mark chapter 4

Tuesday AM Bible Study Prayer

In the quiet of this morning we pause to thank you for your presence with us today, God, for the comfort of being held so securely in your love. Thank you for this day—may we experience it with expectation and faith and with a heart wide open to joy and beauty and appreciation.

We’re grateful for the gift of each other, Lord, for our families and for all whom we’re privileged to love. Heighten our awareness of the needs of others, and especially those whom we lift up to you today. May they be comforted and strengthened, and if we might be your outreaching hand to them, Lord, show us how.

We ask your blessings upon each of us. Look beneath our surface, God, and minister to our needs and concerns and hopes. Clear our minds and open our eyes so we can receive and see your love and meaning for our lives. Bless our study and our friendship and our laughter, and help us to leave with a deeper understanding of you and of your will for our lives.

We gratefully ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

SChapter 4, Mark’s Gospel From ScratchGood Samaritan UMC - Tuesday Morning Bible

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Overview of Our Journey

First Half of Jesus’ Ministry

Chap 1: The Genius of Mark the Evangelist: Intro to Mark’s Gospel

Chap 2: The Beginning of the Gospel: Mark 1:1-3:35

Chap 3: Jesus the Wonder Worker: Mark 4:1-7:37

Second Half of Jesus’ Ministry

Chap 4: Jesus the Prophet: Mark 8:1-10:52

Chap 5: The End of Jesus’ Public Ministry: Mark 11:1-14:72

Chap 6: The End of the Gospel: Mark 15:1-16:8

Overview of Our Journey

In the first half of Mark’s Gospel Jesus is portrayed as a person powerful in WORD and DEED.

An example of the power of his WORDS is seen in the calling of his disciples. They did not hesitate to drop what they were doing and follow him.

Examples of his powerful DEEDs are seen in the miracles he performed – silencing demons and opponents, healing the blind and paralyzed, and cleansing lepers.

Mark Session 4 - Jesus the ProphetScripture Focus is: Mark 8:1-10:52

Todays sessions includes information about:

Jesus Healing the Blind Man

Exploring the Identity of Jesus as Messiah

Interpreting the Transfiguration

Comparing Jesus’ 3 Passion Predictions

Thinking about Discipleship

Healing of Deaf ManMark 7:31-37 (From Last

Week)

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Miracle of Healing Blind Man

Mark 8:22-26

They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?” And the man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Then he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.”


Mark 8:22-26

Do you notice

anything unusual

about this story?


Mark 8:22-26

This narrative is at the transition point between the 1st and 2nd half of Mark

There are similarities between the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida and the deaf-mute in the previous chapter.

Both miracles are performed in private.

Both involve Jesus using “spit” and laying on of hands.

Both healed persons are charged to secrecy


Mark 8:22-26 Both incidents represent “double healings.” Former

incident involved 2 ailments (deaf & speech impediment) while the latter involves 2 attempts at healing deafness.

Prior to this healing Jesus’ power has been unfailing.

Only in this healing does Jesus have to try a second time in order to achieve complete success. Was this a failure on Jesus’ part or was it intentional?

Look closely at the importance of Jesus’ touching: “took him by the hand,” “laid his hands on him,” “laid his hands on his eyes.”


Mark 8:22-26

Even though there are clear parallels between both healings

There are Unique Differences.

This healing narrative is not included in Matthew and Luke.

WHY is it not in Matthew and Luke?(Did those writers see 2 attempts to succeed as a

flaw?

Why was it importantfor Mark to include in his gospel?


Mark 8:22-26

Up to this point Jesus has been portrayed as a powerful wonder worker.

He’s already performed 10 healings and 4 nature miracles.

Even demonstrated his power over spiritual forces


Mark 8:22-26

This double healing of the blind men is showcased as the FINAL miracle of the first ½ of the Gospel of Mark and the FIRST miracle of the last ½ of the Gospel of Mark.

Something motivated Mark to place this miracle story in this climatic position in the Gospel.

Exploring the Identityof Jesus as Messiah

The authors of our book believeMark used a very significant

Editorial Pattern in sharing with us information

about events in the last days of Jesus’ life.

They believe that What Jesus Did and

How Jesus Did What He Did was

Not Accidental But very INTENTIONAL!


So keep this in mind as webegin to look at and talk about

events that lead us through to the last days of Jesus’ Life.

Let’s see if we can discover a new perspective

and agree/disagree with the INTENTIONAL things that

that our authors believe Jesus did.


Mark 8:27-30: Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he (Jesus) sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Caesarea Philippi

Galilee

Jerusalem

Dead Sea

Jordan River

Sea of Galilee

Bethsaida


Jesus engages his disciples in a very significant conversation as they travel to Caesarea Philippi.

As they travel, Jesus asks the disciples the most important question he’s asked since asking them to follow him:

Who do people say that I am?

Exploring the Identityof Jesus as Messiahs

The disciples answer:

John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets.

Why do you think Jesus is asking the Disciples this question?

Exploring the Identityof Jesus as Messiahs

Then Jesus asks them:

Who do YOU say that I am?


Peter responds: You are the Messiah. Messiah (Hebrew) Christos (Greek)

This declaration by Peter is the first reference of the term “Christ” since Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Peter’s declaration represents a significant turning point in the story.

