This book is a pick me up for individuals and the church as a whole in a time when it can be easy to feel bogged down by society. You will be set. Deep down, this is what all humans crave: peace with ourselves and, ultimately, with our Maker. I also really liked his section on fasting, something I feel is really neglected in the church today. In considering eschatology as it surfaces in Mark 13, however, we are referring mainly to the end of history, when Jesus will come again. The young man thought keeping the commandments was the key to entering the kingdom, while Peter thought sacrifice was the key. DAVIDS KINGDOM. A healthy faith is not a totally autonomous, DIY endeavor in which you build your dream home from the ground up, exactly as you like it and on your own terms. ACCUSED IN OUR PLACE. At times the NT uses the term Greek as a synonym for Gentile (e.g., 1 Cor. We are not supposed to lord it over people, however. He has also authored legislation to expand access to behavioral health resources for students, educators, and workers. In repentance we turn from sin; in faith we turn to God. when he writes on desire and how we cant control our desires but we can influence how they control us. In considering an answer note closely just who is being described in each verse. 2:10). . The great hope of the Old Testament is the coming of a deliverer, a king, a Messiah (which means anointed one, i.e., king), who would rescue the people of God and usher in Gods glorious kingdom once and for all. Yet Israel, too, failed. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 1904 1910, available online at, Mark says that Jesus saw the people like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34). Comer's unique conversational style lends itself to a hard-hitting yet compassionate challenge to flee from the lies we believe and embody. These include the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of . Mark wrote his account of Jesus in perhaps the mid- to late-50s AD. Also called the ten words, these are the commands God gave to Moses on two stone tablets on Mount Sinai. . James and John, though physically seeing, were spiritually blind; Bartimaeus, though physically blind, was spiritually seeing. How does Jesus refer to them, and what is the significance of such references? Jesus brought with him a whole new way of thinking, a new mental universe in which we see ourselves not as basically clean but in danger of defilement, but as basically defiled and in need of cleansing. Whatever the precise meaning of Jesus words, we know that his words will not pass away (Mark 13:31). 33:6; Ezek. The spirit and the flesh? In Mark 3:1318 Jesus calls the twelve disciples. So are second chances. 34:28); Israel was tested for 40 years in the desert (Deut. Then review the following questions and write your own notes on them concerning this phase of Jesus life and ministry. The councils and synagogues are Jewish locales. 14:14). 4:1023). SO GOOD! How does Jesus respond to the political questioning? The main effect of these chapters is to continue to develop the positive reception Jesus receives from the masses, which will come to a crashing halt halfway through Marks Gospel. There is something to heed in Solomons honesty. 34:28); Israel was tested for 40 years in the desert (Deut. 11:2326). I have learned so much from this book, and John Mark Comer is one of the most talented writers Ive come across. How might the two-staged healing of the blind man (Mark 8:2226) demonstrate this partial understandingespecially in the way it is placed between Jesus diagnosis of his disciples slow understanding, on the one hand (Mark 8:1421), and Peters confession of Jesus as the Messiah, on the other (Mark 8:2730)? Whatever the shortcoming was, it disappointed Paul. . John had faithfully heralded the coming of Jesus, not seeking glory for himself (John 3:30). In Mark 13:2427 Jesus broadens his vision to focus on cosmic events in the more distant future than the tribulation he has been describing in Mark 13:1423. The gospel In Mark 13:913, identify three hardships Jesus foretells and three comforts he provides as he encourages his disciples to be faithful witnesses to the nations. NO PREREQUISITES REQUIRED. What can we learn from this for our own walk with God? And take a moment also to look back through this unit of study, to reflect on a few key things that the Lord may be teaching youand to take note of things to review again in the future. In light of what Jesus goes on to say in Mark 8:31, what did Peter and the disciples not yet grasp about Jesus? The twelve apostles were thus called to carry on the work God had begun way back in the calling of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Christs resurrection had implications for himself, for history, and for his people. 2:2022). Take a moment now to ask for the Lords blessing and help as you engage in this study of Mark. 17:24). Help train Christians to boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that clearly communicates to this secular age. 3:15; 23:4). 54:5; Jer. I spent over two months reading this book because for some reason I found myself re-reading chapters, in a good way though? The mocking religious authorities taunted Jesus, saying, He saved others; he cannot save himself (Mark 15:31). be proclaimed to all nations (Mark 13:10). In Mark 7:123 a conflict with the Pharisees about hand-washing leads to a teaching by Jesus on moral defilement. 