This Week With 5X5X5
Tuesday – Mark chapter 12
Wednesday – Mark chapter 13
Thursday – Mark chapter 14
Friday –Mark chapter 15
Week-end – Reflection and catch up
Monday, January 22 – Mark Chapter 16

In Mark chapter 11 all of the action turns toward Jerusalem. The Gospel is quickly reaching its climax. Three times, Jesus enters Jerusalem.(11:11; 11:15; 11:27). The first time is sometimes known as Palm Sunday. The second time Jesus clears out the temple, and the third time he enters into a debate with the religious leaders of the temple. The conflict between the religious leadership and Jesus intensifies. There is a real emphasis here upon prayer as personal and repentant, as opposed to the empty sacrifice of the temple.

In Mark chapter 12 three questions are asked of Jesus by religious leaders (12:13; 12:18; 12:23) as a way of testing Jesus. This highlights the difference between Jesus’ values and those of the establishment. The rhetoric increases until Jesus openly opposes the scribes and openly criticizes them for hypocrisy. The poor widow is places by Jesus as a role model of faith, in juxtaposition to the actions of the religious establishment

Mark Chapter 13 is often called the Little Apocalypse. It is a vision of the end times – or the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem – or the Second Coming of Christ – or all of the above. The emphasis here is upon the need for the faithful to be expectant, watchful and ready for what God will do in the world.

Mark chapter 14 and 15 are the Passion Narrative as told by Mark. We are told at the very beginning (Mark 14:2) that the chief priests and scribes were ready to kill Jesus. Jesus is anointed for his future burial (Mark 14:9), and Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time (Mark14:16). Jesus tells of his own betrayal, and the fact that even his disciples will fall away. In Mark’s gospel the emphasis rests upon the fact that “they all deserted him and fled” (Mark 14:50) Even Jesus fights against his desire to run away, saying “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38). Finally, in Mark14:62 Jesus clearly states who he is – the Messiah of God. – but on the cross he only speaks one statement “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). After his death, the only one to speak is a Roman soldier, who calls him God’s son. No one else is present to make the proclamation.

Mark 16 most likely ends with the eighth verse. Most biblical scholars believe that the longer ending to Mark (16:9-20) was added later. Notice the impression that would be made concerning the resurrection if you do not add the longer ending. The end of the story is left to be written – and indeed in C.E. 68-70 that was very much the case!