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Archive for the ‘Gospel Messages Mark’ Category
Mark 11 Withered Fig Tree
Posted by Ez1 Realty on September 2, 2015
This is a study showing now a sequence of key words brings out details we would miss after reading the stories dozens of times. You see, highlighting key words gives the Spirit time to work with you and shows you hidden gems scattered all over scripture.
The introduction sets the theme by using three action words in the first verse, approached, came, and sent. Four more are added in verse 2, go into, enter and bring. When we see a concentration of related words, it sets the theme for the entire story as well as the sequence of stories.
Another set of key words are introduced, tied and untied. Those could be related to the other key words concentrating to moving based on the fact, being tied up is contrary to moving. God also uses contrasts to teach the same lesson. When we think of being tied or untied in the spiritual sense, we are ready to look and see the rest of the lessons in the chapter and how they are related.
This takes us to another road sign in the lessons. It seems when a verse contains three or more words related to speaking, that verse marks the beginning of an important lesson. In this case, verse 6 contains the words said, told, and say. Jesus told them what to say so they would be permitted to untie the donkey.
On the spiritual side, we never stand a chance of releasing people from worldly bonds if we’re not listening to Jesus. Do you understand why the author repeated three words related to communication?
Looking back to verse 3 we see another spiritual lesson. I’m not exactly sure where this one is pointing. But we see another word related to action or movement. We see this detail only when we look back to see what Jesus told His disciples to say. “The Lord needs it and will return it soon.” We see the word return jump out. How does this relate to the other words related to movement? What spiritual lesson is that word teaching in this context? What is it Jesus will return?
A story about a fig tree follows. Read the story and pay attention to how key words were repeated. Fig tree, leaf, figs, leaves, eat, and fruit are all related and repeated for a reason.
Going onto the next story we see a new group of key words repeated. Buying, selling, money, and marketplace are all related to income at the temple. The spiritual side of the story takes shape only when we look at the next story where key words fig tree are repeated again, and the word roots is added. This time they are described as withered and dead. Because those key words are used before and after the story about money, the spiritual lesson and symbolism is obvious.
We also see another set of key words related to time in the middle of those stories. Evening and the next morning established the exact time frame those events took place. This tells us the spiritual lesson is established between key words. In this care key words related to the fig tree.
We also see another verse using a sequence of words related to communication in verse 17. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” This also draws our attention showing what that fruitless, dead fig tree pointed to.
The story gets real interesting at the end of the chapter known as the summation. Which is this case is the summary of the lesson. Related key words teachers, and authority are introduced. The words teachers and law are used to describe those religious leaders. Those religious leaders were questioning Jesus authority. Over what? Jesus cleaned out the temple and called it a den of thieves.
Teachers and law are related words based on the fact, no one has authority to teach the law unless they know the law. The word know used in verse 33 is also related to authority. A teacher has no authority to teach any subject unless the know the subject. That is another reason the tree withered and died. The religious leaders that tree represented didn’t know what they were teaching.
Now go back and read the introduction. Notice how the key words are related to moving with Jesus and following His directions? There is also a contrast used. Now we see what the word tied is related to. The limited knowledge of those religious leaders. What about the fact that donkey was untied and returned? That is a deep lesson in God’s plan of salvation. Jesus came to this world to teach. In the early church the disciples were untied by Jesus when He explained how He fulfilled all those prophecies. After learning how to understand scripture, Jesus sent them back. Hence, the spiritual meaning of the donkey that was returned.
Posted in Bible Study Aids, Bible Study Methods Explained, Bible Study with Context, Gospel Messages Mark | Tagged: donkey was untied, fig tree, highlighting key words, house of prayer, key words are introduced, Mark 11 Withered Fig Tree, related to communication, related words, sequence of key words, spiritual side | Leave a Comment »
Mark 9 The Demon Possessed Boy
Posted by Ez1 Realty on August 31, 2015
lesson to highlighting texts in context
Here is a great story showing how highlighting key words shows a much greater dimension that most people miss. Those key words bring out the spiritual side to the story. Key words are words the author repeats to draw attention to them. Key words can be the same, similar, or related.
Notice how the man called Jesus Teacher. The next time we see the word repeated is when Jesus wanted to spend more time to teach His disciples. So that key word stands out like book ends with all the information between them.
The next series of key words are action words dealing in a negative context. Threw, seizes, throw, fire, and kill tell us what the evil spirit does. Cast out is what Jesus did to the spirit, but the disciples couldn’t. The lesson on the surface. But why restrict our learning to a few key words dealing with a negative context?
Ground is where the spirit wants to throw the boy. See the relationship between throw and cast out? Ground represented where the evil spirit wanted to keep the boy. It relates to us based on the fact, scripture is interpreted two ways. From worldly views using information from the world, or directly from Heaven. Ground points to worldly views.
The next set of key words is believe, help, and growing. Which tells us steps to get off the ground and turn to Heaven.
This is the part that really got me excited. I’ve noticed the Bible uses key words related to timing to point us in the right direction to learn. Also notice key words related to movement in the sense of traveling. In this case, key words related to time are, how long, and since. The words how long are repeated three times.
How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? These shows how Jesus sees our condition. “How long has this been happening?” This shows Jesus’ concern for our condition. Do you really think Jesus didn’t know how long that spirit controlled that boy. Jesus asked that question to draw attention to the term how long.
Since he was a little boy. This tells us when evil spirits begin their work. It also tells the condition of people controlled by evil spirits. Their understanding is juvenile. Once the spirit left the boy appeared dead. What does that make you think of? Did you think of a new birth, or being born again? If you did, that’s God’s Spirit trying to work with you, to direct your attention to a deeper understanding of this story.
That story closed with Jesus leaving that region with His disciples. Another reference to ground. Jesus led His disciples away from that ground, or worldly way to viewing and learning. This is where we see another reference to time. Jesus wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. This is where the spiritual lesson hits a high point. What did Jesus teach them about?
Jesus taught them about the prophecies He was about to fulfill, as well as those He already fulfilled. And of course, those Jesus would fulfill in Heaven. Why is this so important? Look at the end of the Gospels. What did Jesus explain? Exactly what He taught at the end of this story. Look through the whole New Testament. The subject of the prophecies Jesus fulfilled is mentioned over 200 times. It is the only recorded message Jesus gave His disciples. Leaving the doctrine of devils, the ground, and learning about the prophecies Jesus fulfilled is learning directly from Heaven. It is the hidden lesson in this story. Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” (Mark 9:30-31 NLTse).
Posted in Advanced Studies, Bible Study Aids, Bible Study Methods Explained, Bible Study with Context, Gospel Messages Mark | Tagged: highlighting key words, Jesus taught them about the prophecies, key words bring out the spiritual side, Mark 9 The Demon Possessed Boy, recorded message Jesus gave His disciples | Leave a Comment »
Understanding Parables According to the Gospel of Mark: Chapters 1 to 8
Posted by Ez1 Realty on September 11, 2013
Jesus teaches about relationships as established in Eden.
Are we living in the 21st century DARK AGES? It seems history has repeated itself. Remember when the Bible was locked away from common people when only, “authorized versions,” of the Bible written in a language only authorized scholars were able to understand? They referred to this as the DARK AGES. Common sense will tell you, if Satan was not allowed to stop the Bible from being printed in languages people could understand, his next step was to take away the ability to understand. To a large degree Satan has accomplished his goal. This book unlocks the method of understanding scripture Jesus taught in simple terms everyone should be able to understand.
Something really bothered me as I finished studying and writing on Matthew’s Gospel. I couldn’t understand why the disciples failed to learn lessons Jesus tried teaching them over the years. The disciples were unprepared for Jesus’ sacrifice, even though He tried explaining the prophecies about Himself a number of times. What held the disciples back, and how does this relate to us today? I knew it had something to do with the lack of interest we see in churches today. I could feel the Gospels left a clue behind we were unable to see.
I wanted to write on Mark’s Gospel using the theme of, “looking through the eyes of a new believer.” I knew I had to view each verse and word as if I was looking at them the first time. I used variations of an inductive study method throughout the book and wanted to explain how this brought features of Mark’s Gospel to the surface. Many people comment how Mark rapidly shifts from one subject to another. Once viewed through the rules of an inductive study, it becomes clear why God’s Spirit worked with Mark’s unique style of writing. The simple process of looking back to compare previous texts showed exactly how Mark linked details of each lesson together to reveal much deeper spiritual lessons sitting just below the surface. I not only found myself reading Mark through the eyes of a new believer, I was seeing how Mark’s style of writing told a deeper story I never saw before.
