Thoughts on the Bible Readings (1 Kings 15; Jeremiah 41, Mark 15) for Aug 20th

Abijam the son of Rehoboam reigned in Judah from the 18th year of the northern kingdom's king, Jeroboam. It was an undistinguished rule, which lasted but 3 years; and continued his father's folly. He was followed by Asa, the first of Judah's reformers, in a monarchy of 41 years. Like Judah's better kings, he is said to "have walked in the ways of David his (spiritual) father". He starts with a purge of the idols of his mother. Meanwhile Jeroboam had died in the north and was succeeded by Baasha, who had been fortifying his kingdom. By hiring the Syrians Asa took the initiative and became a great builder of fortresses himself. Asa dies and is succeeded by Jehoshaphat, his son. The northern kingdom was reigned over for two and a bit years by the do-nothing Nadab, who was himself killed in battle during Asa's rule. Nadab having been assassinated by Baasha and his offspring eradicated in fulfilment of the prophesy of Ahijah, who told of the extinguishing of Jeroboam's dynasty. Baasha's reign was characterised by evil. The phrase: "walked in the ways of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the man who made Israel to sin" is used for every monarch of the northern kingdom of Israel. So profound was the impact of that man. What a devastating legacy! In Jeremiah 41 we read of the treacherous murder of Gedaliah the Governor by Ishmael. The Governor had been warned of the impending treachery of Ishmael, but had failed to believe the warning and to act on it. The remnant rebel captains failed to capture Ishmael and fearing certain Babylonian retaliation they fled to Egypt taking the remnants of Judah with them, continuing and increasing thereby, their sin against God. Because this was in blatant disobedience to the command of God, its failure was assured. Mark 15 records Jesus' trial before Pilate and includes events up to and including our Lord's crucifixion and burial. The account is indeed brief when compared with the other gospel records. From the other gospel accounts we learn that there were 6 sham trials in all - three before Jewish authorities and three before the Gentiles. Mark 14 recorded one of the Jewish trials and chapter 15 one of the Gentile trials - before Pilate. Pilate was amazed by our Master's calm resignation to these events. Pilate tried to have Jesus acquitted by allowing his soldiers to brutally mistreat our Lord, in the mistaken hope that the Jewish leaders would show some pity. Our Lord was so weakened that on his way to Calvary it was necessary to press Simon of Cyrene to bare Jesus' stake - Greek "stauros". Simon and his two sons later became disciples, taking up their metaphorical stakes as Jesus commands of all his disciples. While on the stake our captain was mocked and taunted, but triumphing over those weaknesses and tauntings of Christ's enemies in himself: see Colossians 2 verses 11-15 read aloud slowly and meditate on the meaning. Jesus expired on the tree at the 9th hour ie 3pm precisely. This was at the time the Passover lambs were slain. A hardened Roman centurion on witnessing Jesus' behaviour exclaimed that certainly this man was the Son of God. In fulfilment of Isaiah 53 our Lord was buried in the tomb of a rich man, who had become his disciple, Joseph of Arimathea. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/ Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-bible-readings-1-kings-15-jeremiah-41-mark-15-for-aug-20th/?feed_id=98617&_unique_id=68a414c61643b