Mark’s Good News about Jesus – Peace in the Midst of Betrayal – December 12, 2021

 Peace in the Midst of Betrayal

2 Samuel 20:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,

“We have no share in David,
    no part in Jesse’s son!
Every man to his tent, Israel!”

² So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

³ When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.

⁴ Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” ⁵ But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him.

⁶ David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.” ⁷ So Joab’s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

⁸ While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.

⁹ Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. ¹⁰ Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.

How was Sheba son of Bikri described (verse 1)?

Who did the “men of Israel” follow (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why did the “men of Judah” stay with King David (verse 2)?

What happened to the ten concubines (verse 3)?

Who did King David ask to “summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself” (verse 4)?

How long did it take to summon Judah (verse 5)?

In your opinion, why did King David think that Sheba would do more harm than Absalom (verse 6)?

Who pursued Sheba (verse 7)?

What happens to Joab’s dagger (verse 8)?

Why did Joab take Amasa “by the beard” (verse 9)?

What did Joab do as he kissed Amasa (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Mark 14:43-52 - New International Version (NIV)

⁴³ Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

⁴⁴ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” ⁴⁵ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. ⁴⁶ The men seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁴⁷ Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁴⁸ “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? ⁴⁹ Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” ⁵⁰ Then everyone deserted him and fled.

⁵¹ A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, ⁵² he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Who was with Judas when he appeared (verse 43)?

What was the signal that Judas, the betrayer, had arranged (verse 44)?

When did Judas go to Jesus (verse 45)?

What did Judas say to Jesus (verse 45)?

What did Judas do (verse 45)?

What happened to Jesus (verse 46)?

Who was struck with the sword (verse 47)?

In your opinion, why would Jesus ask “am I leading a rebellion” (verse 48)?

What had Jesus been doing every day (verse 49)?

What did Jesus say “must be fulfilled” (verse 49)?

How did everyone respond (verse 50)?

How did the young man wearing the linen garment get away (verses 51 and 52)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how are the kisses of Joab in 2 Samuel 20:1-10 and Judas in Mark 14:43-52 similar?    

Acts 9:26-31 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. ³⁰ When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

In your opinion, why would the disciples have been afraid of Paul (verse 26)?

Where did Barnabas take Saul (verse 27)?

What did Barnabas say about Saul (verse 27)?

How did Saul speak in Jerusalem (verse 28)?

In your opinion, why would the Hellenistic Jews that Saul debated try to kill him (verse 29)?

What did the believers do when that heard that the Hellenistic Jews had tried to kill Saul (verse 30)?

What happened to the church “throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria” (verse 31)?

Who did the church live in fear of (verse 31)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, why do you think the actions of Joab in 2 Samuel 20:1-10, who was acting on behalf of a King who had been fleeing from a revolt, and Barnabas in Acts 9:26-31, who was acting on behalf of a King who had died on the cross, were so different?

In your opinion, why did Judas act as a betrayer in Mark 14:43-52 and Barnabas as an encourager in Acts 9:26-31?

1 Peter 5:6-14 – New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

When will God lift you up if you humble yourself (verse 6)?

Why should we cast our anxiety on God (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “be alert and of sober mind” (verse 8)?

Who is going through the same kind of sufferings that you are (verse 9)?

When will God “restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (verse 10)?

What had Silas done for Peter (verse 12)?

Who sends greetings (verse 13)?

How are Christians to “greet one another” (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how are the actions of Sheba, the troublemaker in 2 Samuel 20:1-10, different from the actions of the devil in 1 Peter 5:6-14?  How are they similar?

In your opinion, how has Peter, who John 18:10 says is the one who drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest in Mark 14:43-52, changed that he would now say that we should resist by “standing firm in the faith” in 1 Peter 5:6-14? 

In your opinion, what can the ways that Barnabas helped Saul in Acts 9:26-31 and Silas helped Peter in 1 Peter 5:6-14 teach us that we can apply today? 

In your opinion, what do these passages from 2 Samuel, Mark, Acts and 1 Peter, where kisses can mean betrayal or love, teach us about the source of betrayal and the source of love? 

In your opinion, in a world where cousins stab, disciples betray, and religious leaders try to kill; how can Christians have peace?

 

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)