Then I got to Mark chapter 4, the parable of the sower, as most people know it. One verse summed up why Jesus told this parable. Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? (Mark 4:13 NLTse). This began a series of lessons. Over the next four chapters Jesus and His disciples were guided through a series of events which to my surprise taught the sequence of an inductive study. Everyone knows, you can’t learn Bible study with one lesson. It takes weeks or months to learn how to properly compare texts. That’s why Jesus spread His lessons out over months using the simple process of referring to texts, combined with personal experience and the most important step, looking back to review and compare. I wrote this book mixing short stories with scripture while explaining all the techniques Jesus used to teach His disciples how to understand parables and study scripture the way it was meant to be studied. I never imagined finding Bible study techniques recorded in the the Bible ready to be discovered. But am I the first to discover the sequence of lessons Jesus taught? I doubt it. These techniques have been used and taught for hundreds of years. The problem seems to come when institutions seized this information, created dozens of specialized terms few people could understand, reorganized the process, and finally termed it a higher degree of learning. The simple process Jesus came to teach was hidden away from common people. Satan reversed the trick he used with Eve in Eden. Satan convinced the world Bible study and understanding requires a higher level of knowledge. Some how Satan was able to convince the world to abandon God’s Word by leaving interpretations up to a chosen few. He accomplished his goal through fear. Satan invented a host of technical terms few people can understand. By doing this, Satan exposed himself as the liar he is. He promised Eve greater knowledge. Today his strategy is to take it away. Today only a few people are able to understand and explain lessons Jesus taught His disciples in simple terms common people can understand.
Understanding Parables According To The Gospel Of Mark Chapters 1 to 8
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Written by Dennis Herman
Copyright © 2013 Dennis Herman
All rights reserved
ISBN 978-1-300-65619-7
Content ID: 13588992
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Understanding Parables According To The Gospel Of Mark by Dennis Herman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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Bibles:
NLTse New Living. Translation®. SECOND EDITION Tyndale House Publishers, Inc
KJV King James Version
MKJV Modern King James Version Sovereign Grace Publishers
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) (NLTse) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Understanding Parables According to the Gospel of Mark
Introduction
Chapter 1
Mark 1:1-5 John the Baptist
Mark 1:6-8 John Announces Jesus
Mark 1:9-11 John Baptized Jesus
Mark 1:12-13 Jesus Goes to the Wilderness
Mark 1:14-15 Jesus begins His Ministry
Chapter 2
Mark 1:16-20 Jesus Calls Simon and Andrew, James and John
Mark 1:21-28 Possessed Man in a Synagogue
Mark 1:29-31 Jesus Heals Simon’s Mother in Law
Mark 1:32-39 Jesus Healed Many
Mark 1:40-45 Jesus Heals a Leper
Chapter 3
Mark 2:1-12 Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
Mark 2:13-17 Jesus Calls Levi
Mark 2:18-22 Fasting, Old and New
Mark 2:23-28 Lord of the Sabbath
Chapter 4
Mark 3:1-6 Jesus Heals A Withered Hand
Mark 3:7-12 Jesus Teaches At The Lake
Mark 3:13-19 Jesus Ordained Twelve
Mark 3:20-30 Blaspheme Against the Holy Spirit
Mark 3:31-35 Who is My Mother and my Brother
Chapter 5
Mark 4:1-20 Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:21-25 Light Will Shine
Mark 4:26-29 The Seed Sprouts and Grows
Mark 4:30-34 Mustard Seed
Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Rebuked the Wind
Chapter 6
Mark 5:1-20 Jesus Faces a Legion of Demons
Mark 5:21-43 Jesus Heals an Issue of Blood and Raises a Girl From Death
Chapter 7
Mark 6:1-6 Jesus Rejected in His Own Town
Mark 6:7-13 Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Mark 6:14-29 Death of John the Baptist
Mark 6:30-44 Jesus Feeds 5000
Mark 6:45-56 Jesus Walks on Water
Chapter 8
Mark 7:1-13 Unwashed Hands
Mark 7:14-23 Not What Enters The Mouth
Mark 7:24-30 Bread to Dogs
Mark 7:31-37 Jesus Heals A Deaf Man
Chapter 9
Mark 8:1-9 Jesus Feeds 4000
Mark 8:10-21 Jesus Asks Why The Disciples Cannot Understand
Mark 8:22-26 Jesus Heals a Blind Man
Mark 8:27-38 Who Do You Say I Am
Mark 1:12 13 Jesus Goes to the Wilderness
Mark 1:12-13 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, (13) where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
Wait! Where are the details of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness? As a new believer, I can’t believe Mark left out all those details. Why would Mark begin his book with Jesus’ baptism, then skip all the details of what His baptism led to?
But wait. Did Mark leave out all the details, or did he actually provide a few others missed? Let’s take a close look at each word. There is one that sticks out.
Mark 1:12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness,
The word wilderness is used in a previous verse.
Mark 1:4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God to receive forgiveness for their sins.
What does that mean? Jesus was baptized in the wilderness and the Spirit led Him into what, another wilderness? Maybe the answer is what John lived off of in the wilderness?
Mark 1:6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
John ate locusts and wild honey in the wilderness. Didn’t Jesus go into the wilderness to fast? Didn’t the devil tempt Jesus with stones, asking Him to turn them into bread? If John found locusts and wild honey in the wilderness to eat, couldn’t Jesus find the same food, if He wanted to?
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. (Matthew 4:1-2)
To be fair Matthew provides the same details about John’s diet. Mark’s quick way of moving from one scene to another makes it easier to see important details. The same food made available for John in the wilderness should have been there for Jesus. This shows Jesus fasted to show His love, dedication and faith in His Father. Do you think Jesus laughed on the inside when the devil tempted Him? “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” Jesus would have known other food was available. The devil knew Jesus fasted to draw nearer to His Father and His Spirit. To Jesus, food was never a question. It would have been ridiculous for the devil to tempt Jesus with stones. God could have sent a swarm of locusts, or brought honey from the ground or a rock at any time. The devil’s first temptation was foolish to say the least. But, isn’t that the way the devil always begins his work of deception? When I look at the scene and characters involved, Jesus must have been the first person the devil tempted who was actually smarter and better prepared. Satan must have planned his attack a long time and personally implemented every detail. No matter, it did not work.
One of the most valuable pieces of information we have is knowing Jesus already defeated the devil.
Mark 4:1-20 Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:1-9 NLTse Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in theboat while all the people remained on the shore. (2) He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: (3) “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. (4) As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. (5) Other seed fell on shallow soilwith underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. (6) But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. (7) Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. (8) Still other seeds fell on fertile soil,and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (9) Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
The disciples began to see a pattern forming. Every time Jesus was near water, or an open field a crowd would gather. As a matter of fact this happened in homes also. It seemed no matter where Jesus was, it did not take long for word to get around.
As the crowd grew Jesus stepped into a boat. James and John cast it out a little further into the water, each holding an anchor rope. As crowds gather around they welcomed the cool breeze coming off the water. It created tiny waves that rocked the boat at first. James and John walked out a little further, one at the front, the other at the back of the boat. When they pulled on the ropes it steadied the boat, making it easier for Jesus to walk up and down to add animation to His lesson without rocking.
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.” James wondered why Jesus would tell a story about a farmer while he was in a boat. Wouldn’t it be better if He told a story about fishing? Peter thought about helping his mother in the garden as a boy. He remembered how he helped his mother work the ground, carefully planting the seeds in even rows, marking them with sticks. A smile came to Peter’s face as he thought about how his mother explained how water made the plants grow. As a young boy he would run out every morning to see if anything was growing, It seemed to take forever. Then one day he saw the first signs of life. Tiny green plants began poking up through the soil. Peter wanted to help them grow, so he ran back and forth from the lake with buckets of water. He thought if a little helped, more would be better. He was so proud of flooding the small garden he ran inside the house to call his mother. She came out, looked at the garden swimming in water. Kneeling down she gave Peter a hug. She then explained how the plants need air and sunlight as much as water. Peter felt so bad when many of the plants withered and died, but learned an important lesson about not only plants, but life.
