"Really, SC, I'm surprised by this. I would think that as a seriously religious person (at least I'm under the impression that you are a practicing Jew) you would appreciate a forum where scriptures are read and discussed in context instead of attacked piecemeal as they so often are in the threads of some of our non-practising-jewish friends. So c'mon, buddy, I think we have more in common here than not. I'm also a bit disappointed by the "shoving his views down people's throats" argument....seriously, posting an opinion on the internet is now "shoving your views down people's throats"?""

What exactly was taken out of context? In my opinion the new testament view that washing of the hands is merely a physical action that has no spiritual significance is taking a practice out of context. Likewise with dietary laws.

"So c'mon, buddy, I think we have more in common here than not. I'm also a bit disappointed by the "shoving his views down people's throats" argument....seriously, posting an opinion on the internet is now "shoving your views down people's throats"?"

No, I think shoving down throats is adequate, because Mujus doesn't listen, he just makes the same old tired arguments. The new testament doesn't portray the Jews negatively, because if the Jews accepted christ they would be accepted. All the new testiment did is give gentiles the opportunity to be equal to jews yadda yadda yadda.

"Well, as far as I can tell, Jesus considered his work to be that of renewal and/or reformation from within the Jewish faith. Of course we can't see back in time into people's hearts and minds, but is it indeed possible that some of the people Jesus confronted had indeed replaced vital spirituality with empty religiosity? How is Jesus not squarely within the prophetic tradition (at least in this case)?
My experience in the Christian community and in my own spiritual life is that renewal is a constant necessity. While I might judge certain movements to be heretical (mormonism, for example) I don't consider renewal per se to be inherently anti-Christian. So I guess I don't see why Jesus' teachings are inherently anti-semitic or anti-Jewish."

Because as is seen in this case and in the wider context of the new testament, the old laws are portrayed as fronts for sin and as a convenient excuse to break god's rules. Jesus doesn't renew he repudiates and casts those that continue to follow as likely impious.

"Is it that Jesus' teachings are to you as Joseph Smith's are to me?"

Yes, except that Joseph Smith was persecuted by people like you for their beliefs. You all created a religion as absurd as Joseph Smith is to you and then persecuted Jews for 2000 years for not believing it.

And then you quote scripture supporting that the religion your predecessors persecuted is indeed arcane, obsolete, and material as opposed to spiritual (but hey lets try to convert them instead of kill them!). Hey, if you believe it, believe it, I don't have to like it.

Oh, and by the way as Mujus likes to point out, Christians are just messianic Jews! You aren't even entitled to your own identity, its ours! If you try to embrace your own god you can't because of the concept of original sin that we made up!

You don't find that offensive from our perspective? Hey, you can find it offensive and say sorry I still agree, but don't pretend like it isn't offensive from my perspective.

"What exactly was taken out of context?"

Nothing was taken out of context. That's my point. I think you started by accusing Mujus of cherry-picking anti-semitic passages, and I'm saying no, Mujus is posting whole books, chapter by chapter, so the scriptures can be read in context, whether you accept them or not. I'm contrasting Mujus' approach, which I find to be a fair and helpful approach to any scripture or other work of literature for that matter, with the approach of scoffers such as Obiwan who show up trumpeting Deuteronomy 25:11 or whatever and pretending like they know what's going on. Forgive me for trying, but I'm just trying to find a teensy bit of common ground with a fellow monotheist for a respectful reading of scriptures in context....but maybe you're like Obi and you don't like to read scriptures that way? I'm confused.

Now, as to the whole persecution thing. You're barking up the wrong tree here. I'm from solid Swiss Mennonite stock, and our history of victimhood may not be as long and glorious as yours, but if you really want a "our history of persecution is worse than yours" pissing contest I can play that game. But let's not. Pissing contests usually just end up with everyone getting urine on their pants and shoes. I'd really rather look for common ground. Sheesh, I'm Mennonite, I'm not into the whole fighting thing (except in board games, that's different). "Blessed are the peacemakers and love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" and all that.

