The Details
Read
Mark 2:1-3:6
Matthew 16:13 - 17:27
Mark 11:1-26
Psalm 127
Notice
God still promises
Look out for
Jesus
Memorize
Matthew 17:22-23: As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.
Get Ready
It’s fitting that we spend three weeks reading about Jesus, because He “fills the story full.” Everything before and after makes sense through Him. You also recognize, I’m sure, that the stories of Mary and John the Baptist revolved around Jesus. Everything is now swirling, and Jesus will make it swirl even faster: God still promises, and these promises create more questions than answers.
A little more
A little background
A few weeks ago, I shared with teachers an overview of the political world that Jesus engaged:
“This was a time of longing for the Jews, yet there were many different factions which would drive tensions to new, even unbearable, heights. Those called Herodians took an optimistic view of Roman occupation: just get along with them and be thankful they leave us alone. Zealots took the opposite view: everything should be done to undermine the occupiers and pave the way for David’s return. Pharisees lived in the middle, antagonistic toward Rome but focusing mostly on personal piety. The Sadducees of Jerusalem claimed deep devotion to the Law of Moses – they managed the Temple – but they appeared much more devoted to their own position of authority.”
Now throw on top of this a general concern stemming from the exiles to Assyria and Babylon: Some wanted to make God happy; some wanted to pave the way for His coming; no one wanted to make God angry. Instead of placating anyone, Jesus will make everyone uneasy.
It’s also important to remember that these are just the prominent sects, and that, taken together, they were the minority of the population. As in our own time, most people were far more concerned with local and practical concerns: food on their tables, roofs over their heads, and hope for their children. Never forget how this would feed someone’s readiness to listen, or fuel a person’s willingness to disregard Him.
A little timeline
Jesus began His ministry around age 30, according to Luke 3. John records three Passover festivals that Jesus attended during this time, and Jesus does a tremendous amount of traveling – all on foot. It is unlikely that Jesus operated for less than two or three years, and possibly more, given the furor around Him. The only external dating we have comes from Pontius Pilate, who ruled when Jesus was executed, and governed Judea from A.D. 26 – 36.
A little geography
The Jews were split across two regions: Judea, roughly comprising the land of ancient Judah, around Jerusalem; and Galilee, in to the north and west of the Sea from which it was named. Judea and Galilee recognized the significance of Jerusalem: Zion, the home of God’s Temple and the seat of David’s throne.
Between them was Samaria. There is little linking the inhabitants of this region with the peoples transplanted there by Assyria seven centuries before, but they were distinct from their Jewish neighbors and reviled by them. An apostate form of Judaism had arisen there in the previous few centuries, and Samaritans generally did not acknowledge the kingdom era, or the development of Jerusalem as the seat of worship, as significant. The Gospels show Jewish arrogance toward Samaritans; Jesus treated them differently.
A little epilogue
The most significant promise you’ll see this week is Jesus’ assertion that He will be struck down, then rise again on the third day. You’ll just have to wait and see if it comes true.
Getting deeper into the weeds
What can you learn about God’s character, personality, or priorities here?
There is no easy sequential story through this week’s readings, so I’ll highlight each separately. In Mark 2 and 3, you get a taste for the quick pace of Mark’s approach. Pay attention to an overarching theme: “Who does Jesus think He is? God Himself?” Also notice how glaring details are completely overlooked by those who accuse Jesus of “not doing it right.” A paralyzed man is healed, “but Jesus said His sins were forgiven.” A man’s withered hand is restored, “But Jesus did it on the Sabbath.” Jesus’ disciples were hungry and eating, “But you can’t do that.” The contrast couldn’t be more striking between God’s priorities and man’s.
Twice during the Matthew reading, Jesus promises his death will come and his resurrection will follow. Between this is what’s called the “Transfiguration.” Consider this as a revelation of what has been, what is, and what is to come. Jesus’ closest disciples saw God visibly put His stamp on Him. “This is my beloved Son, whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” Everything Jesus has said must now be taken with more seriousness.
In Mark 11, we run a lap through the triumphal entry and Jesus’ first foray in Jerusalem. Jesus illustrates His authority over the fig tree; He asserts His authority over the Temple. Jesus makes a statement about God’s concern for the Temple, which might have been fair enough. But religious authorities hate it when you call attention to their abuse of spiritual authority, and Jesus seems to be doing everything in His power to challenge them into action. We stop in verse 26, before the chief priests’ challenge Jesus in the temple (we read it last week), but it wouldn’t hurt to read it again!
How can parents help their kids through the readings?
You have a grab bag to take from this week, and it might be helpful to just read stories, one after another. What you’ll get is a composite sketch of who Jesus was, and importantly, Who He thought He was. Jesus is bold, yes, but in ways that seem unnecessary – unless His purpose was greater than the immediate events where they occur.
An example of this is illustrated right away in Mark 2. Jesus tells a paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven.” The scribes around this get bent out of shape, but Jesus responds: “Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Or ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” The more revealing question might be: “Couldn’t Jesus have healed the man without making such a stir?” Yes, He could have – unless He was trying to drive home a greater point.
Push your kids to see this as you read: beyond the miraculous, to what each episode shows us about Jesus, and God’s will and work through Him.