We all seem to lead an unbalanced life in one way or another. It may be an imbalance of love and discipline, diet, time between work, pleasure and family, or our spiritual life. Too much water may kill off new believers, like too much doctrine, which blocks out Jesus and the love He gives us to share. Whatever the imbalance may be, Jesus can meet us where we are, offer suggestions, and if we are willing, reestablish the balance God created within us.
One of the farmers listening to Jesus thought how ridiculous His story was. Why would anyone be so careless as to scatter precious seed on the road? He thought about how carefully he plows his rows and watches over the hired help and family to ensure they drop the proper amount of seeds with the proper spacing along each row. There is nothing careless about farming, not if you want to make money. Nothing should be left to chance.
How many of us have seen the same frame of mind in churches? Jesus gives us a parable telling us to freely cast His seed, God’s Word. Jesus tells us He knows some seed will never sprout because it appears to land on hopeless hearts. Although we receive instructions which make little worldly sense, some church leaders want follow their own plans, hoarding all the seed, storing it in barns until the judgment day. How do they hold back God’s Word? By not exploring the messages and lessons given to them as a gift from the Spirit. Some church leaders feel only qualified members should be allowed to study, interpret and share God’s Word, His seed. In effect they are telling other members to hold onto their seed, don’t spread it out. Why? Are they afraid of attracting members who may not fit their concept of the perfect church? Or are they afraid a member may spread a seed that is not in line with their perfect doctrine? In either case, they are not following the instructions of the teacher crazy enough to tell a parable about a farmer from a boat.
Watching Jesus reminded the farmer of his reliance on God. If God didn’t bring the sun and rain, there wouldn’t be any new seed at all. So what is the farmer in Jesus’ story wasting? The seed he has been freely giving as a gift from God.
Other people watched sea gulls running up and down the shore, darting through the sky, occasionally diving into the water. They knew gulls eat anything and everything. If they could they would steal a meal out of your mouth. They were known as winged beggars, scavengers.
Jesus continued. “Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died.
James related the shallow soil to shallow waters. They could fish shallow water where they may catch more, but smaller fish. Deep water required more planning, patients, and wisdom. Shallow waters were also safer and took less time to reach. James laughed to himself. Shallow water was really for children.
The same is true when we spread God’s Word. When we are weak in our faith spending little time in His Word and less time with His Spirit, we fish shallow waters, intentionally casting our seed on shallow soil. Do we ever consider turning up the ground in our own hearts? Do we search deep for God’s message, challenging God when we study His Word? Or do we take the easy way out, expecting others to pray, study, talk to God for us, and wait for a brief summary? How much of God’s Word are we able to share when all we receive is a short summary? Are we able to share from a deep, close, personal relationship with God, or do we feel sharing a few seeds in shallow soil is our direction and calling from God?
After bending over the side of the boat, dipping His arm in as far as it would reach and scooping out handful after handful of water to illustrate deep soil, Jesus stood up, smiled and shared His favorite part of the parable. “Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Jesus knows we are all different. We aren’t all going to spread the same amount of seeds, but we are all going to be given some seeds to spread. If we choose to hang into them and carry them around, do we notice the load? Jesus also taught about a load. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLTse). Does this light load have anything to do with spreading the seeds, delivering the messages Jesus gives us to share? Do we make our own load heavy by hoarding the seeds we are given to spread?
Jesus finished His story adding a word of advise to those paying attention. “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” This made everyone, especially His disciples think back on what he said. They began looking around. What do the birds represent, the road, the ground and seed? It suddenly dawned on them, Jesus told the story because it had a much deeper spiritual meaning.
Mark 4:10-20 NLTse Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parablesmeant. (11) He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, (12) so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.'” (13) Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? (14) The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. (15) The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. (16) The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. (17) But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. (18) The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, (19) but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. (20) And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
The disciples recounted details of the day sitting around a fire after dinner. It didn’t take long for them to begin questioning one another on Jesus’ parable about the sower with seed. Each of the disciples tried to outwit the others, fashioning their questions so they would not let on to the fact they did not know the answers. It soon became evident, no one knew the answers. So they asked Jesus what the parable meant. By the smile on Jesus’ face they could tell He was waiting for them to ask. He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scripturesmight be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.'” They knew it was important when Jesus quoted scripture. Now they were listening. Jesus waited until He knew every eye was on Him, every heart was open. Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?”
This is an import message to us. How do we understand the meaning of this parable? In one chapter Mark records the parable and provides the answer. When we look at the four gospels we find only a handful of parables Jesus explained. Why did Jesus explain only a few parables and not others? Is there a deeper message we see when we understand the reason?
The disciples wanted to understand all of Jesus’ parables. According to Jesus, He was about to reveal the key to understand all of them. They were excited as Jesus began to explain each detail. “The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others.” Each of the disciples knew they were being trained to take God’s Word to others. They hoped to one day become a teacher like Jesus, to have crowds follow them, to look at scripture and understand. They understood the meaning of the symbol, but still did not understand the lesson. Jesus continued, “The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.”
They knew Ezekiel and Daniel used birds to represent people, but never heard of birds representing Satan. Maybe it was the control he had over them. After all, not many people are possessed by demons, but a lot of people break God’s law, make life more difficult for others, inflict unnecessary pain and trials, all acting the part of Satan’s agents. Now the disciples were beginning to think they are finally able to understand. People are used by Satan to snatch the seeds away.
Jesus gave them a minute to think about and absorb what they learned so far. He wanted His words to sink in deep. He also know they needed a few moments with the Spirit, so He could explain the details when their heart was open to understanding. When He knew they were ready He added more. “The seed on therocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.”
They all knew plants would not grow in stony soil. Now they understood why Jesus used it as a symbol. They once again began to think about scriptures describing stones. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezekiel 36:26 NLTse). They also saw the pattern developing. The hidden meaning of the symbols Jesus used can be found in the scriptures. It seemed simple enough. No wonder Jesus began His explanation by quoting scripture. It was a hint. More than a hint, a guide!
Once they understood the symbol stony ground was explained by scripture, they could see Jesus was referring to a stony heart. Throughout the parable Jesus was referring to the effect God’s Word has on the heart. This explained why some people understood, while others didn’t. They realized there were two ingredients to understand Jesus’ parables, an open heart, and the scriptures.
Stony ground describes the condition of this world. “They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.” Satan does his best to distract everyone trying to accept and understand God’s Word. It is something we need to learn to overcome in our own lives. It is part of the personal relationship we have with God. We decide if we are going to make the time or not. Then there are the distractions in the form of trials testing our faith. Some times when people see a new faith, a new enthusiasm in you, they want you to tone it down, or begin to avoid you. Persecution happens in the church. Many people are afraid to share what they have learned. They may have seen others ridiculed when they come to church ready to share something new they saw while studying at home. Some times leaders discourage personal study and growth in the Spirit. They may be afraid of questions they are unable to answer. They may be afraid of members with a higher understanding then what they have been able to achieve. Then there is the fear of someone questioning their doctrines.
Jesus could tell by the smiles on their faces the Spirit was working on their hearts and they were beginning to understand. Jesus knew it was time to share the meaning of good soil. “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
When the disciples heard this they wondered exactly what Jesus meant by accept God’s Word. This would mean the other soils, those on the road and with stony hearts did not accept God’s Word. Did Jesus mean they did not accept the parables He taught, scripture which explained the symbols, or everything? Can people accept one part but not the other? What did they have to do to accept God’s Word? Was Jesus willing to teach them everything they needed to know? They knew their goal was to bring more people to Jesus, to help teach God’s Word. Now they knew they had to keep their hearts and minds open, concentrate on Jesus’ parables, and compare them with scripture to be able to learn and share the spiritual meaning of the symbols He used.
Mark 8:10-21 Jesus Asks Why The Disciples Cannot Understand
Mark 8:10-21 NLTse Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. (11) When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. (12) When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.” (13) So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake. (14) But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. (15) As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.” (16) At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. (17) Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? (18) ‘You have eyes–can’t you see? You have ears–can’t you hear?’ Don’t you remember anything at all? (19) When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how manybaskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?” “Twelve,” they said. (20) “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftoversdid you pick up?” “Seven,” they said. (21) “Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them.
