📖Mark 14:22-31

➡️ Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper

Jesus gives His disciples bread and wine and declares, “This is my body” and “This is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many.”

This moment isn’t just symbolic — it’s sacramental. Jesus isn’t speaking metaphorically; He’s delivering His very body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.

As Lutherans confess, Christ is truly present in the Supper, and His gifts are given to sinners in real time. It’s not nostalgia or reenactment. It’s God working here and now.

This meal fulfills the Passover. In the OT, the Passover wasn’t just a remembrance — it was participatory. Israelites didn’t simply recall the Exodus; through the meal, they were joined to it.

Jesus brings that same reality to the Lord’s Supper. No longer are believers just remembering past salvation. In the Supper, they receive it.

Recreating Seder meals today misses the point. Clinging to the shadow when the reality is given every Sunday in the Lord’s Supper turns salvation into nostalgia instead of participation.

➡️ Jesus Predicts That Peter Will Deny Him

Immediately after this, Jesus predicts Peter’s denial.

Though Peter insists that he won’t, Jesus tells him the rooster will crow twice before he denies Him three times.

The disciples all join Peter in pledging loyalty.

This exchange shows the danger of turning Jesus’ words into challenges instead of warnings. Jesus wasn’t testing Peter — He was preparing him.

But Peter, in pride, saw it as a chance to prove himself. Like us, he wanted to be the hero. Salvation doesn’t rest on our performance — it rests on Christ.

The Lord’s Supper isn’t a ritual for the strong. It’s a gift for the weak, the scattered, and the sinful — for Peter, for you, for me.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

A Bible Study of Mark 14:1-11

➡️ The Pharisees Plot to Kill Jesus

It was now two days before Passover. The chief priests and scribes sought to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him, yet feared causing an uproar during the feast.

Their need for secrecy spoke volumes — if they were truly doing God's work, why hide in darkness?

Since the beginning of Mark's gospel, they had been at odds with Jesus, looking for ways to destroy him.

Even back in chapter three, they allegedly planted a man with a withered hand in the synagogue to test if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath.

Their secretive plotting revealed their fear — not of wrongdoing, but of the people's reaction.

They were fully committed to silencing Jesus, willing to employ dangerous and evil methods.

➡️ Jesus Anointed at Bethany

While at Simon the leper's house in Bethany, a woman approached Jesus with an alabaster flask of pure nard, costly ointment worth a year's wages.

Breaking the flask, she poured it over his head.

Some became indignant, asking why such waste when it could have been sold for over 300 denarii and given to the poor.

Jesus defended her: "Leave her alone. Why trouble her?

She has done a beautiful thing.

The poor you always have with you—whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me."

He explained she had anointed his body for his coming burial.

What she did would be remembered wherever the gospel was proclaimed. (And it is!)

➡️ Judas Decides to Betray Jesus

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus.

They were glad and promised him money.

Judas sought opportunity to betray him.

The contrast is striking — the woman spent extravagantly to honor Jesus while Judas sought payment to betray him.

While some saw her act as wasteful, Jesus recognized it as faith.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

➡️Mark 12:38-44

Jesus contrasts the ostentatious scribes with a poor widow's humble offering.

While wealthy individuals contribute large sums to the temple treasury, the widow gives just two small copper coins — all she has to live on.

This passage isn't merely about stewardship or tithing percentages.

Jesus is both commending the widow's faith and expressing righteous anger at a religious system that failed to care for its widows.

Her act becomes a Christ-like image — giving all she has just as Jesus would ultimately give everything for our redemption.

➡️Mark 13:1-2

As Jesus leaves the temple for the final time, his disciples marvel at its magnificence.

Jesus responds with the shocking prophecy that not one stone will remain.

This isn't just about physical destruction but marks a theological transition.

The temple had served its purpose as God's dwelling place, but now Jesus himself is the true temple.

When the temple curtain later tears at Jesus' crucifixion, it signifies this transition: God's presence would no longer be contained in a building but found in Christ and his church.

➡️ Mark 13:3-13

The disciples ask when these events will occur, and Jesus describes ongoing signs: false messiahs, wars, natural disasters, persecution.

Rather than providing a precise timeline, Jesus emphasizes faithful endurance amid tribulation.

These signs aren't just about a distant future but characterize the entire period between Christ's ascension and return.

Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will provide words during persecution — not through spontaneous revelation, but through the apostolic teachings and Scriptures internalized by believers.

The central message isn't fear of calamity but faithfulness in confessing Christ until the end.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

Mark 13 may appear frightening with its talk of the "abomination of desolation" and cosmic disturbances, but it actually contains profound comfort for Christians.

When Jesus speaks of the "abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be," He's giving us a sign.

Some interpret this as the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 AD, while others see it pointing toward Christ's crucifixion itself — the ultimate moment when the innocent bore what should have been our punishment.

Throughout this chapter, Jesus doesn't aim to terrify us but to prepare us.

The warnings about tribulation, false prophets, and cosmic signs aren't meant to create anxiety but to reassure: "This world, with all its brokenness, is not your final home."

Notice Jesus' practical advice: when things get difficult, flee to safety. Don't try to salvage your possessions.

This is solid spiritual guidance — we aren't called to fix everything that's broken in this world. Some suffering simply can't be eliminated this side of glory.

The good news shines through when Jesus says, "For the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days."

God limits our suffering and preserves us through faith until the end.

When Jesus speaks of the Son of Man coming in clouds with power and glory, He's describing not just judgment but salvation — the angels gathering His elect from the ends of the earth.

The fig tree illustration reminds us that these signs aren't meant to frighten but to encourage — summer is coming! The difficult seasons will end.

Jesus tells us to "stay awake" — not through anxious vigilance but by remaining where Christ has promised to be through Word and Sacrament.

