Gospel of Mark beginning with Lessons 95
Lesson 95 continued
Lesson 95 continued
Some people brought a blind man who lived outside the town (v 26) to Jesus. Where were all the others who need healing? Did the local gossip turn them against Jesus? Were they more comfortable to remain in their sick condition than to come to the Healer? That seems improbable, but this blind man was the only one that was brought to Jesus in Bethsaida. (vs 23)
Jesus took the blind man by the hand to guide him out of the town. Did you know the Lord holds your hand? Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Jesus left Bethsaida--but they had left Him before this. The city had failed to repent and they had rejected Jesus as Messiah. The town's time for receiving signs as to Jesus being the Messiah was finished, as later is Jerusalem's.
Lk 19:41-44 And when he was come near, he beheld the city(Jerusalem), and wept over it, 42Saying, If thou had known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
In other words, their time for getting to see miracles and receive the goodness of God through Jesus was over. (Rom 2:4-5 Or despise thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance? 5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasures up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6Who will render to every man according to his deeds…)
The goodness, the grace that a person experiences, whether he is saved or unsaved, is a part of God's way of bringing him to repentance over sin. If a person's heart is tender toward the Lord, he will recognize how good God has been to him, and repent of his wrongdoing. If he doesn't repent in light of the repeated goodness of God, then the disobedient is sent correction, with the intention that sorrow may bring him to repentance. 2Cor 7:8-10 I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation(deliverance) not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.
If the person will still not repent and humble himself before the Lord, then rebuke comes. If that doesn't work, an even more severe consequence is administered to the disobedient, (Heb 12:5-14), with the intention of bringing the person to repentance, thereby drawing the person back into fellowship and blessing.
Don't you see how patient the Lord is with each sinner to bring every person to Christ?
Jesus led the blind man out of the town. Instead of commanding one of the disciples to do this, Jesus takes the position as friend/servant to this blind man. This shows the humility of Jesus and His compassion for this man. Think what the blind man must have felt, to know the Healer and Prophet of Israel was leading him.
Ask the Lord to show you how to be more compassionate. Even though Jesus is touching the man, the blind man was still blind at this point. Touch is not the crucial part in the healing. What is?
Why didn't Jesus perform the miracle inside the town of Bethsaida?
When you're going to do a work of faith, don't surround yourself with doubters or unbelievers.
Principle: Surround yourself with others who have strong faith as you do. Here's an example of that:
One time, a group of ministers was planning a large, week-long camp meeting in a rural area. Their water well was not big enough to supply the needs for the projected attendance, so the leaders had another well drilled. They hit a good supply of water and were able to begin the meeting, but soon a rock got sucked into the pipe, 276 feet down and the water supply stopped. Two days of hard work to clear the pipe had not helped. The well-digging company was going to have to be called back to take up the pipe, clear it and re-sink it, which would cost a tremendous amount. The main speaker of the meeting was told the problem and was asked to pray for God to remove the rock. The speaker told everyone to form a circle around the clogged well, so they could agree and be united in prayer. "If there is anyone in this circle who doesn't believe that God is going to get that rock out of there, GET OUT OF THE CIRCLE." 95% left. Only seven remained.
The speaker prayed, "God, this is Your money. You can spend it to have the pipe taken up and put down again, or You can use it to win souls to Jesus Christ by merely getting the rock out. So I thank You for getting the rock out right now in the name of Jesus." One of the pastors left the circle, went over to the pump and turned it on. You could hear a glug, glug and in a couple of seconds, water came pouring out.
Unbelief is the biggest boulder standing in the way of getting a miracle --or any other answer to prayer.
LESSON 96 MARK 8:23-25
The manner of the miracle:
" When he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly..."
In the traditions of the Jewish rabbis, spittle was considered medicinal. Even in our medicine today, there is scientific evidence to support this. In fact, saliva is one of the world's oldest ointments for both eye and skin conditions.
Many physicians in the ancient world extolled the value of saliva for the healing of lichens, warts, spots, boils and tumors. Scientists from the Netherlands have published reports confirming that saliva is indeed a healing agent. Saliva contains a chemical that aids in the speedy healing of wounds. It is called histatin. (Perhaps this may explain why animals lick their wounds instinctively.) And even though the mouth is full of bacteria, wounds heal much more quickly there, than those in other locations. Saliva has also been discovered to contain many proteins with antibodies that work against infection
Why did Jesus use spit as a medicinal salve and apply it to the blind man's eyes (v 25 "again")? The Holy Spirit told Him to do it. Jesus, acting as Man, dependent on His Father and God (John 20:17), always followed the leadership of His God.
Sometimes God's way of doing things is different from what we would think to do. Remember the story of the fall of the city of Jericho (Joshua 6)? Joshua and his army marched around the city for a week, as God directed, and the walls "came tumblin' down." It didn't make sense in the natural, but it worked, because the children of Israel obeyed the Word of the LORD. There are many similar examples in the Old Testament like the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).
Obedience to what the Lord has said to you is a key to victory in our lives. V 24 "and he looked up..." See how precise the Word of God is! Most blind people look down. This man had to open his eyes and look up to see. Had he kept his eyes closed, he would have seen nothing. As Christians, we need to get in the habit of opening our spiritual eyes and looking up. When things get confused, look up to heaven to clear things up. When something happens that makes you uneasy, look up. "Our help comes from the LORD."(Psalm 121:1) "In the morning I will direct my prayer unto Thee and look up" (Psalm 5:3) . "We look at the things not seen...which are eternal" (2 Cor 4:18). "Seek those things which are above...set your affections on things above..." (Col 3:1-2)
"I see men as trees walking." The blind man could see men and distinguish them from trees by their motions, but it was obvious the man needed a little more help. Did Jesus fail to heal this man at first, or was this healing a two-step process, as seen in the healings accounted in Mk 7:31-37 and John 9:1-41? (If you want to study more, compare these three healings, looking for similarities and differences.)
Jesus never failed in anything He did, because He always followed what the Holy Spirit told Him to do. So here, Jesus is directed to do two things, anoint the blind man's eyes and touch him twice.
