We shall continue with the study of the Book of Mark this week.
Vv. 10-12
(1) In the New Testament, “secret” or “mystery” refers to God’s plan of salvation hidden in the past, but now it is made plain by the coming of Jesus. Why then did Jesus use parables in many of His public teachings?
(2) Tom Rees once made a remark that “the same sun that hardens the clay melts the wax”. How can his remark help you understand the quote from Isaiah 6:9-10 in v.12?
Vv. 21-23—Try not to tie this parable of the lamp with the one in Matthew 5 but read this within its own context and pay attention to the connective “for” in v. 22.
(3) Who is the Light of the world? And with this Light having come to the world, what is being (and will be) disclosed and brought out into the open? What has this to do with you?
Vv. 24-25—This parable has to do with how we hear (Jesus’ teachings), and v.25 is linked to v.24 by the word “for” (NIV somehow omits it).
(4) With what measure did the Pharisees use in their hearing of Jesus? And what was the consequence?
(5) With what measures did the disciples, like Peter, use in their hearing of Jesus, and what was the consequence?
(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.” (Eccl. 8:11)
Crime is so rampant in our society because the judiciary system is too inefficient and appears to favor more the rights of the offenders than the victims. The verse above clearly explains these results, but it explains why we, Christians, also tend to sin against God without restraint.
No, God is not inefficient in the administration of justice, nor does He favor the offenders, but the truth is, He is awfully patient and longsuffering to His children and desires that we, as His children, will abstain from sin, not so much because of the fear of punishment, but because of our love for Him.
But this long-suffering of the Lord has been interpreted as His hiddenness even to the point as if He does not see. But the scripture is clear about His all-knowing, all-seeing eyes:
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Heb. 4:13)
“My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.” (Jer. 16:17)
As a result, if we fool ourselves into thinking that we can get away from hidden sins, we will be brought to shame on the day of accountability before God.
However, the hiddenness of God also has served to discourage some from doing good. But the scripture is equally clear in this respect:
“In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.” (1 Tim. 5:25)
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” (1 Co. 4:5)
Therefore the hiddenness of God is good for us in that it is a test of our heart in that if we do good we are not doing it for the sake of receiving glory before men, and if we avoid evil, we are demonstrating a living faith in our hidden God.
(1) A kingdom is usually understood in terms of (i) the extent of its reign, (ii) its location and (iii) its people or citizens. Try to apply these to the Kingdom of God.
(2) The first parable of the Kingdom is about (a) the continued growth day and night; (b) the growth is unknown to the sower; and (c) the “immediate” (in the original Greek version in v. 29) harvesting. What does this parable teach you about the Kingdom of God and to what aspect(s) (i.e. (a), (b), or (c) above) does it refer?
(3) The second parable of the Kingdom is about (a) its small or insignificant beginning, (b) its ability or power of growth, and (c) the final size being “the largest of all”. What does this parable teach you about the Kingdom of God and to what aspect(s) (i.e. (a), (b), or (c) above) does it refer?
(4) Although Jesus was speaking mostly in parables, obviously He has meant to be understood, As much as He would only explain them further in private to his disciples, what impact might these parables have on the listening crowd?
(5) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
In Mark 4, Jesus preaches a series on the Kingdom of God. One of the emphases of these parables appears to be timing.
These parables speak of the Kingdom of God as a process that necessarily takes time—especially between the time of sowing and the time of its fruitfulness—it appears to be a long process.
As we see in the history of missions, the process between the sowing and the bearing of fruit is extremely long and calls for faith and extraordinary patience. This is what is wrong with some of the approaches to mission these days, demanding efficiency and immediate results, as if such is under our control. It is certainly not wrong to use wisdom in deploying missionaries such as doing all kinds of research, planning and strategizing. However, if we think that by itself we can bear fruit, we are not building God’s Kingdom, but ours or our denomination’s.
However, Mark 4:29, in the original Greek version, does say that “But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
It is clear that the timing of harvesting is totally in God’s hands, both in a narrow and in a broader sense.
In a narrow sense, we are encouraged to remain faithful in sowing seeds because our labor in the Lord will not be in vain. Even if fruits are not born in our lifetime, it will produce a harvest in His own time.
In a broader sense, the world is the field and God has been using His servants to sow seeds in the last 2,000 years, but this will not last forever. Once “the crop permits” (and perhaps it is what Paul refers to in Romans 11:25 as the fullness of the number of the Gentiles), the Lord of harvest will send forth His angels to reap the harvest “immediately”.
As we express our yearning with John, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20), may we remain faithful in doing our part as sowers.
(1) After a day of teaching and healing, Jesus was obviously exhausted to the point that He was oblivious to the squall. What does it tell you about Jesus?
(2) How serious was the squall? How did the disciples react to it?
(3) Why did they wake Jesus up? From what they said, what did they expect of Jesus?
(4) How did Jesus calm the storm? Why would He choose such a method to calm the storm? And what was the effect?
