Exodus 19:1-13 and Mark 12:28-34 (NLT)

Exodus 19:1-13
The Lord Reveals Himself At Mount Sinai

1    Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. 

2    After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.

3    Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: 

4    ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 

5    Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 

6    And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”

7    So Moses returned from the mountain and called together the elders of the people and told them everything the Lord had commanded him. 

8    And all the people responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” So Moses brought the people’s answer back to the Lord.

9    Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.”  Moses told the Lord what the people had said. 

10  Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. 

11  Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch. 

12  Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death. 

13  No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.’ However, when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain.”

Mark 12:28-34
The Greatest 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.’ 

31  The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 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.

Exodus 18:12-27 and Mark 12:18-27 (NLT)

Exodus 18:12-27
Jethro Visits Moses
12  Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence.  
13  The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.
14  When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
15  Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.
16  When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”
17  “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.
18  “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.
19  Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.
20  Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.
21  But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
22  They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.
23  If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
24  Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions.
25  He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
26  These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.
27  Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.
Mark 12:18-27
Marriage at the 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. 

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, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 

27  So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error.”

Exodus 18:1-11 and Mark 12:13-17 NLT

Exodus 18:1-11
Jethro Visits Moses

1    Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt.

2    Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. 

3    (Moses’ first son was named Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” 

4    His second son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”) 

5    Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God. 

6    Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.”

7    So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent. 

8    Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. 

9    Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.

10  “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! 

11  I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.”

Mark 12:13-17
Paying Taxes tp 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, 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.

Exodus 17:8-15 and Mark 12:1-12 (NLT)

Exodus 17:8-15
The Amalekites Defeated

8    While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 

9    Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

10  So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 

11  As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 

12  Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 

13  As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

14  After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 

15  Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).

Mark 12:1-12
The Parable of the Tenants

1    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.’”

12   The religious leaders 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.

Exodus 17:1-7 and Mark 11:27-33 (NLT)

Exodus 17:1-7
Water From the Rock

1  At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. 

2  So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded.

“Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?”
3  But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”
4  Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!”
5  The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you.
6  I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.
7  Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”

Mark 11:27-33
The Authority of Jesus Questioned

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.”

Exodus 16:21-36 and Mark 11:20-26 (NLT)

Exodus 16:21-36
Manna and Quail

21  After this the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the flakes they had not picked up melted and disappeared.
22  On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation.
23  He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.”
24  So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor.
25  Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today.
26  You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.”
27  Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food.
28  The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?
29  They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.”
30  So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day.
31  The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers.
32  Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt.”
33  Moses said to Aaron, “Get a jar and fill it with two quarts of manna. Then put it in a sacred place before the Lord to preserve it for all future generations.”
34  Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it in the Ark of the Covenant—in front of the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant.
35  So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
36  The container used to measure the manna was an omer, which was one-tenth of an ephah; it held about two quarts.

Mark 11:20-26
The Withered Fig Tree

21  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.”

Exodus 16:13-20 and Mark 11:12-19 (NLT)

Exodus 16:13-20
Manna and Quail from Heaven

13  That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew.
14  When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground.
15  The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was.  And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat.
16  These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.”
17  So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little.
18  But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.
19  Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.”
20  But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them.

Mark 11:12-14
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.

Mark 11:15-19
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. 

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.”

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 the city.

Exodus 16:1-12 and Mark 11:1-11 (NLT)

Exodus 16:1-12
Manna and Quail from Heaven

1    Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. 

2    There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.

3    “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”

4    Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. 

5    On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual.”

6    So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “By evening you will realize it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 

7    In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?” 

8    Then Moses added, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.”

9    Then Moses said to Aaron, “Announce this to the entire community of Israel: ‘Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” 

10  And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud.

11  Then the Lord said to Moses, 

12  “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

Mark 11:1-11
Jesus' Triumphal Entry

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!  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!”

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.

Exodus 15:22-27 and Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)

Exodus 15:22-27
The Water of Marah and Elim

22  Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. 

23  When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”).

24  Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded. 

