Jesus Journey - Mark 1:21-2:12

 Part 3 of our study of the book of Mark.
(Sorry about the sound on this one. It really failed! Turn on subtitles. It gets it right.) 

Mark 1:21-2:12 (CSB)

21 They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22 They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.

23 Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, 24 “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

25 Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.

27 They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.

Healings at Capernaum

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town was assembled at the door, 34 and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Preaching in Galilee

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. 36 Simon and his companions searched for him, 37 and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38 And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.”

A Man Cleansed

39 He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. 40 Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 Then he sternly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.

Chapter 2 

1 When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them. 3 They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: 7 “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic— 11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”

12 Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

The Jesus Journey - Mark 1:14-20

 Part 2 of our study of the book of Mark.

Mark 1:14-20 (CSB)

14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

16 As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

The Jesus Journey - Mark 1:1-13

 Part 1 of our study on the book of Mark.

Mark 1:1-13  (CSB)

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;

he will prepare your way.

3 A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

Prepare the way for the Lord;

make his paths straight!

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.

7 He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

12 Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.

Sabbath School Discussion Guide - 25 Nov 2023

 God's Mission, My Mission

Mission to the Needy

Opening Question:

We’ve all experienced physical healing. Cuts. Breaks. Colds. COVID. 

Which personal time of healing in your life stands out? Why?

Q. Before reading the passage below, ask 2 people to summarize the passage afterwards. 

Passage: Mark 1:21-2:12

Read the entire Passage out loud. 

Q. Ask for the summaries before any discussion.

Q. What did the summaries focus on? Why?

Q. What new or surprising thought came to mind while reading this passage?

    Me: Peter’s favourite healing story - Mark 1:31

Q. What questions does this passage bring up for you?

Q. Which part of this passage brought up strong feelings for you? 

    Why do you think it had this impact on you?

    Me: Mark 1:32 - Imagine everyone going home after the healings at ‘church’. “We’ve gotta take Mama to Jesus.” “We’ve gotta take little Josiah to Jesus!” Then, they waited. All afternoon. Begging the sun to go down faster. As they watched the sun finally set, they emerged from their houses - dozens of them with sick family members. Quickly, they gathered at the door of Peter’s house. And Jesus healed them, one by one. Even though it was dark, the rest of the town came to watch! Here’s the sad part: The Sabbath had become a stumbling block in the lives of the Jewish people. The “teachers of the Law” had turned the Sabbath, which was meant to be God’s day of healing and re-creation, into a wedge between God and humanity - one that kept people from bringing their sick to Jesus. No wonder Jesus did so much healing on the Sabbath! He was resetting the purpose of the Sabbath! 

Q. In this passage, in what different ways does Jesus help the needy?

Q. Review Mark 1:33, Mark 1:45, Mark 2:2 What is Mark suggesting will happen when you are meeting the needs of people?

Q. Interspersed in this healing montage, Mark demonstrates that the religious leaders and system are hindering rather than helping people. Why would Mark do this? (See Mark 1:22, 32, 43-44; Mark 2:6-8) 

Q. Mark intentionally sandwiched healing stories within the calling of disciples.

(See the surrounding stories of Mark 1:16-20 and Mark 2:13-14).

    Why would Mark teach Jesus' style of disciple-making this way? 

    What is Mark saying about the ministry of Jesus?

    What is Mark saying about disciple-making in the church?

Q. Does Mark 1:35-36 fit in the middle of this healing story-set? Why?

    How does this verse encourage you in your discipleship?

Q. In Mark’s day, how did sickness and demons correlate? (Mark 1:32-34)

    What about today? How are things different? Why?

    The incarnated Jesus spoke into Mark’s world as a local!

     “All things to all people. So that by all means, He might reach many.” 

    Where might Jesus focus His healing ministry today? 

     (Mental Health? Community/family? Cancer?)

     “WWJD” - wrong question. He’s in me. What will I do?
    “WWJHMD” - What would Jesus have me do?

Q. How does this passage increase your love for Jesus and other people? 

Q. Is there a particular person you feel impressed to share part of today’s study with? Who? Why them?

Closing Prayer

Teaching The Second Coming

This morning while attending a Uniting Church with a client, the topic was "The Second Coming." During the sermon, the minister said, "You all know Dave because he joins us every second Sunday. Dave has a Seventh-day Adventist background. Seventh-day Adventists have the second coming right in their name - so they have a lot to say about it, I'm guessing." Then, looking up at me, he said, "Dave, If you'd like right of reply, I'd love to have you unpack the passage I'm struggling with in this sermon. I'll do my best and you can do the rest. If you are willing, at the time."

It humbled me to realise that other Christians view Adventists as specialists on "Sabbath" and "Second Coming". They do not despise or judge us but appreciate our investment in these deeply biblical topics.