Now, as to Messianic Jews....I totally see how that's offensive. From my side of the fence I don't understand it either. Are you a Jew or are you a Chistian? If you're a Christian, why are you trying to be a Jew? Read Galatians much? I guess I understand how if you're culturally jewish maybe you want to keep some of that identity when you convert, but if you're a gentile believer it just doesn't make sense to me. But then I don't know any messianic jews personally, so I must confess a fair degree of ingnorance.

Ok so I'm still waiting for Santa to choose the next book to post in this thread, but meanwhile I want to respond to FlemGem. Answer me this: Was Jesus Jewish? His very name, Yeshua, means God Saves. Was Mary Jewish? Were Paul, Peter, John, most of the disciples? Christianity is not a new religion because Jesus says that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. So now no animal sacrifices are needed because Jesus is our once-for-all-time sacrifice. The Jewish priesthood was not abolished, because Jesus is now our high priest. The Jews are God's special people, the ones he chose to have Jesus born to. Abraham was the father of faith because he trusted God. Those who trust God are his spiritual children. Am I Jewish? No, not by blood or culture or history, but I do share in the spiritual inheritance of Israel. Did Jesus make gentiles into Jews? No, but he did make it possible for them to come to God along with the Jews, "joint heirs" along with Jesus. I hope this helps you understand my point. I'm not Jewish, but my religion is. As for the persecution of the Jews, no one here is trying to justify that. And just because Hitler called himself Christian does not make him a follower of Jesus, which is the accepted definition of Christianity. In fact it's probably time to quit trying to pin the persecution of Jews on Christians instead of on demented, violent people who were probably influenced by Satan, no matter what they called themselves. As a young man I went to hear Corrie Ten Boom speak, a Dutch Christian who was sent to a concentration camp where her father and sister died because the family sheltered Jews in their home, with a secret room for them to hide in when strangers came, with their food supplied by a network of Christians breaking the Nazi laws. And her message was one of forgiveness to her Nazi jailers, one of whom beat her sister but after the war accepted Jesus as his savior and personally asked her forgiveness. She didn't have the strength to forgive him but remembered her sister reading the scripture verse that "with God, all things are possible," and asked God to give her strength to forgive this man, which she was then able to do, with all her heart.

Continuing with the Book of Mark--Today's Bible reading is Mark Chapter 8.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Feeds Four Thousand

8:1 About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, 2 “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.”

4 His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

5 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they replied.

6 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. 7 A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

8 They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. 9 There were about 4,000 people in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. 10 Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha.

Pharisees Demand a Miraculous Sign

11 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

12 When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.” 13 So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.

Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

14 But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. 15 As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.”

16 At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. 17 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 18 ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’[a] Don’t you remember anything at all? 19 When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?”

“Twelve,” they said.

20 “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”

“Seven,” they said.

21 “Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them.

Jesus Heals a Blind Man

22 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. 23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”

24 The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.”

25 Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home.”

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

27 Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

29 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.[b]”

30 But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus Predicts His Death

31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man[c] must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. 32 As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.[d]

33 Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?[e] 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Footnotes:
a. Mark 8:18 Jer 5:21.
b. Mark 8:29 Or the Christ. Messiah (a Hebrew term) and Christ (a Greek term) both mean “the anointed one.”
c. Mark 8:31 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
d. Mark 8:32 Or began to correct him.
e. Mark 8:36 Or your self? also in 8:37.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%208&version=NLT

Mark 9 is the Bible reading for Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012.
New Living Translation (NLT)

9:1 Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!”

The Transfiguration

2 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. 4 Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

5 Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.

7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.

9 As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man[b] had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by “rising from the dead.”

11 Then they asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?[c]”

12 Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.”

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

14 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.

16 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.

17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.[d] So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

19 Jesus said to them,[e] “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.

He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil[f] spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”

26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”

29 Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.[g]”

Jesus Again Predicts His Death

30 Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, 31 for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” 32 They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.