As a new believer I see a number of alarming questions Jesus is asking His disciples. Don’t you know? Can’t you see? Can’t you hear? Don’t you remember anything at all? Don’t you understand yet? The sequence itself speak volumes. What prompted Jesus to ask these questions? The answer is in the middle of the questions. It seems the disciples forgot about Jesus feeding 5000 and 4000. If they forgot the miracles, they most likely missed the spiritual lessons Jesus was teaching.
Was Jesus upset merely because His disciples were not paying attention to His lessons, or was there another reason? We find the answer by simply looking back a few texts. The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign. They were testing Him. After following Jesus around for weeks, watching Him cure every form of sickness from every individual, the Pharisees doubted. Maybe they didn’t doubt Jesus. Maybe the refused to trust Him because He healed everyone who came to Him. In Tyre we see He healed a Gentile woman, born in Syrian Phoenicia. As we look back a little further we see Jesus cast hundreds of demons from a man sending them into a herd of pigs. Most likely this was another group of people the Pharisees detested. When we look back a little further we see Jesus healed a woman with an issue of blood. Someone the Pharisees would have labeled unclean and crossed the street to avoid. Before that, Jesus healed a leper and sent him to the temple with an offering to show himself to the priests. That was the first they heard of Jesus and something about it turned them against Him before they even met Him. Since that day they have been following Him, looking for faults, trying to prove Jesus was not a prophet, and one more thing – after Jesus healed a man’s withered hand in the Sabbath – At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. (Mark 3:6 NLTse). Its no wonder Jesus told His disciples to be careful of the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, they were plotting to kill Him Their hatred grew and expanded like bread in an oven.
What about the disciples? Now that we see one of the lessons Jesus was teaching, how did each apply to the disciples? Were the disciples looking at the Pharisees as a teacher equal to or in addition to Jesus? How would it effect the mission they would soon receive? Were they going to establish divisions before they began preaching? Jesus never taught divisions. Throughout His ministry, He continued to reach out to the Pharisees and religious leaders. Some responded while others were determined to oppose Jesus and all His views, no matter what.
Looking over these texts, as a new believer I can see how certain words are repeated and how each point to different elements Jesus emphasized so their minds would linger on the spiritual lessons. The word boat points us back to the crossings the disciples made from one side of the lake to the other and how each landing resulting in a new spiritual lesson. There were also lessons taught while in the boat. The word boat points us all the way back to the very beginning of the sequence of lessons when Jesus told the parable of a sower and his seed. This is when Jesus promised to teach His disciples how to understand all parables. Since that time Jesus shared one study rule after another. Was one of those lessons centered in the fact one side of the lake was Jewish, the other side Gentile?
We see the phrase miraculous sign repeated. It appears to be associated only with the Pharisees questioning Jesus. But when we look at Jesus’ reaction to the slow learning process of the disciples, we see Jesus mentioning two, feeding 5000 and 4000. Here we see how Jesus viewed the narrow minds and thinking of His disciples. In essence Jesus is comparing the disciples’ slow learning process to the Pharisees’ doubts. Personal beliefs and knowledge may be weighed one way in this world, but Heaven has a different view.
We see the disciples crossing the lake in a boat at the beginning of these texts and again in the middle. Each time they cross it seems to begin a new lesson. In fact each of these lessons are related. Each provides on element which needs to be added to the others to be fully understood. For instance in this case we see the Pharisees asking for a miraculous sign, followed by the disciples forgetting a few. As we look back between Mark chapter 4 and 8 we see the sequence of crossing in the boat marking the beginning of a related lesson.
The texts also show a relationship between Jesus and loaves of bread. Jesus is calling attention to bread. The fact the disciples forgot to bring enough has a direct relationship to the fact they forgot about Jesus miracles when He fed 5000 and 4000 plus people from a few loaves of bread. After feeding 5000, John recorded what Jesus told them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NLTse). Jesus also told them, “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63 NLTse). Didn’t they understand the connection at the time? They were supposed to be learning how to understand parables which contain symbols. Here we see Jesus explaining symbols, and it is as if the disciples cannot understand Jesus and His Words are the Bread of life from Heaven. This is one of the fundamental symbols in scripture. Some of the disciples were about to add a significant finish to God’s book to this world. Jesus could not afford to have them misunderstand a single lesson. If nothing else this shows the patients Jesus exhibited while teach.
There is another word repeated, leftovers. What does the leftover bread represent? Was it something for the disciples to take with them? Why did they forget again? Does it still represent Jesus’ word, and how the disciples failed to remember the lessons? Is this why Jesus seemed upset with them? Its not only bread and miracles they forgot, it was His words.
Do we forget lessons in life? The Holy Spirit spends days, weeks, years arranging sequences in our lives to show us specific lessons we need to learn. We all have our own ways of getting into a boat with Jesus, that is when we are close to Him, crossing a lake, then what happens when we get to the other side? Do we look, listen and learn? Are we paying attention? Do we remember details of the miracles in our lives so we can put the pieces of the puzzle together? Or do was accept the miracles, take in what we need to be full for the moment, then leave the rest sitting on the ground? Are we being lazy and careless with our spiritual life, leaving the best features behind. Do we listen when we should, and talk only when we need to? Do we pay attention to the jobs the Spirit gives us to help complete the harvest? Are we like the son refusing to work then reluctantly going into the field? Or the other who claims to have enthusiasm to work, but only provides lip service with no heart in the matter?
The Spirit has been working in everyone’s life to bring about a change. Sometimes for years or a lifetime. Everyone has questions about God on their mind and in their hearts. Most people are looking for answers but don’t know where to turn. This is where you come in, the one following Jesus, paying attention to His words, remembering the miracles in your life, the one in a million with a real relationship with Christ your Savior. The Spirit gives you a message, often times a question to ask a person with an open heart ready to accept a seed, His Word. You are the farmer. It is a great responsibility you if you choose to accept it. Are you up for the task? Have you prepared with all your heart, soul and mind? Are you listening to the Spirit for that message?
Are you one of the crowd, people who position themselves in the back, never getting close enough to Jesus to see the miracles, or understand? Do you prefer to remain seated, waiting for someone to serve you? Do you take in enough to feel full, then carelessly leave the rest of Jesus’ Word on the ground? Do you think you see on opportunity to help in the harvest, deciding to deliver a message of your own making, based on your own limited wisdom? Or worse yet, do you feel delivering canned, prepackaged, one size fits all messages is serving the Lord? Are you doubting Jesus’ ability like the Pharisees, or forgetting like the disciples? By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:20-22 NLTse).
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Jesus Teaches About Relationships The Gospel Of Mark Chapters 9 – 16
Posted by Ez1 Realty on August 28, 2013
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Jesus teaches about relationships as established in Eden.
Jesus Teaches About Relationships
- The Gospel Of Mark Chapters 9 – 16
Written by Dennis Herman
Copyright © 2013 Dennis Herman
All rights reserved
ISBN 978-1-300-94208-5
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- Something really bothered me as I studied and wrote about the final chapters of Matthew’s Gospel. I wondered how the disciples failed to support Jesus in His final days and hours. Why couldn’t they understand the prophecies Jesus tried to teach them a number of times? I knew there was something beyond the obvious answer on the surface. It was more than the disciples concern for their greatness.
As soon as I began studying mark chapter 9, I saw a pattern showing a new subject Jesus was teaching. Jesus was teaching one of the most important facets His disciples must have. This lesson was so important, it overwhelmed the last eight chapters of Mark. Jesus taught one lesson after another centering on the profound need for a personal relationship with Him. Jesus taught lessons, told parables, used examples, experiences, and pleaded with His disciple for a personal relationship. Jesus needed their love and support. As the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth drew near, experiences, examples, and pleas intensified, met only by a lack of interest which increased the agony Jesus felt as His time drew near.
How could the disciples live, eat, and minister along side Jesus for three years without developing a close personal relationship with Him? What held them back? What is holding the world back today? The Gospels recorded failures and a lack of concern as Jesus faced His trial, was led away to Golgotha, and hung on the cross. The disciples claimed they loved Jesus, but failed to act out their passion before, during, and after the cross. The same sentiment runs rampant through churches today. The Gospels did not repeat this message four times for nothing. Each Gospel records the lack of love to show the condition of the world today. Gospel writers recorded their mistakes for the world to see, and learn from, so when we see Jesus, we will not feel the same loss experienced by the disciples Jesus walked with.
