Posts by Bruce Pratt
Mark: Lesson 39
Lesson text: Mark 16:1-8 The chapter begins with the women going to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body. But they’re met by an angel who tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead! He instructs the women to tell the disciples, including Peter, that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. They see that the tomb is empty, but they’re fearful to tell anyone what they’ve been told. A majority of modern scholars believe that this is where Mark’s gospel…
Mark: Lesson 38
Lesson text: Mark 15:33-47 After three hours of darkness in the middle of the day, Jesus dies on the cross. At the end He is still much stronger than the usual crucifixion victim. Watching all this transpire, the centurion in charge is moved by Jesus’ manner of death. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus’ body so that He may be buried. Pilate is surprised by how quickly Jesus has died, but he approves the release. The women from Galilee who…
Mark: Lesson 37
Lesson text: Mark 15:16-32 Having yielded to the pressure of the crowd, Pilate turns Jesus over to his soldiers for crucifixion. The soldiers proceed to mock Jesus, placing a purple robe on Him and “honoring” Him with a crown of thorns. Jesus is then led out toward the place of execution, a hill called Golgotha. He falls beneath the weight of the crossbeam He is forced to carry, so the soldiers draft a man named Simon to carry it for…
Mark: Lesson 36
Lesson text: Mark 14:66-15:15 Jesus has been arrested and is now standing trial before the Sanhedrin. Outside, Peter is sticking close. But a servant girl recognizes him and says he was with Jesus. Peter denies this. In short order, he denies Jesus twice more. At this, he hears the cock crow, reminding him that Jesus said Peter would deny Him. As night turns to morning, the Sanhedrin bring Jesus to Pontius Pilate. They need Pilate to endorse their death sentence.…