The Road to Resurrection: From the Garden to Glory
- Be God's Glory
- 7 days ago
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 295 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
These chapters present the climax of Jesus’ earthly ministry, revealing the fullness of His suffering, sacrifice, and triumph over death. From His betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane to His victorious resurrection, Jesus willingly submits to the will of the Father to fulfill the redemption of humanity. The narrative exposes human weakness—seen in the disciples’ fear, Judas’ betrayal, and Peter’s denial—contrasted with Christ’s unwavering obedience and divine authority. These chapters show the fulfillment of prophecy, the revelation of Jesus as the true Passover Lamb, and the dawning of new hope through His resurrection. Together, these chapters declare that death has been defeated, and salvation has been made available to all through Jesus Christ.
Mark 14
Mark 14 begins with the religious leaders plotting Jesus’ death, revealing the spiritual blindness of those who should have recognized the Messiah. Jesus is anointed at Bethany by a woman who understands His coming death more deeply than His own disciples, symbolizing preparation for His burial and acknowledging His divine identity. During the Passover meal, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, declaring His body and blood as the new covenant—a divine act pointing to His sacrificial death for the forgiveness of sins. In Gethsemane, Jesus wrestles with agony yet fully submits to the Father’s will, modeling perfect obedience even in sorrow. Judas betrays Him, the disciples scatter, and Peter denies Him, demonstrating humanity’s failure but Christ’s faithfulness to His redemptive mission.
Mark 15
Mark 15 portrays the unjust trial of Jesus before Pilate, where the innocent Son of God is condemned due to political pressure and human fear. Jesus is mocked, beaten, and crucified, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy about the suffering Messiah. On the cross, He experiences both physical torment and spiritual abandonment, crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” showing the weight of sin He bore on behalf of humanity. As He breathes His last, the temple veil is torn from top to bottom, symbolizing direct access to God now made possible through Christ’s sacrifice. Even a Roman centurion acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God, revealing that His true identity is now seen even in His death.
Mark 16
Mark 16 opens with the women visiting the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, marking the greatest miracle in human history. An angel announces that Jesus has risen, just as He promised, and instructs the women to tell the disciples and Peter specifically—signifying restoration and hope even for those who had failed Him. The resurrection proves Jesus’ victory over sin and death and confirms His divine authority as the Messiah. Jesus appears to His followers, commissioning them to proclaim the gospel to all creation, establishing the global mission of the Church. The chapter concludes with Jesus ascending to heaven, seated at the right hand of God, showing that His work on earth is complete and His reign is eternal.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The book is called Mark after John Mark, traditionally recognized as the author. The name “Mark” comes from the Latin Marcus, meaning “warlike” or “dedicated to Mars,” the Roman god of war. In the biblical context, the name itself is less significant than the author’s role in recording the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Purpose of the Book:
The purpose of Mark is to present Jesus as the Son of God and the suffering Messiah who came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). It emphasizes the authority, power, and immediacy of Jesus’ actions, demonstrating His role as the Messiah and the Kingdom of God in action. Mark’s gospel is concise and fast-paced, highlighting miracles, exorcisms, healings, and authoritative teachings to encourage faith in Christ and commitment to discipleship. Scholars note that Mark wrote primarily for a Roman audience, explaining Jewish customs (Mark 7:3–4) and emphasizing action over extended teaching.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The traditional author of Mark is John Mark, a companion of Peter and Paul. Early church sources, including Papias (c. AD 60–130), indicate that Mark served as Peter’s interpreter and wrote down Peter’s eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book 3, Chapter 39). This is supported internally by the Gospel’s vivid, firsthand descriptions of events (e.g., Mark 14:51–52) that suggest an eyewitness source. References in the New Testament also link Mark to Paul and Barnabas as a missionary companion (Acts 12:12, 25; Acts 13:5; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24). These passages corroborate his close involvement in early ministry and the credibility of his gospel account.
Key People:
Jesus Christ – Central figure, Son of God, Messiah, Savior.
John the Baptist – Prophet preparing the way for Jesus.
The Disciples – Peter, James, John, and others called to follow Jesus and spread the Gospel.
The Pharisees and Scribes – Religious leaders who oppose Jesus’ teachings and miracles.
Pontius Pilate – Roman governor involved in Jesus’ trial.
