Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 41
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Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Monday, April 27, 2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ISHMAEL
ISHMAEL
One of the main stories in the Bible concerns Abram and his sons, Ishmael and Issac. In the book of Genesis, God promised a son to Abram by Sarai his wife. But Sarai, being elderly and feeling that:
…the Lord has restrained me from having children…
(Genesis 16:2)
implored Abram to go
…to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her…
(Genesis 16:2)
But when this happened, Sarai became upset and
…when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence.
(Genesis 16:6)
Now, we know that Abram did have a second son, this time by Sarai, called Issac and it was with Issac that God promised to:
…establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant,
and with his descendants after him.
(Genesis 17:19)
However, when Hagar (Sarai’s maid) fled an Angel of the Lord found her in the wilderness and said to her:
…Return to your mistress,
and submit yourself under her hand.
(Genesis 16:9)
…I will multiply your descendants exceedingly…
(Genesis 16:10)
Then,
Behold you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the Lord has heard your affliction.
He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against every man,
And every man’s hand against him…
(Genesis 16:11,12)
And so when Issac was only very young, and Ishmael was in his early teens, Sarah again said to Abraham (previously Sarai and Abram but God commanded their names changed).
…Cast out this bondwoman and her son…
(Genesis 21:10)
Therefore, both Ishmael and Hagar were sent again into the wilderness without provision.
As a result, Ishmael had no status, birthright, or inheritance even though being the firstborn, these and other amenities should have been afforded to him according to the custom of the time. Perhaps it was because, at least in part, that Ishmael was not from Abraham’s wife as was Issac, that this developed but this is what occurred. And it can only be expected that as a result, Ishmael would be upset and angry and embittered over these circumstances.
In spite of his beginnings, God told Hagar to:
…lift up the lad and hold him with your hand,
for I will make him a great nation.
(Genesis 21:18)
And so He apparently did, for Ishmael’s descendants became the Arab nations of today and from this body seemingly came Mohammed, the founder of Islam.
At the same time, the descendants of Issac also became a great nation known as Judah (Israel), home to the Jewish people. Of course from them would come Jesus, from whom the Christian church developed.
It’s interesting to see how many of the world’s problems of today between nations and religions began centuries ago when a man, Abraham, committed adultery (even if at his wife’s suggestion) and conceived a son by one other than her.
For when Abraham had made a feast for Issac on the occasion of him being weaned, it is said that:
Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian…scoffing
(Genesis 21:9)
The animosity between Ishmael and Issac, which began at a time when they were both young, apparently continued through their descendants up to the present day and results in the world’s continuing problems. It’s hard to realize how one act centuries ago can have such longstanding and far-reaching consequences.
And it does give one something to think about.
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WATER TO WINE
WATER TO WINE
At times the details in a story make the whole event much more understandable and interesting if those details are known; and so it is in the Bible. There are few, if any, details which are not important to the overall meaning of the story. Such is the case during the wedding at Cana when Jesus turned the water into wine.
It is said that…
…there were six waterpots of stone,
according to the manner of purification of the Jews…
(John 2:6)
The Jewish people used this water for purification after touching something unclean or to wash before dining, praying, or other activities. Although it could be used for cleansing, it really did little in the sense of purification. In addition, the fact that there were six (the number related to man and human weakness) further identifies the human aspect of this part of the story.
But Jesus, in changing the water into wine, transformed the element used by man into the symbol that would later be used to represent the blood of Christ at communion and so, in effect, was a precursor of the death of Christ and His sacrifice.
So,
when the master of the feast…
tasted the water that was made wine
(John 2:9)
and said:
“…You have kept the good wine until now!”
(John 2:10)
He in effect said that the inferior action created by man had been changed into the ultimate purification by the blood (wine) given by Christ and for the purification us all.
Just a little something more to think about.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Sunday, April 19, 2026
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Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 39
Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 39
Please click here for video
https://youtu.be/W72bGxEfxIE?si=g7egOp6CXWlesXqx
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DETAILS - PART 2
DETAILS
PART 2
Before we leave this time of year perhaps we should look at just a few more of the details surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection, for it seems there are a number that are rarely mentioned.
At the time of Christ’s death, John is reported as saying this:
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear,
and immediately blood and water came out.
(John 19:34)
This type of fluid indicted that Christ probably had terminal pulmonary edema and a pleural effusion. This would not be uncommon coming from injuries suffered in a situation such as was taking place. But at the same time, we also know that it is by the blood that we are saved and brought into the righteousness of Christ often represented by the white robes of revelation.
