Bible Studies led by Dr. Larry Reynolds, Denton, TX: August 2012

Mark 9:14-29

Mark 9:14-29

(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)

August , 2012)

The following notes are from Bob Utley’s excellent study guide: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter:

9:14 “When they came back to the disciples” Jesus had left the rest of the disciples at the bottom of the mountain. Luke 9:37 says they returned the next day.

“a large crowd … scribes arguing” Both of these things characterized Jesus’ ministry and now the disciples were experiencing a foreshadowing of Jesus’ existential situation and also their coming ministry. These were recurrent problems, but also opportunities.

9:15 “immediately” We have seen this word used repeatedly in Mark to move the action along.

“they were amazed” Some see this as Jesus’ face still glowing related to Exod. 34:29–30, but the context seems to imply that Jesus’ appearance came at an opportune moment for ministry and teaching.

9:16 “What are you discussing with them” Jesus addresses this question to the crowd. The scribes were not concerned with the young boy, but with the theological aspect of the disciples’ inability to effect a cure.

9:17 “possessed with a spirit” The Gospels make a definite distinction between demon possession and physical illness. In this particular case there seems to be a blurring of this distinction. The symptoms described by the father and the implication of several Greek words in the text imply epilepsy, especially a grand mal seizure. This physical element was aggravated or instigated by demonic possession.

9:18 “stiffens out” This is a description of a grand mal seizure.

“I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it” The disciples were surprised also. Jesus gave them the power over the demonic in 6:7, 13, but in this case their attempts failed!

9:19 Jesus uses two rhetorical questions in v. 19 to express His disappointment at the lack of faith of the disciples, the crowd, and the scribes.

9:20 “when he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion” This was demonic possession manifesting itself in epilepsy.

9:21 There are several accounts in the Gospels of demon possession of children. How and why this occurred is never stated.

9:22 The destructive nature of the demonic is clearly seen in the father’s description of this boy’s life.

“if” This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE that is assumed to be true from the author’s perspective or for his literary purposes. This was the father’s affirmation of faith in Jesus’ ability to heal.

“ ‘take pity on us and help us’ ” This father had faith in Jesus even when the disciples failed to deliver his son.

9:23 “ ‘If You can’ ” This is a play on the man’s statement of v. 22. It is another FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE. This man affirmed Jesus’ ability; now Jesus affirms his.

“ ‘All things are possible to him who believes’ ” This is not a blank check for humanity, even believing humanity, to manipulate God, but a promise that God will do His will through believing faith. There are two conditions: (1) God’s will and (2) believing faith!

9:24 “ ‘I do believe, help my unbelief’ ” This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. Remember it is the object of faith, not the quantity, that is crucial (cf. Matt. 17:20; Luke 17:6). Notice that Jesus worked with this man’s doubts, as He will with ours.

This father’s words admit his need and beseeches Jesus’ help to further his faith. This is a prayer we could all pray!

9:25 “a crowd was rapidly gathering” This could be the same crowd as vv. 14–15 or a large number of new arrivals.

“ ‘You deaf and mute spirit’ ” Apparently this was just another aspect of this boy’s physical problems (cf. v. 17) related to the demonic possession.

“ ‘come out of him and do not enter him again’ ” This is an AORIST ACTIVE IMPERATIVE and an AORIST ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE that meant “get out and do not ever start to come back.”

9:26 The physical manifestations accompanying the departure of the demonic appear to have been common in NT exorcisms.

“the boy became so much like a corpse” This is another symptom of a grand mal seizure.

9:27 “Jesus took him by the hand and raised him” This procedure showed Jesus’ concern and compassion (cf. 1:31; 5:41). He was not afraid to touch the sick and possessed!

9:28 “ ‘Why could we not drive it out’ ” They were surprised! Earlier they had been able to cast out demons; why not now? Matthew 17:20 says it was because of the smallness of their faith.