25  So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink.  It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. 

26  He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”

27  After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water.

Mark 10:46-52
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

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,” 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.

Exodus 15:1-21 and Mark 10:35-45 (NLT)

Exodus 15:1-21
The Song of Moses and Miriam

1    Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord:  “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;  he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.

2    The Lord is my strength and my song;  he has given me victory.  This is my God, and I will praise him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

3    The Lord is a warrior;  Yahweh is his name!

4    Pharaoh’s chariots and army he has hurled into the sea.  The finest of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

5    The deep waters gushed over them;  they sank to the bottom like a stone.

6    “Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power.  Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.

7    In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrow those who rise against you.  You unleash your blazing fury;  it consumes them like straw.

8    At the blast of your breath, the waters piled up!  The surging waters stood straight like a wall;  in the heart of the sea the deep waters became hard.

9    “The enemy boasted, ‘I will chase them and catch up with them.  I will plunder them and consume them.

I will flash my sword;  my powerful hand will destroy them.’

10  But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them.  They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11  “Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?

12  You raised your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies.  

13  “With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.  In your might, you guide them

to your sacred home.

14  The peoples hear and tremble;  anguish grips those who live in Philistia.

15  The leaders of Edom are terrified;  the nobles of Moab tremble.  All who live in Canaan melt away;

16  terror and dread fall upon them.  The power of your arm makes them lifeless as stone until your people pass by, O Lord, until the people you purchased pass by.

17  You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain—the place, O Lord, reserved for your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.

18  The Lord will reign forever and ever!”

19  When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers rushed into the sea, the Lord brought the water crashing down on them. But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground!

20  Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. 

21  And Miriam sang this song:  “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;  he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.”

Mark 10:35-45
The Request of James and John

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.”

Exodus 14:13-31 and Mark 10:32-34 (NLT)

Exodus 14:13-31
Crossing The Red Sea
13  But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.
14  The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
15  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!
16  Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
17  And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers.
18  When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”
19  Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them.
20  The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.
21  Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.
22  So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!
23  Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea.
24  But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion.
25  He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”
26  When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.”
27  So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea.
28  Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.
29  But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides.
30  That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore.
31  When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
Mark 10:32-34
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 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. 
34  They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”

Exodus 14:1-12 and Mark 10:17-31 (NLT)

Exodus 14:1-12
Crossing the Red Sea
1   Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses:
2    “Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon.
3    Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’
4    And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” So the Israelites camped there as they were told.
5    When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked.
6    So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops.
7    He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander.
8    The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance.
9    The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh’s army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.
10  As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord,
11  and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?
12  Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

Mark 10:17-31
The Rich Young 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.’”
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 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.”

Exodus 13:17-22 and Mark 10:13-16 (NLT)

Exodus 13:17-22
Crossing the Sea

17  When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 

18  So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

19  Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear to do this. He said, “God will certainly come to help you. When he does, you must take my bones with you from this place.”

20  The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 

21  The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. 

22  And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

Mark 10:13-16
The Little Children and Jesus

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.

Exodus 13:1-16 and Mark 10:1-12 (NLT)

Exodus 13:1-16
Dedication of the Firstborn
1    Then the Lord said to Moses,
2    “Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me.”
3    So Moses said to the people, “This is a day to remember forever—the day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. Today the Lord has brought you out by the power of his mighty hand. (Remember, eat no food containing yeast.)
4    On this day in early spring, in the month of Abib, you have been set free.
5    You must celebrate this event in this month each year after the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites. (He swore to your ancestors that he would give you this land—a land flowing with milk and honey.)
6    For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. Then on the seventh day, celebrate a feast to the Lord.
7    Eat bread without yeast during those seven days. In fact, there must be no yeast bread or any yeast at all found within the borders of your land during this time.
8    “On the seventh day you must explain to your children, ‘I am celebrating what the Lord did for me when I left Egypt.’
9    This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the Lord: ‘With a strong hand, the Lord rescued you from Egypt.’
10  So observe the decree of this festival at the appointed time each year.
11  “This is what you must do when the Lord fulfills the promise he swore to you and to your ancestors. When he gives you the land where the Canaanites now live,
12  you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the Lord, for they belong to him.
13  A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the Lord by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.
14  “And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, ‘With the power of his mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery.
15  Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, so the Lord killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. That is why I now sacrifice all the firstborn males to the Lord—except that the firstborn sons are always bought back.’
16  This ceremony will be like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. It is a reminder that the power of the Lord’s mighty hand brought us out of Egypt.”

