FCA is ON!!!!!

We have Pastries with Parents this Friday, and Mr. and Mrs. Bernabe will be speaking this Friday as well.  Please make it out to FCA this week and head over to Pastries with Parents afterward.  Hope you all can make it.

Mark 15:1-15

Mark 15:1-15Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Jesus Faces Pilate

15 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin. After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.

² So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered him, “You have said it.”^[a]

³ And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. ⁴ Then Pilate questioned Him again, “Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they are accusing You of!” ⁵ But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed.

Jesus or Barabbas

⁶ At the festival it was Pilate’s custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. ⁷ There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion. ⁸ The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom. ⁹ So Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?” ¹⁰ For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed Him over. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.

¹² Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”

¹³ Again they shouted, “Crucify Him!”

¹⁴ Then Pilate said to them, “Why? What has He done wrong?”

But they shouted, “Crucify Him!” all the more.

¹⁵ Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged,^[b] he handed Him over to be crucified.

Questions:

1.       Why did they want to crucify Jesus?

A.     They wanted to crucify Jesus because he is King of the Jews.

2.      Why didn’t Jesus reply to the accusations being made against Him?

A.     Jesus didn’t answer because no matter what would happen He understood that He must be crucified for the sins of the world.  It wasn’t up to Him, but His Father’s, God. 

3.      It was customary to offer up another person during this festival.  Pilate offered up Barabbas or Jesus to the people. What did the people say? And how were they convinced?

A.     They said they wanted Barabbas free and to crucify Jesus.  They people were stirred up by the priests.  The larger the crowed, the stupider they are. 

4.      Pilate asked them, what has He done wrong?

A.     The crowed yells, crucify him, Pilate doesn’t want to see Jesus’ death, but the crowed gets to choose. 

Mark 14:66-72

Mark 14:66-72Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Peter Denies His Lord

⁶⁶ While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s servants came. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus.”

⁶⁸ But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about!” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.^[a]

⁶⁹ When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them!”

⁷⁰ But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean!”^[b]

⁷¹ Then he started to curse^[c] and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”

⁷² Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” When he thought about it, he began to weep.

1.       How would you feel if your best friend denied to be your friend?

A.     Sad and confused because they have always been my friend.  Friends are supposed to have your back.  I might also feel mad.  Your friend is a friend for a reason.  They are supposed to back you up at all costs. 

2.      How do you think Jesus felt when His friend Peter denied Him?

A.     Jesus probably felt disappointed.  He probably felt let down and sad.

3.      Knowing that Jesus knew that Peter was going to deny Him, why do you think Jesus told him he would?

A.     Jesus might have told Peter this to teach him a lesson, to make him feel guilty.  But, we know that Jesus will always love Peter and maybe Peter needed to be broken down, so that Peter can have a better understanding of how much Jesus really loves him. 

4.     Why do you think Peter began weeping after the roster crowed twice?

A.      He feels guilty and he just lied to several people.  

Mark 14:53-65

Mark 14:53-65Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

⁵³ They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes convened. ⁵⁴ Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police,^[a] warming himself by the fire.^[b]

⁵⁵ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none. ⁵⁶ For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. ⁵⁷ Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him, stating, ⁵⁸ “We heard Him say, ‘I will demolish this sanctuary made by human hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’” ⁵⁹ Yet their testimony did not agree even on this.

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?” ⁶¹ But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the BlessedOne?”

⁶² “I am,” said Jesus, “and all of you^[c] will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”^[d]

⁶³ Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? ⁶⁴ You have heard the blasphemy! What is your decision?”^[e]

And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. ⁶⁵ Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, “Prophesy!” The temple police also took Him and slapped Him.

Questions:

1.       Why did the men lie about Jesus, trying to find something He did that was wrong?

A.     The people had to find something wrong with Jesus in order to kill Him.  They needed people’s testimonies to line up so they could accuse Jesus of doing something wrong. 

2.      Did the chief priest find any evidence against Jesus?

A.     No, they tried to find evidence and even tried to make up stores about Jesus, but none of it lined up.  They were all false accusations. 

3.      Why did the priest tear his closes?

A.     He tore his garment because he was upset.  At that moment the priest knew he had Jesus accused of being God’s Son. 

4.      What was Jesus accused of?

A.     Jesus is accused of being the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One.  He says, “All of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

5.      What makes that worthy of dead?

A.     They are afraid of His power. They don’t believe Him.  They Jesus doesn’t fit the mold of their leader.  They chose to not believe in order so they can remain the most powerful priests. 