(5) Was Jesus being reasonable in His remark to the disciples? If you were one of them, during this storm, how might you have reacted?
(6) Have you gone through any life’s storm that might be comparable to this squall? How did you handle it? What would have been Jesus’ remark to you?
(7) What have the disciples learned that night?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
We certainly believe in miracles as believers of Jesus Christ and the Bible. It is only “natural” for God to be able to perform the “supernatural”. However, somehow, we rank miracles according to some subconscious measurements. This is what happens to the disciples of Jesus.
Before
their encounter of the squall in Mark 4:35-41, they have witnessed first-hand
the various miracles performed by Jesus which include the driving out of
demons, the healing of minor illnesses (of the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law)
and of significant ones (of the crippled, the shriveled hand and many others). In other words, there is no
doubt in their mind that Jesus can perform miracles. And yet, at the calming of the squall, “they were terrified”. They even asked, “Who
is this? Even the wind and the waves
obey Him!" (Mk. 4:41).
We, of course, wonder, “How different is this miracle from others that they have witnessed?”
Of course, from what they exclaimed, it appears that, at least in their mind, the miracle over nature takes a far greater power than miracles over the physical body and the spirit world. In our modern minds, it might just be the opposite. We appear to be performing “miracles” over nature with all kinds of technological advancements. We can do far more than sending people to the moon. We have made great strides in the curing of all kinds of disease. While we are still at a loss over spiritual matters, modern minds have found a cure over this as well—by branding this as superstition.
But, no matter how the disciples categorize miracles and how modern minds dismiss miracles, one thing is common—when our own lives are threatened, we all need a miracle and such a miracle is bound to be the greatest of all!
I have seen many a good Christian demonstrate great faith in ministry, in many aspects of their lives and in the lives of others, until they face their own imminent death. All of a sudden, not all miracles appear equal to them.
(1) What can you learn about demonic power from this man?
(2) Can you describe what a person is like under demonic power? How are people without Christ similar to this person?
(3) From the exchange between the evil spirit(s) and Jesus, what more can you learn about the spirit-world and why would Jesus entertain their request?
(4) The rearing of pigs was necessarily a pagan practice and so both the herdsmen and the demon-possessed man were probably gentiles. Does the reaction of the herdsmen to both the healing of the man and the drowning of pigs strike you as odd? What would yours be, if you were one of them?
(5) Why did the man beg to follow Jesus? Why did Jesus reject his request? (Note: Decapolis, meaning ten cities, refers to the cities east and northeast of the Jordan; all these, including Damascus, were gentile cities.)
(6) What is the most significant lesson you have learned today and how can you apply it to yourself?
I have used Evangelism Explosion (E.E.) to teach Christians not only in my home church, but those in other churches, equipping the lay people to be ready to share the gospel clearly, systematically and responsibly wherever they go. One of the emphases I like about E.E. is to urge those new converts to share their testimony immediately with someone they love. It does not only serve to affirm their faith in Christ, but it is totally in tune with what Jesus told the newly converted, former demon-possessed man to do in Mark 5:19:
“Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”
Yes, this man would have little biblical knowledge, but knowledge will come in time. But his conversion was not an accident. The extremely superstitious cities in the Decapolis (including Tyre and Sidon) desperately needed the gospel, and with his miraculous and undeniable healing, he instantly became a powerful testimony, drawing these people with gentile background to Jesus.
As it happened, although the people of the town sadly urged Jesus to leave them, Jesus had not abandoned them. As we read later in chapter 7, Jesus returned to the Decapolis and the people were far more ready to receive Him. I believe this was in part due to the testimony of this former demon-possessed man.
Indeed, we need to receive proper training in evangelism, but training cannot take the place of a willingness and eagerness to share what the Lord has done for us irrespective of how well-versed we are in biblical knowledge.
(1) Based on what you have read so far in Mark, how did the rulers of the synagogue view Jesus? Why then did Jairus choose to fall at Jesus’ feet? Would you do the same, as one who might have gotten angry previously at Jesus because He blatantly broke the rules of Sabbath? Why or why not?
(2) If you were Jairus, what would you think upon hearing the news in v. 35? What impact might the healing of the bleeding woman have on him? What can you tell of his faith, as Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, just believe”?
(3) Why did Jesus choose to revive the little girl only in the presence of a few disciples and the parents? Why would He exclude the wailing crowd from this?
(4) Reflect on v.41 and see how it might touch you.
(5) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
I find it interesting that Mark intertwines the two stories of the bleeding woman and the raising of Jairus’ daughter together. The little girl was 12 years old, and coincidentally the woman had been bleeding also for 12 years. In order words, when the little girl was born, the woman began her suffering, and when the woman received her healing, the little girl died, only to be raised by Jesus again.
This is life. How could Jairus foresee that his lovely daughter would die such a sudden death? How could the woman, who had suffered for already 12 years hope to be cured in an instant because of her encounter with Jesus?
