1-8 - Proclamation of John the Baptist
- Prophesied in Isaiah
- Message - repentance and prophecy of the one to come
- Appearance - like a wild man
- Baptism - presence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Temptation - 40 days, tempted by Satan, with the wild beasts, angels wait on him (Mark gives this 2 verses)
- Message - repentance and faith
- Fishermen - two sets of brothers - Simon and Andrew, James and John
- "Immediately" they leave their nets and families behind and follow him
- Man with unclean spirit
- Simon's mother-in-law and many others brought to him
- Goes out to pray, disciples look for and find him, for many are looking for him
- His mission: "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do."
- Tells a cleansed leper not to broadcast his healing, but he does it anyway, preventing Jesus from going into the towns because of, I'm supposing, all the demands for healing
- It seems clear that, though out of compassion Jesus healed this leper, it was not his mission to do so. He wanted to preach his message -- but sometimes the demand for his power to heal got in the way of his opportunities to do so. Just as it is today -- people easily accept physical help, but don't recognize their need for spiritual help, which is more lasting and more valuable.
1-12 - Jesus Heals a Paralytic (Capernaum)
- It is reported he is"at home." People there apparently view Capernaum as his home.
- People are gathering to hear him speak -- not merely for his healing.
- Jesus' first response to the paralytic is to forgive his sins -- showing his real mission
- Heals the paralytic to demonstrate his additional authority over sin
- Levi, a tax collector -- like the fishermen -- immediately follows Jesus
- Enjoying Levi's hospitality, Jesus is criticized by the "scribes of the Pharisees" (NRSV) for eating with tax collectors and sinners
- Jesus' reply: "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." Could he mean by this "the self-righteous"?
- Question from people: Why do the Pharisees and John's disciples fast, but not yours?
- Jesus' answer: They can fast after the "bridegroom" is gone
- Lesson: Similes of patching old cloth with new, and new wine in old wine skins. In context, I think he must be saying that you can't judge his teachings using the old standards -- you can't take some of the old ways and some of the new ways. If you mix them, they both fail in their purpose.
- Pharisees criticize: Your disciples are plucking heads of grain on the sabbath. That's illegal!
- Jesus: Sabbath made for humankind, not humankind for the sabbath. Example: David
1-6 - Man with Withered Hand (Synagogue in Capernaum)
- Pharisees watching Jesus to see if he would heal the man on the sabbath, so they could accuse him
- Jesus doesn't disappoint them: "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?"
- And so begins the conspiracy to destroy Jesus -- this early in his ministry
- Great multitudes come - from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond Jordan, Tyre and Sidon
- Many come for healing
- Unclean spirits confess him
- Names them apostles
- To be with him, to proclaim the message, to have authority to cast out demons
- Jesus is accused of going out of his mind, causing his family to go out "to restrain him."
- Jerusalem scribes accuse him of being an instrument of Beelzebul, the devil
- Jesus' famous lines (later used by Abraham Lincoln, and more often attributed to him, I think): "a house divided against itself cannot stand"
This incident, coupled with verse 21, indicates that Jesus' family is just now coming to realize just how different he is from the rest of them. Maybe he's just a little too famous for their liking, and they want him back home now, where he belongs. I wonder if Mary is now bringing back up those thoughts she hid in her heart when he was a baby.
Mark 4
1-9 - Parable of the Sower (Beside the Sea)
- Again, surrounded by so many people, Jesus has to teach from a boat
- Begins to teach in parables.
- This first one emphasizes that many who listen to him will not stay. Could it be that he is speaking to those who follow him only for his healing, that once he tries to teach them what is important, they will leave?
- He is "alone" -- with the twelve and some others, who ask him about the parables
- Repeats principle stated in Isaiah 6:9-10: "Make the mind of this people dull, and stop their ears, and shut their eyes, so that they may not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and turn and be healed."
- What will take away our salvation? 1) Allowing Satan to take away the word; 2) Giving in to trouble or persecution; 3) Cares of the word, lure of wealth, or the desire for things.
- Indication of our good soil? Hearing and accepting the word and bearing fruit
21-34 - More Parables
- Lamp under bushel basket: Lamps are made to shine, not be hidden
- "The measure you give will be the measure you get" - Be generous in your hearing. Would this be the same as what we today call "active hearing"?
- Growing seed: The Kingdom of God will grow without our help or understanding, but we must plant the seed
- Mustard seed: The Kingdom of God can fill the earth like a sown mustard seed
- Jesus spoke to general audiences only in parable, but he "explained everything in private to his disciples."