God always has a good reason for what He tells us to do. If we go back to verse 18 (Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?), which comes between the two healings previously mentioned, we see that Jesus has questioned the disciples as to why they don't understand what should have been obvious by that point. He's trying to show them why they are not seeing clearly. They need a second touch, like the blind man. They need to concentrate on what He is revealing to them, rather than thinking in natural terms. If they don't receive all that Jesus has told them and shown them, they, like the blind man, will have a distorted vision of the kingdom of God.
Like the disciples, sometimes we see clearly what God is doing and other times our spiritual understanding is clouded by our previous doubts, fears or unbelief. Ask the Lord to reveal and clear up any and all areas where there is a lack of understanding in you.
LESSON 97 - MARK 8:27-33
27And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? 28And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias (Elijah); and others, One of the prophets. 29And he said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answered and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. 30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. 31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for you savor not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Some thought-provoking questions
1. As Jesus walked with His disciples, He asked them a question. This was not a new thing. Jesus had asked them questions at other times. Mk 4:40 " Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" Mk 8:21 "How is it that you do not understand?" Mt 14:31 "Why did you doubt?" John 21:17 "Do you love Me?" What questions has Jesus asked you?
2. Jesus asked the disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?" What were their answers?
b. What have you heard people say about Who Jesus is?
3. When Jesus asked them what they believed, Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ." What did he mean?
b. Whom do you say Jesus is?
POSSIBLE ANSWERS
1. Your answers
2. John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. b. Good Teacher, holy Man, Prophet 3. Peter stated that Jesus was the Messiah, Who would save the people from their sins (Mt 1:21, John 1:41) God the Father revealed that to Peter. Matt 16:17 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona (son of Jonas): for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Peter later came to understand that Jesus was the One of Whom many of the Old Testament prophets had written, under the leadership and anointing of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:25-27,32,44-48) Jesus fulfilled the following Old Testament Bible prophecies plus many others:
• Genesis 3:15 Prophesied that although a descendant of Eve would be wounded by Satan that same descendant would bruise Satan's head, that is, crush and defeat Satan. Fulfilled by Jesus Galatians 4:4-5. Hebrews 2:14-15.
• Genesis 22:18 Prophesied all nations would be blessed through one special descendant or seed of Abraham. Jews and Gentiles alike are blessed when they accept Jesus a descendant of Abraham as their Savior. Matthew 1:1. Galatians 3:16-24.
• Genesis 49:10 Prophesied Shiloh (the Messiah) would come from Judah. Jesus was a descendant of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Luke 3:33
• Psalm 16:10 Prophesied God would not leave his soul in Sheol, nor would God let His Holy one see corruption. Remember Jesus's physical body did not decay. Acts 2:25-32 John 2:19-22
• Psalm 22:1,6-18
Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 while on the cross. Matthew 27:46. Psalm 22:7-8. The chief priest, scribes and elders fulfilled this prophecy when they unwittingly quoted it as they mocked Jesus. Matthew 27:41- 43.
Psalm 22:14. What do you think happened to His bones when the soldiers dropped Jesus's cross into its hole? When the soldier thrust a spear into Jesus' side, blood and water came out indicating Jesus died with a broken heart. Why? John 19:34 Psalm 22:16 prophesied they would pierce His hands and His feet. Speaking of the end times in Zechariah 12:10 Jehovah (the LORD) said that in the future they would look on "ME" the one they had pierced. The hands and feet of Jesus were pierced when he was crucified. John 20:24-29
• Psalm 22:18 prophesied they would divide His garments among themselves. But they would cast lots for His clothing. Fulfilled by soldiers. John 19:23-24
• Psalm 118:22 Prophesied the stone which the builders would reject would be made the chief cornerstone. Acts 4:10-12
• Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 7:14 also predicted the birth of the Messiah. It prophesied that an "almah" or virgin would conceive and give birth to a baby boy who would be called Immanuel. When Jesus was born an "almah" in this case "virgin" conceived and gave birth to a son who was called among other things "Immanuel." Mathew 1:18-25. For a virgin to give birth is a miracle or sign. It is no miracle for a young woman to conceive and give birth, but it is a miracle or sign for a virgin to conceive and give birth. Jesus's virgin birth was the sign or miracle God promised in Isaiah 7:14. The early Jews regarded this prophecy as referring to a virgin and the coming Messiah.
• Isaiah 9:6-7 prophesied a child would be born who would be called among other things, Mighty God, and Everlasting Father, that is, Father of Eternity. This also said He would rule forever over David's throne and kingdom. Fulfilled in Jesus. Matthew 1:1,18-25, John 1:1-3,14, John 5:18, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 20:28
• Isaiah 11:10 Prophesied the Gentiles would seek after a descendant of Jesse, who was King David's father. Fulfillment is seen in the millions of Gentiles who have turned to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation.
• Isaiah 53:1-12 Verses 5,6,11 and 12 tell us He will be punished for our sins and He will bear our sins for us. Fulfilled by Jesus Romans 5:8 I Peter 2:24.
Even though innocent when falsely accused He will not defend himself. Isaiah 53:7. Fulfilled Matthew 27:12-14.
He will be killed. Isaiah 53:8. Fulfilled Matthew 27:50
He will die with the wicked. Isaiah 53:9. Fulfilled Matthew 27:38
But He will be with the rich at his death. Isaiah 53:9. Fulfilled Matthew 27:57-60 He was buried in a rich man's tomb.
Even though He will be cut off from the land of the living He shall see His seed and prolong His days. Isaiah 53:10 Jesus conquered death and physically rose from the tomb alive!
Those who believe in Jesus and follow him are his descendants. Matthew 28:5-6 Galatians 3:26-29
• Jeremiah 23:5 The Messiah will be on King David's lineage. Jesus was legally of David's line through Joseph His guardian, and naturally of David's line through His mother Mary. Mt 1:6,16 (Joseph's ancestors) and Luke 3:23,31 (Mary's ancestors through her father Heli)
• Daniel 9:25-26 prophesied after Jerusalem was rebuilt, the Messiah would be cut off. Then Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed. Jesus was crucified around 33 A.D. and Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed around 70 A.D.