9:29 “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer” Many other Greek manuscripts add “and fasting.”^{^[1]}

In making application of this event to our lives, I want to focus on three phrases:

· "...when they came back..." (v.14)

· "...if you can do anything..." (v.22)

· "I do believe; help my unbelief..." (v.24)

From the phrase "...when they came back..." in verse 14 can learn something about the arena where Christianity is lived out

1. The "they" in that phrase is reference to Jesus and Peter, James, and John...points back to experience at which we looked last week...had been up on a high mountain with Jesus ...had seen Jesus transformed before their very eyes in radiant splendor...observed Him speaking with Moses and Elijah... heard the very voice of God proclaim, "This is my beloved Son..."...if there ever was a mountain top spiritual, they had it...

2. Walking down from the mountain the next day they were bubbling with enthusiasm...on way down had great theological conversation with Jesus about the resurrection and relationship between Elijah and the Messiah...didn't understand much of what Jesus said, but no doubt they were pumped up...feeling pretty spiritual...excited be followers of Jesus...

3. Then, suddenly they were off the mountain and back in the valley...a large crowd swirled around them...found the other disciples being taunted by group of religious fanatics... confronted by distraught father whose son was demon possessed...

4. How quickly the excitement of the mountaintop experience must have waned...how quickly the feelings of ecstasy were replaced by the reality of dealing with real problems in a real world...

5. Important lesson in that for us about nature of Christian life... while we need the occasional mountaintop experience, the real Christian life is lived in the flesh and blood world of people and pressures and problems...think it is significant Jesus did not allow Peter, James, and John to linger on the mountaintop ...ushered them down from the mountain to the reality of life below...

6. From earliest days of church has been element among Christians who have misunderstood essential nature of Christian life...have secluded themselves from world, either literally in monasteries, or symbolically by cloaking themselves in words or rituals or music world can't understand... eventually lose touch with very world to which should be ministering...

7. While it is important for Christians to spend time alone with God, as one writer put it, "The solitude is not meant to make us solitary. It is meant to make us better able to meet and cope with the demands of everyday life." And that's where Christian life must be lived...in midst of the real world of everyday life....

From the phrase "...if you can..." in v.22 can learn something about the nature of faith.

1. In the NASB's translation of this passage will not find the English word faith...however, the concept of faith permeates this story... in the Greek language the same word can be translated faith or belief and faithing or believing....that word is used numerous times in this passage--

--v.19 Jesus calls the people an "unbelieving" or unfaithing or faithless generation...

--v.23 Jesus told the father that "All things are possible to him who believes" or has faith...

--v.24 the father said to Jesus, "I do believe" or have faith...

2. The father first approached Jesus in spirit of faithlessness as evidenced by the statement "...if you can..." Jesus rebuked him for that attitude...And one thing can learn from this event is don't have to have lot of faith to get something done....obviously father's faith was weak, faltering, less than perfect...but Jesus responded to it anyway...

3. Charles Spurgeon, the great English preacher, told story about woman who was well known for faith...another woman travelled many miles to meet her and learn the secret of her life...when arrived at her home asked, "Are you the woman with the great faith?"...and the woman replied, "No, I am not. I am the woman with a little faith in the great God."

4. It's not really the size of our faith that matters, it is the object of our faith...our faith -belief, trust, confidence, hope, assurance- must be in Jesus...

From the phrase "I do believe; help my unbelief..." in v.24 can learn something about prayer.

1. In Bible are recorded some wonderful prayers...Psalms are filled with the eloquent prayers of David...Jesus taught disciples to pray using prayer we call the Lord's Prayer or Model Prayer...in John 17 there is the great intercessory prayer of Jesus for His followers...in book of Acts read many prayers of early church...throughout Paul's letters are wonderful prayers for His readers...

2. But of all the prayers in the Bible, this is one I identify with the most..."I do believe; help my unbelief."...it is so honest, so transparent, and so typical of where I am most of the time ...always struggling between belief and unbelief...between faith and doubt...

