11.6 Summary
Betrayal, Denial, and Steadfastness: Jesus’ Path Before the Court

Lesson 11 addresses the decisive events in the life of Jesus shortly before his crucifixion, illuminating both the emotional and spiritual dimensions of these events. The lesson is divided into several key sections, each providing deeper insights into the challenges and lessons to be learned from the Passion narrative.

11.1 Unforgettable:
The beginning of this lesson reminds us of the unforgettable moments that shaped the course of Jesus’ Passion. These events are not only historical facts but also significant lessons for our own faith life. The memories of these moments serve as a constant reminder of the profound truths and lessons that we will encounter in the following sections.

11.2 The Last Supper:
The Last Supper, which is discussed in this lesson, is a moment of deep significance. Jesus celebrates the Passover with his disciples and establishes the Eucharist as a symbol of his sacrifice. This final meal is not only an act of community but also a solemn proclamation of the new covenant that Jesus will establish through his blood. It demonstrates his love and dedication for humanity, even in the face of the impending suffering.

11.3 Gethsemane:
In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus in deep fear and sorrow as he prepares for the upcoming suffering. His prayer, “Not my will, but yours be done,” illustrates his willingness to fulfill God’s will, even if it costs him immense pain. This scene shows us the human suffering and spiritual anguish that Jesus experiences and invites us to seek God in prayer and accept His will during times of trial.

11.4 Leaving Everything to Flee from Jesus:
The disciples’ flight after Jesus’ arrest reflects the human tendency to flee in times of danger and uncertainty. The disciples, who had previously declared their steadfastness to Jesus, show a startling fragility as they withdraw in fear and panic. This reaction highlights human weakness and the necessity to remain faithful during times of trial.

11.5 Who Are You?:
In contrast to Jesus’ steadfastness, this section depicts Peter’s denial. While Jesus stands calmly and resolutely before the High Council and confesses his identity, Peter denies his master three times out of fear and uncertainty. This scene reveals the stark contrast between divine constancy and human weakness and teaches us that even our greatest role models can make mistakes. However, Peter’s later remorse shows that there is always room for repentance and forgiveness.

Lesson 11 provides us with a profound insight into the last hours before Jesus’ crucifixion. It shows us how Jesus remains steadfast despite the impending suffering and fulfills God’s will. The human weakness manifested in the disciples’ flight and Peter’s denial is counterbalanced by the message of forgiveness and renewal that we learn in this lesson. These events offer valuable lessons on how we can remain steadfast in our own faith journey, even when faced with our own weaknesses and challenges. The lesson encourages us to hold onto God’s plan in times of need and to accept the grace He offers us through Christ.

The connection between the events in Lesson 11 and our everyday life and faith is profound. It shows us that, similar to the disciples, we can tend to drift away from our faith and convictions in times of fear, uncertainty, or temptation. The lesson reminds us that human weakness is inevitable – as seen in Peter’s denial or the disciples’ flight – but that God’s grace and forgiveness are always ready to receive us when we repent.

In daily life, we often encounter situations where our faith is tested, whether by external pressure, personal challenges, or doubts. Jesus’ steadfastness amid condemnation and suffering inspires us to remain faithful in such times and to seek God’s will, even when it is difficult. At the same time, Peter’s denial and later remorse offer comfort: mistakes are part of our faith journey, but there is always the possibility to repent and be renewed.

This lesson teaches us that, despite our human weaknesses, we can always return to God through His infinite grace and forgiveness to start anew. It encourages us to firmly trust in God’s plan and rely on His love during times of need and trials.

God’s grace triumphs over our weaknesses and always offers us a new chance for repentance and renewal.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-11-taken-and-tried-11-6-summary-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

The Message of the Book of Luke

The central message of the Gospel of Luke in the Bible is that Jesus Christ is the Savior for all people. Luke emphasizes God’s universal salvation and mercy, which extend not only to the Jewish people but to all humanity, including the poor, the outcast, and the Gentiles.

Here are some key themes and messages of Luke’s Gospel:

Jesus as the Savior of the Whole World: Luke underscores that Jesus came to bring salvation to all people, regardless of social status, ethnicity, or gender. This is particularly evident in stories like the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) and the encounter with Zacchaeus, the tax collector (Luke 19:1–10).

God’s Mercy and Love: Luke strongly emphasizes God’s mercy. Many parables and events in this Gospel show how God forgives sinners and seeks them out. A notable example is the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32), which illustrates the Father’s unconditional love for a lost son.

Jesus and the Poor: Luke places special emphasis on the poor and socially disadvantaged. Jesus dedicates himself in a particular way to the needy and the weak, as seen in his first public appearance in the synagogue of Nazareth, where he reads from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…” (Luke 4:18).

Prayer and Closeness to God: Prayer plays an important role in Luke. Jesus is often shown praying, and the Gospel also contains key passages about prayer, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1–4) and the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8), which teaches us to always persevere in prayer.

