WIWO: Mark – Episode 20: Authority and Conflict

Reading: Mark 11:27-12:27 Context: Why do religious leaders question Jesus’ authority, and how does His parable of the tenants answer them? The battle is on for the role of the authority of the truth. The religious leaders had comfortably held that position, but that was under threat because of Jesus. They went out of their […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 19: Triumphal Entry and Temple Cleansing

Reading: Mark 11:1-26 Context: What is the significance of Jesus’ manner of entering Jerusalem, and what expectations does this fulfil? Zechariah 9 includes a prophecy of a Messiah who would enter Jerusalem riding on a colt that had never been ridden before. Jesus fulfils that prophecy in this episode. The greetings He gets from the […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 18: The Way of the Cross

Reading: Mark 10:32-52 Context: How does Jesus’ detailed third passion prediction demonstrate His conscious choice to suffer? I imagine. He is with His disciples and He’s outlining what will happen to Him. He’s deliberate. He’s not in a rush. This is what will happen. It’s not a matter of identifying it in terms of what […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 17: Marriage, Children, and Wealth

Reading: Mark 10:1-31 Context: How do Jesus’ teachings on divorce reflect God’s original design for marriage relationships? Divorce is alien to God. His original design was that those who married would be married for life. Divorce was a response to rebellious hearts that didn’t want to take on the original design. Going back to God’s […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 16: Humility and Service

Reading: Mark 9:33-50 Context: What prompts Jesus’ teaching about greatness and service in God’s kingdom? The lads are quarrelling before they reach the crib. He asks them why they’re arguing. They keep shtum, as if you can do that with a man who knows. The nature of their quarrel is about who is the greatest. […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 15: Glory and Discipleship

Reading: Mark 9:1-32 Context: How does the transfiguration confirm Jesus’ identity for the three disciples who witness it? Here’s the confirmation – it’s one thing to be told that He’s the son of God, it’s another thing to witness His transfigured form revealing the glory of the only begotten son of God. That kind of […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 12: Heart Matters

Reading: Mark 7:1-37 Context: What specific traditions are the Pharisees concerned about, and why do they matter to them? In this episode, the Pharisees were concerned about the state of the hands. The tradition they observed was ensuring that hands were washed before partaking of food. This wasn’t for hygiene reasons; this was for the […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 11: Compassion and Provision

Reading: Mark 6:30-56 Context: Why does Jesus seek solitude with His disciples, and what interrupts their rest? Solitude is healthy. It provides much-needed time to recuperate and prepare for the next season of service. It’s a great time to detox, unwind, and converse with the Father to recharge and renew. Jesus has this on tap […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 10: Rejection and Mission

Reading: Mark 6:1-29 Context: Why do Jesus’ own townspeople struggle to accept His authority and teaching? Heh. This bit is so funny. The folks in Jesus’ hometown struggle because they already know this fella. He was in that big family with that Mary woman. He was there with the brothers and sisters. We know this […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 9: Faith and Healing

Reading: Mark 5:21-43 Context: What social barriers does the bleeding woman overcome to reach Jesus, and why is this significant? This scripture does not indicate the social barrier, but we can infer the following: she has a disease, which doesn’t make her socially acceptable for starters. The nature of the disease, apparently, would make her […]