Neac - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

NEAC - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

Mark’s resurrection account is short! But it is full of evidence of Jesus' resurrection. The response of the women to run away in fear and trembling is suppose to make us question what the right response is. If Jesus has been raised from the dead, he is God’s king, this is not to be feared but its good news to be rejoiced in, good news to be shared!

The account of Jesus' death is full of mentions of his kingship. The great irony of being the Messiah who ends up in the woeful position of execution. But we get hints that Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 who willingly offers his life. The mocking, handing over to gentiles and the darkness all confirm he is suffering the judgement and wrath of God. Jesus' cry of dereliction confirms his abandonment (v,34). It is the cry of a human, the servant and the son. The centurion sees the startingly reality of the Son of God who lays down his life to reign (v.39).

Jesus, having established his place politically, now explains what it will mean for the Son of Man to come. The abomination will be the death of the Christ (v.14, v.19), then the Son of Man will come in glory (v.24-26), he will gather his elect (v.27). In the meantime, there will be general woes and issues that need to be endured while the gospel is proclaimed (v.10). We are to be awake and ready for the coming of the Son of Man in the midst of the complications of life.

Jesus pronounces again his verdict on the leaders of his day through his parable of the tenants. The evil of Jesus' day will result in the execution of the beloved son who will become the cornerstone (v.10). Jesus then positions himself in relation to Rome (v.17), the Sadducees (v.24), the teachers of the law (v.34). Jesus warns against the teachers and instead, we are offered the example of the widow. The true way to respond to Christ’s authority is to offer what we have to him.

Jesus enters Jerusalem to acclaim from the crowds (v.10), yet proclaims through a fig tree and the temple clearing that the established order is at an end (v.14, 17). In his coming is the fulfilment of the coming of the Lord’s mountain in Jerusalem. Of course, this leads to a clash of authority which escalates through his visit into his execution.

We see through a number of ways in this chapter what it means to enter the kingdom of God. It needs to be received like a child (v.15), the kingdom will find it difficult (v.24), It requires humility (v.42) and a simple longing after mercy (v.47). The only way to enter the kingdom is humbly on our knees. We receive through the one who was condemned and became our ransom (v.45)

After the declaration of the nature of Jesus' kingship, we see the importance and obstacles to entering Jesus' kingdom. Jesus is revealed at the transfiguration to be the Son of God. To not listen to him is to deny God (v.7), yet there is doubt in the heart of Israel (v.19), those who walk in the way of the kingdom will not be forgotten (v.36; 41). The reality of judgement makes it better to lose many things in this world to gain the kingdom.

NEAC - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

The culmination of the first half of Mark is found in this discussion of Jesus' identity and what it truly means for him to be the Messiah. Jesus rebukes Peter’s misunderstanding of his role as the Messiah, instead, he will suffer and die. His followers are likewise summoned to take up their cross and follow.

There is a contrast in this chapter between king Herod, who kills John the Baptist and Jesus who sees the people harassed and helpless without a shepherd. Jesus feeds the five thousand and walks on water. The remarkable nature of Jesus' miracles begin to ask deeper questions concerning his identity. In contrast to Herod, he is the king who gives life rather than takes it for political gain.

Jesus in this chapter demonstrates the remarkable authority he has over demonic forces, unstoppable illness and over death itself. To put faith in Jesus, is to be safe from all spiritual and earthly problems of the fall.

Jesus begins to teach about the kingdom he brings into the world. The way we respond to his word is vital. Yet, his kingdom will grow and sprout without our aid until it becomes the one kingdom of the whole earth. Jesus' words also calm the storm, demonstrating the authority of all of his teaching and ministry.

Jesus was extremely provocative in his earthly ministry, he did and said things that confronted the religious and cultural assumptions of his day. The coming of his kingdom and his way of life does not fit into any way of human life that has existed before him.

Jesus clarifies for us that the priority and centre of his ministry is the forgiveness of sins, to which he miracles testify his divine authority. Jesus' ministry was marked by drawing near to the undesirable as such was God’s heart.

Mark begins his biography of Jesus by declaring Jesus as the Messiah and his life to bring ‘good news’. Jesus alone is good news because of the kingdom he brings, the only response can be repentance and faith.

Join us for advent as we anticipate Christmas and Jesus' coming. We'll be working through the first chapter of John for 3 weeks, reflecting on how and why Jesus came to this Earth.

Join us for advent as we anticipate Christmas and Jesus' coming. We'll be working through the first chapter of John for 3 weeks, reflecting on how and why Jesus came to this Earth.

NEAC - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

Hundreds of years before Jesus, the Jewish people were exiled into an unfamiliar land and placed under foreign rule. Out of hopelessness and despair, God used Daniel to remind them, and now us, to place our identity in God alone who reigns over and in every kingdom. Do not fear, but be courageous and live out the wisdom of Christ who is your solid rock.