The Greatest in the Kingdom

33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” 34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

36 Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[h] welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”

Using the Name of Jesus

38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”

39 “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 40 Anyone who is not against us is for us. 41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell[i] with two hands.[j] 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet.[k] 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’[l]

49 “For everyone will be tested with fire.[m] 50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

Footnotes:
a. Mark 9:5 Greek three tabernacles.
b. Mark 9:9 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
c. Mark 9:11 Greek that Elijah must come first?
d. Mark 9:18 Or becomes weak.
e. Mark 9:19 Or said to his disciples.
f. Mark 9:25 Greek unclean.
g. Mark 9:29 Some manuscripts read by prayer and fasting.
h. Mark 9:37 Greek in my name.
i. Mark 9:43 Greek Gehenna; also in 9:45, 47.
j. Mark 9:43 Some manuscripts add verse 44, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’ See 9:48.
k. Mark 9:45 Some manuscripts add verse 46, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’ See 9:48.
l. Mark 9:48 Isa 66:24.
m. Mark 9:49 Greek salted with fire; other manuscripts add and every sacrifice will be salted with salt.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%209&version=NLT

Pin it on christians, of course, the christian teachings, christian readings and christian scripture (especially Mark) had absolutely nothing to do with it.

but again this isn't about persecution, nor am I playing the persecution card as Flemgen so gracefully put it. I am giving you my point of view, how after several centuries of treating my ancestors and family very badly, I find it repulsive that you try to claim your connection to judaism. Flemgem asked me how I see you, thats how I see you. T

And, Flemgem how about you put the scripture in question in context. Just because you say so doesn't mean its out of context.

*I was thinking of Matthew not Mark

Santa, in response to your incorrect and extremely offensive and accusatory statement, "after several centuries of treating my ancestors and family very badly, I find it repulsive that you," I am compelled to point out that there is no evidence that I nor any of my ancestors ever mistreated your ancestors. Even if they had, I would expect you to be as willing to bury the past as my Celtic relatives have forgiven the Anglos and Saxons for 1500 years of mistreatment at their hands. Listen, 2000 years ago, my ancestors were pagan, and the first Christian ancestor that we know of entered our family history when he emigrated from another European country in the 1500s. It's also very possible that your great-grandpa used to beat mine up on the playground, or murdered one of my great-great-aunts, but if so I'm not going to hold a grudge against you--especially since there's no evidence whatsoever. I'm named after a Hebrew prophet who was taken into captivity by the Chaldeans, but I'm not holding a grudge against the Chaldeans in my community. A great-great-grandpa of mine was persecuted because his name sounded German, but I'm not holding that against the ignoramuses who did so. Jesus said to love your enemies, and with God's help--the God of the Hebrew scriptures--I do so. And I'm not even remotely your enemy, believing as I do that the Jews are God's chosen people and that he's not done doing amazing things with Israel and the Jews. Yes it's a burden to be singled out as God's chosen people--I get that--but don't go spewing your outrage at historical holocausts on those who really don't deserve it. And what is the reference to Matthew? I think I missed part of that conversation.

My connection to Judaism is that I praise the God of the Hebrew scriptures and put my trust in the Messiah of Israel, Jesus, circa AD (or CE) 30. I'm not claiming a more recent connection than that. And I'd appreciate it if instead of claiming outrage against the supporters of Israel, you would save some of that for those who wish to destroy it.

Oh, Santa, are you taking offense that Jesus is condemning those people who do not follow him? Yes, he did that--first in Israel, where the gospels take place, and later throughout the world. It's not singling out any particular people for condemnation. The message is a straight one and unapologetically direct: There is one way to the Father, and that's via Jesus. Nationality and culture do not matter in the eternal scheme of things.

I heard a very powerful and direct sermon today on Psalm 99, and how it contains the essential point of the entire Bible, which applies to everyone. Here it is:

Psalm 99 Verse 8:
"O Lord our God, you answered them.
You were a forgiving God to them,
but you punished them when they went wrong."
This one verse sums up God's nature and actions: He is absolutely holy and will not tolerate any kind of sin in his presence, but he forgives us our sins when we come to him. The most direct point of this sermon was that God avenges sin, but Jesus lived a perfect life and fulfilled the law, then freely took the penalty of our sins on himself.