This isn't a burden but a gift.

Mark 13 isn't a chapter of doom but of profound hope.

Even in the darkest times, lift up your heads — your redemption draws near.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Bible Study: Mark 12:18-37

➡️ Who Gets the Wife in the Resurrection? (18-27)

The Sadducees, who didn't believe in resurrection, tried to trap Jesus with a scenario about a woman who married seven brothers consecutively.

They asked whose wife she would be in the resurrection.

Jesus responds by explaining they misunderstand both Scripture and God's power.

In the resurrection, people "neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels."

Jesus then quotes from Exodus, reminding them God is "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" - not of the dead but of the living.

This reveals that those who have died continue to exist, contradicting the Sadducees' belief that death is final.

➡️ What Commandment Is the Most Important? (28-34)

When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus quotes the Shema: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one," and commands to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength.

He adds the second command to "love your neighbor as yourself."

The scribe agrees and adds that these commands are "much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

Jesus tells him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."

Unlike previous confrontational exchanges, this conversation shows someone genuinely seeking understanding.

➡️ How is Jesus David’s God and Son?

Jesus poses a question about the Messiah: How can the Christ be David's son when David himself calls him Lord?

Quoting Psalm 110, Jesus demonstrates the divine nature of the Messiah.

This teaching reveals that Christ is both human (descended from David) and divine (David's Lord).

Interestingly, after these teachings, "the great throng heard him gladly," showing how Jesus gradually won over the crowd with his teaching despite earlier hostility.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

➡️Mark 12:38-44

Jesus contrasts the ostentatious scribes with a poor widow's humble offering.

While wealthy individuals contribute large sums to the temple treasury, the widow gives just two small copper coins — all she has to live on.

This passage isn't merely about stewardship or tithing percentages.

Jesus is both commending the widow's faith and expressing righteous anger at a religious system that failed to care for its widows.

Her act becomes a Christ-like image — giving all she has just as Jesus would ultimately give everything for our redemption.

➡️Mark 13:1-2

As Jesus leaves the temple for the final time, his disciples marvel at its magnificence.

Jesus responds with the shocking prophecy that not one stone will remain.

This isn't just about physical destruction but marks a theological transition.

The temple had served its purpose as God's dwelling place, but now Jesus himself is the true temple.

When the temple curtain later tears at Jesus' crucifixion, it signifies this transition: God's presence would no longer be contained in a building but found in Christ and his church.

➡️ Mark 13:3-13

The disciples ask when these events will occur, and Jesus describes ongoing signs: false messiahs, wars, natural disasters, persecution.

Rather than providing a precise timeline, Jesus emphasizes faithful endurance amid tribulation.

These signs aren't just about a distant future but characterize the entire period between Christ's ascension and return.

Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will provide words during persecution — not through spontaneous revelation, but through the apostolic teachings and Scriptures internalized by believers.

The central message isn't fear of calamity but faithfulness in confessing Christ until the end.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

➡️ The Parable of the Tenants

Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner who leased his property to tenants.

At harvest time, he sent servants to collect his portion of the fruit, but the tenants beat and killed them.

Finally, he sent his son, but they killed him too, believing they could take the inheritance.

Jesus asked, "What will the owner do? He will destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others."

Then he quoted Psalm 118: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."

The religious leaders knew Jesus was speaking about them, and they were trying to arrest him.

But what's truly striking is what God was seeking to collect — not your good works or religious achievements, but your sins.

➡️ What About Taxes?

Then, Pharisees and Herodians (normally enemies) joined forces to trap Jesus with a
question about taxes: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?"

Jesus asked for a coin and said, "Whose image is on this? Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

This goes beyond just paying taxes.

Caesar claimed divinity, putting his image on coins to assert ownership. Roman citizens idolized him.

Jesus established proper boundaries: earthly rulers have legitimate but limited authority, while God's authority is ultimate.

We make the same mistake today, turning political leaders into idols, believing our safety depends on "our side" winning.

We forget all rulers are temporary, and God works His saving purpose even through imperfect governments — remember, Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate."

Whether you have a good government or bad, pray for it — but we never want to confuse which kingdom ultimately matters.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Mark 11:12-25: Cursing the Fig Tree, Cleansing the Temple & Moving Mountains

➡️ Jesus curses a fig tree for bearing no fruit, even though it wasn’t fig season. At first glance, this seems unfair.

Some interpretations:

Creation is Broken: Some suggest the act reflects Jesus’ grief over a broken creation.

In a perfect world (like Eden), fruit trees would always bear fruit.

The fig tree’s barrenness symbolizes how sin has disrupted creation..

Symbol of Israel: The fig tree also represents Israel.

Its lack of fruit reflects the spiritual barrenness of God's people.

This ties to what follows.

➡️ Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Jesus enters the temple & violently clears out the money changers.

The fig tree & the temple are likely connected.

Fig Tree = Israel's False Peace: Like the tree, Israel gives the appearance of health but bears no spiritual fruit.

It represents a religious system that had become transactional, abusive, and no longer a source of the forgiveness of sins.

Temple System Coming to an End: Jesus' actions show that the entire temple system has run its course.

Jesus fulfills the temple, and it is no longer necessary — He is the new temple.

➡️ Faith That Moves Mountains

What does this mean when Jesus says, “If you have faith, you can say to this mountain, ‘Be thrown into the sea,’ and it will be done?”

The "mountain" may symbolize the Temple Mount

It doesn’t mean God is a "vending machine" where faith is a currency to get material things.

Nor is it about manipulating God to get what you want.

The call to “move mountains” is not about miracles or material gain, but faith in Jesus.

Prayer, then, is about aligning our hearts with God's will — seeking the kingdom and finding comfort in His promises, not worldly outcomes.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus