Mark 1:16 - 2:12

philologos

[URL="`http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056420086"]In the last study[/URL] we saw that Mark describes Jesus as being the expected Messiah and the one who fulfilled Messianic prophesy. John made the way for Jesus as God on earth, Jesus fulfilled the prophesy that He would be a Davidic King and that all authority would be given to Him. We saw that Jesus mentioned that the Kingdom of God was at hand and that people should repent and believe in the Gospel. But we don't know much yet from what we read as to what God's Kingdom is.

In continuation in our study of Mark I want us to think this week on the subject of God's Kingdom. What is it? How can it be important to our lives? More importantly what does this section of Mark tell us about God's Kingdom. I've divided this weeks passage up into sections so we can think about what this Kingdom and what this Gospel could be.

I welcome skeptics, atheists and agnostics to study alongside us, but please remember that these studies are in the context of what we can learn as Christians from the Bible. All arguments about God's existence can be taken to the debate thread.

I would encourage you to pray based on what we found out last week, and to thank Jesus for that. I would also encourage you to pray before reading God's word as the Holy Spirit is the one who brings that word to understanding and helps that word to dwell in your very being. Be thinking about how you can apply this passage to your life.

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many

29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Chapter 2
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Questions to guide the discussion:

Verses 16 - 20
1. What does Jesus mean when He says that He will make Simon and Andrew "fishers of men"?
2. Does this have any significance for Christian living today?
3. (v.18, 20) What is interesting about the reaction of Simon, Andrew, James and John to the call of Jesus?
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

Verses 21 - 28
4. Why were the people in the synagogue astonished at Jesus' teaching? (v.22)
6. What do you think it means to have an "unclean spirit"? (v.23)
7. Why did Jesus rebuke this man and tell him to be silent? (v.25)
8. How does Jesus casting out demons in v.27 tell us about how His teaching differed to the scribes in verse 22?
9. Why do you think Jesus' fame spread across Galilee?
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

Verses 29 - 34
10. What do we learn about Jesus' character in verse 30?
11. What is interesting about what Simon's mother-in-law did after she was healed by Jesus?
12. Why doesn't Jesus allow the demons to speak?
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

Verses 35 - 39
13. What does Jesus praying tell us about Him?
14. What can we learn from Him as Christians?
15. In verse 37 why does Simon look for Jesus?
16. What does verse 38 tell us about why Jesus came?
17. Why did Jesus go so far across Galilee?
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

Verses 40 - 45
18. What does verse 40 tell us about the leper?
19. What does verse 41 tell us about Jesus?
20. What do v.43 and v.45 tell us about why Jesus told people not to speak about Him?
21. Why does Jesus tell the leper to show himself to the priest? (see Leviticus 14)
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

Verses 2:1 - 12
22. What does v.2 tell us of the impact of Jesus' preaching?
23. What does Jesus tell us about Himself when He says "Your sins are forgiven" in verse 5?
24. Why do the Pharisees call this blasphemous? Is this a fair objection?
25. Why do you think Jesus asks which is easier "Your sins are forgiven" or get up and walk? Which do you think is more difficult? Is there are a paradox in this question?
26. What does Jesus calling Himself the Son of Man tell us about Him? (see Daniel 7:13-28)
27. Why do you think they call glorified God, because Jesus made the man get up and walk or because He forgave His sins?
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

philologos

Just to bump this to the front page as I think that this would be a really good passage for us to get into.

prinz

philologos wrote: »

Questions to guide the discussion:

I'll just lash in a concise answer for each to get the ball rolling..

philologos wrote: »

Verses 16 - 20
1. What does Jesus mean when He says that He will make Simon and Andrew "fishers of men"?

Setting them up for a time when Jesus cannot attract the crowd to himself but will depend on people like Simon and Andrew to do the missionary work and spread His message.

philologos wrote: »

2. Does this have any significance for Christian living today?

Christians today should be living a life as an example to others, not necessarily preaching and missionary work, but living every day in a way that will attract others. I'm reminded of the saying 'never frown because you never know who is falling in love with your smile'.. I'd say a similar warning for Christians would be 'never be unchristian because you never know who is on the verge of approaching you to discuss Christianity rather than the other way around'. Easier said than done as the next section points to..

philologos wrote: »

3. (v.18, 20) What is interesting about the reaction of Simon, Andrew, James and John to the call of Jesus?

Unhesitant commitment. Not an easy thing to do. Perhaps not even humanly possible. Sounds like something akin to a Jedi mind trick went on, and I don't think others except Jesus have (or possibly even should have) the power to make others follow so unquestioningly.

philologos wrote: »

What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

That our job is to live life in such a way as to make our socities as near to God's Kingdom as we humanly can.

philologos wrote: »

Verses 21 - 28
4. Why were the people in the synagogue astonished at Jesus' teaching? (v.22)

An uneducated man from the sticks was having a greater impact on them than the learned and well-to-do self-appointed authorities. He was upsetting the old-order.

philologos wrote: »

6. What do you think it means to have an "unclean spirit"? (v.23)

Good question. Could represent any number of things; doubt, fear, vanity, self-obsession,..

philologos wrote: »

7. Why did Jesus rebuke this man and tell him to be silent? (v.25)

To shut him up before it spread.

philologos wrote: »

8. How does Jesus casting out demons in v.27 tell us about how His teaching differed to the scribes in verse 22?

He had the power to back it up.

philologos wrote: »

9. Why do you think Jesus' fame spread across Galilee?

The people were ready for a change.

philologos wrote: »

What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

That we shouldn't succumb to doubts and fears preventing us from trying to attain it.

kelly1

That's a lot of questions to discuss!! :eek:

prinz

Verses 29 - 34
10. What do we learn about Jesus' character in verse 30?

He was open to approaches from those who followed and didn't put Himself in a position above the ordinary folk.

11. What is interesting about what Simon's mother-in-law did after she was healed by Jesus?

She served them. She didn't go out celebrating or even praising or spreading the word. She resumed what one would expect to have been part of her usual duties (serving family and guests) with humility without making a huge deal out of it.

12. Why doesn't Jesus allow the demons to speak?

..because there were so many people watching and listening. He didn't want the fear, doubts and uncertainty to spread.

What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom??

That humility and silent servitude is a better way to demonstrate our faith in it than showy displays of piety, or wonderous miracles or scaremongering.

Verses 35 - 39
13. What does Jesus praying tell us about Him?

He too had humility (praying to the Father), but also the need for prayer and reflection despite being Himself, the Son.

14. What can we learn from Him as Christians?

The importance of prayer.

15. In verse 37 why does Simon look for Jesus?

..because people are looking for Him.

16. What does verse 38 tell us about why Jesus came?17. Why did Jesus go so far across Galilee?

To spread the good news.

What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

That even if we achieve something approaching it, it's still God's.

prinz

Verses 40 - 45

18. What does verse 40 tell us about the leper?

Complete faith and willingness to submit.

19. What does verse 41 tell us about Jesus?

That He will respond to people who come to Him in good faith.

20. What do v.43 and v.45 tell us about why Jesus told people not to speak about Him?

He wanted to be seen as more than a magic healer. The message itself was as important, if not moreso, than healing individuals.

21. Why does Jesus tell the leper to show himself to the priest? (see Leviticus 14)?

To fulfill the laws.

What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

We may be healed of many things but it depends on our approach to God, not the other way around.

Verses 2:1 - 12
22. What does v.2 tell us of the impact of Jesus' preaching?

It was well received by those that heard. Once again He is preaching 'the word' as opposed to curing lepers.

23. What does Jesus tell us about Himself when He says "Your sins are forgiven" in verse 5?

He responded to their faith in Him. He also had the power to forgive sins from God.

24. Why do the Pharisees call this blasphemous? Is this a fair objection?

They see Jesus as challenging the position and divine authority. Fair objection if you believe Jesus to be a spoofer.

25. Why do you think Jesus asks which is easier "Your sins are forgiven" or get up and walk? Which do you think is more difficult? Is there are a paradox in this question?

Humans don't have the power to command the sick to be well, or the paralysed to walk. However we do have it in our power to forgive the sins we perceive in those around us. It's easier for us to forgive sins and that IMO is what Jesus wanted us to do. Commanding the man to get up and walk would have been just as easy for Jesus to do, but for us would be a meaningless gesture, however forgiving sins is something within our power, although at times extremely difficult if not near impossible.

26. What does Jesus calling Himself the Son of Man tell us about Him? (see Daniel 7:13-28)

He wanted to share his humanity with us, to show what could be done rather than cling to His divine nature and present an example that would not be achievable.