Mark 10:1-12
Discussion about Marriage and Divorce

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.”

5    But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. 

6    But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. 

7    ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, 

8    and the two are united into one.’ 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.”

Exodus 12:43-51 and Mark 9:38-50 (NLT)

Exodus 12:43-51
Instructions for the Passover

43  Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “These are the instructions for the festival of Passover. No outsiders are allowed to eat the Passover meal. 

44  But any slave who has been purchased may eat it if he has been circumcised. 

45  Temporary residents and hired servants may not eat it. 

46  Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones. 

47  The whole community of Israel must celebrate this Passover festival.

48  “If there are foreigners living among you who want to celebrate the Lord’s Passover, let all their males be circumcised. Only then may they celebrate the Passover with you like any native-born Israelite. But no uncircumcised male may ever eat the Passover meal.

49  This instruction applies to everyone, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner living among you.”

50  So all the people of Israel followed all the Lord’s commands to Moses and Aaron. 

51  On that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt like an army.

Mark  9:38-41
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

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. 
43-44  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 with two hands. 
45-46  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. 
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.’
49  “For everyone will be tested with fire. 
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.”

Exodus 12:31-42 and Mark 9:33-37 (NLT)

Exodus 12:31-42
Israel’s Exodus from Egypt

31  Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. “Get out!” he ordered. “Leave my people—and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the Lord as you have requested. 

32  Take your flocks and herds, as you said, and be gone. Go, but bless me as you leave.”

33  All the Egyptians urged the people of Israel to get out of the land as quickly as possible, for they thought, “We will all die!”

34  The Israelites took their bread dough before yeast was added. They wrapped their kneading boards in their cloaks and carried them on their shoulders. 

35  And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed; they asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. 

36  The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth!

37  That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. 

38  A rabble of non-Israelites went with them, along with great flocks and herds of livestock. 

39  For bread they baked flat cakes from the dough without yeast they had brought from Egypt. It was made without yeast because the people were driven out of Egypt in such a hurry that they had no time to prepare the bread or other food.

40  The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. 

41  In fact, it was on the last day of the 430th year that all the Lord’s forces left the land. 

42  On this night the Lord kept his promise to bring his people out of the land of Egypt. So this night belongs to him, and it must be commemorated every year by all the Israelites, from generation to generation.

Mark 9:33-37
Who is the Greatest

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 welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”

Exodus 12:14-30 and Mark 9:14-32 (NLT)

Exodus 12:14-30
The Passover

14  “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.
15  For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. On the first day of the festival, remove every trace of yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast during the seven days of the festival will be cut off from the community of Israel.
16  On the first day of the festival and again on the seventh day, all the people must observe an official day for holy assembly. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food.
17  “Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent law for you; celebrate this day from generation to generation.
18  The bread you eat must be made without yeast from the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day of that month.
19  During those seven days, there must be no trace of yeast in your homes. Anyone who eats anything made with yeast during this week will be cut off from the community of Israel. These regulations apply both to the foreigners living among you and to the native-born Israelites.
20  During those days you must not eat anything made with yeast. Wherever you live, eat only bread made without yeast.”
21  Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.
22  Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning.
23  For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.
24  “Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever.
25  When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony.
26  Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’
27  And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.
28  So the people of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded through Moses and Aaron.
29  And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed.
30  Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died.

Mark 9:14-32
The Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit

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. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”
19  Jesus said to them, “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 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.”
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.