Mark 10 is the Bible reading for December 30, 2012.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Discussion about Divorce and Marriage

10:1 Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around him, and as usual he was teaching them.

2 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”

3 Jesus answered them with a question: “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?”

4 “Well, he permitted it,” they replied. “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away.”[a]

5 But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. 6 But ‘God made them male and female’[b] from the beginning of creation. 7 ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,[c] 8 and the two are united into one.’[d] Since they are no longer two but one, 9 let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

10 Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. 11 He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

Jesus Blesses the Children

13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

The Rich Man

17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’[e]”

20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard[f] to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.[g]”

Jesus Again Predicts His Death

32 They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him. 33 “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man[h] will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans.[i] 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”

Jesus Teaches about Serving Others

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”

36 “What is your request?” he asked.

37 They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”

39 “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. 40 But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

41 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“My rabbi,[j]” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.[k]

Footnotes:
a. Mark 10:4 See Deut 24:1.
b. Mark 10:6 Gen 1:27; 5:2.
c. Mark 10:7 Some manuscripts do not include and is joined to his wife.
d. Mark 10:8 Gen 2:24.
e. Mark 10:19 Exod 20:12-16; Deut 5:16-20.
f. Mark 10:24 Some manuscripts read very hard for those who trust in riches.
g. Mark 10:31 Greek But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.
h. Mark 10:33 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
i. Mark 10:33 Greek the Gentiles.
j. Mark 10:51 Greek uses the Hebrew term Rabboni.
k. Mark 10:52 Or on the way.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2010&version=NLT

"Pin it on christians, of course, the christian teachings, christian readings and christian scripture (especially Mark) had absolutely nothing to do with it."

Honest, non-rhetorical question here: Is the current Israeli oppression of Palestinians and Israelis arabs inherent in Judaism? I'll respect and accept your answer if you respect and accept my answer to the question "Is anti-semitism inherent in the Christian scriptures?".

Mark 11 is the Bible reading for Dec. 31, 2012.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

11:1 As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God![a]
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!”[b]

11 So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Jesus Clears the Temple

15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[c] 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[d]

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left[e] the city.

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.[f]”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

27 Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 28 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

29 “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 30 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

31 They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. 32 But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. 33 So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Footnotes:a. Mark 11:9 Greek Hosanna, an exclamation of praise that literally means “save now”; also in 11:10.
b. Mark 11:10 Pss 118:25-26; 148:1.
c. Mark 11:16 Or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.
d. Mark 11:17 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.
e. Mark 11:19 Greek they left; other manuscripts read he left.
f. Mark 11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26, But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. Compare Matt 6:15.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2011&version=NLT

FG, most Christians are not aware of the biblical theology underlying the coming of Jesus. God is so holy that sin is destroyed in his presence--we blew it and are riddled with sin, every one of us--God sent Jesus who didn't sin and so fulfilled the law and didn't deserve to die--Jesus willingly gave himself to die to pay for our sins--If we accept God's gift of the promised Messiah/savior, then our slate is wiped clean, our sins are forgiven, off the books as it were. Ask and you shall receive--Not "might" receive. But don't ask for your own pleasure, but rather to put yourself back into a right relationship with God. What better way to start the new year!

Mark 12 is the Bible reading for New Year's Day, 2012.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Evil Farmers

12 Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: “A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. 2 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. 3 But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. 4 The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head. 5 The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed, 6 until there was only one left—his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

7 “But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 8 So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard.

9 “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others. 10 Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
11 This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.’[a]”

12 The religious leaders[b] wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

Taxes for Caesar

13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”

Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin,[c] and I’ll tell you.” 16 When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

17 “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

His reply completely amazed them.

Discussion about Resurrection

18 Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: 19 “Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name.[d] 20 Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. 21 So the second brother married the widow, but he also died without children. Then the third brother married her. 22 This continued with all seven of them, and still there were no children. Last of all, the woman also died. 23 So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her.”

24 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. 25 For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.