But, as we can see, nothing is accidental in the hands of God. If Jesus had not come, death, sudden or otherwise, premature or otherwise, would be the end of our hope. If Jesus had not come, sickness or no sickness, peace would elude our lives.
But Jesus has come, and all can experience total healing like this woman, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. God in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mk. 5:34)
Because Jesus has come, all can experience life, even life eternally and will “get up” on the day of resurrection. (Mk. 5:41)
(1) What would be the physical condition of a woman who had bled for 12 years? See Leviticus 15:19-24. What was the implication of her forcing her way through the crowd (should the people become aware of her uncleanness)?
(2) Apart from her health problem, try to describe her other conditions ― physical, emotional and spiritual (i.e. attitude toward God).
(3) Imagine the following: She took great courage to come, she took great strength to force herself to the front, she had great faith (believing that touching Jesus’ cloak was enough to be healed), and she “felt” instant healing. How would you describe her feeling at that very point? What adjective might be used to most appropriately describe her?
(4) Why did Jesus ask “Who touched my clothes?” Did He not know? Why then did He ask? What’s the purpose?
(5) Why did the woman “tremble with fear”? Would it not be the opposite of the adjective you just used to describe her?
(6) Her faith has already brought her healing. Now with her falling at Jesus’ feet and willing to tell Him her whole story, Jesus further pronounced: “Daughter, your faith has healed (the original Greek word is “saved”, which is the same word used in Luke 7:50) you. Go in peace (and be ‘whole’ of your suffering)” (Lk. 8:48, Mk. 5:34). What if, she chose to sneak away without being willing to be confronted by Jesus? She would still be healed, but would she be saved? Why or why not?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
We were meditating on the words of this wonderful hymn last week, and I invite you to reflect on the rest of the lyrics below: "Thou Hidden Love of God" (by Gerhard Tersteegen 1697-1769 and Paul Gerhardt 1607-1676; translated by John Wesley, 1738). It is often sung with the traditional tune of “Faith of Our Fathers”.
4
Is there a thing beneath the sun
That strives with thee my heart to share?
Ah, tear it thence and reign alone,
The Lord of every motion there;
Then shall my heart from earth be free,
When it hath found repose in Thee.
5
O hide this self from me,
that I No more, but Christ in me, may live!
My vile affections crucify,
Nor let one darling lust survive
In all things nothing may I see,
Nothing desire or seek, but Thee!
6
O Love, Thy sovereign aid impart
To save me from low thoughted care;
Chase this self will from all my heart,
From all its hidden mazes there;
Make me Thy duteous child that I
Ceaseless may Abba, Father cry.
7
Each moment draw from earth away
My heart that lowly waits Thy call;
Speak to my inmost soul and say,
I am thy love, thy God, thy all!
To feel Thy power, to hear Thy voice,
To taste Thy love, be all my choice.
(1) What were the three amazing things that the people were asking about Jesus? By their questions, what have they admitted about Jesus?
(2) What were the counter-balancing questions they also asked about Jesus? Why would these questions appear to cancel out their previous admissions about Jesus to the point that “they took offense at Him”? What were they more concerned about?
(3) Read Jesus’ remark in v. 4. Was His remark true? Would it be true today about God’s servants serving in their home church where they were nurtured? What should a church be more concerned about when it comes to her teachers or leaders?
(4) What had been the effect of their offence (and lack of faith) on Jesus’ ministry among them? (Note: That the miracles were performed to a lesser extent was not an indication of Jesus’ power, but the lack of faith on the part of the people).
(5) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Only in His hometown among His relatives and in His own house is a prophet without honor.” (Mark 6:4)
Jesus said these words concerning His rejection by people of His hometown. However, I find that when it comes to things secular, this is not what I see in the world.
I live in a relatively insignificant city, Vallejo, California. From time to time, our city's name is mentioned, but mostly for less than glorious headlines, like the Zodiac killer. There are times the city will be mentioned in a far more glorious fashion, such as when someone from Vallejo makes it to major league sports like baseball. People like to take pride in home-grown heroes.
However, I have come across churches of Jesus Christ that give less than a warm reception to home-grown pastoral leaders. When someone who grows up in their local church and is called by God to full-time ministry, it should be a cause for great celebration. But if this person has decided to serve in the church where they have grown up, time and again, I have seen opposition from their peers—they behaved just like the people in Jesus’ hometown. I wonder why?
I think the reason is simple—they are too much like us, and we are looking for someone to whom we can look up to to lead us, forgetting that when we get close to all servants of the Lord, we will come to realize that they are all just like us! The only difference is that God has chosen to call them into full-time gospel ministry, and God will use them, irrespective of how much they are just like us.
Of course, the reason why Jesus has come as a man is because He wants to be just like us in order to identify with us and to save us.
Today, He continues to choose people just like us, who can identify with our weaknesses and our struggles, to lead us in His steps.