And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mark 15:1-20

And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Mark 15:14-15

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is, per the commentary, the second division of the text from Mark 15:1-20 - vv6-14.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv1-5: (1) God in the text:  Jesus is the object of others' actions, and here Pilate is struggling with what to do with Jesus as he believes Jesus is innocent of any crime (v14) but at the same time Pilate must placate (v15) Jewish leadership (some of which must use there role to stir up civil unrest or other complications for Pilate).  Jewish leaders urge crucifixion of Jesus - vv13-14; Jesus is then mocked and scourged (v15) (2) People in the text: Jewish leaders seek Pilate to follow custom and release a prisoner during Passover and they urge Barrabas to be released (they roundly reject Pilate's suggestion that it be Jesus - v9) and it is ironic that Pilate agrees because Barrabas participated (committed murder) in insurrection against Rome (v7); Pilate correctly sees the Jewish leadership as envious of Jesus due to Jesus' following among the people as they felt threatened and did not see Jesus as the promised Messiah from OT prophecy; many believe the Messiah would be an earthly king that would overthrow Rome and restore Jerusalem to self governance and former glory (such as under David's rule) (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: Avoid envy - see Exodus 20:17; see Jesus as the Promised Messiah and His kingdom as an eternal one not bound by earthly definitions. Do not murder.  Follow Jesus' example to understand and follow the Father's will.  Obey governing authorities (Romans 13).   

Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division: 

• The title of the first division is "Our Great King’s Substitution: The Injustice and Insult."   
• RE: Pilate's tough situation - we are referred to Matthew 27:19 where [Pilate's] wife had warned him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of Him!”. 
• "Pilate has had enough. He publicly washes his hands, while the crowd accepts responsibility for executing the King (Matthew 27:24-25). Jesus was innocent but declared to be guilty."  It's important to note that this text describes how the crowd all but admits that they are committing murder by asking for Jesus' crucifixion.  

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God that willingly sent His Son to die on the cross, and Jesus willingly submitted to Your Will so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven.  Thank You!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.

Daniel 2

 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. Daniel 2:44

I pause in my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 2 as I lean on a commentary for its observations for v31-49. Here the commentary highlights a few key themes, starting with how the text - by describing Daniel's vision of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation - reveals "a God who is absolutely sovereign in what he knows (omniscience) and what he will do (omnipotence)."  The commentary then discusses how, although there is some debate about the text among biblical scholars, the dream demonstrates how God both creates and destroys all ruling authorities and empires.  There is general agreement about how the dream represents Babylon, followed by Medo-Persia, Greece, then Rome, all of which rise and fall by the hand of God. Daniel's interpretation climaxes in v44, where we see a prophecy of Christ's eternal kingdom, including how God will destroy all the kingdom's succeeding Babylon as described earlier in the interpretation of the dream.  The commentary then caps Daniel's interpretation by sharing that in v45 "Daniel brings his interpretation to a close with two resounding affirmations: (1) a great God has revealed this, and (2) “the dream is certain, and its interpretation reliable[.]” The commentary then points to Nebuchadnezzar's reaction to Daniel's interpretation, how Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God's power and how God works through Daniel, and the commentary then wraps by sharing as well how "God honors his servants who faithfully serve him" - Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and Your kingdom lasts forever!  I can count on You as Your promises all come true and You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless and provide for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Isaiah 28-29

Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ Isaiah 28:16

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, looking at Isaiah 28-29, I move along to Lesson 11, Day 3, which looks more closely at Isaiah 28:16 and related references in scripture, including:

• Isaiah 8:13-15 > for Jews that did not see Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus became stone of offense, rock of stumbling
  
• Romans 9:33 > NT reference to Isaiah 8:13-15
• Psalm 118:22 >Jesus, the stone the builders rejected became the cornerstone
  
• 1 Peter 2:6-8 >Jesus as cornerstone, whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame
  
• Matthew 21:33-46 > NT reference to Psalm 118:22
  
• Acts 4:8-12 >Jesus as cornerstone, no other name under heaven by which can be saved
  
• Daniel 2:31-45 >kingdoms of this world are all from Christ but will will pass away, God's kingdom will overcome (and destroy earthly kingdoms) all other kingdoms and last forever
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose kingdom will last forever - and You are saving a place for me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such a blessing.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.