• Micah 5:2 700 years before Jesus' birth, Micah predicted the Ruler of Israel who has always existed would come forth from Bethlehem Ephrathah, specified this way because there were two or three "Bethlehems" in Israel, but only one designated "Ephrathah". Jesus was born in Bethlehem Ephrathah just where the chief priests and scribes told King Herod that the prophesied King of the Jews was to be born after consulting this verse in the book of Micah. Matthew 2:1-6
• Zechariah 9:9 Predicted the King of Jerusalem would come to it having salvation riding on a colt the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Jesus fulfilled this in Matthew 21:1-11
• Zechariah 11:12-13 The princely price they set on the LORD would be thirty pieces of silver. The thirty pieces of silver would be thrown in the house of the LORD for the potter. Zechariah 11:12- 13 This prophecy was fulfilled in Judas the betrayer of Jesus. Matthew 27:3-10
• Malachi 3:1 4:5 - Malachi 3:1 predicted the Lord would send a messenger to prepare the way before him. In Malachi 4:5 God promised to send Elijah before the arrival of the great day of God. John the Baptist fulfilled these prophecies as he prepared the way for Jesus. Mark 1:1-9 Matthew 11:13-14 Many eyewitnesses and later believers were crucified, stoned, beheaded, dragged, or stabbed, while others were torn apart by wild beasts or dogs, still worse some were burned to death. (Book of Martyrs) Isn't it very hard to believe that anyone would be willing to suffer and die like this for something they knew to be a lie? Isn't it much easier and much more logical to believe that what the apostles and the other eyewitnesses wrote in the New Testament was what actually happened - the truth? Yes! Jesus is the promised Messiah or Savior. He did rise from the tomb alive and was seen of many in the gospel accounts and in later letters to the churches. (I Cor 15) and He is coming again! Study these prophecies so you can answer why the Old Testament teaches Jesus is the true Messiah and Savior of the world.
LESSON 98 - Mark 8:29-33
29And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answered and said unto him, Thou art the Christ. 30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. 31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for you savor not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Who knew that Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:14), the Messiah, sent from heaven to be the Savior of the world?
1. Mary, his mother knew. God revealed it to her and to others. (Luke 1)
2.Joseph, the future husband of Mary, knew. (Matthew 1:18-25)
3-4.Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, knew. (Luke 1)
5.The angels that announced the Savior's coming to Earth knew (Luke 2:8-11)
6. Shepherds in the field of Bethlehem on the night of the Messiah Jesus' birth knew. (Luke 2:1-20)
7. Simeon, a godly older man knew the Baby Jesus, eight days old, was the promised Messiah. (Luke 2:25-35)
8. Anna, 84 year old widow, knew. (Luke 3 2:36-38)
9. The wisemen or Magi from Babylon or thereabouts knew, because they came seeking to honor the Child with gifts. (Matthew 2:1-12)
10. King Herod knew and sought to kill the Baby Jesus. (Matthew 2:1-18)
11. Obviously, by this time, Satan knew the world's Messiah had been born and sought to kill Him through Herod's vile efforts, (and many later times), but he failed.
12.John the Baptist knew and had said Jesus was the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29) Who would take away the sins of the world. He also reported that Jesus was the Son of God (Jn 1:34).
13-14.Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ (the Greek word equivalent to Messiah) from the very beginning of Jesus' ministry, because his brother Andrew, a disciple of John's ministry and had told him. (John 1:35-41, Matthew 16:13-20) They both had attended the baptism of Jesus forty plus days before. (Acts 1: 15-26)
15.Philip knew. (John 1:43-45)
16.Nathanael knew. (John 1:45-49)
17-18. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arithmathea knew. (john 3:1-21 + 7:50-51, 19:8-39)
19. Moses and Elijah knew. (Matthew 17)
20. Martha, Lazarus' sister knew (John 11:27)
21. Demons knew the truth about Jesus' identity. (Luke 4:33-34, 4:42, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 8:28-29)
Whom does the Father God say Jesus is? To find out what God the Father revealed about His Son, make a list of all of the names, titles, character traits of the Lord Jesus and a Bible verse that supports each one. For example, Jesus is God (John 1:1, Heb 1:8), Jesus is the Baptizer (John 1:33) and the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29) etc.
You could go back through the lessons you have had in Mark to find the appropriate verses. You are mature enough in the Word to do this, if you have studied these lessons in Mark carefully. Don't rush through this; let it be part of your further growth in the knowledge of the Word. Challenge yourself to do this a little at a time, and to add to it as you learn more about the Lord in your studies. It will be a blessing. In Matt.11:29 Jesus said, "Learn of Me..."
LESSON 99 - Mark 8:29-33
29And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answered and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. 30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. 31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savor not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
1. Jesus commanded His disciples not to publicize that He was the Christ, the Messiah. Why? I thought that's what He came to reveal.
2. If you read Matthew's account of this passage, (Mt 16:21 21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.), it shows that Jesus began to teach His disciples what His future was to be, as His Father revealed it to Him: John 12:49-50
a. He would go to Jerusalem. Most of His ministry had been in the north, around Galilee.
b. He must suffer many things.
c. He revealed who would be responsible for the persecution--the elders, chief priests and scribes--the religious leaders of the nation.
d. Jesus stated He would be killed. As you have read in a previous lesson, prophets like Isaiah (circa 712 BC) and Daniel (circa 600 BC), hundreds of years before this, had prophesied that the Messiah would be cut off.
e. Jesus also told His disciples that He would rise again, specifying that it would happen on the third day after His death.
Why do you think the Father wanted Jesus' disciples to know what was going to happen?
