Mark Chapter 16 - ACC NT Study

(Verses 1-3)
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.
2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

Those who brought spices to anoint Jesus' body were consumed with grief. They concentrated on practical issue. (Rolling away the stone from the tomb no doubt was an impossible task.) However we know from this chapter the stone was already moved prior to their arrival, and great joy would follow when they realized Jesus had risen.

Likewise in our darkest hour, we often tend to concentrate on a practical issue or responsibility. (One that seems like an impossible task.) We usually don't realize God has already removed that obstacle to clear the way for us, and make it possible for joy to return to our lives.

In few words:
Look to Him for a clear path.

Mark Chapter 15 - ACC NT Study

(Versus 33, 34)
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" —which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

When we feel as though God is far away, perhaps we begin to believe He has forgotten us, or stopped caring about us altogether. We are not alone. Even Jesus felt forsaken at His truest time of need. However we know God had a plan. Jesus would rise again and spend eternity with the Father.

In a few words:
Even though God's plans are not known to believers, they choose to trust in Him.

Mark Chapter 14 - ACC NT Study

(Verses 27-31)
27"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
29 Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
30"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."
31But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

Peter and all of the disciples pledged they would die with Jesus if necessary. However as scripture tells us in this chapter, Peter did deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed twice.

Jesus returned to Peter after His Resurrection and reinstated him (John 21:15-17) and told him to "Feed my Sheep" restoring him to serve as a follower of Christ.

Likewise many of us make a pledge during prayer or devotion time, to discontinue unacceptable behavior in our lives. We promise to our Lord and ourselves not to repeat it, yet to fail and do it again. Even though we may have confessed to Him and asked for forgiveness, we may begin to feel unworthy and be tempted to give up following Him. I believe if we make ourselves available to Jesus (In prayer, worship or bible study) He returns to us, restores us and tell us to "Feed my sheep."

In a few words:
Let us thank Him for our continued restoration.

Mark Chapter 13 - ACC NT Study

26 At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

In a few words:
Oh to be His elect children, for the Angels to gather!

Mark Chapter 12 - ACC NT Study

41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

In a few words:
Equal sacrifice often means unequal giving.

Mark Chapter 11 - ACC NT Study

(Verses 4-6)
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it,
5 some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?"
6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

In a few words:
Explain Jesus' plan to others

Mark Chapter 10 - ACC NT Study

The story of the Rich Young Man in this chapter has always been an interesting one to me. I may have a different take on it than others who read it. Check out verses 17-20:

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.
19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'
20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

It always made me wonder about when the young man told Jesus that he had kept all the commandments. I want to say: Really? Was he so perfect that he was never disprespectful to his parents or never ever lied ever since he was a boy? I wonder if Jesus was calling him out per se' by telling him the following in Verse 21:

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

I know Jesus most likely did not mean it this way, but to me His answer was almost like saying: Well, since you are so good and almost perfect, selling everything and giving it to the poor should not be any problem for you. However the young man's reaction reveals his true character in verse 22:

22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

In a few words:
Humbly admit our shortcomings to our Lord