King's Cross Church King's Cross Church

I've always had a hard time discerning with when to speak and when to stay silent. My instincts often get it exactly backward, leaving me kicking myself later. That's probably why I'm simultaneously bothered and fascinated by Jesus on trial. If I put myself in his shoes: at the moments I would have most wanted to defend myself, Jesus is silent. And the moments I would've kept my mouth shut are when he speaks. But this is more than just street smarts. Jesus is showing us who he is by how and when he advocates. How does that help us when we feel as if we are on trial in our daily lives? Let's talk about "God on Trial" (Mark 14:53-65).

This Sunday we come to Mark's account of the arrest of Jesus. Judas betrays. Peter attacks. A man runs naked from the scene. What?! We only get that detail in Mark. I'm thankful we do. It jars me awake to hear it freshly. In hindsight, it's all too easy to dismiss Judas and Peter for missing the point, but we have the same problem. We miss the point. We lose the plot. When push comes to shove, we pull out a sword and hit back. So how might followers of Jesus increasingly find a more joyful way? Let's talk about the futility of "Arresting God?" (Mark 14:43-52).

Everyone knows what it is like to feel overwhelmed, but what about Jesus? Sometimes it is hard for us to let that thought sink in, even when we read it. This week in our series in the Gospel of Mark, we come to the account of Jesus asking for the cup to pass. But what does that mean? And how is that helpful for us when we feel like we're going under? Let's talk about the immense hope for drowning people: “Jesus Overwhelmed” (Mark 14:32-42).

Love is not an emotion as much as it is an attitude, an attitude that results in action. Jesus called us to acts of humble service for other Christians.

There were few more painful memories as a child than knowing I had failed my parents' expectations. Whether the 'test' was literal or a practical life lesson I failed to apply, I remember that horrible feeling in my stomach as the realization washed over me. This week we come to the most critical failure of Jesus' disciples in the Gospel of Mark. It's an entire chapter of failure. And yet somehow this becomes good news? How does Jesus actively transform the failures of his followers into their joy? Let's talk about this “Merry Band of Failures” (selected verses from Mark 14).

One of the most awkward things Jesus told his disciples was to eat his body and drink his blood. As we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark, we come to the institution of the Lord's Supper. Jesus commands his followers to remember him by the ongoing participation in a meal, but it is the way he describes it that is so off-putting. What exactly does Jesus mean when he says "this is my body" and "this is my blood"? There has been significant debate over this topic among Christians, yet also joys we all have in common. As we celebrate communion this Sunday, let's talk about the history and meaning of “The Gospel as a Feast" (Mark 14:12-26).