Thru the Bible

Steve Schwartz: If you were told you had a serious life-threatening disease, wouldn't you want to begin treatment as soon as possible? And wouldn't you seek out the best specialist you could find? Welcome to Through the Bible where Dr. J. Vernon McGee shows us how God's word reveals our greatest spiritual disease and then points us to the only one who can cure it. We're in Mark chapter 14. So, as you find your place, Greg and I want to share a few ways that God is using your prayers and financial support to bear fruit, specifically among our home group family of listeners.

Greg Harris: Yeah, this is such an exciting subject, Steve, and uh we have by the grace of God oh tens of thousands of home groups, which means hundreds of thousands of people, real people, and those people are affecting their families and communities. This is an incredible outreach. And I I would say off the top of my head, we probably have home groups in about 160 170 different languages.

Steve Schwartz: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I love it for so many different reasons. I mean, you hear about before when we were just on terrestrial radio, radio station gets shut down or the funding falls out, something happens and we're no longer in that language. These radio home groups are like this distributed, interconnected web, a network that's going to continue on even if, you know, there's political oppression or something that prevents the program from getting out, these small groups can still meet.

Greg Harris: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and we've said this before, but it bears repeating. Dr. McGee said in in the teaching, if you listen to the whole five years, you'll hear him say, I think more than once, the church started in homes and it will probably end up in homes. And he was absolutely right. So, today we're going to focus on smaller languages that if I were betting, man, I would bet that very few of us have ever heard of these languages, but there are millions of people that speak these languages.

Steve Schwartz: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And and this is through the Bible is probably the only teaching in this language about God's word.

Greg Harris: Yes. Yes, and I think we can confidently say that particularly systematic teaching. Like there might be sermons in in churches and that's wonderful, but but we hear that word systematic over and over again when people say why they love this. So,

Steve Schwartz: Right. Right. Yes. So, this first one, this is from a country with or a language, Garo, which is only about 1.2 million speakers, which is not much. Most speakers live in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya and Assam as well as in the neighboring parts of Bangladesh. So, it's kind of one of those border areas up there.

Greg Harris: Yeah. Mhm.

Steve Schwartz: Here's the letter. I thank God for the blessing of listening to his word through the radio home group. Before I began listening, my spiritual life was weak and I often struggled with fear, worry, and uncertainty. However, through the daily messages, Bible teachings, and prayers, God began to speak to my heart in a powerful way. His word encouraged me, strengthened my faith, and helped me understand his love and purpose for my life. Even when I was not able to attend church meetings regularly because they were not close to my home, the radio home group became a source of spiritual nourishment for me.

The messages taught me to trust God in every situation, to spend more time in prayer, and to study the Bible with greater commitment. Through this journey, I have experienced God's peace, guidance, and faithfulness in both my life and my family. My relationship with Jesus Christ has grown deeper and I have become more confident in sharing my faith with others and I'm truly grateful to God for everyone involved in this ministry.

Greg Harris: I mean, there's so much that I know you and I would love to say about this, but I just want us to just stop and think about this. This is a man in a pretty remote part of India and or into Bangladesh. We don't know exactly where this particular listener is.

Steve Schwartz: Yeah.

Greg Harris: I mean, this is a language like we said that probably has no systematic Bible teaching. And it's like giving a starving man food. All of a sudden he's strong, he's energetic. I mean, listen to this. And when we said earlier that there are literally hundreds of thousands of souls in these groups that we have around the world, this man is affecting many people in his own life.

Steve Schwartz: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and it's just the don't miss the systematic aspect. What he says is the daily messages, Bible teachings, and prayers. So, this guy's getting exposed to the word and you can hear from the way he's talking. This is not someone who has just come to Christ, you know, understands I'm a sinner in need of salvation and he's got growth. And and not to plug, I mean, there's a lot of ministries doing good stuff out there. You know, one of them is Ethnos 360. They have a program called Creation to Christ, which is taking you from Genesis through Christ uh in the Gospels.

