GOSPEL OF MARK 9-16
THE CROSS OF CHRIST
The first Easter was a depressing time. Jesus was dead. His disciples had scattered, and it seemed like all was lost. But then, his death cleanses us of our sins, and it is soon apparent that he has been raised to life. In his resurrection, he shows us that death is defeated and that all of creation will be restored. Those who trust in him, though still broken, are forever redeemed; and he will use them to bring the Gospel to the nations.
21 Apr 2019
RAISED FOR OUR SALVATION
MARK 15:40-16:8
by Tan Huai Tze
Jesus dies as a ransom for sinners (Mark 10:45). His was a silent, substitutionary, shameful and saving death. He, the Son of God, died in our place, so that our guilt can be taken away and our shame covered.
19 Apr 2019
CRUCIFIED FOR OUR SINS
MARK 15:1-39
by Tan Huai Tze
The Passion of the Christ continues through Gethsemane, his arrest and trial and the denials of Peter, revealing the obedience of Christ and exposing the pride of man.
14 Apr 2019
THE PRIDE OF MAN AND THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST
MARK 14:32-72
by Wong Yann
The Passion of the Christ continues through Gethsemane, his arrest and trial and the denials of Peter, revealing the obedience of Christ and exposing the pride of man.
14 Apr 2019
THE PRIDE OF MAN AND THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST
MARK 14:32-72
by Wong Yann
Jesus gives the meaning behind his impending death through the institution of the Lord’s Supper. In it, we see that his death is a fulfillment of the Passover meal: Jesus is the lamb of God, sacrificed for the sins of the world. His death is also a story of the failure of his people: all his disciples desert him. And it is a story of forgiveness as he saves those who have failed him through his sacrifice on the cross.
7 Apr 2019
FROM THE LAST SUPPER TO THE LORD'S SUPPER
MARK 14:12-32
by Tan Huai Tze
As we enter the passion narrative, Judas Iscariot conspires with the chief priests and scribes to kill Jesus, while an anonymous woman pours an expensive flask of oil over the head of Jesus. What do these two events say about who Jesus is, and how he is perceived?
24 Mar 2019
THE ANOINTED KING
MARK 14:1-11
by Wong Yann
Jesus teaches his followers about the end of the world by teaching them about the end of the Jerusalem temple. The destruction of the temple in AD70 will bring a time of tribulation. Deception, calamity, and persecution will the order of the day until Jesus comes again. But, through all this, we can be confident that the Father is in control, the Spirit is close, and the Son is coming again. Hence, we can get on with the task of proclaiming the Gospel while being watchful. All of this with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
17 Mar 2019
THE END OF THE WORLD
MARK 13
by Tan Huai Tze
Everybody devotes themselves to something or someone, in essence saying to that thing or person, ‘Make me safe, and make me special.’ This passage shows us that only wholehearted devotion to Jesus can truly make us safe and significant, and also helps us put every other important thing in our life in its proper and good place.
10 Mar 2019
DEVOTED TO JESUS
MARK 12:35-44
by Tan Huai Tze
Questions, even sinister ones, have a way of clarifying what we truly believe. In this text, with their questions, the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus and the Sadducees try to mock him. Only the lone scribe shows a semblance of sincerity. Nonetheless, Jesus turns each question around revealing to them something about God and his kingdom.
3 Mar 2019
QUESTIONING JESUS
MARK 12:13-34
by Tan Huai Tze
The religious leaders of the day challenge Jesus’ authority to cleanse and replace the temple. Jesus replies with his own challenge, exposing the hearts of the religious leaders: it was not truth they were after, but rather a desire to preserve their power, privilege and position. Jesus goes on to show them the futility of holding on to things that will soon pass away. He shows us that the rational and beautiful thing to do is to trust in Him.
24 Feb 2019
THE CHALLENGE OF JESUS
MARK 11:27-12:12
by Tan Huai Tze
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt triumphantly as the Messiah (Zechariah 9:9). However, he heads straight to the temple. Rather than routing the Romans, he came to transform the worship of his people. No longer would forgiveness and answered prayer be found in a physical place; it would now come in and through Jesus, who is the sacrifice to end all sacrifices and the temple to end all temples.
17 Feb 2019
TRANSFORMING WORSHIP
MARK 11:1-25
by Tan Huai Tze
Bartimaeus the blind beggar demonstrates his faith in the Son of David and is made well. Jesus is hailed as a King who heals, fulfilling the covenant with David and the prophecies of the Old Testament. Jesus shows his character as a beautiful, noble, and merciful King.
10 Feb 2019
THE BLIND BEGGAR AND
THE HEALING KING
MARK 10:46-52
by Julian Wu
Jesus teaches his disciples that true leadership is not characterised by the pursuit of power and position, but rather by suffering, service and sacrifice. It is shaped by Christ and his Gospel and has its goal the good of the people being led.
3 Feb 2019
TRUE LEADERSHIP
MARK 10:32-45
by Tan Huai Tze
Jesus continues to flesh out what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Here, he shows us that a true follower is marked by loyalty and commitment in relationships; childlike dependence and trust; and having him as our ultimate treasure. This is only possible for us in light of the cross where Jesus showed his steadfast commitment to his bride the church; where the eternal Son was rejected; and where he gave up the treasures of heaven to make us his treasure.
27 Jan 2019
FOLLOWING JESUS:
HAPPINESS
MARK 10:1-31
by Tan Huai Tze
20 Jan 2019
FOLLOWING JESUS:
AMBITION
MARK 9:30-50
by Tan Huai Tze
What does it mean to be a true follower of Jesus Christ? It means that you live in light of the Cross. In this passage, Jesus elaborates what this means by giving us 3 marks of a disciple: serving the least, accepting the outsider and killing sin. We can do this only because Jesus has first gone to the cross for us, serving and accepting us and being killed for our sin.
13 Jan 2019
I BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF
MARK 9:14-29
by Aaron Akins
Jesus, faced with unbelief on all sides, meets a desperate father, who asks him to heal his son. The father, challenged by Jesus, realizes that he believes, and yet still doubts. He pleads for more faith to overcome his doubt. Jesus shows mercy, answers his prayer and heals his son.
6 Jan 2019
JESUS UNVEILED
MARK 9:2-13
by Tan Huai Tze
The first half of Mark (Chapter 1-8) focuses on who Jesus is, while the second half (Chapter 9-16) focuses on what he came to do. He has just announced to his disciples that he will suffer, die and rise again. In order to encourage them, he shows them a glimpse of his glory in the transfiguration. Through that experience, they see that Jesus is not only powerful but self-sacrificing and loving.