- Isn't this the same thing we do? We reveal more of our will and ourselves to those we trust will want to know "where we're coming from." It's not that we're excluding those we're not as close to; it's just that we prefer to have that intimate relationship with those we trust. Jesus is entrusting his message to those who really want to hear it.
- Leaves crowds to cross the sea
- Great storm begins to swamp the boat
- Awakened by the disciples, he "rebukes" the wind and says to the sea, "Peace, be still!" Much like we would quieten our rowdy children: "Be quiet! You're bothering my friends."
- Then he rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith. Also, a little like our entering a conflict between our children: Telling the loud one to be quiet, then reprimanding the other one for being so intolerant.
- Disciples are filled with great awe: "Even the wind and sea obey him!"
1-20 - Legions Demoniac (Gerasa, or Gadara)
- Demon-possessed man comes out of the tombs, meets Jesus' boat
- Demons recognize Jesus, beg him not to torment them
- Jesus "gives them permission" to enter the swine
- Reaction of people: fear
- Former demoniac goes home to Decapolis and proclaims "how much Jesus had done for him."
- Jairus, a synagogue leader, and one of a "great crowd," begs Jesus to heal his daughter
- Jesus goes with him, and on the way, a woman with a 12-year hemorrhage, touches his cloak and is immediately healed
- In "fear and trembling," she confesses to him what she's done. He blesses her: "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace...."
- By this time, Jairus's daughter has died.
- Jesus' response to despair: "Do not fear, only believe."
- He raises the girl from the dead and instructs the family and friends not to publicize this event.
1-6 - Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
- Jesus teaches in synagogue on the sabbath
- Knowing his family, they take offense at him
- Jesus: "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown...."
- Except for healing a few people (which to me seems like a lot!), he could do no "deed of power," is amazed at their unbelief
- Sends them out two by two, with authority over unclean spirits
- They are to take no personal possessions, not even money
- They are not to force their teachings on anyone, but to "shake the dust off their feet" where they are refused
- They cast out many demons and cure many, anointing them with oil
- King Herod hears of what apostles are doing, thinks Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead. A guilty conscience, maybe?
- Herod had had John arrested for condemning Herod's marriage to his brother's wife
- Herodias and her daughter: Illustration of the dangerous and gruesome cunning of a wicked woman
- King Herod: Illustration of the danger of pride
- Deserted place intended to be a place of rest and renewal after disciples' mission trip
- When they get there, the crowds have arrived ahead of them
- Jesus has compassion on them because they needed spiritual leadership
- Miracle performed here is out of compassion because they have stayed to listen to his teaching, not merely as a sign. So maybe this is not just a miracle, but an indication of the way God takes care of those who put his kingdom first.
- The 5000 counts only the men
- Jesus sends disciples to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, dismisses the crowd, and goes up to a mountain to pray
- The disciples, fighting a storm on the Sea, see him walking past the boat. Thinking he's a ghost, they cry out, terrified.
- He speaks: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
- Gets into the boat, and the wind quits.
- Still hardened, they are astounded. Even after they have experienced God's powers for themselves in their healing and casting their demons, and after witnessing the feeding of the 5,000, they have not yet come to terms with Jesus' deity and omnipotence. They seem to limit his powers to what they have already experienced.
- People recognize Jesus at once and begin bringing the sick from all over the region
- "...all who touched [even the fringe of his garment] were healed."
Mark 7
1-23 - Tradition of the Elders (Gennesaret)
- Pharisees criticize Jesus because his disciples were eating with "defiled" hands, not washing them according to their traditions
- Jesus tells them they are fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy: "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me...."
- He accuses them of neglecting their parents, by using their traditions as an excuse
- "What comes out of a person defiles, not what goes in." All evil springs from an evil human heart.
- Begs Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter
- He appears to rebuff her, but she's not discouraged
- He tells her the demon is gone, and when she gets home, her daughter is resting peacefully
- "They" bring man to Jesus who is deaf and has a speech impediment
- Jesus takes him away from the crowd; when he heals him, his ears immediately open, and he speaks plainly
- Reaction: Witnesses "are astounded beyond measure."
- Jesus doesn't want this publicized -- he even performs the miracle away from the crowd -- but they more he tells them not to, the more they do. Again, he downplays his abilities to heal.
1-10 - Feeding the 4,000 (Desert)
- Crowd had followed Jesus for 3 days; he is concerned about their hunger
- Feeds 4,000 with 7 loaves of bread and a few fish. Leftovers: 7 baskets full
- He sends them away, gets into boat headed for Dalmanutha (or Mageda or Magdala) - Map 4, #11
- In Magdala, Pharisees come to him, demanding a sign from heaven, to test him
- Jesus, sighing "deeply in his spirit," says, "No sign will be given to this generation."