27. Why do you think they call glorified God, because Jesus made the man get up and walk or because He forgave His sins?

Both.

What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

You don't have to be divine to start to heal others, and ourselves.

lmaopml

philologos wrote: »

Questions to guide the discussion:

Verses 16 - 20
1. What does Jesus mean when He says that He will make Simon and Andrew "fishers of men"?
2. Does this have any significance for Christian living today?
3. (v.18, 20) What is interesting about the reaction of Simon, Andrew, James and John to the call of Jesus?
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

1. That he, Jesus, would give authority to Simon and Andrew to proclaim the salvation of man, that the Kingdom of God was close - The ministry was beginning.

2. Certainly, it's a Christians loving duty to, firstly - love their neighbour, and secondly in loving to allow people the opportunity to know Jesus, and to be fishers of men, whether by word of mouth or deed, whatever works.

3. I think it's a reaction that isn't an 'ordinary' one - I think it emphasises the 'authority' that Jesus must have held in his earthly ministry, from the very onset - it's not of this world it's got 'power' and authority, it's of God. Their reaction is immediate, and is put this way to illustrate that they bowed to 'his' will and his calling, (almost as if they 'knew' him ) and to let the reader understand that Jesus was not just an 'ordinary' person...

Verses 21 - 28
4. Why were the people in the synagogue astonished at Jesus' teaching? (v.22)
6. What do you think it means to have an "unclean spirit"? (v.23)
7. Why did Jesus rebuke this man and tell him to be silent? (v.25)
8. How does Jesus casting out demons in v.27 tell us about how His teaching differed to the scribes in verse 22?
9. Why do you think Jesus' fame spread across Galilee?
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

4. Because he didn't speak like the other scribes - he spoke with authority as opposed to merely power, and he spoke truth. They understood this 'truth' and that this Jesus was very new and very very different..

6. I think it can mean many things. Perhaps a persons spirit, their driving force, their internal god as such is pride, envy, greed, laziness, lust or any number of vices...

7. He recognised the spirit within him, and it recognised Jesus, and in fear of Jesus he 'taunted' him - but Jesus knew exactly who the mans spirit was driven by and it posed no threat to Jesus authority and ministry..he cured the first heart that day - and obviously the surrounding crowd saw the change and where astonished...

8. The Scribes didn't understand the congregation - Jesus did.

9. I think his fame spread simply because he spoke to the people with authority and truth, also the signs and wonders - people talk about those things - but mostly his 'presense' dominates the scene, his words, and the very radical and different ministry that must have come as quite a talking point...

Verses 29 - 34
10. What do we learn about Jesus' character in verse 30?
11. What is interesting about what Simon's mother-in-law did after she was healed by Jesus?
12. Why doesn't Jesus allow the demons to speak?
What does this section tell us about God's Kingdom?

10. That his mere touch can heal and bring about tremendous respect, gratitude and humility..

11. Hmm, I think she wanted to show her gratitude, and honour this person by playing host and letting him know that he was welcome in her home.

12. Perhaps if somebody is driven by the spirit of pride or greed or envy etc. than Jesus protected his ministry of truth by silencing, outwitting and indeed gagging those angry spirits who sought to destruct the arrival of the Kingdom of God.


Ok, that was a LOT of questions Phil in the op, but it's good - I think I'll come back to the rest tomorrow...rather than just type up an answer...

I do like how the ultimate question is how this relates to the kingdom of God. This could be interesting, but could fill a novel!... It's just the beginning of what could be a really good thread - well done!

philologos

Just to say you don't have to answer all the questions. They are only there as guidance. I felt that if I didn't provide them that certain areas of the passage would be missed. It is fine if you don't want to answer them all, just be thinking of them while you're reading. In fact it might be useful for you not to feel you have to answer them and probe into them as the discussion goes along.

I found when I was reading through Mark on my own that I often missed very significant parts of the passage, but while I've been getting through it with my small group at church more and more has become apparent.

For example. Jesus asking which is more difficult, get up and walk or to say that your sins are forgiven?

Ordering someone to get up and walk would certainly be more difficult for the Pharisees or for most people with a materialistic mindset. Sometimes I fall into thinking that it is more difficult. However, it seems that it is a paradox, forgiving sins is clearly more difficult, yet it is not easily observable and as a result not easy to demonstrate.