3. And it's reminder that prayer doesn't have be eloquent or long or profound for God to respond to it...just has to be heartfelt...There's a beautiful story in the book And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado:

…a bishop was traveling by ship to visit a church across the ocean. While en route, the ship stopped at an island for a day. He went for a walk on a beach. He came across three fishermen mending their nets.

Curious about their trade, he asked them some questions. Curious about his ecclesiastical robes, they asked him some questions. When they found out he was a Christian leader, they got excited, “We Christians!” they said, proudly pointing to one another.

The bishop was impressed but cautious. Did they know the Lord’s Prayer? They never heard of it.

“What do you say when you pray?”

“We pray, ‘We are three, you are three, have mercy on us.’”

The bishop was appalled at the primitive nature of the prayer. “That will not do.” So he spent the day teaching them the Lord’s Prayer. The fisherman were poor but willing learners. And before the bishop sailed away the next day, they could recite the prayer with no mistakes.

The bishop was proud.

On the return trip the bishop’s ship drew new the island again. When the island came into view, the bishop came to the deck and recalled with pleasure the men he had taught and resolved to go see them again. As he was thinking, a light appeared on the horizon near the island. It seemed to be getting nearer. As the bishop gazed in wonder, he realized the three fishermen were walking toward him on the water. Soon all the passengers and crew were on the deck to see the sight.

When they were within speaking distance, the fishermen cried out, “Bishop, we come hurry to meet you.”

“What is it you want?” asked the stunned bishop.

“We are so sorry. We forget the lovely prayer. We say, ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by your name…’ and then we forget. Please tell us prayer again.

The bishop was humbled. “Go back to your homes, my friends, and when you pray say, “We are three, you are three, have mercy on us.’”

CONCLUSION

1. In the Vatican Art Gallery hangs the last painting of the famous artist Raphael...it is entitled The Transfiguration...perhaps you've seen a print of it...in top part of the painting is the transfigured form of Jesus with Moses on the left and Elijah on the right...in middle of painting are Peter, James, and John shielding their eyes from the brilliance of Jesus' shining appearance...at the bottom of the painting is the demon possessed boy described in passage read today...his mouth is distorted and face twisted with wild ravings... next to the boy is the desperate father...surrounding them are the rest of the disciples, some of whom are pointing upward to the glowing figure of Christ, the boy's only hope...

2. Painting captures well the meaning of this passage...only as we turn to Christ in faith and prayer are we able to meet the challenges of life in the real world...

^{^[1]} Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (105). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

Mark 9:1-13

Mark 9:1-13

(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)

August 16, 2012)

Some events recorded in the Scripture are so unusual, they are difficult for us to get our minds around. For me, at least, that is true of the event that is recorded in this passage. This is one of those mysterious events in the Scripture, an event we really cannot explain. What happened on that mountain that day is so unusual, so out of the realm of the ordinary, that if defies human understanding. This event, which is recorded in all three synoptic gospels, is referred to as the Transfiguration of Jesus because of the word in verse 2 that is translated transfigured. The Greek word is metemorphothe which is a compound word made up of a preposition (meta – after) and a noun (morphoo – form). The word means to change one’s appearance, but it means more than that. One writer points out the word metemorphothe means to be changed from the inside out [Wiersbe, p.88]. It is just the opposite of the word "masquerade" which means covering up something, as with a mask, but with the inside staying the same. The idea behind the word is allowing one’s true nature to show. In this passage three of Jesus’ disciples were privileged to get a glimpse of His true nature.

Verse 1 – It is unclear whether this verse is the conclusion of the discussion in chapter 8 or the introduction to chapter 9. Actually, I view it as a transition statement, linking the two sections together.

“truly I say to you” – Jesus way of introducing an authoritative, important saying.

“shall not taste death” – An Hebrew idiom meaning to experience physical death.