…on the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes…
(Revelation 4:4)
…a great multitude…clothed with white robes
(Revelation 7:9)
…These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation,
and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
(Revelation 7:14)
So Christ’s last received injury, the spear, caused a discharge composed of the cleansing blood and associated white (or light) fluid suggestive of the resultant purity.
And after the resurrection, the tomb which Christ had occupied was not entirely empty on resurrection morning. It is true that Jesus was no longer there but there were linen cloths left behind.
and the handkerchief that had been around His head,
not lying with the linen cloths,
but folded together in a place by itself.
(John 20:7)
In those days, it was customary for a Jewish man to crumple up his napkin or handkerchief when he left, for instance a table, and was finished with no intention of returning. But if that same person was only leaving for a time and meant to return, then he would fold up neatly his napkin so that it would be available on his return. This, then, was the first indication after the resurrection that Christ’s departure was not permanent but only temporary and that He would be returning someday to complete His purpose.
Just a few more little details that make the crucifixion and resurrection more meaningful and overall give us something further to think about.
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 38
Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 38
Monday, April 6, 2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DETAILS
DETAILS
The Christian faith has just observed what people consider to be the most significant time in the entire year; or is it? We observe Easter as the time of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection even though it is Passover and those customs, and not Easter per se, that is connected to the event. There is no real evidence that He died on Friday or rose on Sunday. But one thing is certain and that is that He actually lived, died, and rose again.
While the exact day may be debatable, the time of the crucifixion was precise. In the Jewish temple the morning sacrifice was at 9 AM and that is precisely when Jesus was hung on the cross.
Now it was the third hour,
and they crucified Him
(Mark 15:25)
It was nine in the morning when they crucified Him
(Mark 15:25 NIV)
The sacrifice that took place at nine probably went on for some time as there were multiple sacrifices to be done. One source, Joachim Jeremias, states that over 15,000 lambs would probably be sacrificed during the morning hours*. Josephus, the Jewish historian suggests that upward of 250,000 animals may have been killed altogether**.
In any case, the sacrificial procedure would have taken some time and it has been said that the streets would be red with blood by noon when the sun was at its peak. It was precisely then that the sky grew the darkest and “night” covered the land.
Now when the sixth hour [12 noon] had come,
there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
(Mark 15:33)
And at the ninth hour [3 PM] Jesus cried out with a loud voice…
…and breathed His last.
(Mark 15:34,37)
And this was at this time - of the afternoon sacrifice in the temple - when Jesus gave up His Spirit.
In addition to the timing of His death, there were many other details which may not be obvious when only doing a quick reading of the story. For instance, there’s the use of hyssop, a shrub, which was used at the crucification.
Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there;
and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop,
and put it to His mouth.
(John 19:29)
Hyssop was the plant used in Exodus to smear the blood on the door frame at the time of Passover. It was also apparently used, at times, to sprinkle the blood over the altar.
And you shall take a bunch of hyssop,
dip it in the blood that is in the basin…
(Exodus 12:22)
John reports that after the hyssop and sour wine were given…
[Jesus] said, “It is finished!”
(John 19:30)
Furthermore in Exodus, when the hyssop was used to mark the doorposts of the house it was to be done in a specific way. First applied across the lintel [horizontal] part of the door and then the doorpost; in a way making a cross symbolic of what was to come in the future.
Little details, all of which make the Passover events more real and understandable, and give us all some more things to think about.
*The Eucharistic Words of Jesus p.g. 42 by Jochim Jeremais
** The Jewish War 6.9.3. by Flavius Jusephus
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Pastor Matthew Trott April 5, 2026 Easter Sunday
Pastor Matthew Trott April 5, 2026 Easter Sunday
Friday, April 3, 2026
Monday, March 30, 2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHY ETERNITY?
WHY ETERNITY?
Most people are familiar with that famous verse in John which states that:
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16)
But have you ever questioned just why He, after putting up with our behaviour here on earth, would want us hanging around for ever? After all, eternity is rather a long time. Perhaps a few thousand years would have been more understandable but no, He said for an everlasting life.
David, in Psalm 22, says this:
My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?
…I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear…
But You are holy…
Our fathers trusted in You;
They trusted, and You delivered them.
They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
But I am a worm, and no man…
David was someone chosen by God but still considered himself no more than a worm, able to be trampled by God and others at will. And if this is the way David felt God looked upon him, then how must the rest of us be looked upon as well? And why would God want to spend the rest of eternity with us?