As they rightfully say, a man cannot forgive sins. What does this mean about Jesus for Christians as a result? It seems that He must be more than man. Indeed, what many people don't realise is that the phrase "The Son of Man" is actually a Messianic term. In Daniel 7:13-14 it says the following:

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.

The Son of Man which Jesus has identified with in Mark's Gospel was to be given dominion over all peoples, nations and languages, indeed to be given an everlasting dominion. God's Kingdom. The passage that we looked at last time (Psalm 2) gives much the same feel when Jesus is likened to the Davidic King that was to come. The King would be given all authority (7-9). Understanding this is key to understanding why Jesus has the authority to forgive sins in Mark 2:5 or that Jesus spoke with authority in a way that the scribes didn't (1:22) or in the way that His teaching was substantiated later in the passage (1:27).


So, in a nutshell, if we are thinking about God's Kingdom Mark has given us several clues about it. Anyone including lepers are allowed in it. In fact the only thing that will deny you from it is if you reject His Kingdom, authority and dominion as so many do in society. One couldn't call His Kingdom exclusive, in fact it is the most inclusive Kingdom known to man in comparison to most earthly kingdoms.

If Jesus was just a man, yes the Pharisees would be right to call Him blasphemous and if I didn't know otherwise I would too. What they misunderstand is Jesus' great authority, His Kingdom.

Edit: Also, you are welcome to look over the previous section that we have studied and continue posting there. It shouldn't be seen that just because another thread has been created that the other section just stops.

lmaopml

philologos wrote: »

Just to say you don't have to answer all the questions. They are only there as guidance. I felt that if I didn't provide them that certain areas of the passage would be missed. It is fine if you don't want to answer them all, just be thinking of them while you're reading. In fact it might be useful for you not to feel you have to answer them and probe into them as the discussion goes along.

Phil I think they are useful as a guidance too....they're useful to start off the study and discussion...

I found when I was reading through Mark on my own that I often missed very significant parts of the passage, but while I've been getting through it with my small group at church more and more has become apparent.

This happens to me a lot - I read through and realise the significance of a word or phrase and go off on a tangent to establish where I heard it before.....eg. 'The son of Man' - Indeed it's used in 'Revelation' too, and is how we actually recognise the image of the person as Jesus..

For example. Jesus asking which is more difficult, get up and walk or to say that your sins are forgiven?

Ordering someone to get up and walk would certainly be more difficult for the Pharisees or for most people with a materialistic mindset. Sometimes I fall into thinking that it is more difficult. However, it seems that it is a paradox, forgiving sins is clearly more difficult, yet it is not easily observable and as a result not easy to demonstrate.

Very true.

As they rightfully say, a man cannot forgive sins. What does this mean about Jesus for Christians as a result?

Yes, I think all Christians would be in agreement that it is God that forgives the sins and sanctifies the souls of the repentant. I guess, it's easier for us today in hindsight as Christians to understand that Jesus, by forgiving sins was ultimately saying exactly who he was. It must have been more difficult 2000 years ago for the first to hear his words to understand exactly what he was saying, ie that he was the Messiah - The Scribes must have known, hence they judged and accused him...

So, in a nutshell, if we are thinking about God's Kingdom Mark has given us several clues about it. Anyone including lepers are allowed in it. In fact the only thing that will deny you from it is if you reject His Kingdom, authority and dominion as so many do in society. One couldn't call His Kingdom exclusive, in fact it is the most inclusive Kingdom known to man in comparison to most earthly kingdoms.

If Jesus was just a man, yes the Pharisees would be right to call Him blasphemous and if I didn't know otherwise I would too. What they misunderstand is Jesus' great authority, His Kingdom.

Indeed - everybody has the opportunity to seek the Kingdom of God..The greatest and the least, all are welcome to seek it....There is a part, not sure which part of Scripture where Jesus gives praise to the Father for his wisdom in choosing the least of those among the crowd. Indeed, Jesus himself was a carpenter by trade...lol...

Cheers Phil. I hope more get involved in this.......I'll find it useful alongside my own reading. I agree with you that it is important to pray before and after reading too. It's amazing the 'layers' of understanding that are present in Scripture and in re-reading the same passage how they become more apparent, once we become more familiar with Scripture as a whole. It's beautiful really....