Here are some verses that pertain to this: Sharing with His children...Ps 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Enabling His children to be faithful.....Deut 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Protecting His children...Dan 2:22,28, 29 17Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things... 28... there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 29As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Jesus spoke openly of this prophecy to His disciples, (remember He had lots more than 12 disciples). His followers thought He was going to be King! Why was He talking about being killed? Peter took Him aside and rebuked Jesus for saying such a thing. Matt 16: 22 Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke HIm, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord; this shall not be unto Thee….33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he(Jesus) rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savor not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Why do you think Jesus turned from looking at Peter to looking at the other disciples? I think Jesus was taking a moment to ask His Father for direction. Do I let this pass? Do I straighten Peter out? Some things can be ignored, because they aren't important. Other things must be addressed, because they will affect future behavior and understanding.
This was a crucial time for Peter to realize that his ideas of what the future with Jesus would be were not correct. Jesus wasn't going to set up an earthly kingdom at this time. He wasn't going to be accepted by the Jewish leadership as a king. The glory and rulership of the Messiah, of which Peter knew the Old Testament prophets had spoken, was not going to happen at this time. Jesus knew that, but Peter didn't. So Jesus corrected Peter.
Here were two rebukes: Peter's and Jesus', but only one was deserved. Have you ever mistakenly corrected or even rebuked God in your thinking or words? Have there been times when you thought God was wrong--that He'd made a big mistake? Did you do what you thought was right in your own eyes, but against what God had said? If there have been those times, you need to admit it, humble yourself and repent of rebuking God in your thinking or actions. God is sovereign and omniscient. He knows it all and He is never wrong, not in what He says or in what He does, not in when He intervenes or when He doesn't intervene.
Jesus turns to Peter and addresses him as satan. The word "satan" means adversary, opponent. Jesus explains why He calls Peter adversary. He says Peter doesn't savor (treasure) the things that be of God, but he does treasure the things that be of men. Why would Jesus say that?
Peter was all for being best friend to the next king of Israel, but he didn't like the message of death Jesus was speaking. It didn't set well with him.
Could Jesus truthfully make the same remark about you? Do you savor the things of this world more than the things of God? Are you in agreement with what the Lord has said or are you going against it?
Jesus finished His remarks with this: Mt 16:24-27 24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mk 8:38 38Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mt 16:27 27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
LESSON 100 - Mark 9:1 - The Transfiguration of Christ (Part one)
1And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. 2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. 4And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. 7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 8And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. 9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
1. Who were the "some standing here" that would see the kingdom of God with power?
2. Why did Jesus take only three disciples, and these in particular?
3. How does verse two relate to verse one?
4. What's a fuller?
5. Who were the two men who talked with Jesus?
6. What did they talk about? Look at Luke 9:30-31
7. What does this reveal to us about God's people whose bodies have died?
8. Did the disciples see and hear Moses and Elijah?
b. What is Peter's error in his suggestion?
9. Why do you suppose God let Peter, James and John experience this?
10. Why did Peter speak?
11. Had God the Father ever spoken to men before this?
12. What shows us the relationship between the Father and the Son of God?
13. From verse 8, what would be a good motto for a Christian?
14. Of what future event does Jesus remind them, as they come down the mountain?
Possible Answers:
1. The disciples
2. a.The Holy Spirit told Him to take only these three.
b. It was a confirmation to Peter and the others of what he had confessed in 8:29: "Thou art the Christ."
c. Three witnesses could verify to others what they had seen and heard on the mountain.
3.Verse two is a fulfilment of the prophecy Jesus spoke in verse one.
a. His transfiguration was a picture of the power of the kingdom of God on earth. b. It was a glimpse of what would be His resurrected Self in glory (Acts 22:6-11, 26:13, Rev 1:13-17).
c. Jesus' transfiguration was the partial answer from the Father to Jesus when He prayed in Matt 6:10 "Thy kingdom come." His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:8 -2) would be other parts of the answer. His second coming and reign on Earth, and then the new Earth will be the last parts of the answer to His prayer of "Thy kingdom come."
4. Webster's Dictionary states a fuller is one who works with cloth, especially wool, to clean and thicken it by moisture, and/or heat and pressure. Many years ago, salesmen would go door-to-door selling brushes and products used in cleaning. They worked for a company called Fuller Brush.
5. Moses and Elijah
6. They discussed Jesus' coming death at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31)
7. Certain people who have long passed on to the next world can be seen, can talk, and know increments of the future. Some, like Moses and Elijah, are allowed to make special appearances on earth.
If you will read Luke 16:19-31, (paradise has since the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been moved from the center of the earth to heaven), you will find more evidence that those we call dead are still alive in the spirit realm. Man is a spirit who has a soul (mind, will, and emotions, desires, which compacted translates into "I think, I want, I feel").
The spirit and soul inhabit the body, which acts as their house. This body does not make him who he is. It simply makes him visible to others in this earthly realm. When his body quits functioning, his spirit-soul leaves it and goes into the realm of spirit--either to heaven or to hell. The person is still the same person, just without a physical body. His soul acts as a body for the spirit and evidently looks similar to his natural body.
8. Yes, because Peter wants to make places of worship (v 5) for them and Jesus.
b. Peter thought he was doing Jesus a great honor by elevating Him to the level of Moses and Elijah, two of the mightiest prophets of the Old Testament, when in fact Jesus was higher and worthy of much more glory than either of those men. (Hebrews 3:3-6)
God the Father quickly let all know that His Son Jesus was the only One to be obeyed and worshipped, honored, and glorified.
9. He wanted them to see what was meant by the powerful kingdom of God. Read Mark 9:1 again. He also wanted them to realize Who Jesus really was (Matt 1:23..."They shall call His name Emmanuel which is interpreted, God with us.
10. He didn't know what to say, how to respond. When you don't know what to say, ask God to give you the words, if He wants you to say anything. Otherwise, it's better to be silent.
11. Jesus' baptism (Mk 1:11) was a time when God the Father spoke out loud from heaven to bring recognition and glory to His Son Jesus. God the Father also spoke in response to a prayer of Jesus, and at other times. (John 12:28-30)
12. The word "beloved," the giving of the radiance of the kingdom upon Jesus, and the command "hear Him."
13. "Jesus only" What a wonderful phrase and motivation for what we say and do! To measure our thoughts and actions by the desire and intention to honor and glorify "Jesus only" is a great way to put Him first, to keep our focus on Him and to bless the One Who has so blessed us.