The Role of the Holy Spirit: Luke highlights the Holy Spirit and its role in guiding and empowering Jesus throughout his ministry. From the announcement of Jesus’ birth to the fulfillment of the apostles on Pentecost (continued in the Book of Acts, also written by Luke), the Holy Spirit is a central theme.

Joy and Praise: Joy and praise are present throughout the entire Gospel. From the joyful reactions to Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:10) to the many occasions where people praise and glorify God after witnessing Jesus’ miracles.

In summary, Luke presents Jesus as the merciful Savior who has come to draw people from all walks of life to himself and to bring them salvation and hope.

 

September 13, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Luke Chapter 1

¹ Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

² Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

³ It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

⁴ That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

⁵ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

⁷ And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

⁹ According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

¹³ But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

¹⁴ And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

¹⁵ For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

¹⁹ And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

²⁵ Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

³⁶ And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible.

³⁸ And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

³⁹ And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

⁴⁰ And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

⁴¹ And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

⁴² And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

⁴³ And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

⁴⁴ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

⁴⁸ For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

⁵⁴ He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

⁵⁵ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

⁵⁶ And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

⁵⁷ Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

⁵⁸ And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

⁵⁹ And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

⁶⁰ And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

⁶¹ And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

⁶² And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

⁶³ And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

⁶⁴ And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

⁶⁵ And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

⁶⁶ And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

⁶⁷ And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

⁶⁸ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

⁶⁹ And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

⁷⁰ As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

⁷¹ That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

⁷² To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

⁷³ The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

⁷⁴ That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

⁷⁵ In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

⁷⁶ And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

⁷⁹ To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

⁸⁰ And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

Luke 1 serves as the opening of one of the four Gospels and lays the foundation for the narrative of Jesus’ birth and ministry. Luke, as a meticulous historian, addresses his Gospel to Theophilus to provide an orderly and reliable account of the events surrounding the coming of the Messiah. This chapter recounts two significant announcements by the angel Gabriel: the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus. It speaks of divine providence, grace, and the fulfillment of ancient prophetic promises.

Commentary

Luke begins his Gospel with a detailed and carefully structured narrative that demonstrates how God intervenes in history. The births of John the Baptist and Jesus are not described as ordinary events but as part of God’s grand plan of redemption. This is especially evident in the encounters between the angel Gabriel and Zechariah, as well as Gabriel and Mary.

Zechariah, the priest, and his wife Elizabeth are examples of faith and obedience to God, despite their long-standing childlessness. Their story illustrates that God’s timing often surpasses our expectations, but His promises are always fulfilled. The announcement of the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, is a sign of the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

The encounter between the angel Gabriel and Mary reveals God’s willingness to accomplish great deeds through humble and modest people like Mary. Mary is portrayed as a model of faith as she willingly accepts the role God has set for her, despite the challenges involved.

The chapter concludes with the prophetic songs of praise from Mary (the Magnificat) and Zechariah, both exalting the greatness and mercy of God. These songs express deep trust in God’s plan and anticipation of the coming salvation.

Summary

Luke Chapter 1 portrays God’s providence in preparing for the birth of Jesus and his forerunner, John the Baptist. Through the angelic announcements and the miraculous pregnancies of Elizabeth and Mary, it becomes clear that God is actively involved in the lives of people to fulfill His plan of salvation. The obedience and faith of the key figures—Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and later John—are central to this chapter and highlight the importance of trusting in God’s plan. God’s mercy and faithfulness are a recurring theme throughout the chapter, which concludes with praise and anticipation for the imminent fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

 

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/13-09-2024-luke-chapter-1-believe-his-prophets/

11.5 Who Are You?
Courage and Denial: The Contrast Between Jesus’ Steadfastness and Peter’s Weakness

Read Mark 14:60–72. Compare how Jesus and Peter reacted to the events. What can we learn from these differences?

In Mark 14:60–72, two key figures are at the center: Jesus and Peter. While Jesus boldly confesses the truth before the Sanhedrin, Peter, outside in the courtyard, denies knowing Jesus. This passage reveals profound differences in their behavior and how they handled the challenges before them.

Jesus’ Reaction:
When Jesus is brought before the high priest, he remains silent at first, even when the accusations against him are unjust and inconsistent. He does not defend himself or respond to the false witnesses, showing his inner peace and trust in God’s plan. When directly asked if he is the Messiah, Jesus answers clearly and fearlessly with “Yes.” Jesus recognizes the significance of this moment, even though it will cost him his life. He demonstrates that his mission is not to save himself but to fulfill God’s will, even under the most extreme circumstances.

Peter’s Reaction:
In contrast to Jesus’ calm and courageous demeanor, Peter reacts with fear and denial. Despite his earlier promises never to betray Jesus, Peter denies him three times when questioned by others. In his panic and fear of potential consequences, Peter flees from the truth, going as far as cursing and swearing that he does not know Jesus.

Lessons From These Differences:
The contrast between these two reactions highlights the difference between human weakness and divine steadfastness. Jesus, who speaks the truth without hesitation, embodies courage, trust in God, and the willingness to face his destiny. Peter, on the other hand, shows how easy it is for humans to betray their faith in moments of fear and uncertainty, even after making strong commitments to remain loyal.