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Mark 9:30-39 Be Like a Little Child
Mark 9:30-39 NLTse Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, (31) for he wanted to spend more time with his disciplesand teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” (32) They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant. (33) After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” (34) But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. (35) He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” (36) Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, (37) “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” (38) John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” (39) “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me.
Once again, Jesus is the center of this lesson. Jesus tried teaching the disciples, but it seems they did not learn anything. Jesus tried to teach them about His sacrifice. Did the disciples learn anything? On the road they argued about who was greatest. How could they understand Jesus’ sacrifice if they were concerned about their own glory? It was obvious, the disciples did not understand, so Jesus used a child to illustrate one point of the lesson. Jesus repeated the word, “welcome,” a number of times. What message was Jesus trying to teach? Look at the words. Jesus is talking about welcoming Him and His Father like they would welcome a little child. Jesus is continuing His lesson on relationships.
Waking hours before sunrise, Jesus went a distance from the crowd to pray. He needed time alone from with His Father to sort things out from the past while listening to plans and direction for the future. Again it was time to repeat another lesson, so Jesus separated His disciples from the crowd. An hour before the sun rose, He quietly collected His disciples and began traveling towards Galilee.
God blessed them with a breath taking sunrise. A row of low puffy clouds in the east reflected rays from the sun in hues of red and orange. A sliver of gold highlighted the very bottom of the clouds just above the horizon as if painted by an unseen hand. Jesus paused for a moment to take in the scene. The disciples drew near to admire the view. As the crown of the sun appeared, Jesus began telling them about some of the prophecies He was sent to fulfill. “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.”
The last time Jesus tried to explain His mission on earth, Peter interrupted, took Jesus aside and told Him nothing like that could ever happen to Him. Jesus rebuked Peter, telling him, He had no choice but to fulfill the prophecies, all of them. After weeks of parables, hundreds of people healed, and a host of personal experiences designed to teach them how to understand God’s voice and His Word, it was finally time to share more details about the sacrifice Jesus came to make. This time the reaction was different. No one stepped forward to argue with Jesus. No one wanted to experience the embarrassment Peter endured. The fact of the matter was, they didn’t understand what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask. Why? What made them afraid of Jesus? Who were they afraid of? Jesus or one another? The disciples revealed the answer. Instead of talking about what Jesus said, questioning one another, praying, waiting for an answer, they changed the subject, showing what was still in their hearts. They argued about who was greatest. The disciples were afraid of one another. They were afraid of how the others viewed themselves.
It makes no sense. Your best friend tells you He is about to die, by giving His life for yours, and you return the favor by worrying about how great you are? What does it mean? How does this apply to Christians after the disciples? What lesson is being taught here? Is there anything more important in the Bible than Jesus? Was there anything more important at that moment than Jesus? Explain what Jesus means to you. What is the most important aspect of Jesus? Most people would answer along the lines of, “He died for me.” How many people can go deeper? How many can explain the prophecies Jesus fulfilled? If a friend died for you, don’t you think it is important to read letters explaining why? Jesus was trying to show His disciples why He was going to give His life, but they did not want to listen. They were more concerned about themselves than their Teacher.
Earlier Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountain to show them the kind of companionship He was looking for, the friendship He needed. Peter, James, and John saw Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus. They left Heaven to comfort their friend and God. Moses and Elijah knew the plan of salvation and how much Jesus needed support. Also how important it was for the disciples, all of Jesus’ disciples to learn everything they can about God’s plan. This is the message Jesus gave His disciples to preach. How was Jesus going to get them to understand?
He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” The last time Jesus tried explaining the prophecies about Himself, He told the disciples, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 NLTse). Putting the two lessons together shows how patiently Jesus taught His disciples, adding one lesson to another. What was the lesson Jesus warned His disciples not to be ashamed of? It was being a servant like Jesus. The disciples put themselves in the worst position possible. While Jesus was trying to explain exactly how He came to serve the world, His disciples argued about who was greatest. Jesus knew He had to show them how their pride would make them unsuitable to serve.
The long pause told the disciples a lesson was coming. At first they were timid, hoping Jesus wasn’t going to draw attention to them. Each felt a pain in their heart as they began to think of all the times they let Jesus down. For a minute they began to give serious thought to the prophecies Jesus was telling them about. Could they be about Him? Will He have to suffer such horrible things? As they began to think of how these things could be avoided, Jesus sat down and motioned for a small child to come to Him. The little boy ran to Jesus with joy. The disciples could see a sense of pride in the fact Jesus called him. They looked at his eyes. Big round, dark eyes anyone could quickly fall in love with. Looking into the child’s eyes reminded some of the disciples of the future they saw in the eyes of their own child. They also remembered the love, suddenly seeing this is what Jesus wanted them to understand as He told them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
A little child naturally relies on parents for food, clothing, love and care. They are trusting, loyal, dedicated and only know how to return unconditional love. Children have nothing more to give in return than their love. There is a common and natural bond between children and their parents. A mutual sense of pride. No matter what race, creed, religion, or social status a parent comes from, they all want a better life for their children than the life they led. Parents, especially mothers are gifted with a natural tendency to protect their children from harm and sin. They want to give the best to their children, often more than they are capable of providing. Children love them whether they receive the riches of the world, or nothing more than time. Love between parents and children cannot be expressed on paper. It cannot be created in a laboratory, marketed in a package, taught in a classroom or book. It must be experienced, lived, loved, cherished, nourished, cultivated, protected, and treasured.
The disciples were beginning to see the obvious connection Jesus was teaching. The connection between Him and His Father was the same as them and their children, wives, fathers and mothers. They began to see how love for the family was always meant to be extended beyond the family circle. They not only had to learn to love Jesus more than those they those loved in this world, that love also extended to His Father. By the way Jesus was holding the child, they could see the love from the child was being returned. They began to feel a warmth and peace deep within they had not felt before. Jesus paused again, looking at each face, reading their hearts through their eyes that showed the Spirit was working within each one, bringing to mind a number of lessons they experienced over the past weeks. Jesus held the child closer as the warmth spread throughout the group. God was very near.
No one knows why. Maybe it was because John was still convinced he was the greatest. Maybe he turned the great love he felt for Jesus into an excuse to place himself above the others. John broke the serenity of the moment by asking Jesus a question. “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” John could tell he said something wrong when we saw the look on Jesus’ face change. Jesus also let the little child go. Jesus still paused after the child ran to his mother’s side. He looked down at the ground, wondering how the disciples missed one of the most important lessons. They crossed the lake time after time for a reason. Jesus began preaching near John’s home town. From there they traveled across the lake where Jesus cast thousands of demons from a single man into a herd of pigs. After the pigs drowned, the herders asked Jesus to leave. Returning near John’s home, they were met me a rich, young ruler from the synagogue. Jesus went to his home where He raised his little girl back to life. They saw Jesus rejected in His own home town. When they crossed the lake again, they saw Jesus feed over 4000 people from five loaves of bread and two fish. Crossing back over the lake the disciples were attacked by the Pharisees for not washing their hands before eating. Jesus tried turning them back to the scriptures for an answer. Did they bother to look? Then Jesus traveled to Tyre, where a woman, a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia pleaded for her daughter. Jesus cast a demon out of the little girl.
Jesus looked down at the dust on the ground wondering if any of the disciples saw the lesson He was teaching. Hearing John’s question showed Jesus it was going to take more time for them to see He treated everyone alike. Jesus did not put one value on a Jew, another on a Gentile. Jesus never asked a person’s political or religious views before helping them. Jesus never held anyone to the doctrines of His time. Jesus just helped them, prayed for them, and left them in the capable hands of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew John would one day understand as He answered. “Don’t stop him! No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me.” One day John would look up and see the answer.
Will the disciples learn to love and trust Jesus like a little child looks up to their parents? What impressed you in this lesson? Could you see the little child sitting in Jesus’ lap, looking out at the disciples? Do you think the little child wanted to grow up to be like the disciples, or do you like the child set his heart on growing up to be like Jesus?