14. Jesus gives them another reminder that He will be resurrected after His death.
His instruction about not discussing it with others is a reminder to us that, as we receive revelation from the Lord about different things, we should let Him indicate whether we are to share it with others. Some people aren't quite ready to receive certain spiritual truths. It may take more understanding and maturity than they have at that time. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in what you share. The disciples heard Him speak of His resurrection many times in the last days of His time here.
LESSON 101 - Mark 9:9-13
9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. 10And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. 11And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? 12And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. 13But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
When Jesus ordered the three disciples not to tell what they'd seen, He was warning them that many would not understand the meaning of His transfiguration. It would be too strange for them to believe at that time. After the resurrection of Jesus, when they saw Him again as the risen Christ, His transfiguration would make sense to them, but at this point, His talk about death and rising from the dead made no sense to them.
Principle: You may not always understand what God reveals to you, but accept it as truth and ask for Him to give you further understanding about it.(Proverbs 4:5-8) What God speaks to you will not disagree with His written Word.
For example, several years ago, I was asked to substitute teach a Sunday School class made up of all of us choir members of the church I was attending. At the moment, the teacher asked me to sub, I immediately knew I would not teach the class. I didn't know why. I just knew the Lord had given me what is called "a word of knowledge," (1 Corinthians 12:8), a supernatural, Holy Spirit-revealing of information I had no natural way of knowing. Sure enough, that next Sunday, the choir was unexpectedly asked to sing in both the early and regular morning services, so there was no time for Bible lesson for the group. I learned the "why?" of the word of knowledge which God had given me previously.
In addition to trying to understand what Jesus meant by His resurrection, (the disciples thought He was going to depose the Romans and become the ruling King of Israel) Peter, James and John tried to figure out what Jesus meant by His strange words about Elijah. They believed Jesus was the Messiah, but they knew that an Old Testament prophecy said that Elias (Elijah) would come before the Messiah (Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me... 5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. ).
The disciples knew Elijah wasn't living on the earth, so they asked Jesus to explain. Jesus agreed with the prophecy but said Elias had already come! Can you guess who he was? Look at Mark 1:1- 4. 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (same as Malachi 3:1) 3The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
In Matt 11:12 Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:...13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matt 17 :12 Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13Then the disciples understood that he spoke unto them of John the Baptist.
Even John the Baptist's father, Zacharias, years before, had been told that his yet-to-be-born son, John, would be the fulfilment of the prophecy about Elijah.
Lk 1:13-17 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John... he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Principle: Whatever God has promised, God will bring to pass. Never doubt the Word of God. It is sure. It is true. God will always keep His Word.
LESSON 102 - MARK 9:14-29
14And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
While Jesus and Peter, James and John had been on the mount of transfiguration, the other disciples had been healing people (v18, 28), and they had been successful with most of them. However, one man's son had a demonic problem so strong that the disciples by their developing and sometimes shaky faith alone could not deliver him. (I think the demon may have acted up in the boy in front of the disciples and scared them.
Principle: Faith can be paralyzed, cancelled completely, or at least minimized by fear. (See Luke 8:50)
When Jesus comes down from the mount, He asks what the problem was and the father explained. The boy had a mute spirit, ( the lad could not talk). The boy would have spells when the demon would take hold of him and cause him to hurt himself, to foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth, and not to eat at times. The father explained that his son had had this problem since a child, and the demon had tried to kill the boy by casting him into fire and waters.
The parents had to be watchful all the time to protect the boy. Don't you know when they heard that there was a Healer in the land of Israel, they took heart from that news and wanted their son to be healed? They packed up and came to Jesus. I'm sure it was a difficult trip, tiring and upsetting, because the boy had an episode right in front of Jesus, while the father was talking.
Note: demons can attach themselves to a person at times, even children. Like leeches, demons get bigger and stronger the longer they are left in place. Demons sometimes cause violent behavior and try to get the person to destroy himself. (Review the lesson on Mark 5:1-20 for another look at demonic activity in a person.)
Demons can cause limitations in natural behavior such as speech or hearing. Demons may cause rage, strange talk, and embarrassing behavior in people, too, making them act out in ways they would not normally do. Some of the things we see today in people's behaviors is caused by the demonic. Society has gotten away from that label, but though times have changed, demons' behavior has not.
The good news is that we know the Lord Jesus Christ is the means of getting free of demons' influence and demonic strongholds. Jesus said the disciples could have freed this boy, if they had been fasting as well as praying. Although Jesus didn't require His disciples to fast, Jesus Himself fasted regularly. (See the lessons 22 and 23 on the principles of fasting.)
The important thing to remember is that the same power that Jesus used to free that lad is available today to deliver people from the stronghold of Satan's control on their minds and bodies. Our God is able and willing to deliver and free people from the clutches of the devil, if they are willing to come to Jesus for deliverance. In Luke 4:18, Jesus' first declaration in the beginning of His public ministry was that He had come to deliver the captives and set at liberty them that were bruised. Through His death on the cross, Jesus delivered us from the bondage of the devil (Hebrews 3:14- 15). Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
LESSON 103 (Continued from lesson 102)
Mark 9:22-24 ...if thou canst do any thi
LESSON 103 (Continued from lesson 102) Mark 9:22-24
...if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
The "if" in verse 22 should be translated "since." The father said, "Since You can do anything" (he'd obviously heard about many of the wonderful miracles that Jesus had done in His ministry in Israel), "have compassion on us and help us."
It's amazing that this father didn't give up when the disciples couldn't help him and his son. He didn't quit and go home. He kept seeking-- and his perseverance paid off.
Principle: Take the "if" out of your thinking and replace it with "since." Begin to speak the truth about God. He can do all things. He can do what seems to be impossible to you. Nothing is too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:).