But it's like 48 or 50 messages. And there's several others out there and they've got just this small subset, which is great. Gets you to believe, but what does the Great Commission say? It's make disciples. And this is really a disciple-making ministry and it's so much more than just, you know, a broadcast. People come to faith and they grow them in this little cell. The thing I love about home groups is it's the opportunity for people to get together in fellowship and churches are coming out of this and people are growing in their faith. It is a movement that that will be very difficult.

With the Lord in charge, it's impossible, but very difficult to squash and that's exciting.

Greg Harris: Yes. Yes. Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Mhm. Great. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. I agree, Steve. I I think we have time to hear from uh Kalami, which is a tribal language spoken in a couple states of India and it says this. I thank the Lord wholeheartedly for the spiritual blessings I've received through listening to the word of God regularly in my mother tongue. There it is, right?

Steve Schwartz: That's good. Yep.

Greg Harris: I have been filled with joy, peace, and encouragement. The Bible messages and teachings are helping me know Jesus Christ more deeply and strengthening my relationship with him. Through these messages, I am learning how to live according to God's word and to trust him in every situation. Whenever I feel weak or discouraged, the teachings encourage me and renew my faith in Jesus. The SD card player has become a great spiritual support for my family and me. I truly thank God for this wonderful ministry that is helping many people grow spiritually and draw closer to the Lord.

Steve Schwartz: Wow. Praise the Lord. Greg, let me pray for us. Heavenly Father, we praise you for the work that you are doing all around the world with these radio home groups. We pray that you would continue to to make yourself known to them and that you would bring many people to Christ. Bless the program as it goes out now, Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen. Now, for our study of Mark 14 on Through the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee: We left off last time in this very wonderful 14th chapter of the Gospel of Mark, the longest chapter in the Gospel, and it's loaded with action because we've come now into the shadow of the cross. And we saw last time that he went to the upper room for the Last Supper. He pointed out Judas Iscariot and I think Judas Iscariot left at this particular juncture. And then he instituted a new feast on the dying embers of a fading feast. He reared a new monument, not a monument in brass or marble, but one that takes these elements that perish so easily, bread and wine.

You see, the Passover had looked forward to his coming as the Passover lamb. And now the Lord's Supper looks back to his death. The bread speaks of his body that was broken. You see not a bone in his body was broken. And notice now as I turn here and begin reading verse 22. And as they did eat Jesus took bread and blessed and break it and gave to them and said, take, eat. This is my body. And he took the cup and when he'd given thanks, he gave it to them. And they all drank of it.

And he said unto them, this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Now, there's several things here that are I think interesting and important. The Passover cup went around seven times during the Passover feast. And during that time, they would sing one of these great Hallel Psalms. And it was the seventh time around which apparently he did not drink. But that's the time that he instituted the Last Supper with it.

And that Last Supper now looks back to what he did for us on the cross 1,900 years ago. The Passover looked forward to his coming. But the Passover will be restored for the millennial kingdom. We're going to see that especially in Ezekiel. And the reason, I think, for it is that it will in turn look back at that time to his coming as it had looked forward to his coming. I see no reason why if it couldn't look forward, it could also look backward. And that would bring out during the millennial kingdom the real meaning of the Passover, by the way.

And Paul said, Christ our Passover is offered for us. And when we come to verse 26 we find Peter here pledges his allegiance. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, all ye shall be offended because of me this night, for it's written, I'll smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I'm risen, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto him, although all shall be offended yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, verily I say unto thee that this day even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

But he spake the more vehemently, if I should die with thee, I'll not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. By the way, not only Simon Peter, but the others. And we find here first that Simon Peter pledges his allegiance. And he was sincere, but he did not know, of course, his own weakness. That is the problem with most of us, that we do not know our own weakness today. And I personally believe that you don't find out about this in psychology. I think the only place that you can really see yourself is in the word of God.

That's the only mirror we have. My friend, may I say to you, none of us know the depths of the human heart. And only the word of God can let us see what a sinner we really are. And that's the problem with Vernon and that's the problem with you. Let's be very clear. The only solution to a problem is the Lord. You don't solve the problem and then be able to go to the Lord. You go to the Lord and he is the chief and the great physician. And by the way, a very good psychologist.