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Mark 11:15-19 Jesus Cleanses The Temple
Mark 11:15-19 NLTse When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, (16) and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. (17) He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” (18) When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching. (19) That eveningJesus and the disciples left the city.
Since Jesus’ final journey to the temple in Jerusalem, He had been fulfilling a number of prophecies. His disciples didn’t notice because they had not yet learned to look back comparing events, and consult the scriptures with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many lessons in the Bible are also taught through the rule of repetition. In these verses we see Jesus is once again the main character. Jesus enters the temple which is described as a marketplace and den of thieves. The author focuses additional evidence on selling animals and doves. Does the combination of key words point to a deeper spiritual meaning?
Jesus arrived at the temple long before the gates were opened. As they waited near the gate, Jesus sat, weaving a set of ropes into a whip. As soon as the doors opened, Jesus entered, followed by His disciples and dozens of other people gathered at the gate. Some came to see Jesus, others to offer sacrifices.
Everyone split into three groups. The disciples and others gathered near pens holding the sacrificial lambs. Another group hurried along to be first in line to exchange their money for temple shekels. A third carried their lambs to another line forming in front of priests assigned to inspect the animals. Jesus and the disciples could tell by the disgruntled looks on the faces of the people, they stood in those lines before. They know their lambs would be rejected and exchanged for others at a price they could hardly afford to pay. Jesus wondered if the disciples understood the lesson in front of them, or the one about to be exposed.
Jesus walked up the steps past the line forming in front of the tables set up for the money changers. Without saying a word, Jesus picked up the corner of the table, flinging it down the steps in a single movement. Money changers as well as guards stood awestruck, as if frozen in time. No one moved. It was as if an unseen force held them in place. Guards reached for their swords, but could not draw them. Jesus flung out his whip, cracking it on the next table. The money changers seated at the table drew back in fear. Jesus flipped over a second table. A priest inspecting sacrificial lambs ran into the temple.
Jesus hurled his whip, cracking it on another table, sending change in every direction. People on the steps scrambled to their hands and knees to pick up every coin they could grab. Once the last table was turned over, Jesus turned His attention to the pens filled with waiting lambs.
As Jesus crossed the courtyard, the disciples stood in shock. On their way to Jerusalem they expected to see much more than one man turning the temple court into a shambles. Why the temple? Shouldn’t Jesus overthrow Herod in the palace? Shouldn’t Jesus take David’s throne. For the moment nothing seemed to make sense. What did Jesus hope to achieve by over throwing the temple?
The crowd parted as Jesus made His way to the pens. He immediately began opening cages holding birds, sending them flying in all directions. Jesus next opened pens containing sacrificial lambs. They ran directly for the open gate as if guided by an unseen hand. Soon streets were filled with lambs as well as people spreading news about the event in the temple courtyard. People flocked to the temple, quickly occupying the space where the lambs were kept.
Finally the high priest and a contingency of followers entered the court. Viewing the damage their only thought was how to kill Jesus and put an end to His ministry. Jesus turned and said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” The disciples never saw such a look on Jesus’ face, or heard the tone of voice He used. When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.
Jesus moved from one method of teaching to another. Since telling the parable of the sower and his seed, Jesus had been teaching His disciples how to understand all parables and scripture. He also taught them about relationships. The type of relationship He wanted with them, the relationship He wanted them to form with God, and the relationships they needed to form with others to effectively continue the message they were chosen to take to the world. Now Jesus was teaching, exhibiting and living the written prophecies about Himself. Jesus pointed this out in the temple when He said, “The Scriptures declare.” Jesus began this new sequence by riding a donkey into Jerusalem. Next Jesus cursed a fig tree. Now Jesus cleansed the temple. Each of these were designed to test the disciples as well as give them the opportunity to sharpen the skills they have been developing. Each of these events is well know prophecy. Jesus was sending His disciples as well as the priests and other religious leaders back to the scriptures. There was a reason Jesus did not say long on the first day at the temple. Actions speak louder than words, and God’s Word is eternal, always fulfilled to the letter, and on time.
This is what the LORD says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong. “Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will never let me be part of his people.’ And don’t let the eunuchs say, ‘I’m a dried-up tree with no children and no future.’ For this is what the LORD says: I will bless those eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy and who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me. I will give them–within the walls of my house— a memorial and a name far greater than sons and daughters could give. For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear! “I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because myTemple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. For the Sovereign LORD, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel.” Come, wild animals of the field! Come, wild animals of the forest! Come and devour my people! For the leaders of my people– the LORD’s watchmen, his shepherds— are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming. Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied. They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain. “Come,” they say, “let’s get some wine and have a party. Let’s all get drunk. Then tomorrow we’ll do it again and have an even bigger party!” (Isaiah 56:1-12 NLTse).
Reading Isaiah would have identified the prophecy Jesus fulfilled as well as remind the disciples of crisscrossing the lake. On one side Jesus taught Jews, raised the daughter of a synagogue leader, healed a woman from an issue of blood, and healed countless others. On the other side of the lake Jesus cast out a legion of demons from a man who evangelized a number of cities. He also cast out demons, healed many, fed 4000 and 5000. One side of the lake Jesus ministered to Jews. On the other He taught and ministered to Gentiles. Isaiah described how one day Jesus will call all of them to His Temple.
“‘Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie! Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, “We are safe!”–only to go right back to all those evils again? Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the LORD, have spoken! (Jeremiah 7:8-11 NLTse).
Jeremiah points out how far religious leaders will turn away from God. They put their trust in a stone temple and their own beliefs instead of God. There is no doubt they lied, cheated, stole, and planned to murder more people than Jesus. Not only was Jesus threatening their beliefs, but their income and lavish life style.
So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him. But no, the people are like crafty merchants selling from dishonest scales– they love to cheat. Israel boasts, “I am rich! I’ve made a fortune all by myself! No one has caught me cheating! My record is spotless!” (Hosea 12:6-8 NLTse).
Everyone knew how the money changers used dishonest scales. People accepted the fact they were cheated. They knew it was happening, but what could they do? The priests and religious leaders invented a system making it impossible to oppose the priests. The endless set of rules and regulations were designed to make it appear that opposing the priests was opposing God. Jesus came not to expose the system, everyone knew it existed. Jesus came to replace it with a system of worship God always intended His people to follow. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. (Exodus 19:5 NLTse).
What about the aspect of a relationship with Jesus and God? What lessons are taught here? We see how religious leaders replaced their trust and love for God for wealth, prestige, and power. Not only were the disciples witnessing fulfillment of prophecy, they were given the opportunity to see where a halfhearted relationship with God will lead. “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24 NLTse).
As Jesus left the city with His disciples, He wondered how deep the lessons would reach? He wondered if they were able to apply them to life in this world. Not only were religious leaders overly concerned with wealth, many other relationships are fractured by the love of money. There was a reason Jesus sent His disciples out to minister without money. Jesus didn’t rely on money to form a relationship. It was never a factor in His ministry. Jesus never based any relationship on money. He only wanted to offer the love He received from Heaven, and expected nothing in return. Love should always be given by total freedom of will. Jesus also wanted His disciples to see how relationships based only on riches, power, glory, the things of this world are only temporary like the rewards they chase. Jesus hoped the disciples looked back on all the events of the past years, including the death of His cousin John, murdered by Herodias. She married for worldly reasons. Power and fame meant more to her than human life. The same guilt engulfs all those marrying for worldly gain. They have no idea what love really is. They never experienced God’s love because they never established a relationship with Him. They also never establish a relationship with the person they marry. They are always looking for something better. Looking for excuses to leave. Like religious leaders, establishing their own beliefs, doctrines and traditions to suit their needs which will never be satisfied. They live in a search for happiness as temporary as the wind. Did Jesus end His relationship with the Jews the same way many marriages end, with money being the main, last, and final concern for the unfaithful party?