“see the kingdom of God after it has come with power” – A number of interpretations have been offered of this phrase:

· Jesus’ resurrection

· Jesus’ ascension into heaven

· Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

· The expectation of Jesus’ early second coming

· The transfiguration experience

It seems to me the most natural interpretation of this verse is to see it as referring to the transfiguration of Jesus which occurred shortly after these words were spoken.

Verse 2

“six days” - Luke 9:28 has “eight days.” Such a specific time designation is very unusual in Mark’s Gospel.

“Peter and James and John” - This is the inner circle of disciples who were always present at major events (cf. 5:37). This event was as much for them as for Jesus.

“on a high mountain” Tradition says it was Mt. Tabor, but probably it was one of the foothills of Mt. Hermon.

“by themselves” - Luke 9:28 states the purpose as “to pray.” Jesus wanted to get away from the crowds to teach the disciples privately. In this instance it was this inner circle of leadership.

“He was transfigured before them” - The radiance of His true divine self was visible to these disciples (cf. II Pet. 1:16–18).

Verse 3

“exceedingly white” – This comment is unique to Mark’s Gospel, probably reflecting the eyewitness account of Peter.

Verse 4

“Moses…Elijah” – Why these two? Why not some other Old Testament characters such as Isaiah and Jeremiah or David and Daniel? A number of suggestions have been put forth about why Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus that day:

· Moses represents the law and Elijah represents the prophets...Moses is the one through whom God gave the law to Israel......Elijah was commonly viewed by the Israelites as the greatest of all the prophets...the law and the prophets represent the entire OT...here we have the father of the law and the father of the prophets conversing with Jesus..

· Both Moses and Elijah had both had previously conversed with God on mountaintops and had been shown God's glory... Moses on Mt. Sinai and Elijah on Mt. Horeb...

· Both Moses and Elijah had unusual departures from this world...Moses was buried by God, Himself, in a grave known only to God...Elijah was taken up in a chariot of fire...

“appeared” – This word is used in the New Testament to describe the supernatural appearance of angels (see Luke 1:11)

“talking with Jesus” – The phrase involves an extended conversation. Luke’s account indicates the disciples were asleep during at least part of this conversation. Luke tells us the discussion centered around Jesus’ departure from Jerusalem.

There is an amazing corollary between this passage and Exod. 24:12–18: (1) the time element of six days (v. 16); (2) the place, on a high mountain; (3) the presence of a cloud and God’s speaking from it (vv. 15–17); and (4) the mention of glory on Moses’ face and here Jesus’ face (v. 19; Exod. 34:29–30).^{^[1]}

Verse 5

“Peter said to Jesus” - Luke 9:32 says the three disciples were asleep after a long day and a hard climb and Peter woke up just in time to see Elijah and Moses departing.

“Rabbi ” - The Matthew parallel has “Lord” and the Luke parallel has “Master.”

“it is good for us to be here” - What an awesome spiritual and physical experience this must have been; what a confirmation of the person of Jesus as the promised OT Messiah.

“tabernacles” - This would have been a structure similar to the temporary thatch huts used during the Festival of Booths. The implication of Peter’s statement was that if the glorified OT visitors would stay a while, they could stay a while longer, too!^{^[2]}

Verse 6 - Mark’s explanatory (gar, “for”) comment is set off as a parenthesis. It shows that Peter, as spokesman, responded inappropriately because (gar) they were so frightened (ekphoboi, “terrified,” a strong adjective used only here and in Heb. 12:21 where it is trans. “fear”^{^[3]}

Verses 7-8 - God the Father’s response to Peter’s suggestion set forth the true meaning of this event. The cloud that enveloped them (Jesus, Moses, Elijah) signified God’s awesome presence (cf. Ex. 16:10; 19:9) and from it came His commanding voice. Once again, as at Jesus’ baptism, the Father placed His unqualified endorsement on His beloved Son (cf. comments on Mark 1:11). Jesus’ sonship sets Him above all other men including Moses and Elijah. Listen to Him (pres. imper.), actually means, “Be obedient to Him.”^{^[4]}

Verse 9 - On their descent from the mountain Jesus told the three disciples to keep silent about what they had seen till after His resurrection. Their misunderstanding of His messianic mission (8:29-33) was still evident at the transfiguration (cf. 9:5-6, 10; and comments on 8:30).

