WIWO: Mark – Episode 23: Betrayal and the Last Supper

Reading: Mark 14:1-31 Context: How does the woman’s anointing of Jesus contrast with Judas’s betrayal preparations? What a fascinating set of circumstances. The woman doesn’t know she’s anointing Jesus for burial; she’s offering a heartfelt expression of devotion to Jesus. She loves Him and is keen to express that in a lavish, expensive and deep […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 22: Signs and Watchfulness

Reading: Mark 13:1-37 Context: What prompts Jesus’ teaching about future events and the destruction of the temple? A seemingly passing comment is the spur that gets Jesus talking about future events. The passing comment is a moment where someone admires the temple. It’s a fairly innocuous statement as they go. Yet within it, there is […]

WIWO: Mark – Episode 21: Love, Generosity, and Judgment

Reading: Mark 12:28-44 Context: How does Jesus’ response about the greatest commandments summarise all spiritual obligations? All we do must come from a heart of love for God. A love that has to be commanded because it’s not natural for us to give that love to God first and foremost, and we’re not that inclined […]

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 […]