Mark 14:32-52

Mark 14:32-52Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Prayer in the Garden

³² Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. ³⁴ Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow^[a] —to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.” ³⁵ Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. ³⁶ And He said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

³⁷ Then He came and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you sleeping?” He asked Peter. “Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? ³⁸ Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

³⁹ Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. ⁴⁰ And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.^[b] They did not know what to say to Him. ⁴¹ Then He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Get up; let’s go! See—My betrayer is near.”

The Judas Kiss

⁴³ While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. ⁴⁴ His betrayer had given them a signal. “The One I kiss,” he said, “He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.” ⁴⁵ So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, “Rabbi!”—and kissed Him. ⁴⁶ Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. ⁴⁷ And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear.

⁴⁸ But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal,^[c] to capture Me? ⁴⁹ Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” ⁵⁰ Then they all deserted Him and ran away.

⁵¹ Now a certain young man,^[d] having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, ⁵² but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.

Question:

1.        Why did Jesus pray in the garden?

A.      Jesus prayed because He didn’t want to be crucified.  He wanted God to choose a different path.  But Jesus also knew that it wasn’t up to Him.  It was up to His Father.  The crucifixion isn’t the hardest part, the hardest part is being away for God and taking the sins of every person on Earth. 

2.       What is Jesus referring to when He says, “ Take this cup from Me, Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will?”

A.      The cup is the wrath of God, that He will pour onto Jesus as He takes on everyone’s’ sins. 

3.       Why did Judas betray Jesus?

A.      Judas betrayed Jesus for money.  He must have done it for something else besides money, but we don’t know for sure what that is. 

4.       What did Judas’ kiss represent?

A.      It allowed the people around him to know who they should arrest.  A kiss is usually a common greeting of friends.  This was not that way, it was cynical. 

5.       Jesus was upset with the disciples about sleeping while Jesus is praying, why did He react this way?

A.      We tend to be lazy in our faith at times.  The disciples are sleeping because they are naturally tired, but Jesus needs them to be awake to pray for Him, so these things wouldn’t happen, or Jesus was hoping to alter His path.  We need to understand the power of pray as a first option.  Not a second option.  It’s the most important option with a direct route to God.  He is our creator and helper.  He wants us to call on Him all the time.  He will listen and take action when we pray.  

Mark 14:22-31

Mark 14:22-31Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The First Lord’s Supper

²² As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it;^[a] this is My body.”

²³ Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. ²⁴ He said to them, “This is My blood that establishes the covenant;^[b] it is shed for many. ²⁵ I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way^[c] in the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ After singing psalms,^[d] they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter’s Denial Predicted

²⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will run away,^[e][f] because it is written:

I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.^[g]

²⁸ But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

²⁹ Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!”

³⁰ “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!”

³¹ But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And they all said the same thing.

Question:

1.       What does the bread and wine represent in this passage?

A.     The bread represents Jesus’s body who died for our sins.  The wine represent the blood of Jesus’s that shed for our sins.  He died for us, this is a way we can remember Him and give thanks to Him.

2.      What does it mean when Jesus says, “I will strike the Shepard, and the sheep will be scattered?”

A.     The Shepard is Jesus and the sheep are His followers.  Jesus will be falsely accused and His followers will not stand up for Him.  They will run away from trouble. 

3.      Why does Peter deny that he will deny Jesus?

A.     Peter thinks he would never back down from anything regarding Jesus.  He thinks he is one of the best disciples.  Peter thinks he can stand next to Jesus through anything.  

Mark 14:12-21

Mark 14:12-21Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Preparation for Passover

¹² On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, His disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare the Passover so You may eat it?”

¹³ So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. ¹⁴ Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room for Me to eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” ¹⁶ So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Betrayal at the Passover

¹⁷ When evening came, He arrived with the Twelve. ¹⁸ While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me!”

¹⁹ They began to be distressed and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?”

²⁰ He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread with Me in the bowl. ²¹ For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.

Questions

1.       What is the Passover meal? What does it celebrate?

A.     God sent the Angel of Death to kill all the first born boys in all of Egypt.  If anyone spilled the blood of a lamb over the door posts and lentil of a door, the angel would pass over that family’s house and no one would be harmed.  After this event the Jewish people were released from the Egyptian ruler.  It makes the day of Jewish freedom, almost like the 4^th of July.

2.      Why did Jesus tell His disciples that one of His 12 will betray Him?

A.     To prepare them of what is to come.  To inform them of who will be the betrayer. 

3.      Why does Jesus say, “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born?”

A.     He wants to let Judas know that He knows what’s going on.  That Jesus is in control.  He wants Judas to understand that what he is doing is wrong and that he will pay for his punishments.