- He leaves, gets into boat, and goes to other side.
- Warns disciples of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod
- They think he means physical yeast, because they have no bread
- He reminds them of feeding 5,000 and 4,000: "Do you not yet understand?"
- I wonder if we cause him the same frustration, seeing all the wonders around us and still being anxious about the source of physical blessings.
- People bring blind man to him
- Jesus puts his hands on him twice; sight restored
- Jesus instructs him to go home -- not to the village
- Jesus asks "Who do people say I am?"Answer: John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets.
- "Who do you say I am?" Peter: The Messiah
- Jesus: Don't tell anyone
- Peter rebukes Jesus for prophesying of his own suffering.
- Jesus: "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." A constant struggle for his disciples (and for us?), it would seem.
- Instructions to the crowd:
- If you want to follow me, deny yourself
- Take up your cross, lose your life and thereby save it
- If you are ashamed of me now, I will not claim you when I come again
- The kingdom of God will come in your generation
2-8 - Transfiguration (on the mountain)
- 6 days after Jesus foretells his death and resurrection
- Jesus transfigured into glowing white figure, talking with Elijah and Moses
- Out of sheer fright, and because he doesn't know what else to say, Peter (recognizing them!), offers to build 3 dwellings, one for each of them
- But voice from cloud declares, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"
- Suddenly, the other two are gone.
- Jesus tells them not to tell what they've seen until after the resurrection
- They ask him a question about the coming of Elijah. Reply: Elijah [John the Baptist] has come.
- Jesus' disciples unable to cast out spirit
- Jesus calls them a "faithless generation," casts out the demon
- Privately, explains to disciples, "This kind can come out only through prayer."
- He does not want anyone to know what he is telling his disciples
- He explains, but they don't understand
- He who would be first must be last
- He who welcomes a child welcomes me
- John: We tried to stop him, because he's not one of us
- Jesus: If powerful deed is in my name, then it's not against me
- Danger of causing a child to stumble
- Get rid of all that is causing you to stumble
- Everyone salted with fire; have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other. At this point, I don't understand this reference to salt, connected with peace.
1-12 - Teaching about Divorce
- Surrounded by crowds
- Pharisees test Jesus with questions about divorce. He answers with a question: "What did Moses command you?"
- From the beginning, God made the two -- male and female -- one. No one should separate that union.
- He clarifies issue to disciples privately, this time using the word "adultery."
- Gets some relief from the Pharisees in welcoming the children
- Disciples see them as unimportant, but Jesus sees them as an example of what his disciples should be
- The man, wealthy and a good law keeper, kneels and calls him "Good Teacher."
- Jesus looks at him and loves him. I sense a look of love coupled with pity here, for surely Jesus knew the man would not be able to do what Jesus required. Another thought: Jesus, loving him, required more of him than he might someone else, because he recognized that at heart, the man wanted to do better, be better. Yet the man's wealth weakened his resolve, making it "impossible" for him to enter the kingdom of God.
- Leave it up to Peter to remind Jesus of all they had given up to follow him. Still, this is such an encouraging passing to anyone who considers abandoning their physical family. Jesus promises them great reward for doing so.
- Jesus is walking ahead of disciples, who are "amazed," and "afraid." Apparently they take seriously his talk of death.
- He gives details:
- The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes
- They will condemn him to death
- They will hand him over to the Gentiles
- They will mock him, spit upon him, flog him, and kill him
- After three days, he will rise again
- Teacher, do for us whatever we ask. Pretty presumptuous, even at the start.
- Let us sit at your right and left in your glory. This does show they believe he will triumph, though maybe they picture an earthly reign
- The other ten "begin to be angry" with James and John, but Jesus reminds them of the true nature of discipleship: to serve
- Others don't bring him, he takes it on himself to beg for healing (mercy) - twice
- In fact, others try to shush him
- Though it would appear to be obvious, Jesus asks him what he wants
- At Jesus' word, he immediately regains his sight
1-11 - Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
- At Bethphage and Bethany, Jesus sends disciples into Jerusalem to fetch a colt -- never ridden before -- which is right where he predicts, and which owners permit them to take -- just as he has told them
- Disciples bring the colt to Jesus and throw their cloaks on it, where Jesus sits
- Many spread their own cloaks on the road, with leafy branches
- They shout praises, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" Probably not the welcome the disciples expected, considering that as they followed him to Jerusalem the previous day, they were afraid.
