Hi friends, we're nearing the end of the gospel of mark with only two days left. Once more we journey with Jesus in the trauma of his death and the glory of his resurrection. Mark's gospel has slightly different versions of the ones you recently read in Matthew - sometimes longer, sometimes shorter but the core message and the build up to it remains the same. I find that in Mark's gospel Jesus is a little bit more authoratitive about who he is at his trial than he was in Matthew's gospel. My only guess for that is that Matthew is inviting the reader/hearer to decide for themselves who he is whereas Mark is being declarative about Jesus identity. What will stick out for you? What will move you?
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach me about Jesus?
What sticks out as different from Matthew's gospel? Why the change? (best guess)
What, if anything, feels applicable to today? What does it challenge me to do in response?
Praying the Hymns
Our hymn for today is from 256 in our United Methodist Hymnal - We Would See Jesus. I invite you to sing aloud your praise to God as we close out this time of study in God's word.
1. We would see Jesus; lo! his star is shining
above the stable while the angels sing;
there in a manger on the hay reclining;
haste, let us lay our gifts before the King.
2. We would see Jesus, Mary's son most holy,
light of the village life from day to day;
shining revealed through every task most lowly,
the Christ of God, the life, the truth, the way.
3. We would see Jesus, on the mountain teaching,
with all the listening people gathered round;
while birds and flowers and sky above are preaching
the blessedness which simple trust has found.
4. We would see Jesus, in his work of healing,
at eventide before the sun was set;
divine and human, in his deep revealing
of God made flesh, in loving service met.
5. We would see Jesus, in the early morning, still as of old he calleth, "Follow me!" Let us arise, all meaner service scorning; Lord, we are thine, we give ourselves to thee.