It is obvious that a reason God came to earth as a human and subjected Himself to the indignities and sufferings that He endured was to change us from the “worms” that we are into the beings that we need and deserve to be. David had great trust and confidence in God, the same as we must have to grow into the existence of an eternity with God. And we can do that by communicating with God and studying who and how He truly is.
But God is an infinite being. How can finite beings such as ourselves get to know a being of infinite knowledge and wisdom? A being all powerful and all present and with complete understanding. It’s evident that, no matter how often or long we study His teachings and word here on earth, it’s never going to be enough to encompass it all.
…He has put eternity in their hearts…
(Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Great is our Lord…
His understanding is infinite.
(Psalm 147:5)
We can start changing from the worm to the being that God truly created by reading His word and communicating with Him; but that’s only scratching the surface. It will take an eternity to even start to know an infinite being. Even Paul, who likely knew Jesus as well as anyone on earth, requested that:
…I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…
Not that I…am already perfected; but I press on…
(Philippians 3:10,12)
It will take an eternity to even start to know all there is about an infinite God and perhaps that is just why He wants us to have an everlasting life.
Just a little something further to think about.
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
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Monday, March 23, 2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE GREATEST DISCOVERY
THE GREATEST DISCOVERY*
Throughout history there have been many discoveries made in all fields relating to humanity. But of all the numerous findings, what might be considered to be the greatest of them all? It is interesting to examine what one scientist said about this very thing a number of years ago.
Dr. James Simpson (1811-1870) has been recognized as being the person responsible for discovering the anesthetic properties of chloroform, laying the foundation for the practice of gynaecology, and predicting the discovery of the X-ray. He was also for a time president of the Royal Society and Royal Physician to the Queen.
Although a scientist, he had an ongoing faith and believed that there was no incompatibility between religion and science. He is quoted as saying:
Christianity works because it is supremely true
and therefore supremely livable.
He also apparently said that none of his scientific achievements were his greatest discovery.
It was to know that I am a sinner
and that I could be saved by the grace of God.
A man has missed the whole meaning of life
if he has not entered into an active, living relationship with God through Christ.
and
There is apparently no discovery of science that compares with that of finding Jesus Christ and making Him both Lord and Saviour. And this evidently applies not only to science but to every aspect of life. The Bible puts it this way:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…
(Matthew 6:33-34)
Seek the greatest discovery first and it may amaze you what else might follow.
Just something to think about.
* Adapted from The Evidence Bible p.g., 1546
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Monday, March 16, 2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - RESTORATION
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RESTORATION
When one watches the news or documentaries on world events, it’s not hard to see the devastation and destruction caused by both natural disasters and human activity. From floods and windstorms to invasions and war, the results are such that only years of repair and restoration will undo the damage caused by such episodes. Yet after each calamity, mankind starts the process of restoring things “back to normal” just so that, in many cases, the problems that caused the destruction in the first place can just recur again.
This is the reality in many of our lives as we often have to make changes to rebuild what we have lost or destroyed; only to see that after the changes are made, the same destructive problems tend to reappear. And this often happens regardless of whether we change jobs, or change our vehicles, our houses, or even our spouse. The same end result is often the case.
Such was the problem with the woman that Jesus met at the well. She had apparently changed husbands a number of times without any real change in her situation.
for you have had five husbands,
and the one whom you now have is not your husband…
(John 4:18)
She evidently changed her spouse but apparently not what she put into the marriage. Or to use the well analogy, she kept changing the bucket but not the water that was put into it. That is why Jesus said to her:
…Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst…
(John 4:13,14)
It’s evident that there is little use in making restoration unless there are also changes made in the situation that caused the problem in the first place. And this is probably why the Bible talks not only about salvation and sanctification but also about restoring the lives we live here on earth.
The theme of restoration extends throughout the entire Bible. Some examples are:
And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends…
(Job 42:10)
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…
(Joel 2:25)
He restores my soul…
(Psalm 23:3)
I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel…
(Amos 9:14 ESV)
…if my people, who are called by my name
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways,
I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)
And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age…
(Ruth 4:15)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation [restored]…
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
The whole idea is that putting the same lifestyle into a new vessel - job, house, spouse, whatever - does not really work. It is the changing of the lifestyle [the water] that makes the difference. Be sure to drink from the water that makes you never thirst again.
Just something to think about.
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