This was Jesus’ last command to silence recorded by Mark and the only one on which He set a time limit. This implied that a time of proclamation (cf. 13:10; 14:9) would follow this period of silence. Only from the perspective of the Resurrection would they understand the transfiguration and thus be able to proclaim its meaning correctly.^{^[5]}

Verses 10-11 – These verses indicate the disciples lack of understanding. The disciples did not understand the distinction between “the Second Coming” (8:38) and “the Resurrection” (9:9). The Jews of Jesus’ day expected only one coming of the Messiah into history and this coming was related to the military victory and supremacy of national Israel on a global scale.^{^[6]}

Verses 12-13 – The essential thrust of these verses is that in a spiritual sense, John the Baptist was “the Elijah” promised to Israel (Mal. 3:1; 4:5–6; Luke 1:16–17; John 1:21; Matt. 17:13).^{^[7]}

What are we to learn from this event? It is important to look at the Transfiguration in the context of what has been happening in lives of Jesus and disciples...notice Mark begins paragraph with phrase "And six days later..."...refers to events at end of chapter 8...Jesus taking disciples to Caesarea Philippi...identifying Him as Messiah... Jesus explaining was going be suffering Messiah...then dropped bombshell on them that to be His followers must be willing follow Him to the cross...told them only way gain life was to give up their lives for His sake...disciples were certainly confused by all that...must have wondered what kind of future there was for them in following Jesus...the Transfiguration was Jesus' answer to that question...

There is something to learn from this event about our future in Christ in this life

1. The word metemorphothe is used only four times in Scripture... twice it is used in relation to this particular event in Jesus' life--once in Mark 9:2 and again in Matthew 17:2 in Matthew's account of this same event...however, the other two times it is used, is used of us to describe what God desires do in our lives...it is used in--

--Romans 12:2 - "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

--2 Corinthians 3:18 - "But we all...are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."

2. When Peter, James, and John saw Jesus transfigured that day on the mountain, actually seeing a dramatic preview of what God desired to do in their lives...it is God's purpose for us in this world to transform us, transfigure us into the image of Jesus Christ...

3. That transformation begins the moment you accept Christ as Savior...when turn to Him for salvation, doesn't just masquerade/cover up our faults...enters our hearts and makes us new people...as Apostle Paul put in 2 Cor. 5:17 - "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." ...and it continues throughout our lives in this world...God is never finished with us...we are never complete...we are continually in the process of being remade from the inside out...

There is something to learn from this event about our future in Christ after this life

1. Imagine what Peter, James, and John must have been thinking as saw Jesus talking with Moses who had been dead for over 1400 years and Elijah who had been dead for about 900 years...no doubt must have realized the implications of that for their own lives...maybe God chose to send Moses and Elijah to meet with Jesus to remind them and to remind us that whether we die as Moses did or whether we're caught up as Elijah was when Jesus returns to this world, our destiny is to spend eternity with Him...

2. That's the great hope, the great assurance of Christianity... that's what helps us make sense out of this life...this world is not all there is...there is more to our existence than the cycle of birth, life, and death...we are destined for eternity...and very reason Jesus came to our world is make it possible for us to spend eternity with Him...He said--

--John 11:25 - "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies..."

--John 14:2-3 - "In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

3. And if we lose sight of fact that we are destined to spend eternity with Christ and that our loved ones who have died in Him are with Him this very moment, then we are missing the very heart of Christianity...