- Jesus enters Jerusalem, goes into the temple, looks around, and goes back to Bethany with the Twelve
- Jesus, hungry, sees a fig tree in leaf, so expects it to have fruit
- Declares it will never bear fruit -- surely a sign of his disappointment and condemnation of the Jewish nation as a whole
- Apparently, Jesus was not happy with what he had seen the day before, because he enters the temple and begins to drive out those who are abusing the temple with their greed
- This intensifies the desire of the chief priests and scribe to kill him -- not because he cleansed the temple -- but because "they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching."
- Jesus and his disciples leave the city in the evening
- The next morning, on the way, disciples notice the fig tree is withered "to its roots"
- Jesus: This is a demonstration of the power of faith
- When you pray, forgive, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you
- Met in the temple by chief priests, scribes, and elders, challenging his authority
- Jesus answers them with a question: By what authority was John's baptism?
- Humiliated, no matter which way they answer, they say simply, "We do not know."
- Jesus: Neither will I reveal my authority
1-12 - Parable of Wicked Tenants
- Vineyard owner leases his vineyard, expecting produce in return
- When he sends representatives to collect the produce, one after another, the tenants either beat or kill them
- He sends his son -- but they kill him, too.
- What will the owner do? He will destroy the tenants and give his vineyard to others.
- Those listening know he talks of them, and would arrest him, except they fear the crowd
- Pharisees - Paying Taxes? "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's and to God the things that are God's."
- Sadducees - The Resurrection? You don't know the scriptures, nor the power of God. He is the God of the living, not the dead.
- Scribes - The First Commandment? You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
- "After that no one dared to ask him any question."
- How can the Messiah be David's son when David himself calls the Messiah Lord?
- Beware of the scribes! Don't be impressed with their appearance.
- Look to the example of the poor widow, who gives everything she has.
1-13 Prophecies
- Destruction of the Temple
- Persecution of Disciples
- You will be beaten, handed over to authorities
- The Holy Spirit will guide your speech
- Family members will betray one another
- You will be hated
- The one who endures to the end will be saved
- When desolating sacrilege appears, flee to the mountains
- Suffering that has not been seen since creation
- Do not listen to the false prophets
- In those days, the coming of the Son of Man
- As the fig tree signals summer, so these things will signal His coming -- and it will happen in this generation
- But you can't know the exact day or hour -- so watch!
- If reading this account in Mark by itself, it could appear this applies to the same period of time -- the Destruction of Jerusalem. But other accounts, particularly Matthew, indicate that they could see the first coming, but the second -- the end of the world -- would offer no warning.
1-2 Plot to Kill Jesus
- Two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread
- Chief priests and scribes want to arrest Jesus, but hesitate to do it during the festival
- In the house of Simon the leper
- Woman comes in and breaks a jar of nard and pours ointment on Jesus' head
- Some are angry, claiming it's a waste, but Jesus defends her:
- She has performed a good service
- You'll always have the poor around you, but I won't be here much longer
- She has done what she could; she has anointed my body for burial
- What she has done will always be remembered
12-25 Passover and Institution of Lord's Supper
- Jesus sends disciples into Jerusalem to prepare for Passover. He tells them exactly what they will find there.
- As he eats with the Twelve, he prophesies that one of them will betray him, and "Woe to that one...."
- Jesus blesses the loaf and the cup: "This is my body...This is my blood."
- Jesus would not drink of it again until he drinks it "new in the kingdom of God." I'm not sure whether this refers to the church, or the kingdom of God in heaven.
- You will all desert me.
- Peter: Maybe everyone else, but not me.
- Jesus: Oh yes you will, Peter -- 3 times -- before the rooster crows twice
- Peter: Never! And the others make the same promise.
- In Gethsemane, leaves other disciples and goes off with Peter, James, and John
- Going a little further, he tells them to stay and stay awake because he is "deeply grieved, even to death."
- Prays that God will "remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want."
- Returns three times to find the three sleeping: This is not the time to sleep; it's the time to pray, to strengthen your spirit. After the third time: The hour has come.
- Judas arrives with a crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests, scribes and elders. The leaders are not with Judas -- they have sent others to do their dirty work.
- Judas kisses Jesus, and the crowd arrests him.
- One of those cuts off the ear of the slave of the high priest. The fact that this is Peter is not mentioned here, nor the fact that Jesus restores the slave's ear.
- True to Jesus' prophecy, They all desert him and flee. Had they prayed and not slept, would the desertion have been prevented?
