Mark – Page 20 – Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment.

March 6, read through the Bible in a year.

Today there are three chapters to read.

March 6: Mark 6, Numbers 28, Numbers 29, (click on the chapter to begin reading)

In Mark 6 Jesus proclaims ” A Prophet is not without honor, but in his own hometown, and among his own kin. Jesus sends out the Twelve, and they are amazed and do healing too. John the Baptist is beheaded, by the way the name Salome is not in the Bible. but beheading still fascinates many. Then comes the feeding of the Five Thousand, and after that Jesus walks on the Water.

Numbers 28 is all about offerings, the Daily Offerings, Sabbath Offerings, Monthly Offerings, Offerings at Passover and Offerings at the Feast of Weeks.

In Numbers 29 the offerings continue, Offerings at the Feast of Trumpets, Offerings at the Day of Atonement and finally Offerings at the Feast of Tabernacles.

March 5, read through the Bible in a year.

Today there are three chapters to read.

March 5: Mark 5, Numbers 26, Numbers 27, (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Mark 5 is full of action. On a hillside east of the sea of Galilee a demon possessed man meets Jesus and recognizes him as “The Son of the Most High God” and begs him not to torture him. The demons in the man ask Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs, about 2000 or so. Jesus lets the demons go into the swine, and they promptly rush down the hill and into Lake Galilee and drown. This was too much for the people living in the area, so they beg him to leave. Jesus does so, and he meets Jarius, who has a daughter that is dying. Going to Jarius’ house a large crowd followed them, and a woman with a bleeding issue for twelve years touches his garment. This Jesus notices, and says to the woman “Daughter, your faith has healed you”. While still at a distance from Jarius’ house the news comes that Jarius’ daughter is dead, they were too late. Jesus ignores them, saying: “Be not afraid, only believe.” Then he tells the child “Talitha koum”, she rises up, and that is the end of the chapter.

Numbers 26 contains the Second Census of Israel.

Numbers 27 defines inheritance laws, and it is decided that Joshua shall succeed Moses.

March 4, read through the Bible in a year.

Today there are four chapters to read.

March 4: Mark 4, Numbers 23, Numbers 24, Numbers 25, (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Mark 4 starts out with the parable of the sower, and Jesus provides the explanation of it, the key to the parables. Then the parable of the lamp on a stand, not under a bushel, then the parable of the seed in the ground, or the faith of a mustard seed, all parables relating to the Kingdom of God. Finally Jesus calms the storm and chastises the disciples for their lack of faith.

Numbers 23 tells of Balaam’s first oracle, his second oracle, and the beginning of his third oracle.

Numbers 24 continues with Balaam’s third oracle, his fourth, and his final oracle.

Numbers 25 finally tells how Israel went astray in Moab.

March 3, read through the Bible in a year.

Today there are three chapters to read.

March 3: Mark 3, Numbers 21 , Numbers 22, (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Again, in Mark 3 Jesus heals on a Sabbath, this time a man with a withered hand. The powers to be hate it, but more and more people follow him. Jesus appoints the 12 apostles, and begin teaching in parables. One warning: All sins can be forgiven except blasphemy against the holy spirit. Jesus mother and brothers try to meet him, but Jesus reminds all “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother”.

In Numbers 21 the Canaanites are defeated in Hormath. The people keep speaking against God, so God sends venomous snakes and many died. Moses makes a bronze snake, puts it on a pole and the people looking at it got healed. (Does that remind you of a symbol used even today?) The travels continue.

Numbers 22 tells the story of how Balak sends for Balaam, and how Balaam’s Donkey behaved when he saw the Angel.

March 2, read through the Bible in a year.

Today there are four chapters to read.

March 2: Mark 2, Numbers 18 , Numbers 19, Numbers 20, (click on the chapter to begin reading)

In Mark 2 Jesus heals a paralytic man, but he also forgave the man his sins. This caused quite a stir, since nobody can forgive sins but God alone. Then he called Levi, the tax collector, also called Matthew. This was also controversial, since tax collectors were held in disregard, but Jesus assured them he came to save the sinners. Then Jesus is questioned about why he and the disciples do not fast, as they should, and worse yet, they picked food from the head of the grain on a Sabbath! Jesus assures all that he is also Lord of the Sabbath.

Numbers 18 describes duties of Priests and Levites, Offerings for Supporting the Priests, Tithes Supporting the Levites and the Tithe of the Levites. As representatives of the LORD they should get the best part.

Numbers 19 details the laws and procedures of Purification.

In Numbers 20 Moses commits a major error in Kadesh. Thy are short on water, so God tells Moses to speak to the rock. Water comes forth but God punishes Moses and his people so that generation may not enter the promised land. Why this harsh punishment? The rock was to be smitten only once, next time Moses was to speak to the rock. At the end of the chapter Aaron dies.

March 1, read through the Bible in a year.

Today there are three chapters to read.

March 1: Mark 1, Numbers 16, Numbers 17, (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Mark 1 starts, not with the birth of Jesus, but with the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus, and Baptizes Jesus.Immediately Jesus is tested in the wilderness for forty days, and Jesus begin calling his disciples. Jesus drives out an evil spirit while teaching in a synagogue. After that Jesus heals many and many people start following him, and as always Jesus prays in a solitary place, but continues to teach and heal many, including a man with leprosy. A chapter full of action.

In Numbers 16 Korah, Dathan and Abiram as well as 250 other men rise up in opposition to Moses. Things do not turn out well for them.

Numbers 17 tells of the budding of Aaron’s rod, a really short chapter.

The Gospel of Mark.

Mark 1, Mark 2, Mark 3, Mark 4, Mark 5

Mark 6, Mark 7, Mark 8, Mark 9, Mark 10

Mark 11, Mark 12, Mark 13, Mark 14, Mark 15,

Mark 16

Mark 15, Jesus Before Pilate, Barabbas, the Soldiers mock Jesus, Crucifixion of the King, Jesus’ Death, Jesus’ Burial.

Duccio interpreted the scene, between 1308-11, with this tempera on wood (entitled Christ Before Pilate Again). It is maintained at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Siena, Italy.