This story teaches us how important it is to hold on to our faith during difficult times. While Peter fails in this situation, his breakdown and weeping remind us that there is always room for repentance and renewal. Jesus forgives, even when we deny him. Peter’s remorse later leads to his restoration, and he becomes one of the most important apostles in early Christianity. This shows that, even after our failures, God offers us the opportunity to repent and renew our relationship with him.

Summary:
Mark 14:60–72 presents the contrast between Jesus’ bold confession and Peter’s fearful denial. While Jesus proclaims the truth openly despite the looming danger, Peter gives in to the heat of the moment and denies his Lord. From these two reactions, we learn the importance of remaining steadfast in faith, even in challenging moments. At the same time, Peter’s failure reminds us that we can always return to God with repentance and that forgiveness and renewal are possible.

What words of hope would you offer to someone who wants to follow Jesus but sometimes fails? Who among us hasn’t failed to do what Jesus wants at some point?

Words of hope for someone who wants to follow Jesus but sometimes fails could be:

“It’s normal for us to stumble and fail on our journey with Jesus— even the greatest disciples, like Peter, failed. But the most important thing is that God’s love and grace are always greater than our mistakes. Jesus understands our weaknesses, and yet, he loves us unconditionally. When we fall, we can rise, return to him, and accept his forgiveness. It’s not perfection that counts, but the faithfulness and desire to keep coming back to him. God gives us the strength, through his grace and the Holy Spirit, to overcome our weaknesses. Trust that he is with you, guiding you, and giving you the strength you need to keep moving forward.”

Let us remember: Failure is not the end, but an opportunity to grow in faith and experience God’s merciful forgiveness.

The events in Mark 14:60–72 have a deep connection to our daily lives and faith. They show us that even the strongest believers—like Peter—can fail in moments of fear and uncertainty. In our lives, we often face similar challenges. We may be determined to stay faithful to Jesus, but during times of pressure, fear, or societal influence, it becomes difficult to openly confess our faith or act according to it. Peter’s denial and later repentance reflect the reality of our own lives: we are all prone to mistakes, even when our hearts are originally faithful.

Jesus’ example, as he stood firm before the Sanhedrin and confessed the truth, teaches us courage and trust in God, even when the consequences are uncomfortable or threatening. He shows that true strength is not avoiding suffering but accepting God’s plan and will in the most difficult moments. This encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when we are under pressure.

However, Peter’s mistake brings another important lesson: there is always room for repentance and forgiveness. Like Peter, when we fail, we can return to God through repentance and humility. God offers us forgiveness and the chance for renewal when we recognize our failure. This grace, which God offers us again and again, gives us confidence that our failure is not the end but part of the process through which we grow in faith.

In our daily lives, this story reminds us not to become discouraged when we fall short of our expectations or the demands of our faith. Instead, in those moments, we should acknowledge our weaknesses, turn back to God, and trust in his forgiveness and guidance. Faith is not about never failing but about continually returning to God, strengthened by his grace.

Even when we fail, God’s grace always gives us the chance for repentance and renewal.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-11-taken-and-tried-11-5-who-are-you-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

September 12, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Mark Chapter 16

¹ And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

² And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

³ And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

⁴ And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

⁵ And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

⁶ And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

⁷ But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

⁸ And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

⁹ Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

¹⁰ And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

¹¹ And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

¹² After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

¹³ And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

¹⁴ Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

¹⁵ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

¹⁶ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

¹⁹ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

²⁰ And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

Mark chapter 16 describes the decisive moment of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His appearances before the disciples. This chapter concludes the Gospel and proclaims the power of faith and the mission of the disciples to spread the Gospel to the whole world. The central message of this chapter lies in the hope of eternal life through the risen Christ and the commission to pass on this message.

Commentary

In the first verses (1-8) of the chapter, we learn how Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome go to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body. They are concerned about who will roll away the heavy stone from the tomb’s entrance. When they arrive, they find that the stone has already been rolled away, and they see an angel in white robes who delivers the news that Jesus has risen. This event reflects the women’s confusion and astonishment, but also the joy that death does not have the final word.

The following verses (9-14) report on the appearances of the risen Jesus to Mary Magdalene and other disciples. It is noteworthy that, despite multiple testimonies, the disciples initially did not believe in the resurrection. This refusal to believe is rebuked by Jesus Himself, who emphasizes the importance of faith for salvation.

In the concluding verses (15-20), Jesus gives the disciples the command to spread the Gospel throughout the world. This is the Great Commission, making it clear that salvation is not meant for a small group but for all people. Signs such as miraculous healings and casting out demons will accompany this mission, affirming Jesus’ divine authority.

Summary

Mark chapter 16 tells of Jesus’ resurrection and His appearances before the disciples, who initially doubted but later received the commission to spread the Good News to the entire world. The focus of this chapter is on the power of faith, the triumph over death, and the universal mission to proclaim the Gospel. Jesus’ resurrection is the victory over death, and His disciples are called to make this victory accessible to all people.

 

 

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/12-09-2024-mark-chapter-16-believe-his-prophets/