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Mark 15:21-39 Jesus Is Crucified
Mark 15:21-39 NLTse A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus‘ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) (22) And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). (23) They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it. (24) Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. (25) It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. (26) A sign was fastened to the cross, announcing the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” (27) Two revolutionaries werecrucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. (29) The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. (30) Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!” (31) The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! (32) Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him. (33) At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. (34) Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (35) Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. (36) One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!” (37) Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. (38) And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (39) When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!“
When the Roman guard dressed Jesus, He was thankful for the little relief it brought, but knew the worst lay ahead. Wounds on His back and legs gushed blood as nerves screamed out in pain. Repeated blows to His head left Him with such a concussion, pain from the thorns was secondary to the throbbing caused by His swelling brain. The combination of blood loss and concussion made it difficult to concentrate as Jesus drifted in and out of consciousness.
The Roman commander shouted orders as soldiers placed the cross across the back of each prisoner. The long uphill trek began. The weight of the cross opened wounds on the backs and shoulders of the prisoners. The two criminals with Jesus moaned, groaned, begged, and cursed. Hearing only two voices, the Roman commander turned to check the condition of his prisoners. One glance told him all three were present and accounted for. After a distance the commander heard the distinctive sound of a heavy wooden cross hitting the pavement followed by the sound of a prisoner being whipped. He turned, rode back and watched for a minute before ordering the whipping to stop. “Stop that! If you disable the prisoner, you’ll be carrying that cross.”
Jesus tried to keep His concentration. His mind as well as His sight kept going in and out of focus. Although His eyes were covered in blood and sweat, His vision was better than anyone in Jerusalem. Devils gathered around Jesus, Roman guards, and people along the road. Prisoners were subject to random whippings, being treated like a disobedient animal under a load. Devils entered into guards and bystanders, shouting out jeers, curses, and throwing anything available at guards and prisoners alike. Guards beat back the crowd with spears and whips. They could not remember ever seeing such a scene.
Satan himself was observing the scene both on the ground and above. Looking up Satan saw thousands upon thousands of God’s loyal angels watching every detail of the event unfold. Jesus staggered and fell again. Satan saw his opening and approached Jesus. A brilliant flash served as a warning for Satan to keep his distance. Satan knew he could not enter Jesus, as long as He remained sinless. Satan looked for every opportunity to make Jesus fall. Only inches from Jesus. Satan asked Him if the pain was worth it. “Look at the people you are suffering for. Are they worth it? Do they care anything about you?” Satan promised to take the pain away. He also accused God of abandoning Jesus. Satan walked along side Jesus, reminding Him about sights in Heaven, encouraging Jesus to join him to rebuild a piece of Heaven on earth. Satan had a long list of deceptions and didn’t miss a point.
Jesus knew temptation well and also how to fight it. Jesus also knew all Heaven looked down, poised to come to His aid with a single word. Jesus prayed for the strength to make it up the hill as Golgotha came into view. Scripture from Isaiah came to mind. Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick. You are battered from head to foot– covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds– without any soothing ointments or bandages. Your country lies in ruins, and your towns are burned. Foreigners plunder your fields before your eyes and destroy everything they see. Beautiful Jerusalem stands abandoned like a watchman’s shelter in a vineyard, like a lean-to in a cucumber field after the harvest, like a helpless city under siege. If the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of us, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:5-9 NLTse).
Satan and his devils couldn’t get to Jesus, but the guards were putty in their hands. One of the guards jabbed Jesus in the back with the butt of his spear. Once again Jesus fell to the ground. Again the sound of the cross striking the ground reached the commander’s ears. He rode back to assess the scene. The commander ordered one of the guards to take the cross off Jesus’ back. With the weight off, Jesus rolled to one side, looking up to the sky. A woman darted out from the crowd, lifting Jesus’ head, placing it in her lap. Thrones stuck in her leg as she wiped blood from Jesus’ face. Looking over the crowd, the commander pointed out a passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiersforced him to carry Jesus‘ cross. Simon hesitated, until the guards threatened him. As soon as Simon lifted the cross, one of the guards lifted Jesus by one arm. Thrones tore through the thigh of the woman helping Him. The commander shouted out orders to proceed as quickly as possible. The situation was deteriorating quickly. He wanted to get the execution over with before matters got completely out of hand. They proceeded up the hill at a hurried pace with Simon carrying the cross and Jesus following close behind. The woman stood in the street watching Jesus climb the hill. There was nothing she could do. Jesus turned His head for a moment. Looking back at her gave Him the strength to walk a few steps closer to the execution site.
As they neared the top of the hill the smell was over powering. Seagulls, vultures and other scavenging birds sounded an alarm as the crowd drew near the execution site. Priests covered their mouths and noses with their long sleeves as they gathered near the front of the crowd, their own guards moving people behind them. This was the first time the Roman guard saw such a crowd. At first they were thankful for help from the temple guard. Soon their mistrust for the temple guard and priests returned as they looked down the hill at the swelling crowd. Nothing could have prepared them for such a demonstration. Other soldiers went about their business as they offered the prisoners wine drugged with myrrh, but Jesus refused it. Then the soldiers nailed Jesus and the others to their crosses. Once again the commander noticed Jesus’ silence as the guards drove nails through His hands and feet then lifted the cross in place.
Something was different about this prisoner. He heard stories about Jesus and heard Him talk a number of times. Looking up at Jesus on the cross brought back some of things Jesus taught. He remembered seeing Jesus on his way to Jerusalem when a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.'” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:17-21 NLTse). The Roman commander thought to himself, “where would this man follow Him? To the cross? What kind of life is that?”
Other soldiers divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. The commander looked out over the crowd observing the different groups. He saw another soldier coming up the hill, making his way through the crowd. The commander thought Pilate dispatched a solder to report on the situation. He thought Pilate must have heard about the crowd gathering at the execution. Instead of reporting, the soldier went straight to Jesus’ cross in the middle, placed a ladder against it, climbed and fastened a sign reading, “King of the Jews.” Instantly the high priest demanded the sign be removed. The commander listened to Caiaphas’ complaint, turned to look for the solder who placed the sign on the cross only to find he was gone. Thinking over the situation, the commander told Caiaphas he needed a direct order from Pilate to remove the sign. He knew there was little chance Caiaphas would go to Pilate, and if he did, it reduced the chance of a riot.
It didn’t take long for the hot sun to begin taking its toll on the prisoners hanging from their crosses. Jesus drifted in and out of consciousness. Passing out for a moment was the only relief He could hope for. He was constantly awakened by people passing by shouting abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!” Jesus looked up at the sky knowing all Heaven was gathered above watching the plan of salvation unfold. Satan and his devils were busy hurling every insult, promise, and doubt at Jesus in an attempt to break Him. Demons danced with joy as if victory was in their grasp. Satan looked on, quiet for a moment, trying to hide his fear from the devils who followed him. Satan was busy reviewing scripture in his mind. Something seemed wrong. He planned for resistance, but God’s angels didn’t put up the expected fight. How could he accuse God if He didn’t interfere with the plans he laid out? Satan quickly gathered his forces, dispatching them with new orders.
The leading priests and teachers of religious law mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him. All madness broke loose in front of the cross. Satan wanted Jesus to see a world who hated and rejected Him. There was little Satan could do as Jesus looked over the crowd from high up on the cross. Jesus saw groups of His disciples, the people He taught how to love and what a relationship was about as He prepared them for their ministry ahead. Jesus looked at Mary who spend her life savings and more to anoint Him. Then Jesus saw His mother, the one who carried Him, gave birth to Him and loved Him unconditionally. The shock and grief in their eyes showed Jesus the love He was dying for. Blood from wounds on His head once again began to blur His vision.
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The darkness shocked a lot of people and quieted the crowd. Priests ran through the crowd trying to offer a logical explanation, but could not find one, so they claimed it was a sign of God’s approval, the beginning of a new day bringing blessings for the faithful ones of Israel. Some began to scream which reminded them of the first Passover when God’s avenging angel took the life of all the first born in Egypt. Many ran down the hill to their homes and families, falling over one another in the dark.
The Roman guard lite torches and gathered close to the crosses, not knowing what to expect. They waved their torches from side to side with little effect. The darkness was like a wall around them as they listened to shouts and screams from the crowd on the other side. Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!” Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. The earth shook as if it had fallen off its foundation. When the earthquake stopped, the Roman commander looked up at the crosses. It was a miracle they were still standing. Silence fall over the entire city of Jerusalem. At the same moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!“
Only a few people at the cross declared Jesus, “the Son of God” and, “The King of the Jews.” It was Pilate and his solders. Why did Pilate and his solders, who represented the government, use Jesus’ title but no one else? The religious leaders denied Jesus’ title. The high priest protested against Jesus’ title when Pilate posted it in writing on the cross. What does that mean? Does it have any bearing on the world today?