And he today can help us. He alone knows and he is the only one in the final analysis. I am rather insistent in saying this as you can see because I think it's important today that somebody say it. We are finding that a great many that are making merchandise of the ills of folk that actually only the word of God can solve and only God himself. We'd only learn to go to him and cast ourselves upon him and recognize that we've got bad childhood. We got bad everything, friends. But he's a savior for us and we can go to him.

How wonderful it is to have someone to go with. Well, now notice here that we find that the Lord Jesus now tells them that he's going before into Galilee. He announces his resurrection. He said the sheep are going to be scattered, but I'm going on into Galilee after my resurrection. I'll meet you there. And Simon Peter couldn't let it go. He said, though they be offended, I won't be offended. And he just didn't know here again what he's saying. And our Lord prepares him for what's coming. But he lets him know that he is going to stand by him and the Lord will stand by you in these cases that come to us like this.

Even in the time of our most desperate and dastardly hour. And it certainly was that for this man. Now, we find when we come to verse 32 that now arrive at Gethsemane. And let me read verse 32 here. Our Lord prays there. I came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He saith to his disciples, sit ye here while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John. Began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy. And saith under them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful under death. Tarry ye here and watch.

Now, we have here them coming to a very familiar place. Whether it's the Garden of Gethsemane as it's known today, I do not know. I'm of the opinion that it should be on the other side of the mountain. I think that that is really a material. And we find this is the place Judas knew because it was a place that they apparently came to. Our Lord never spent a night inside the city of Jerusalem. He always went out to this place. And you'll notice that we have here he takes with him again Peter, James, and John.

He lost one man, Judas. Now, there eight disciples are on the outside. He takes the three with him. And they brought a step closer to him in this hour. And he went to pray and the language indicates I think he faced a sore ordeal in the Garden of Gethsemane. Will you notice it says here and he began to be sore amazed. Well, that word that's translated here by amazed is startled. And it also is a word here that means stunned. And when it says that he was very heavy, he was distressed. And now notice verse 34.

And he saith unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful under death. Tarry ye here and watch. Now, this was the travail of soul that was as great, if not greater than actually the suffering of the body on the cross. The question arises, did he face the tempter again in the garden? I think he did. I must be very frank and say though I can only stand here on the fringe. They're mistress of the garden. I do not understand. And I consider it really audacious today. It would even be blasphemous if the folk really knew what they were singing when they say, I'll go with him through the garden.

I 'm sorry, friend, if you don't mind if I beg off. I can't go with him through the garden. You don't know how weak I am. You don't know how stumbling and bumbling I really am. And therefore I can't go with him through the garden, but I'm going to stand at the edge and watch and pray. Cuz that's what he said to do that you enter not into temptation. Now, will you notice he went forward a little, fell on the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible under thee.

Take away this cup from me. Nevertheless not what I will, but what thou will. And you notice Mark says that it was the hour which might pass from it. It was not death really he dreaded, but rather the hour of the cross. It was that moment when sin was put on him and he was made sin for us. That was the awful thing. And that was what he went through. And the hour and the cup here he makes synonymous. And we're told the writer for the Hebrews says in Hebrews 5 7 8, who in the days of his flesh when he'd offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared.

Though he were a son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. Now, the three disciples that were there, the three apostles, he cometh and findeth them sleeping and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? Couldst not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And the three here were not alarmed. They could sleep through it all. And this man Peter wasn't even disturbed that he was going to deny Christ. He just went right off to sleep. He should have been watching and praying.

And that was the way to avoid temptation. And it is for us today. Now, you'll notice he goes back and he prays the first prayer. And they went to sleep again. And they had no explanation for their failure. You see the flesh cannot be trusted. And then there apparently was a lapse of time here because they must have had a brief sleep before he was arrested. And we find in verse 41 and he cometh the third time and saith unto them, sleep on now and take your rest. It's enough. The hour is come. Behold the son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

And then there was a lapse of time. Rise up. Let us go. Lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. And immediately while he yet spake cometh Judas, one of the 12. And with him a great multitude of swords and staves from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And I see they have come out to do the thing that they said they would not do, not during the feast days. Now, this is the basis act of treachery ever recorded. It's foul and loathsome. Judas knew our Lord's accustomed place here, retirement, and he led the enemy there.