26 “But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—haven’t you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses,[e] ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[f] 27 So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error.”

The Most Important Commandment

28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’[g] 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[h] No other commandment is greater than these.”

32 The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

34 Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

35 Later, as Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple, he asked, “Why do the teachers of religious law claim that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’[i]

37 Since David himself called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with great delight.

38 Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. 39 And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 40 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”

The Widow’s Offering

41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.[j]

43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Footnotes:
a. Mark 12:11 Ps 118:22-23.
b. Mark 12:12 Greek They.
c. Mark 12:15 Greek a denarius.
d. Mark 12:19 See Deut 25:5-6.
e. Mark 12:26 Greek in the story of the bush? God said to him.
f. Mark 12:26 Exod 3:6.
g. Mark 12:30 Deut 6:4-5.
h. Mark 12:31 Lev 19:18.
i. Mark 12:36 Ps 110:1.
j. Mark 12:42 Greek two lepta, which is a kodrantes [i.e., a quadrans].

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2012&version=NLT

"13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”

Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin,[c] and I’ll tell you.” 16 When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

17 “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”"

Like this tale.

The rest can go ____ !

Mark 12:30-31 is my favorite bible verse.

Erik, it's an amazing passage, isn't it? I think the fact that Jesus cites the bedrock of the Jewish faith as the most important commandment is enlightening.

Mark 13 is the Bible reading for 1/2/2013. (Yesterday's post was in error--I wrote "2012" instead of "2013", purely by habit.)
New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Foretells the Future

13:1 As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.”

2 Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, 4 “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”

5 Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 6 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’[a] They will deceive many. 7 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 8 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

9 “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.[b] 10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.[c] 11 But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

12 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 13 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.[d] But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

14 “The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration[e] standing where he[f] should not be.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 15 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. 16 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 17 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 18 And pray that your flight will not be in winter. 19 For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. 20 In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.

21 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 23 Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!

24 “At that time, after the anguish of those days,

the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.[g]

26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man[h] coming on the clouds with great power and glory.[i] 27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world[j]—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

28 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation[k] will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert[l]!

34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

Footnotes:
a. Mark 13:6 Greek claiming, ‘I am.’
b. Mark 13:9 Or But this will be your testimony against them.
c. Mark 13:10 Or all peoples.
d. Mark 13:13 Greek on account of my name.
e. Mark 13:14 Greek the abomination of desolation. See Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.
f. Mark 13:14 Or it.
g. Mark 13:25 See Isa 13:10; 34:4; Joel 2:10.
h. Mark 13:26 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
i. Mark 13:26 See Dan 7:13.
j. Mark 13:27 Greek from the four winds.
k. Mark 13:30 Or this age, or this nation.
l. Mark 13:33 Some manuscripts add and pray.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13&version=NLT

Mark 14 is the Bible reading for January 3, 2013.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

14 It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating,[a] a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages[b] and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

The Last Supper

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”

13 So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 15 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 16 So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

17 In the evening Jesus arrived with the twelve disciples.[c] 18 As they were at the table[d] eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.”

19 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?”

20 He replied, “It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man[e] must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”

23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant[f] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. 25 I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike[g] the Shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

29 Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”

30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,”[h] he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 40 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.

41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

43 And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.

46 Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

48 Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 49 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”

50 Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. 51 One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, 52 he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.

Jesus before the Council

53 They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. 54 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

55 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council[i] were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. 56 Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. 57 Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” 59 But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!

60 Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 61 But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 Jesus said, “I Am.[j] And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand[k] and coming on the clouds of heaven.[l]”

63 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? 64 You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”

65 Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.