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Table of Contents
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Jesus Teaches About Relationships
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The Gospel Of Mark Chapters 9 – 16
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Introduction
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Chapter 1
Mark 9:1-13 Some Will Not Die Before They See The Kingdom of Heaven
Mark 9:14-29 Jesus Cast a Demon Out of a Small Boy
Mark 9:30-39 Be Like a Little Child
Mark 9:41-50 It Is Better If
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Chapter 2
Mark 10:1-12 Divorce
Mark 10:13-16 Kingdom of God Belongs to These Children
Mark 10:17-31 Inherit Eternal Life
Mark 10:32-45 Jesus Tries to Explain Prophecies Again
Mark 10:46-52 Jesus Heals A Blind Man
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Chapter 3
Mark 11:1-11 Jesus on a Donkey
Mark 11:12-14 Jesus Curses a Fig Tree
Mark 11:15-19 Jesus Cleanses The Temple
Mark 11:19-25 Have Faith In God
Mark 11:27-33 By What Authority
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Chapter 4
Mark 12:1-12 Ungrateful Tenants
Mark 12:13-17 Give To Caesar
Mark 12:18-27 Whose Wife Is She
Mark 12:28-34 Greatest Commandment
Mark 12:35-44 Messiah is the son of David
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Chapter 5
Mark 13:1-6 Not One Stone Will Be Left Upon Another
Mark 13:7-10 Beginning of Birth Pains
Mark 13:11-14 Desecration Standing Where It Should Not Be
Mark 13:15-23 Unless The Lord Shortens That Time
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Chapter 6
Mark 13:24-27 Sun Will Be Darkened
Mark 13:28-31 Lesson From A Fig Tree
Mark 13:32-37 Watch
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Chapter 7
Mark 14:1-11 Anointed Jesus For Burial
Mark 14:12-16 Prepare The Passover Meal
Mark 14:18-26 One Of You Shall Betray Me
Mark 14:27-42 Watch With Me
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Chapter 8
Mark 14:43-52 Jesus Arrested
Mark 14:53-65 Jesus’ First Trail
Mark 14:66-72 Peter Denies Jesus
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Chapter 9
Mark 15:1-15 Jesus Before Pilate
Mark 15:16-20 Jesus Mocked By The Soldiers
Mark 15:21-39 Jesus Is Crucified
Mark 15:40-47 Jesus Is Buried
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Chapter 10
Mark 16:1-8 Mary Gathers Spices For Jesus
Mark 16:9-20 The Disciples See Jesus
Posted in Christian Books, Gospel Messages Mark | Tagged: Anyone who welcomes a little child, den of thieves, destroy the Temple, dried-up tree, experiences, five loaves of bread and two fish, forced him to carry Jesus' cross, Golgotha, how far religious leaders will turn away from God, If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, Jesus cast a demon out of the little girl, Jesus feed over 4000 people, Jesus hurled his whip, Jesus needed their love, Jesus taught lessons, Jesus teaches about relationships, Jesus Teaches About Relationships The Gospel Of Mark Chapters 9 - 16, Jesus' final journey to the temple, Mark 11:15-19 Jesus Cleanses The Temple, Mark 15:21-39 Jesus Is Crucified, Mark 9:30-39 Be Like a Little Child, mocked Jesus, my God, Parables, personal relationship, Place of the Skull, rebuild it in three days, relationship with Jesus and God, Son of Man is going to be betrayed, Son of Man will be ashamed of that person, understand the prophecies Jesus tried to teach them, used examples, why have you abandoned me, Written by Dennis Herman | Leave a Comment »
Mention Word Press to receive a FREE eBook
Posted by Ez1 Realty on April 16, 2013
Jesus Teaches About Relationships
I just finished writing my 6th book on the Bible. The latest book is on the second half of Mark’s Gospel chapters 9 to 16. I want to give away 300 FREE copies in the ePUB format. You can read these books on any of the new tablets, laptops, or on a PC by downloading Adode© Digital Editions for free.
The book is a verse by verse collection of short stories that help to explain what Jesus taught His disciples and how they reacted to the lessons. Mark has a quick style of writing which makes it easy to see how Jesus took His disciples through a series of events to equip them with the skills they would need to progress in their own personal ministries. In chapters 9 to 16 Jesus teaches about relationships while continuing to teach His disciples how to understand scripture. Why did His disciples change the subject every time Jesus tried to tell them about the prophesies He came to fulfill and how did this effect their experience at the cross? After reading this, you will have a deeper understanding of not only Jesus’ experience at the cross, but a number of other characters involved and the lessons each teaches for us to understand today.
E-mail me to receive your FREE copy: DHerman@Ez1Realty.net
All you have to agree to is:
Never to resell the book!
Read the book
Distribute the book to at least 3 friends including the link to the sales web site and terms of receiving a free copy.
If you like it and have the time, add a review to the sales web site.
Here is a small sample:
As they traveled back to Jerusalem the disciples stopped in the middle of the road. They stared at the withered fig tree. Wasn’t that the tree Jesus inspected yesterday and cursed? Peter ran ahead for a closer look. The tree was withered from the roots to the tip of each branch. Dead leaves which were green yesterday lay on the ground surrounding the tree. Peter exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!” Did the disciples know why? Did the disciples remember what Jesus told them about bearing fruit? Did they realize trees represented people? I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil. But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them! (Psalms 37:35-36 NLTse). Did they forget how God used a tree to represent king Nebuchadnezzar?
Peter’s mind immediately went back to the traditional beliefs in prophecy. If Jesus can kill trees, He can use this power to defeat the Roman’s and any other enemy by eliminating their food supply. No enemy can stand before a power that controls everything that grows. His mind drifted off to possibilities and how they might be used.
What the disciples had not noticed was the fact all the moisture was removed from the tree. It was a dry tree. Life giving water was withdrawn from every leaf, branch, and limb. The truck and roots were as dry as the ground around it. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:10 NLTse). Jesus showed them, God does not prepare moist or productive wood for the fire. Every branch will be examined for fruit before judgment is passed. When there is no evidence of fruit, everything will be lost. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. (Matthew 13:12-13 NLTse).
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God.” The disciples wondered what a dead tree had to do with faith. They all looked at Jesus with a confused look in their eyes. It almost made Jesus laugh, but this was a matter they had to learn. Not only their future, but the future of the world relied on their faith. Without faith, they would become as fruitless and dry as the tree. Jesus continued the lesson. “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” The disciples were even more bewildered. Yesterday they saw Him tearing up the temple court, flipping over tables, opening cages and pens to set birds and lambs free. They saw a look in His face and heard a tone of voice they never saw or heard before. Now Jesus was talking about throwing mountains into the sea. What about all the towns and villages, families, homes, animals on the mountain. Surely Jesus was not referring to a real mountain.
Jesus looked at the disciples become more perplexed. He knew they were having trouble understanding. He wanted them to see the power available to them. He knew the withered tree made an impression on them. They had to first learn about the power offered to them. Then they had to learn how to use it. So Jesus continued in simple terms. “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
This really confused the disciples. They knew Jesus was teaching them how to look back and compare details, but what did any of these things have in common? Jesus rides a little donkey into Jerusalem, then He leaves for the night. On the way back, He curses a fig tree just because it didn’t have fruit. They go to the temple where Jesus turns over every table and drives out every bird and lamb. They leave Jerusalem again. Now on the way back, they find the fig tree dead. Jesus compares faith to casting a mountain into the sea. Now He is talking about praying, believing and forgiving. What did all of this have in common?
Jesus was changing His way of teaching. He was not pointing them back, He was pointing them forward to the cross. They would not listen when He tried to tell them about the prophecies He was about to fulfill, so He was giving them something to look back to, after the cross.
Posted in Gospel Messages Mark, News | Tagged: book on the Bible, deeper understanding, fig tree you cursed has withered, how to understand scripture, Jesus teaches about relationships, Mark's Gospel chapters 9 to 16, Mention Word Press to receive a FREE eBook, traditional beliefs in prophecy, what Jesus taught His disciples | Leave a Comment »
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