom | Sep 5, 2017 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 13:14-23 The Desolating Sacrilege and Call to Flee Judea Jesus now comes as close as He ever will to answering the disciples’ question about when to expect the destruction of the Temple which He just prophesied. Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:27, 11:31,...
by Brad Blocksom | Aug 8, 2017 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 13:3-13 Jesus “Answers” When Will it Happen, and What Will be the Sign? Jesus has just prophesied the destruction of the temple. Now He sits on the Mount of Olives with His disciples (v.3). The view of the Temple from here is absolutely glorious! So...
by Brad Blocksom | May 29, 2017 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 13:1-2 Jesus Prophesies the Destruction of the Temple Finally, Jesus leaves the temple (cf. 13:1 with Mark 11:27). On their way out, they get a view of the temple! Herod’s temple was one of the most impressive sights in the ancient world – an...
by Michael Sterns | Apr 12, 2017 | Biblical Studies, General, New Testament
1st Corinthians 1:18-25 (NRSV) For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will...
by Brad Blocksom | Apr 11, 2017 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 12:41-44 The Widow’s Offering There seems here to be the beginning of a transition. And yet there is also a contrast* between the previous passage (the hypocrisy of the scribes) with the generous sacrifice of the poor widow here (the very group whom the...
by Brad Blocksom | Mar 22, 2017 | Biblical Studies, New Testament, Scripture
Mark 12:38-40 Beware! This is the third consecutive pericope in Mark where the scribes are mentioned. In 12:28-36, a scribe questions Jesus. Then in 12:35-37, Jesus takes issue with scribal interpretation of a Psalm. And finally here, we are told to “Beware of...
