Mark 1:1-8 (Excerpts from the World English Bible.)
1The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in the prophets,“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.
3The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord!
Make his paths straight!’”4John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. 5All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. 6John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. 8I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”
5. In verse 6, we are told about John's clothing. He wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. Why do you think it was important to tell us what he wore?
In 2 Kings 1:5-8, Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, is described as having a garment of hair with a leather belt around his waist – the same description Mark gives of John the Baptist. Mark opens his story by quoting Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3, which are two of the Old Testament prophesies that said Elijah was supposed to come back as a sign that the Messiah was coming. When we get further into the study, we are going to read Matthew 11:11-14, where Jesus declared that John the Baptist was, indeed, the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy.
John the Baptist was a prophet or messenger from God who was supposed to get people ready for the coming of the Messiah. One of the most convincing proofs that all this is true is the fact that prophets foretold the events and they came true. We are going to look at several of these prophecies later in the book.
Excerpt 2
Mark 15:1-15
1Immediately in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.
2Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
He answered, “Yes, it is as you say.”
3The chief priests accused him of many things. 4Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”
5But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.
6Now at the feast, Pilate used to release one prisoner to them, whom ever they asked of him. 7There was one called Barabbas, imprisoned with those who had taken part in an insurrection and had committed murder in the insurrection. 8The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them. 9Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10For he knew that it was due to envy the chief priests had delivered him up. 11But the chief priests stirred up the multitude to have Pilate release Barabbas to them instead. 12Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
13They cried out again, “Crucify him!”
14Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?”
But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!”
15Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.
5. Who was Barabbas, and why was he in prison?
Barabbas was one of the Jews trying to fight and overthrow Roman occupation. He had taken part in an insurrection against Rome. People were murdered.
6. Imagine what it was like that morning for Barabbas.
Barabbas knew he was going to die. He and his comrades had killed some Romans. He probably did not sleep that last night. He wondered what suffering he would endure as death approached. Then he heard footsteps. Soldiers were coming for him. The prison door was unlocked, and a soldier yelled at him, “Get up. You're free by the immeasurable grace of our merciful king, Pilate.” Barabbas may not have believed the guard. They dragged him out of the prison, and he fully expected to be stabbed with the sword. They might have brought him in front of Pilate and the crowd. Maybe he saw Jesus being flogged and wondered what was going on. There would have been a grand announcement about the limitless mercy of Pilate, and Barabbas would be released.
7. At some point, someone told Barabbas what happened. How would you have felt if you were Barabbas? How do you think Barabbas felt when he learned that Jesus took his place?
Barabbas may have felt nothing toward Jesus. He may have felt extreme gratitude that he was released but not cared at all that Jesus took the cross meant for him. On the other hand, Barabbas may have felt deep gratitude toward Jesus for taking his place. Barabbas knew he was guilty and deserved that cross. Someone may have told him that Jesus was innocent. An innocent man was taking his place. How do you feel? You are Barabbas in this story. Jesus took your place.
Barabbas illustrates the two main reactions people have. They are either indifferent toward Jesus dying on the cross and just happy to be living now, or they know they deserve to be on that cross and an innocent man should not have died for them.
Barabbas represents each person forgiven by the blood of Christ. You are Barabbas in this story. Barabbas was a sinner. He was imprisoned because of his sin. He was guilty and deserved to die for his sin. Jesus was innocent, yet he died on the cross meant for Barabbas. This is a metaphor, symbolizing Jesus taking the place of each Christian condemned by sin and freed because of his death in their place. You should feel the same love and gratitude that Barabbas should have felt.