Some questions for this morning

As we continue to dig into 1 Peter, chapter 2, the epistle brings up several questions:

1. Verses 6-8 of chapter 2 mention the cornerstone. Who else talks about the cornerstone Jesus in the New Testament?
2. In v. 12, St. Peter writes about the reaction of unbelievers to our good deeds. When does he see this reaction happening?
3. Is it possible to be a slave, a servant, and yet be a free man?
4. The royal priesthood is right in the middle of this chapter, a powerful teaching. Does this notion appear in the Old Testament?

When we meet to seek the Lord's wisdom, we will consider these and other questions. Expect the unexpected.

One question for today

We begin the study of Peter's first letter this morning. Here is one question to get us going:

1. How many different concepts or ideas does Peter include in the first 12 verses of this letter? Count them up.

We will discuss this and a few other questions in our session today.

Questions for next time

We will finish the reading of Mark's gospel tomorrow, considering the 16th chapter. There is only one question to discuss:

1. This conclusion to Mark's "lecture notes" for the school of evangelism, how does it affect the mission of the apostles? Especially, what does it say about our mission?

Let's make that our starting point for Thursday Morning Men's Bible Study this week.

Comments concerning the mission of the Messiah

Some of the comments of the men last week:

1. Al: It is interesting that the Messiah is wrapped in a shroud at death, just as his parents wrapped their son in swaddling clothes at birth.
2. Bob: They mocked Jesus at the cross just like politicians do today -- when there is no evidence, you mock.
3. Dave: a person "sees the light," and this is why including all three types -- soldiers, bystanders and chief priests and scribes -- complete with mockery, is helpful for the mission of Peter.

In legal terms, the inclusion of mockery and all the other bad things spoken against the Messiah and done against Him, if it were a court of law, would be called "admission against interest." The witness makes a statement that might lead to his harm, but continues to testify: that is a statement against his own interests. These kinds of statements have a presumption of truth in a legal proceeding. In this case, the evangelist Mark includes statements against interest because he has a bigger mission than his own self-interest. Cf. federal rules of evidence, Rule 804 (b)(3).

Some vocabulary

In the Greek manuscript, there are several interesting words:

1. The inscription on the cross contains the word ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΕ -- in our alphabet, BASILIYE. It means "king," and is related to our word basilica and to the proper name Basil.
2. εγκατελιπεs, which is translated "forsaken," and which ancient Greek writers also used at times in the sense of being left behind in a race.
3. εξεπνευσεν which is translated "expire" for the moment of death. In our alphabet you could write it exepneusen, and you can see the prefix "ex-" meaning out, and the root word "pneuma" which we use to indicate air, as in our word pneumatic but which the Greek speaking world also used to denote the spirit. E.g., the Greek words for Holy Spirit include πνευμα.

Questions for next time

Before Christmas, we considered the trials of Jesus before the Sanhedrin and before Pontius Pilate. We looked into the actions of Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross for a while. Now we will look into the death of the Messiah. Here are some questions to think over as you prepare and read this week:

1. DOUBLE QUESTION: When Jesus was crucified, two groups mocked him on the cross.
   1. How do the passers by mock Jesus?
   2. How do the chief priests and scribes mock him?
   I.e., do they mock his works of healing? Do they mock his sayings in the beatitudes or a parable?
2. Why did the bystanders say, "Wait!" as they stood by the crucifixion place?
3. Between verse 29 and verse 39, how do the statements of passers by and bystanders change?
4. Why were Mary et al. standing far off?
5. What is peculiar about the two sentences about Mary et al. in the verses 40-47?

Let's dig deep into this central event and ask our Lord to direct our mental acuity to see his wisdom in Mark's mission. Thursday morning will be dedicated to this quest.