What does it mean to "taste and see" God's goodness? This evocative phrase invites us into an experience far beyond intellectual assent. Just as we can describe the flavor of chocolate to someone who's never tasted it, but they'll never truly know until they experience it themselves, God's goodness is meant to be personally encountered.

Mark's final chapter brings us full circle while propelling us forward. What began as "the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah" (Mark 1:1) now culminates in the ultimate good news—Jesus is risen! But this ending is really a new beginning.

Mark's Gospel concludes with remarkable brevity. In just two verses, he describes Jesus' ascension to heaven, his session at God's right hand, and the disciples' continued ministry—all with minimal detail. But these brief sentences carry profound meaning that ties together the entire narrative.

When Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation," he wasn't suggesting a casual option for his followers—he was issuing the defining mission that would transform a small band of disciples into a world-changing movement. This Great Commission was a call to action that would make his followers distinctly recognizable in the world.

After Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Having been delivered from seven demons, Mary experienced yet another life-changing encounter with Jesus—this time as the risen Lord. 

At the start of our journey through Mark 16, we find ourselves standing with the women at the empty tomb—the moment when all of human history pivoted on the axis of resurrection. The faithful women who came expecting death instead encountered the first whispers of new life, inviting us to consider how God works beyond our limited expectations.

As we reach the climax of Holy Week, we contemplate the crucifixion where Jesus' suffering reveals both the depth of human sin and the infinite depth of divine love—a love that would rather die than live without us.

Today’s passage recounts the intense final hours before Jesus’ crucifixion, as He endures an unjust trial before the Sanhedrin, Peter’s heartbreaking denial, and Pilate’s political maneuvering. Amid betrayal, mockery, and brutality, Jesus remains silent before His accusers, fully embracing the path of suffering to fulfill His mission.

Gethsemane reveals Jesus at his most human. The confident teacher who spoke with authority now admits, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." 

The Passover meal Jesus shares with his disciples carries layers of meaning. It connects the ancient story of Israel's deliverance from Egypt with the new deliverance Jesus is about to accomplish.

In today’s passage, we witness a powerful contrast between extravagant love and calculated betrayal. Jesus is in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, when a woman enters with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume. 

So we've spent a week exploring one of the most challenging chapters in the Gospels. How are you feeling about it? Confused? Enlightened? Maybe a bit of both?

Have you ever noticed how we humans love to predict things? Weather forecasters tell us exactly when the rain will start. Financial experts project market trends. Sports analysts predict game outcomes. We crave certainty about the future. That's what makes Jesus' statement in today’s passage so striking.

If you've ever watched a disaster movie, you know that scene where everything goes dark and nature itself seems to unravel. That's the kind of imagery Jesus uses in today’s passage—cosmic disruption on an epic scale.

Today's passage contains some of the most puzzling language in Mark's gospel. If you find yourself scratching your head, you're in good company. Even biblical scholars debate exactly what Jesus meant.

As they walked around Jerusalem, the disciples couldn't help but marvel at the massive temple stones and beautiful architecture. "Look, Teacher! What magnificent buildings!" they exclaimed. But Jesus' response, captured in today’s passage, probably wasn't what they expected.

In today’s passage, we get to see two different scenes in the Jerusalem temple that perfectly capture Jesus' upside-down kingdom values

In today’s passage, something unusual happens. After all the traps and trick questions, a teacher of the law approaches Jesus with what seems like a genuine question: "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

In today’s passage, Jesus faces yet another challenge from religious leaders – this time from a group called the Sadducees. 

In today’s passage, we find Jesus facing a tricky situation that many of us can relate to – being asked a loaded question designed to get him in trouble no matter how he answers.