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and other women – Witnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
Judas Iscariot – The disciple who betrays Jesus.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Mark presents a compelling portrait of Jesus as both the suffering servant and the powerful Son of God. It emphasizes action, miracles, authority, and immediacy to show that faith in Christ requires both recognition of His divinity and a commitment to follow Him. Mark concludes with the resurrection, affirming Jesus’ victory over death and commissioning His followers to spread the Gospel to all nations. The book invites readers to witness the life of Christ with urgency and live faithfully in response to His teachings, power, and example.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Mark 14
In Mark 14, we see God’s character revealed through Jesus’ humility, obedience, and compassion in the face of betrayal and suffering. Jesus willingly submits to the Father’s will in Gethsemane, demonstrating God’s sovereignty and perfect plan even in moments of great distress. His love is steadfast, shown by His patience with the disciples despite their failures, and His divine authority is evident as He declares the new covenant through His body and blood. God’s character is one of sacrificial love, righteous judgment, and unwavering purpose.
There are no specific Hebrew names of God mentioned directly in this chapter, but God is revealed as the One who provides redemption through the willing sacrifice of His Son. The lesson in this chapter is that obedience to God often requires surrender and sacrifice, yet it leads to the fulfillment of divine purpose. We learn that God is trustworthy in every season, even when His plan involves temporary sorrow to bring eternal victory.
Mark 15
In Mark 15, God’s holiness and justice are revealed alongside His immeasurable mercy. Jesus, the innocent Son of God, endures false accusations, physical torture, and crucifixion, yet remains silent and submissive to the will of the Father. This shows God’s character as both Judge and Redeemer—He does not ignore sin, but He provides the ultimate sacrifice to atone for it. The tearing of the temple veil reveals God as accessible and present, inviting humanity into a restored relationship with Him.
There are no Hebrew names specifically mentioned in this chapter, but God’s nature is displayed as Jehovah M’Kaddesh (The Lord Who Sanctifies) through the sanctifying work of Christ’s sacrifice, and Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) as Jesus becomes the righteousness we could not obtain on our own. The lesson in this chapter is that God’s love is not passive—it is demonstrated through sacrificial action. We learn that salvation is costly, and God was willing to pay the ultimate price to redeem us.
Mark 16
In Mark 16, God’s power and faithfulness are fully revealed through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The empty tomb testifies that God is sovereign over life and death, and His promises are trustworthy. Through the resurrection, God shows His character as victorious, life-giving, and full of grace, offering hope to all who believe. He restores the disciples who had abandoned Jesus, proving that God is merciful and actively seeks to draw His people back to Himself.
There are no explicit Hebrew names mentioned in this chapter, but God’s attributes reflect El Shaddai (God Almighty) in His resurrection power and El Olam (Everlasting God) in the eternal life provided through Christ. The lesson in this chapter is that God always completes what He begins. We are taught that the resurrection is not just a moment in history but an invitation to walk in faith, boldness, and mission, knowing that God’s power lives in us through Jesus Christ.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does Jesus’ willingness to submit to the Father’s will in Gethsemane teach us about the character of God and His sovereignty over our lives?
How does God’s love for humanity become evident through Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion, and what does that reveal about His heart toward sinners?
What does the resurrection reveal about God’s power over death and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises?
How do we see God’s mercy even toward those who failed Jesus, such as Peter and the disciples who fled, and what does this say about His compassion?
In what ways does God’s justice and holiness appear in the crucifixion account, especially in how sin is dealt with through Jesus’ sacrifice?
What does the tearing of the temple veil symbolize about God’s desire for a personal relationship with His people?
How does the resurrection show God’s character as a God of restoration, hope, and new beginnings?
Questions About Themes:
How does the theme of betrayal in Mark 14 highlight the spiritual battle between loyalty to Christ and the temptation of worldly gain?
What role does suffering play in the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, and why is it central to the message of the Gospel?
In what way does the institution of the Lord’s Supper reflect the theme of covenant and sacrifice throughout Scripture?
How is the theme of human weakness contrasted with divine strength in these chapters?
What is the significance of the resurrection as the fulfillment of prophecy and the foundation of Christian faith?
How does the contrast between earthly authority (Rome, religious leaders) and divine authority (Jesus) emerge through the crucifixion narrative?
What overarching theme connects Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection to the mission He gives His disciples at the end of Mark 16?
Reflective Application Questions:
In moments of personal agony or decision, how can Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane guide you in submitting your will to God?
Are there areas where fear or pressure has caused you to deny or hide your faith, and how does Peter’s restoration encourage you to return to Christ?
How does understanding the cost of your salvation change the way you live, worship, and respond to God daily?
What does the resurrection mean for your current circumstances, and how does it reshape your outlook on struggles, loss, or uncertainty?
How are you actively living out the Great Commission today, knowing that Jesus has risen and empowered His followers to spread the gospel?
What “veils” might still exist in your heart that prevent you from fully accessing the presence of God, and what steps can you take to remove them?
How will you respond to Jesus’ resurrection—not just as a historical fact—but as a personal call to transformation, boldness, and new life?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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