It also represents a change in the disciples.


Up to this point the disciples have been privy to Jesus’ teachings and what they have witnessed of his miraculous deeds – but, they have lacked understanding.

Although Jesus’ miraculous deeds and powerful words have made him popular, they have not revealed his true identity to the multitudes that follow him.

The Disciples however are different. They have seen and heard all he’s done. But now with

Peter’s declaration you have the impression the Disciples are beginning to understand

who Jesus is. OR ARE THEY?

Jesus’ Death

As you can already see in today’s lesson this second half of Mark portrays Jesus differently than the first half.

It is dominated by the final week of Jesus’ life – which leads to and includes the death of Jesus in Jerusalem.

The conversation about his death began on the road to Caesarea Philippi even before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.

It’s like Mark is sharing how Jesus was preparing the disciples and us as readers for what is to come.


The Transfiguration Jesus takes Peter, James & John high on a

mountain. Jesus’ clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Jesus The climax is their hearing the voice of God saying

“This is my Beloved; listen to him!” (Mk 9:7) Even in this dialogue though we have evidence

that Peter, James, & John “still don’t get it.” They question Jesus about “what this rising from the dead mean?”

Transfiguration View Point

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Well, it means that mountain top experiences are necessary – we all need time to get away, to commune with God, to draw closer to the teaching of Jesus, and to be filled with the Spirit; But, we can’t stay on the mountain top;

If we only inhale, we will explode. If we only exhale, we will be exhausted.

If we only commune with God, we will become ‘spiritually bloated’; if we only exhale, we will become‘spiritually depleted.’”

Jesus’ Death

Remember earlier my saying Mark used a very significant

Editorial Pattern in sharing with us informationabout events in the last days of Jesus’ life.

There are 3 occasions when Jesus speaks about what is going to happen to him (A passion prediction is made)

Prior to each prediction Jesus has a significant encounter with his disciples (or other individuals.)

After each prediction, Jesus teaches something about the meaning of discipleshipA Prediction - An Encounter - A Teaching

Jesus’ Death

It is important to note Marks editorial pattern.

A passion prediction (8:31)

Followed by an Encounter showing the disciples’ misunderstanding of what Jesus predicts (8:32-33)

Followed by a teaching on discipleship (8:34-9:1)

A Prediction - An Encounter - A Teaching

Passion Prediction

Passion Prediction 1

Mark 8:31: Jesus predicts his own death. “Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

This preview passage of what is to come is for-shadowed in the plot of the Pharisees and the Herodians to destroy Jesus. In this 8:31 scripture Jesus declares exactly what is to happen to him.

Encounter With Jesus

Encounter Showing Misunderstanding 1

Peter rebukes Jesus in 8:32 “ He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” To which Jesus replies: 8:32 “But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Discipleship

Discipleship Teaching 1

After Jesus rebukes Peter, he begins to teach them about discipleship.

Disciples will:

“Deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (8:34b)

Only those who “lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” (8:35b)

Passion Prediction


Another incidence of Jesus predicting his death comes in (Mk 9:31)

“for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘he Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’” (9:31)



This second reference to his death also falls on deaf ears. In fact, the disciples are busy disputing which of them is the greatest or best disciple.

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. (9:33-34)

Discipleship


Jesus uses this opportunity to speak about discipleship a second time say:

In order to be first, Jesus explains, one must be last of all and servant of all” (9:35)

Passion Prediction


As they near Jerusalem, Jesus takes the 12 aside again in order to tell them what is going to happen to him soon. (10:32)

This is the longest and most explicit prediction:

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; 34 they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.” (10:33-34)



This is like the exact outline of what will happen to him. Jesus could not be more specific. But the request of James and John clearly indicate they still don’t get it.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” (10:35-37)

Discipleship


Jesus’ responds in teaching them again. “You do not know what you are asking. (10:38a)

“Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” (10:43b-44)

I have come not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (10:45)

Thinking About Discipleship


The Disciples who see Jesus as the Christ still misunderstand the nature of his messiahship. They cannot grasp the idea that the Messiah must suffer and die. Our writer suggests this is why the double healing of the Blind man precedes Peter’s confession.

With Peter’s confession Peter and the other disciples are beginning to see who Jesus truly is. Mark sees this as a metaphor in that the disciples are like the blind man after Jesus touches him for the first time: they can see, but their vision is still clouded. Like the blind man, Peter and the disciples require a “second touch” before they can perceive everything clearly…


There is a close connection between “Who Christ is” and “What it means to be a Disciple.”

Our author believes: “one must know who Jesus is and where he is going, because Jesus commands his Disciples, “Follow me.”

When Jesus redefines Messiahship” to include suffering,

To follow Jesus is to follow him into suffering (10:29-30)


How would you summarize what Jesus taught his followers about Discipleship?

What questions do you have about what Jesus requires of those who would follow him?

To what extent are Jesus’ expectations of his followers realistic or unrealistic in the 21st Century.

What are some other teachings of Jesus in Mark or the other Gospels that also describe what is expected of Jesus’ followers?

If you were to attempt to live according to what Jesus expects of his followers, which of his teachings would be the most challenging or difficult for you?

mark chapter 4

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