Now, notice verse 44. And he that betrayed him had given them a token saying, whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he. Take him and lead him away. Well, a kiss is a badge of love and affection. And Judas used it to betray Christ. And I think this makes his act actually more dastardly and repugnant. And it's also well to observe that our Lord in his humanity was not actually different from other men as you observe him and look at him. He needed to be identified in the crowd here. And now we notice in verse 45 and as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him and saith, Master, Master, and kissed him.

And you notice he called him Master. No one can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit, Paul says. And now we're told verse 46 and they laid their hands on him and took him. Now, this marks the moment that Jesus was delivered into the hands of sinful man. He yields himself now to go to the cross. Now, we find that Simon Peter attempts to come to his rescue. And one of them that stood by drew a sword and smote a servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. Jesus answered and said unto them, are ye come out as against a thief with swords and with staves to take me?

I was daily with you in the temple teaching and you took me not. But the scriptures must be fulfilled. And they all forsook him and fled. And that was the scripture that needed to be fulfilled, by the way. If you'll notice that Simon Peter is the one here that really cut off his ear. We're told that over in John, the 18th chapter and even told the servant's name in Luke was Malchus. And Simon Peter was a good fisherman, but a pretty sorry swordsman. He got an ear. He intended to get the neck, by the way.

He missed it. And they all forsook him. That's a fulfillment of prophecy now. And then we have this incident that a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body and the young man laid hold on him and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked. This always speculation who he is. Some think that he was probably well, he was Paul the apostle. And then some think it's John Mark. I personally think that if we have to make a choice, be more apt to be John Mark. Now, we're told here that they led Jesus away to the high priest and with him were assembled all the chief priests and elders.

And when we get over to Luke and John, I want to take up this trial of Jesus in detail. The thing here that I would like to emphasize at this particular section of it because it's so startling here. And when they brought him in, they brought him, you know, before the Sanhedrin. And they did it at night. And we're told here verse 60 and the high priest stood by in the midst and asked Jesus saying, answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee? Now, when they brought the lies against him, he didn't even attempt to answer it.

They were amazed at that. We're told but he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said unto him, art thou the Christ, the son of the Blessed? That is, are you the Christ, the Messiah, the son of God? And Jesus said, I am. Now, don't tell me Jesus didn't teach his deity, friends. Under oath here, he certainly claimed to be God. And not only that, he said, ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven. Now, I tell you the high priest understood what he said.

The high priest rent his clothes and saith, what need we any further witness? And by the way, there's a law which we are going to see when we return back to the Old Testament that said the high priest was never to tear or rend his garment. Ye have heard the blasphemy. What think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. Well, either he was accurate or he was not accurate, friends. And if he's not accurate, well, they had some ground for it. But if he's accurate, then they should have done a little more investigating of it.

Now, this chapter closes on the note of the denial of Simon Peter. The thing our Lord said he would do that night, a little wisp of a maid there caused them to deny the Lord Jesus. And we're told in verse 71 when this maid came after him the second time, he began to curse and to swear saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew and Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. Now, notice this and when he thought thereon he wept.

This man could repent of his sin. That's the real test, by the way. And these were tears of genuine repentance. Remember it was Peter who wrote in 1 Peter 1 5, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last day. He knew the Lord had kept him. May God richly bless you, my beloved.

Steve Schwartz: Is it possible for the greatest tragedy in the history of the world to also be heaven's greatest victory? Well, find out next time as we continue our study in the amazing Gospel of Mark. And until then you can go deeper in God's word by getting our app or visiting ttb.org for free Bible study resources. And remember you can also always write to Box 7100 Pasadena, California 91109 or in Canada Box 25325 London, Ontario N6C 6B1. You can drop us a note in our app as well or you can always call and leave a voicemail message anytime at 1-800-65 Bible.

I'm Steve Schwartz. So grateful for your company as we study God's word together. I'll see you next time.

Greg Harris: Through the Bible is a five-year study of God's entire word and together we discover God's purposes in history and our lives found only when we believe in Jesus Christ. Do you know him yet?