As I studied this amazing event in Mark’s in the life of Jesus, the words of old gospel song kept running through my mind. Those words are a good summary of the practical truths to be learned from this event about our future in this life and the next life. The song says:

I don't worry about tomorrow, I just live from day to day

I don't borrow from its sunshine for its skies my turn to grey

I don't worry o'er the future for I know what Jesus said

And today I walk beside Him for He knows what is ahead

Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.

^{^[1]} Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (101). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^{^[2]} Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (101–102). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^{^[3]} Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Mk 9:5–6). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^{^[4]} Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Mk 9:7–8). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^{^[5]} Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Mk 9:9). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^{^[6]} Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (102). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^{^[7]} Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (124). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Mark 8:22-38

Mark 8:22-38

(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)

August 9, 2012)

The last part of Mark 8 contains three major movements:

· Verses 22-26 – A miraculous healing

· Verses 27-30 – An amazing confession

· Verses 31-38 – A difficult teaching

A Miraculous Healing (Verses 22-26)

This is only one of two miracles, the other being in Mark 7:31-37, that are unique to the Gospel of Mark. It is also the only miracle of Jesus recorded in the New Testament that is gradual in nature, taking place in two steps. Sight in the Scripture is often a metaphor for spiritual understanding. The occurrence of this miracle just after Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples for their lack of understanding and just before Peter’s great confession about Him is an indication that this event had as much to do with the disciples as with the man who was healed.

The following notes are from Bob Utley’s excellent study guide: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter:

8:22 “a blind man” One of Isaiah’s prophecies about the Messiah was that He would bring sight to the blind (cf. Isa. 29:18–35:5; 42:7, 16, 18, 19).

Physical blindness is an OT metaphor for spiritual blindness (cf. Isa. 56:10; 59:10). This same play on physical and spiritual blindness is graphically seen in John 9. This is obviously related to the disciples’ blindness in 8:15, 18.

8:23 “brought him out of the village” This was for the purpose of putting the man at ease and keeping the healing a secret (cf. 7:33; 8:26).

“spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him” These were both cultural ways of healing, one physical and one spiritual. It was meant to build the man’s faith. See Special Topic: Laying On of Hands at 7:32.

8:24 “ ‘I see men, for I see them like trees’ ” Jesus was not limited in power, but was working with this man’s faith. This is the only partial healing or healing in stages that is recorded in the Gospels.

8:25 This verse starts with Jesus laying hands on the man’s eyes. Then the action switches to the man (cf. NJB). He must focus and look intently (cf. Matt. 7:5). When he cooperates, his sight immediately is restored.

8:26 This refers to Mark’s repeated references to Jesus emphatically telling people He healed not to broadcast their healing. The Textus Receptus (i.e. KJV or NKJV) even adds a phrase making this more specific. Jesus did not want to be known as a healer. He used healing to show the mercy of God, build the disciples’ faith, and confirm His teaching ministry.^{^[1]}

Blindness was an all too common occurrence in the ancient middle east...due to the fact that people didn't know the importance of protecting their eyes from the intense glare of the sun in that arid region and also due to fact knew very little about hygiene...a number of biblical commentators point out wasn't unusual to see person in that culture with diseased eyes crusted over and with flies making their home in the eye sockets...don't share that to sicken or shock you, but to emphasize a blind person in ancient days was often a repulsive sight...people would naturally withdraw from them...

And that’s a reminder of how we look, in our sin and rebellion, to God. As Paul says in Romans, our righteousness is like filthy rags in God’s site. But this event is a graphic reminder of how God chooses to relate to us in our spiritual blindness.

Notice what the first part of v.23 says..."And taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village..." ...can't you just see the compassion in that simple act...a man that others were probably afraid to touch, Jesus takes by the hand...and it wasn't just brief handshake...he held man's hand and gently guided him away from the village so he wouldn't become a public spectacle...picture of Jesus gently leading this blind man is picture of how He desires relate to us and how He desires that we relate to each other...

And Jesus’ patience in walking this man through the steps of the healing process is a picture of His patience with us in our journey from spiritual immaturity toward spiritual maturity.