13:7 in Mark 14:27), how does the whole passage in Zechariah shed light on broader events in Marks Gospel? Three times throughout Mark, Jesus had said that he would suffer and rise on the third day (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34). Jesus parable of the sower in Mark 4:19, with his explanation of it in Mark 4:1320, centers on the wordin Mark, the message of the gospel (note Mark 1:1, 1415). THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 51:1723; Jer. While there are distinctions of persons within the one Godhead, Jesus Christ is as much God as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the only person ever to walk this earth who truly deserved to be first, to be great, but on the cross he made himself last, servant of all, so that you and I, who deserve to be last, can be treated as first. . Congressman DeSaulniers office has twice earned recognition from the non-partisan Congressional Management Foundation for remarkable constituent service, receiving a Democracy Award for Transparency, Accountability, and Innovation in 2019. It consists of wine, symbolizing the new covenant in his blood, and bread, symbolizing his body, which was broken for his followers. 22:12). I'm the founding pastor of Bridgetown Church, right in the center of the city (by Powell's Books if you've ever been to Portland). While Gods sovereign will does not negate the need for true human repentance and faith, the Bible teaches that such repentance and faith are themselves the effect (not the cause) of Gods providential working. ; likewise consider the context, and who is being described, in Matthew 12:2232. ), Read Psalm 118:2526, Isaiah 9:17, Jeremiah 23:58, and Zechariah 9:9. In this section of Mark, Jesus ministry and authority accelerate in new ways. For those of you curious about my education, I have a Masters Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary. He also helped Paul, Barnabas, and Peter in building and strengthening the early Christian church. Followers of Jesus Christ are not required to qualify with any self-generated prerequisites. I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24). Someone who speaks authoritatively for God. The name John originates from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious". Jesus picked up on this language in Mark 13, saying that in the tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light (Mark 13:24). We were notified that the "2021" had finally been engraved on my wife Tammy's Mom's headstone, so we drove over to the cemetery. . Jesus seems to be saying that the existence experienced by those in the next life is on another plane than that of our present existence on earth. Take a moment now to ask for the Lords blessing and help as you engage in this study of Mark. 1 John 4:19). Here we see Jesus continuing to strip away any sense of externally leveraged behavior management as determining our cleanliness before God. What assumption is Jesus here upending? Believers are those whom God chose. Representing the East Bay which has both transportation challenges and potential, Mark has made reducing congestion, easing commutes, and improving quality of life a top priority since coming to Congress and has successfully passed legislation to increase investment in transportation research and planning, improve public transit, and make our nations aviation system safer. This scribe understood that the good news of Jesus restores us from the inside out, not from the outside in. He has already emphasized that receiving lowly persons in Christs name means receiving him (Mark 9:37); now he warns against causing such people who believe in me to sin (Mark 9:42). Here Jesus uses parables to explain what the kingdom of God is like. Any speech, writing, or action that slanders God. 5:7). The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all things, including the actions of human beings as moral agents, and yet moral agents are also responsible for their actions. Jacob had twelve sons, each of whom became the head of one of what would eventually be the twelve tribes of Israel. If you accomplish enough, make enough money, or accumulate enough fame, you will be accepted. Here we see Jesus continuing to strip away any sense of externally leveraged behavior management as determining our cleanliness before God. Just as Jesus warns that houses built on rock and sand may look similar externally (Matt. You can see above that Comer is Pastor of A Jesus church in Portland, Oregon. In Mark 11 Jesus curses a barren fig tree (Mark 11:1214), cleanses the temple (Mark 11:1519), and explains the cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:2025). . Read Daniel 7:9 14, noting especially Daniel 7:13. He was not the king they expected (a king of political triumph); he was the king they most desperately needed (a king of suffering). The Messiah, Jesus is teaching, is no mere mortal. Jesus is the ultimate bridegroom, loving his wife (the church) despite her faithlessness, to the point of dying for her (Eph. . FRUITFUL TREES. The young man thought keeping the commandments was the key to entering the kingdom, while Peter thought sacrifice was the key. So what does Sabbath-keeping