Peter Denies Jesus

66 Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by 67 and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.[m]”

68 But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.[n]

69 When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” 70 But Peter denied it again.

A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”

71 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

Footnotes:
a. Mark 14:3 Or reclining.
b. Mark 14:5 Greek for 300 denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage.
c. Mark 14:17 Greek the Twelve.
d. Mark 14:18 Or As they reclined.
e. Mark 14:21 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
f. Mark 14:24 Some manuscripts read the new covenant.
g. Mark 14:27 Greek I will strike. Zech 13:7.
h. Mark 14:36 Abba is an Aramaic term for “father.”
i. Mark 14:55 Greek the Sanhedrin.
j. Mark 14:62 Or The ‘I Am’ is here; or I am the Lord. See Exod 3:14.
k. Mark 14:62 Greek at the right hand of the power. See Ps 110:1.
l. Mark 14:62 See Dan 7:13.
m. Mark 14:67 Or Jesus the Nazarene.
n. Mark 14:68 Some manuscripts do not include Just then, a rooster crowed.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2014&version=NLT

Maybe this has been mentioned, Mujus, but could we eliminate the headings between verses, like, "Jesus Anointed at Bethany" and "Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus"? They're not part of the actual text, they're some commentator's notes to make it easier to find a particular section. I've always found them a little condescending, as though they don't think I'll be able to figure out what's going on from just reading the text.

Hi Hecks--No, you're the first one to mention that, and your point that it's not part of the actual text is absolutely correct. The deal is that some translations put those headings in and some don't, and I'm using the New Living Translation, which does. I chose this version because the level of English used is just about the level most people today speak it. Other translations--the King James is archaic English, the NKJV still sounds a bit "religious" rather than being completely natural, the NASB is very academic (good for study but not the easiest to read), the NIV is somewhere in-between, and "Letters to Street Christians" is hip slang from the ?1970s.

I'm going to stick with the New Living Translation for now, until someone points out another one that's as readable and that doesn't have the added headings.
Mark 15 is the Bible reading for 1/4/2013.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

15:1 Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council[a]—met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

2 Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

3 Then the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, 4 and Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?” 5 But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.

6 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner—anyone the people requested. 7 One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, a revolutionary who had committed murder in an uprising. 8 The crowd went to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner as usual.

9 “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 10 (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 11 But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 12 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”

13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. 17 They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. 20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene,[b] was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) 22 And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 23 They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice[c] to decide who would get each piece. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 Two revolutionaries[d] were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.[e]

29 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. 30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.

The Death of Jesus

33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[f]

35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”

37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

39 When the Roman officer[g] who stood facing him[h] saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph[i]), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.

The Burial of Jesus

42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation,[j] the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. 45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.

Footnotes:
a. Mark 15:1 Greek the Sanhedrin; also in 15:43.
b. Mark 15:21 Cyrene was a city in northern Africa.
c. Mark 15:24 Greek cast lots. See Ps 22:18.
d. Mark 15:27 Or Two criminals.
e. Mark 15:27 Some manuscripts add verse 28, And the Scripture was fulfilled that said, “He was counted among those who were rebels.” See Isa 53:12; also compare Luke 22:37.
f. Mark 15:34 Ps 22:1.
g. Mark 15:39 Greek the centurion; similarly in 15:44, 45.
h. Mark 15:39 Some manuscripts add heard his cry and.
i. Mark 15:40 Greek Joses; also in 15:47. See Matt 27:56.
j .Mark 15:42 Greek It was the day of preparation.

I guess you can think of the headings as a study guide, something like the notes on the translation. Some bibles have extensive commentaries, maps, references, other resources, but this one just has the headers. I don't think it's too distracting for most people.

I always liked the NJKV. The language is just arcane enough to be earnest, but without the distracting "thee"s, "thou"s, and "-eth"s. I grew up on NIV. What's your take on the Good News Bible (f/k/a Today's English Version)?

I've heard that lot of people really like Today's English Version, but I am not sure which one that is. I have looked at the New English Bible on occasion, but prefer the NIV or NLT, and love the NLT for seekers and new Christians. I'll take a look at the TEV if it's available at blueletterbible.org or biblegateway.com. And yeah, the NKJV is serious, and it inherited a lot of the beauty of the King James. Anyone who has tried to translate anything realizes that to preserve the meaning, the poetic sounds or rhythm is likely to be lost, and only the very best translators can give the translation any sort of grace that halfway equivalent to the original, but the King James people did just that. It's a classic, but like you say, distracting.