Last weekend had two of grandchildren with us. Our grandson was acting like a six year old when I wanted for him to act like an adult. Must confess I became very upset and somewhat impatient with him. As I got a little further away from that incident, couldn’t help but think that I’m glad God doesn’t relate to me in that way! Thankfully, we have, in Jesus, a patient Lord!

This event reminds me that God has great patience with us...when we mess up...when we don't get it right...we when stumble and fall...when we get our priorities confused as we often do, Jesus doesn't give up on us...He doesn't write us off...with unending patience He keeps encouraging us, He keeps holding our hand, and He keeps leading until we do get it right...

An Amazing Confession (Verses 27-30)

This event is a watershed event in the Gospel of Mark. The miracle stories that affirm the power, authority, and deity of Jesus cease. From this point on the emphasis is the crucifixion. Mark’s Gospel changes from a focus on who He is to His great redemptive act (i.e. what He did).^{^[2]}

Surprising, that since Mark is the Gospel as told by Peter and since Peter is the central character in this exchange with Jesus, that there is not more detail in this account. Actually, Matthew’s account of this event (see Matthew 16:13-20) provides more details.

I want to make several general observations about his event:

· The location of this event is particularly interesting. Caesarea Philippi was a great center of pagan worship...it was about a two days journey north of the Sea of Galilee…it is a beautiful area at the base of Mt. Hermon and was known as a place of retreat, worship, and reflection…in this area the three dominate pagan religions of the first century world converged...

o Caesarea Philippi was actually a part of ancient Syria...the Syrians worshiped Baal, the god of fertility...temples to Baal dotted the countryside much like churches dot the countryside in our part of the world...

o Just outside Caesarea Philippi is a steep solid rock cliff... in the face of the cliff is a cavern with a very large opening ...Greek mythology says that cavern was the birthplace of Pan, the Greek god of nature...along the face the cliff near the large cavern you can see little altars carved out by ancient people where they would place their offerings to Pan...

o Caesarea Philippi was a Roman city, which is obvious from its name...the Romans considered Caesar to be god... in Caesarea Philippi was a great, white marble temple dedicated to Caesar…

Interestingly, Jesus took His disciples into the very heart of pagan culture to make their confession about Him. Important lesson in that for us...we live in world with conflicting opinions about the essence, the heart, the most important thing in life...while people in our culture may not worship Baal or Pan or Caesar, many of us do worship at the altars of money or education or beauty or power or prestige... and in midst of world like that, we are called to confess that Jesus is the Christ...

· Many biblical scholars point to this event as the beginning of the church...in the parallel passage in Matthew, Jesus said that on the confession "Thou art the Christ" that He would build His church...and that is the first use of the word church in the New Testament...

· The word Christ is not a name for Jesus, but a title...as you may know, Christ is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew word Messiah which means "anointed one"...in calling Jesus "the Christ" the disciples were saying Jesus is the One for whom Israel had been waiting...the popular conception among the Jews is that the Christ would be a superhuman leader who would gather God's people, make Jerusalem the center of world power, and establish the perfect reign of God upon the earth...in other words, they were expecting Jesus to establish a political, military kingdom...

· It was for that reason Jesus instructed them in v.30 "to tell no one about Him."...while they were correct in identifying Him as the Messiah, did not yet understand that He came to establish not a political kingdom in the world but a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of people...