look like for me and my family? What we learn of sin here is that sin manifests itself in two ways: sinful real unrighteousness (the tax collectors and sinners) and sinful bogus righteousness (the scribes and Pharisees). . And once more, God separated light from darkness, calling his people to be light in a dark world (Eph. The king theme is heightened with the setting up of the kingship in Israel, and especially with David, to whom God promises a lasting dynasty (2 Sam. Due to Israels repeated faithlessness, the prophets spoke of a coming day when even for Israel the sun would become dark (Joel 2:10, 30 31). The National Christian Foundation of North Texas was formed in 2008 with the mission to serve and encourage givers to grow as faithful stewards who excel in giving to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 9:10; 9:16; and Joel 1:7 in considering your answer, and be sure to consider each Old Testament reference in light of its context. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34). How do these passages illuminate what is happening in Mark 11:111? In the beginning, darkness covered the earth (Gen. 1:2). And if they do, the best weaponry is truth, righteousness, readiness for peace, faith, salvation, and Scripture (Ephesians 6:1417).This is how we fight our battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil.Book ReviewedJohn Mark Comer, Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace (Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2021).P.S. James and John, though physically seeing, were spiritually blind; Bartimaeus, though physically blind, was spiritually seeing. . But the craziness of life caused me to take a closer look at Jesuss words on restand his exchange with the Pharisees in Mark 2 in particular. 12:45; Luke 11:29), or perhaps it refers to this generation of believers throughout the entire Christian age. I have no vendetta against leasing or renting property (I get it, I live in Silicon Valley), but I fear weve taken a similar posture with Christ. In Mark 10 we see Jesus upending our intuitive assumptions about discipleship in four areas in particular: marriage, entrance into the kingdom, the Messiahs role, and personal significance. (NIV), 2 Timothy 4:11Only Luke is with me. What is the biblical significance of Jesus becoming radiant, intensely white (Mark 9:3), in light of Dan. This scribe understands that the true intent of the Law of Moses was to generate a culture of love: love to God and love to man. He has also authored legislation to expand access to behavioral health resources for students, educators, and workers. See also The Lords Supper under the Theological Soundings section of this unit. 107:2530; Amos 4:13). In the New Testament, Jesus, God incarnate, also calls out twelve men to be his chosen ones through whom he would work to restore the world (Mark 3:1319). A network of plumbers, electricians, and handy friends and family is essential to the health of your home. Where in Mark 13 do you see each of these three is? 13:10; Ezek. Compassion. Yet upon seeing the crowd, he had compassion on them (Mark 6:34). This book is an example of why so many people hate Christians. Faith is a call to follow and obey Jesus. Jesus does not deflect this but receives it and orders the demons not to make him known (Mark 3:12). It is the shortest and also the fastest-paced Gospel account. With Jesus, cleanliness, we might say, is contagious. And take a moment also to look back through this unit of study, to reflect on a few key things that the Lord may be teaching youand to take note of these things to review again in the future. With these words Jesus gave his disciples the secret key to true greatness. Read 2 Peter 1:16 18, and consider the event that immediately follows Jesus statement in Mark 9:1, in reflecting on what Jesus might have been referring to in speaking of some of his disciples seeing the kingdom of God . In the New Testament, Jesus, God incarnate, also calls out twelve men to be his chosen ones through whom he would work to restore the world (Mark 3:1319). Baptism relates to entrance into the new covenant community, and the Lords Supper relates to ongoing participation in that community. Then write your own notes on the following questionsfirst with regard to John the Baptist (Mark 1:19) and then with regard to Jesus (Mark 1:9 20). He was not the king they expected (a king of political triumph); he was the king they most desperately needed (a king of suffering). Thank you, John Mark. The gnawing questions that get me out of bed in the morning are, how do we experience life with God? Over the course of this study we have seen that Marks Gospel falls roughly into two halves. A means of execution in which the person was fastened, by ropes or nails, to a crossbeam that was then raised and attached to a vertical beam, forming a cross (the root meaning of crucifixion). 1:4). 11:2830), as the letter to the Hebrews draws out (Heb. Jesus raised her from the dead. While the Bible doesn't confirm or deny this, many believe he developed a close . . Great book! In Mark 6:78:26 Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, continues to manifest the coming kingdom through teaching and miracles, and begins to meet major opposition to his ministry. 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