- 51 - Curious incident of the one who flees naked, because they try to catch him and come up with nothing but the linen cloth he is wearing. I guess this demonstrates that they would have arrested all of Jesus' disciples if they had not run away.
- Crowd takes Jesus to high priest, chief priest, elders and scribes. They have gathered together in anticipation of this "trial." The Passover had been eaten in the evening, Jesus had been a long time in prayer, so this was a night trial -- under the cover of darkness.
- They look for testimony to put him to death, but find none -- the false witnesses can't seem to agree.
- Jesus gives no defense, does not even speak until the high priest directly asks him if he is the Messiah.
- He answers: "I am; and 'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,' and 'coming with the clouds of heaven.'"
- High priest: we need no more evidence.
- They condemn him to death, spit on him, blindfold him, and strike him, saying to him, "Prophesy!"
- The guards also beat him.
- Accused by servant-girl of the high priest of being with Jesus; he denies it.
- The cock crows.
- Accused by her again in public, he denies it again.
- Accused by those who hear her, he denies it with a curse and an oath.
- The cock crows again.
- Peter remembers Jesus' prophesy, breaks down and weeps.
1-15 Jesus before Pilate
- The morning after the mock trial, the Jewish leaders hand Jesus over to Pilate
- Pilate questions him, but he doesn't answer
- According to custom, Pilate will release a prisoner
- Pilate knows they have handed Jesus over to him out of jealousy, but the crowd, stirred up by the chief priests, demands the release of Barabbas instead
- Wishing to satisfy them, Pilate has Jesus flogged and hands him over to the crowd for crucifixion
- Soldiers call the whole cohort together, clothe Jesus in a purple robe, crown him with thorns, and mock him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
- Then they strip him of the cloak, put his own clothes on him and lead him out for crucifixion
- They compel Simon of Cyrene (father of Alexander and Rufus) to carry his cross to Golgotha
- They offer Jesus wine, which he refuses, then at 9:00 in the morning, crucify him, dividing his clothes among them. The charge against him: "King of the Jews."
- They also crucify two bandits, on either side of him.
- Passersby, chief priests, scribes, and those crucified with him deride, mock, and taunt him
33-41 His Death
- Noon -- darkness over the land for three hours
- 3:00 -- Jesus cries out, "Eloi, Eloi...." and some think he's calling for Elijah to take him down off the cross
- Someone offers him sour wine, still mocking him. I wonder how this person feels later when he learns that while neither God nor Elijah rescues Jesus from the cross, He walks out of the tomb the third day.
- He gives a loud cry and breathes his last.
- The curtain of the temple tears from top to bottom
- Centurion, on seeing the way Jesus breathes his last, exclaims, "Truly this was God's Son!"
- From a distance, Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joses, and Salome, look on. On Sunday morning, these same three women discover the empty tomb.
- In the evening -- the day before Sabbath
- Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin council, boldly goes to Pilate and asks for the body.
- He takes the body down from the cross, wraps it in a linen cloth, and lays it in a tomb hewn from a rock. Even in this simple narrative, you see the care with which Joseph Arimathea handles the body of his lord.
- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary see where the body is laid.
1-8 Resurrection of Jesus (Early Sunday morning)
- When the sabbath is over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of James, and Salome buy spices for anointing
- Early on first day of the week, after sunrise, they approach the tomb, wondering who will roll away the stone for them, but when they look up, they see it has already been rolled away
- Inside the tomb, a "young man, dressed in a white robe," tells them Jesus has been raised, and to go tell his disciples and Peter that he will meet you in Galilee
- The women flee from the tomb, "for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." In John's account (20:2), Mary Magdalene runs to Peter and John and tells them that the body is gone, and she doesn't know where it is. It looks like Mary Magdalene went on her own to tell only Peter and John, perhaps thinking they needed to see this for themselves. It also looks like she either didn't believe what the angel said, or she thought Peter and John wouldn't believe it.
- Now Mary sees him alive, but when she tells other disciples, they don't believe her
- Two other disciples see him (in another form!) but disciples don't believe them either. (Are these the two he walked with on the road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-35?)
- He appears to the eleven and scolds them for not believing the other witnesses
- (Even though you didn't have faith before), I'm sending you into the whole world to proclaim the good news
- Belief and baptism results in salvation; non-belief results in condemnation
- Those who believe will be accompanied by wondrous signs
- After he spoke with them, he was taken up into heaven to sit at the right hand of God
- The disciples go out, like he told them to. Their word is confirmed by the signs.
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