You'll notice Jesus asked the disciples two questions in this passage...first, in v. 27 He asked "Who do people say that I am?"...suspect they discussed that question at length on the two day journey to Caesarea Philippi...but when they arrived at the place Jesus wanted to take them, asked a second, far more important question...NASB translates the question in v.29 "But who do you say that I am?"...not really a strong enough translation of the language...one person translates the question in v.29 this way: "You--what do you think of Me?" That is a reminder that ultimately, Christianity is very personal...it boils down to the question of "What do I say about Jesus?" and "How will I respond to Him?" One writer put it this way: "A [person] might know every verdict that has ever been passed on Jesus; he might know every Christology that the mind of man has ever thought out; he might be able to give a competent summary of the teaching about Jesus of every great thinker and theologian -- and still not be a Christian. Christianity never consists in knowing about Jesus; it always consists in knowing Jesus. Jesus Christ demands a personal verdict...He asks every [person]: 'You--what do you think of me?'" [William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew]

A Difficult Teaching (Verses 31-38)

In previous paragraph the disciples correctly identify Jesus as the long awaited Messiah... as the One God had promised generations before to send to Israel...as soon as they made that identification, Jesus began to explain to them kind of Messiah would be...three times, once in Mark 8, 9, and 10 Jesus told them He would suffer and die...

That concept was so alien to them, so different from their expectations of what the Messiah would do, they refused to believe it...as matter of fact, Peter took Jesus aside and actually rebuked Him for saying such a thing!...and some of harshest words Jesus ever spoke were in response to that...in verse 33 Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind Me Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

And then He dropped a real bombshell on them...said, "Not only am I going to suffer and die, but if you're going to be my followers you must be willing to do the same."...listen to what He told them in v.34 - "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

“he must deny himself” This implies “to deny,” “to disown,” “to renounce,” or “to disregard” (cf. Matt. 16:24; 20:35, 75; Mark 8:34; 14:30, 32, 72; Luke 9:23; 12:9; 23:34, 61; John 13:38). This is not denying “things” to oneself. It is saying no to self and yes to God!

“take up his cross” This is an AORIST ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. This phrase “take up your cross” referred to a condemned criminal having to carry his own crossbar to the place of crucifixion. This was a cultural metaphor for a painful, shameful death. In this context it refers to “death to our old sin nature.” The gospel is a radical call for once-and-for-all followship/discipleship (cf. Matt. 10:38; 16:24; Luke 9:23; 14:27; 17:33; John 12:25). As Jesus laid down His life for others, so we must follow His example (cf. II Cor. 5:14–15; Gal. 2:20; I John 3:16).

“and follow Me” This is PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. This is the language of rabbinical discipleship. Christianity is a decisive choice followed by continual discipleship (cf. Matt. 28:19–20; Eph. 2:8–10).^{^[3]}

The implication of that statement to the disciples was quite clear... didn't spiritualize what Jesus saying as we often do when refer to some burden or hardship as "our cross to bear"...understood these words very literally...to them cross meant one and only one thing -- death!...it was an instrument of execution and nothing else...knew Jesus saying, "If you're going to be my follower you must so thoroughly identify with me that you are willing to go anywhere I go, even to the cross."

And, ironically, when we fail to make that kind of commitment, we set in motion the process which ultimately will result in our separation from God and the loss of anything worthwhile or valuable about our lives...what Jesus meant in verse 35 when said, "For whoever wishes to shave his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?"

Look at verse38..."For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."...when first began study passage in depth, almost seemed out of place...on surface seems be almost direct contradiction of last verse of paragraph at which looked last week where Jesus "warned them to tell no one about Him." But when look at this statement in larger context of this part of Mark, makes perfect sense...when they found the courage to verbalize what they had been thinking and hoping and praying inwardly --that Jesus was the Messiah and when He didn't rebuke them for saying that but affirmed their opinion they were excited...couldn't wait to tell others who He was because they thought the long awaited rebellion against Rome with God's special military/political leader in charge was about to begin...but when they discovered He wasn't going to be that kind of Messiah, but that He was going to suffer and die in Jerusalem, their enthusiasm for telling others about Him vanished. Jesus reminds them in this verse that if they are really His followers, they will not be ashamed of Him or His teaching... instead, they will proclaim Him to the world.

^{^[1]} Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (93–94). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^{^[2]} Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (94). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^{^[3]} Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (96). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

About Me

Mark 9:14-29

Mark 9:1-13

Mark 8:22-38