Start your prayer request by telling the Lord how powerful He is, how He can do anything, that there is nothing too hard for Him, that you believe in Him, He is the only true God and great Creator. The One Who created the universe by His Word can help you with whatever need you have. He is all mighty, all powerful, and able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)...and He loves you. Believe in Him.
Jesus said to him, "If you can believe..."
Principle: Believing for an answer must come before seeing it. We sometimes turn that around and want to see the answer first and then we would believe, but that's not faith. One day toward the last of His earthly ministry, Jesus was talking to the chief priests and the elders of the people. Matthew 21:32 For John (the baptist) came unto you in the way of righteousness and you believed him not: but the publicans and harlots believed him, and you, when you had seen, repented not afterward, that you might believe him.
Those religious leaders kept asking for miracles, but Jesus had done miracles, healing, deliverances from demons, and teachings from the Word of God for over three years. They didn't need any more evidence to believe, they needed to repent of their lives filled with deceiving, lying, and subjugating people to their will, not God's.
Faith believes when there is no evidence of an answer yet. Faith watches with expectation to see the answer (that's the definition of Bible "hope"). It believes and doesn't let go, unless it receives an answer of "no."
Remember Jairus who sought the Lord to heal his dying daughter? Review the account in Mk 5:22-43 What does Jesus say to him when Jairus is confronted with the news his daughter has died? "Only believe."
In Mk 11:22-24, Jesus said, And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have the faith of God (corrected translation). [God never doubts His promises nor the outcomes of them. Neither should we.] 23For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:... All things are possible to him that believes."
Jesus can do miracles, but here He requires this father to participate with faith. The disciples' lack of faith had limited their results with the son. My speculation is that Satan probably had the demon act up so strongly that the disciples got scared which minimized any faith they had.
The father must not dwell on the failures of the past, but keep his focus on Jesus, Who He is, and what He has done. The man said that he believed, but admitted his faith was not as strong as it should be. He asked Jesus to supply what faith was lacking in him. Jesus did, casting out the demon and healing the boy.
Note verse 25, prayer must be preceded by a clean heart made possible by forgiving any who have offended, said, or done wrong toward you or those you love or hold dear. Forgiveness doesn’t condone the wrong doing of the other person; it first clears your heart(soul) of anything that would hinder the Lord’s work in you. Unforgiveness in your life blocks your development spiritually, so the Lord wants you to address that issue before He deals with the other person. 1 Peter 4:17-18
LESSON 104 - MARK 9:30-32
30And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 32But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
1. What did Jesus ask them not to make known? Why?
2. I once heard a news commentator, in a documentary on Who Jesus was, say that Jesus didn't know what was going to happen to Him, when He went to Jerusalem to be arrested and crucified. Obviously the commentator hadn't done his research very thoroughly or even read the many passages, including this one in Mark's Gospel, that shows Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to Him. In verse 31, Jesus told the disciples His future. List what He taught them. (A short study could be done on how He elaborated on the details of His coming death. Some verses to look at are: Matthew 20:17-19, 26: 21,31,34, and Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33-34,
3. Why didn't the disciples understand?
4. Why were they afraid to ask Him what He meant?
5. What did they miss by not asking?
POSSIBLE ANSWERS
1. Jesus didn't want any publicity about His movements.
Principle: Sometimes Jesus tells us not to reveal what He shows us. Perhaps He wants us to pray about the situation or persons, but not speak to them about it. He tells His children secrets that others don't know. Psalm 25:12-14 What man is he that fears the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him.
Verse 31 begins with the word "for." Many times "for" can be translated "because." It serves as an introduction to the reason or purpose behind a previous statement. Jesus didn't want the people to know His whereabouts, because as verse 31 states, if they knew, they might inform those who wanted to seize Him and kill Him.
His death would happen, but as prophecy of God indicated, it would happen in Jerusalem, not Galilee. (Mk 10:32-34).
2. Men would seize Jesus, kill Him, and He would rise the third day after the killing.
3. In Hebrews 11:3, it states, Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,... The disciples had not accepted what Jesus had previously (8:31-32, Lk 9:31, Mk 9:9) told them about His death, so they didn't understand what He taught them here.
Faith is required to understand the Word of God. A fundamental principle of understanding the Word of God is to believe that God does not, cannot, will not lie. (Heb 6:18 17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:, Titus 1:2...eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began...1 Samuel 15:29 9And also the Strength of Israel will not lie... The Holy Spirit does not lie 1 Jn 2:27 27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie.
The Lord Jesus did not and does not lie. Jn 14:6 we know not whither thou go; and how can we know the way? 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life...)
We cannot understand the Word, if we do not believe that what we are reading is the truth of God. If you want to understand more of the Word and principles of God, tell the Lord you believe He is true and will believe all that He has said. (1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.)
Tell Him you want to grow in understanding and ask Him to teach you. Then make time to study with Him as your Teacher. Ask Him questions as you read His Word and be listening for His answers. Tell Him when you don't understand, but be sure to believe Him, whether you understand what He is saying right then or not. (One of His names is "The Truth." John 14:6) Understanding will come. It's a good practice to write down your questions and the answers you will get, so that you will always have them.
The Lord wants us to know and understand His Word. His Holy Spirit (also called the Spirit of truth-John 14:16-17, 16:13-14) is assigned the task of teaching us, (John 14:26) so He will see to your spiritual education, if you will operate in faith towards Him and His Word.
4. The disciples' fear came from their lack of faith. Our fears come from a lack of faith, too. The disciples had their focus on themselves rather than what Jesus wanted them to understand.
When we focus on ourselves rather than the Lord, we will have trouble understanding. Fear will limit your spiritual eyesight and hearing. Walk in faith, not fear. Jesus was trying to prepare them for coming events in His and their lives. The Lord gives us warnings, too, but we should not expect them to be shouts, as if we were far away from the Lord.
They primarily are whispers from the Holy Spirit Who resides in us. He shouldn't need to shout. I'll give an example: My niece and her teen daughter were going somewhere in the car. The daughter liked to ride in the third row seat of their SUV, her special place. As they were getting in the car, the mother heard the Lord say, "Don't let her ride in the third row." So she told the daughter to move to another row. The daughter protested a while. The mother thought to give in to her daughter, but she heard the voice again, "Don't let her sit in the third row." The mother remained firm and told her daughter the car would not move, until she had obeyed. Finally the daughter moved to the second row of seats and they got on their way. Ten minutes later, sitting at a stop light, they were hit from behind by a speeding car. The third row of their car was crushed. The daughter's life was saved, because her mother heard the Word of the Lord and heeded it. We need to heed the whispered warnings of the Lord.
Pride also was a part of the disciples' silence. They probably didn't want to say anything that might warrant a rebuke from God, like the one they had experienced on the mount of transfiguration (9:5-7). Fear can make us say and do stupid things. It can cause us to speak when we should be thinking.
Instead of acting or not acting because of fear, begin to walk in faith, believing His Word, expecting His promises to be fulfilled, and obeying what you already know He has told you.
Lesson 105 - MARK 9:34-37
33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
1. What had happened on the way to Capernaum, Galilee?
a. Who do you think was in the dispute? Why would this dispute come up?
b. Do you see the irony of their dispute?
c. How did Jesus know what they were talking about?
2. Whose house was it?
3. Where did the child come from?
4. How old was the child? Was it a boy or a girl?
5. Why did Jesus chose a child for His object lesson?
6. What was the lesson He wanted the disciples to understand?
Possible Answers
1. The disciples debated which of them would be the greatest (in authority) when Jesus would reign as King of Israel.
a. It makes sense that these disciples were probably Peter, James and John, the ones who had seen the amazing transfiguration of Jesus that very day on the mountaintop. They knew they had witnessed a special event.
b. They were trying to decide who was greatest, when they were in the presence of truly the greatest, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the Messiah of the world.
Principle: It is God Who judges who is the greatest, not men.
c. Jesus may have overheard them talking, but I think this was another example of the Holy Spirit revealing it to Him by a word of knowledge.
2. Many think it was Peter's house because He did visit there on the same day (Lk4:31, 38). I think it was the house Jesus either bought or leased for His mother and brothers when He moved His family to Capernaum from Nazareth. (Mt 4:13 12Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum…)
See also Mt 9:28, 13:1, 36, Mk 7:17 Jesus, as the eldest son, would have provided a home for His mother and brothers to live in while He was traveling and He came back to it many times. (Evidently Joseph, Mary's husband, had died by this time, so as head of the house, Jesus would have checked on His family often. Remember, too, by this time Jesus' half-brothers were grown and well able to take over the successful carpentry business that their father Joseph had established, and Jesus had continued during the eighteen years He waited in faith until the time for His public ministry to begin.)
There is a verse in Mt 8:20 where, in reference to a man saying he wanted to follow Jesus, Jesus responded by saying "...the Son of man has not where to lay His head." I think this was Jesus' way of pointing out the difficulties of discipleship and leaving all behind, not that He didn't have a family home. As to whether Jesus actually owned the house or not, it's not a very important point in the larger picture of all that Jesus came to do. His sisters stayed in Nazareth. They didn't move to Capernaum. They were probably married women by this time. (Mk 6:1-3 1And he went out from thence, and came into his own country(Nazareth,where He grew up -Lk 4:16); and his disciples follow him. 2And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James (not the James of Jesus' disciples. Jesus' brother, James, didn't become a believer till after Jesus' death and resurrection), and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?
3. I don't know. Perhaps some of the disciples had their families with them at this time. Many of the disciples were from the Capernaum-Bethsaida area. (Jn 1:44, Mt 9:1,9). It could have been one of Jesus' nieces or nephews, a servant's child or one of the neighbor children who loved to be around Jesus.
4. The boy was young enough for Jesus to pick him up and hold him in His arms. 36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms . The phrasing of this verse makes me think Jesus went over to a parent with a child and "borrowed" the toddler for the object lesson. Then He sat down, picked up the little boy, sat him in His lap and began to teach. Notice the child wasn't afraid.
We don't need to be afraid of anything the Lord wants to do with us. He can use us to teach others, just as He did with this little boy.
5. The best teachers use the simplest of things to illustrate their lessons. Jesus could have explained without the child what He wanted the disciples to know, but the child made it easier for them to understand the lesson quickly. We can use simple things, everyday conversation and events to bring Jesus or God into our days. The beautiful leaves on the trees in the autumn remind us of God the Wonderful Artist. Cutting up fallen trees can remind us that we need to remove the "dead wood" in our lives that is keeping us from being closer to the Lord. The beauty of the spring sky can speak to us of the beauty our lives can have, when we let the Lord work in and through us without restraint.
In another passage, Jesus defines the greatest in the kingdom as the one who is humble as a child.
Matt 18:4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
What is meant by being humble? Webster's Dictionary states "humble: having a consciousness of one's defects or shortcomings." What is wrong with that definition? Jesus described Himself as humble (Mt 11:29) and chose to humble Himself in becoming the Sacrifice for sin, but He had no shortcomings or defects. Humbleness has to do with your attitude and your actions. It is symbolized or pictured by someone kneeling before God, desiring whatever God wants to do- to him, for him, with him, by him. Some churches have kneeling benches, so that their members can "humble" themselves before the Lord. Being humble is recognizing who you are in comparison to God Almighty and seeing your abilities in contrast with God's. Take a minute to think of and thank Him for His greatness.
Humbleness is realizing God's great compassion towards us, and His bestowing great grace, salvation, and blessings on us. Humbleness is having a heart of continual thankfulness for Him and what He has done, is doing, and will do in our lives. This should lead you to trust God more and more, because you recognize He truly loves you. The more you thank Him, the more you'll trust Him.
LESSON 106 - MARK 9:38-41
38 Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." 39But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40"For he who is not against us is on our side. 41"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
1. How does what John asks connect with the disciples previous debate about being greatest in the kingdom?
2. As you read through this short passage, what phrase was repeated three times?
a. How were the demons cast out?
b. Was the power in the man doing the work or the Name which was used?
c. What was John's problem?
3. What does Jesus call "casting out demons?"
4.a What was the disciples' response to what the man did?
b.Why?
c. What should John and the others have done?
5. What was Jesus' response to John's question?
6. What does the cup of water represent? How did this connect with the man John had confronted?
Possible Answers
1. The disciples had been debating who would be greatest in the kingdom. By John's statement, you can see that he and some others were very interested in position. They saw themselves as in authority and thought others should defer to them. They didn't want anyone doing the work of God unless they did it under the disciples' authority. John said, "He does not follow us."
2. "In My Name"
a. Through the power of Jesus' name.
b. The power was in the Name of Jesus.
Here's a different account, the healing of a lame man through Peter and John, after the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. (By this time, Jesus had returned to heaven.) Notice what Peter says to explain the miracle. Acts 3:11-16 11Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. 12So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14"But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer (Barabbas) to be granted to you, 15"and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16"And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
c. John thought the man should be subject to him and the other disciples. John said, "He does not follow us."
3. A miracle
4.a They told him to quit. b.He wasn't a member of their group. He hadn't joined them in their ministry and travel with Jesus. They didn't invite him to join the group. They didn't commend him for his understanding that the name of Jesus was powerful and effective against demons. They didn't compliment him for doing good work among those who were captives of the devil. They just told him to stop. This is called "being territorial." We see this in children who won't share their toys. A child will grab a toy out of another child's hands and shout, "Mine."
The disciples should have gone to Jesus first and gotten His wisdom on the matter. Then they would have known how to handle the problem.
Principle: Always go to the Lord in prayer about a problem or situation before confronting the issue. Ask for wisdom. God has promised to provide it. ( James 1:5-7)
The disciples and John should have welcomed this man into the work of God rather than forbidding him to use Jesus' name to cast out demons. This man believed in the power of Jesus' name and was helping captives to be set free from the devil.
5. Jesus said those who do work in My name will not speak badly of Me. They will testify for Me. "They who are not against us are for us." In the future, when the man was asked how he could do this casting out of demons, he would have to explain Who Jesus was, thereby giving a testimony of Jesus as the Messiah Who had come to free them and save them, as Isaiah 61:1 said, which Jesus quoted in Luke 4:16-21 as His mission statement.
The important thing is not whether others are doing the work of God the way you think they ought to do it, but whether they are doing the work of God based on faith in Jesus Christ and under direction of the Holy Spirit.
6. Even the least small thing, like a cup of water, done to help a child of God will be remembered and rewarded. Did you know that deeds are recorded in heaven? For Christians there will be a rewards ceremony where you will receive rewards for the good you have done. You can read more about this in 1 Corinthians 3, 2 Timothy 4:8, Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 28, 3:5, 12, 21)
For sinners, there will be a judgment at the end of the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the Earth. Rom 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Rev 20:12-13 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God ([the Son] John 5:22), and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
The man John confronted about casting out demons in Jesus' name was doing a lot more for the kingdom of heaven than giving a cup of water. Some knowledgeable of the Bible might ask "What's the difference between this man and the sons of Sceva who tried to cast out demons in Acts19:11-20?" The sons of Sceva were beaten up by the demons they tried to cast out. Sceva was a Jewish chief priest in Ephesus during the time of the apostle Paul's work. The seven sons of Sceva were traveling exorcists, selling amulets, herbs, and "magic" words (usually repeated syllables) to make money. They scammed the people in the areas they visited. They decided they could make more money by doing what Paul did, using the name of Jesus. They recognized His name was very powerful compared to what they were doing. When they tried to imitate Paul, the demons beat them up. The seven sons of Sceva had no right or authority over the demons and the demons knew it. If the sons of Sceva had believed on Jesus as Messiah, preached Jesus to the people, and made that the basis of their exorcisms, it would have been a different story
.LESSON 107 MARK 9:42-50
42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
The previous lesson mentioned the reward for doing good, even if the person is not a follower of Jesus Christ. Mk 9:40-41 40"For he who is not against us is on our side. 41"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. If someone does a good deed to help a believer, he will be rewarded for it.
However, this lesson is about "rewards" for doing evil. If you remember, Jesus had been holding a little child in His arms (Mk 9:36), when He made reference to " little ones." In this passage in Mark 9:42-50, Jesus warns of dire consequences for those who have evil intentions toward children and also believers, who sometimes are called "children" of God.
Previously, the disciples had brought the issue of the man who was casting out demons among the people, using Jesus' name as his power, and the disciples told him to quit. Jesus may have been referring to him as a "little one" in faith. Little ones, be they of faith or not, are not to be wronged.
The word "offend" can mean "be caused to stumble." Jesus cautioned not to do anything that would cause a child of His to stumble in their faith or life. Read again the terrible consequences of such an offense in Mark 9:42-48. Here's how a passage in Hebrews 10:27-31 describes the Lord's justice against certain wrong doers. But ... judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, ... an unholy thing, and hath done insult unto the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord... 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The terrible "reward" or "recompense" for evil-doing shows the seriousness of the offense in the Lord's eyes. A millstone was a huge carved rock which was used to grind wheat and other grains into flour. The stone was so heavy, it took an ox to move it. Jesus said that having a millstone hung about the neck and being cast into the sea (with no chance of rescue or release) would be a better fate than to have to pay eternally for the evil done to a child or a believer. The words like" fire," "never quenched," and "dies not" mean there is no relief from the misery. These words show that serious and eternal judgment is already determined for those who will do evil against the believer and child of God, those who would try to cause a child or believer to stumble in his faith or to turn away from coming to Jesus or following the Lord Jesus.
This passage points out how much the Lord loves and values His children, and how He will bring vengeance against any who mistreat them.
Some additional points of this lesson:
The love of God does not cancel out His justice. It is a part of it.
Jesus used the things around Him, seed, trees, vines, etc., to teach His disciples God's principles. In Luke 18:15, He even used babies.15Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." We can use ordinary things around us to introduce a conversation about the Lord and faith.