The minister powered into unpacking Matthew 25:14-30. When he got to the end of his sermon, he said, "Dave, do you have something to say to help us with this passage? Only if you are comfortable."

The verse "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15) went through my mind... And I did.

During his sermon, I dug into the passage and the surrounding context. (Have a carefully read of Matthew 25:1-30 before going any further) I was looking for a positive way to reveal Jesus and his end-time mission for disciples.

Enjoy this lovely Uniting Church service. My bit starts at 53 mins...

First, we need to ask, “What is the context of this story.” At the beginning of the passage, it says, “Again, it will be like a man” .... What is the “it” in the “it will be like”? Reach back to the previous passage and Jesus says, “At that time, the Kingdom of Heaven will be like”. So, the topic in question is the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s the starting point. The finish of the story is “celebration" with God or “the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.” So, this is a story about the Kingdom of Heaven and how it relates to those entrusted with its wealth.

Q. What is the primary focus of the Kingdom of Heaven?

A. Jesus.

The only people Jesus ever gut-punched were the religious leaders who misrepresented God to the people. These were the light on a hill people, Jerusalem’s leaders. They had taken the Kingdom of God and buried all of its glory and all of its truth under a mountain of laws and self-righteousness. Jesus had words with these leaders. Strong words. And often. The Kingdom of God was meant for everyone and Israel was meant to be the servant that spread that story. Instead, they buried it.

In the middle of Jesus’ ministry on Earth, we have the story of Jesus sending out the 72 to prepare for His arrival in unsuspecting towns. Jesus advised his disciples to enter a town and say, “The Kingdom of Heaven is Near.” Jesus also said, “If they invite you into their homes, go in. Lodge there. Eat there. And tell them I am coming soon and to be ready for my arrival.” Then he turned the tables, “If nobody in that town welcomes you, even after you declare the Kingdom of Heaven is near, shake the dust off your sandals and leave town. It will be better for that town at the end than for Sodom and Gomorrah.”

This story is a picture of God shaking the dust off his sandals. The wealthy landowner ousting the servants who didn’t make use of what they’d been given is Jesus’ way of saying to the religious leaders, “You know that rubbish tip outside the city? The one that just keeps burning and burning. The one where the rubbish gets dumped from Jerusalem? That’s where rubbish goes. Yeah, you don’t want to go there.”

Yes, it’s harsh. But, it is not a parable about you. It is not a parable about your family members who aren’t using their spiritual gifts. It's Jesus talking to the religious leaders. It is about those entrusted with the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven who choose to ignore it rather than ignite it.

When Jesus died on the cross, the temple curtain tore from top to bottom and God got out of the box! The message about God, His love, and the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven is no longer entrusted to one select group of people. God left that idea in the dust. The Holy Spirit now reaches out to every heart drawing all people toward God’s Kingdom. And once you welcome it in, you are the storytellers. You are the message bearers. You are the light on a hill. So shine! 

Sabbath - The Best Day Ever (Children's Story)

 

Fluffy's Christmas Gift - by Dr Charles Page

I received an email request yesterday that made me happy. The author of this Children's Christmas book asked me to read and record it on my YouTube Channel. 🙂 What fun to participate with others in making the world a better place!

Storytelling for Morning Worship

I had a great time doing the family worship each day at 2023 Victoria Bigcamp with Kenton and Katrina Ridley. Best fun, ever!

The Vic conference just asked us to do morning worship again in 2024!

Brothers New and Old

Forgive Thy Brother, by Scott Erickson,2017

As Christians, we hold dear the principles of forgiveness and reconciliation. Both the Bible and the Christian experience are redemption rich. These themes are often found in stories about brothers. Do you have a story of forgiveness between you and a brother? The Bible has many. 

Today, we are going to explore two such stories from Scripture. One is told by Jesus and the other is recounted in Genesis. The parable of the Prodigal Son and the story of Jacob and Esau. These timeless narratives offer us profound lessons about God's boundless love and the transformative power of forgiveness. Let us journey through these sacred stories, drawing inspiration for our own relationships.

The Prodigal Son: A Story of Redemption

Our journey begins with the Parable of the Prodigal Son, shared by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. This story unfolds the tale of a wayward son who demanded his inheritance, squandered it recklessly, and found himself in spiritual and material destitution. However, in the depths of his despair, he came to a moment of reckoning.

Luke captures the essence of the prodigal son's rebellion: "The younger one said to his father, 'Give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country, and there squandered his wealth in wild living" (Luke 15:12-13).

As the prodigal son hits rock bottom, surrounded by swine and squalor, he comes to his senses. The son realizes the consequences of his actions and decides to return to his father, to humbly repent of his waywardness. This decision is a turning point in his life.

Jesus paints a profound picture of the prodigal son's return: "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). This parable exemplifies the joy in Heaven when a sinner repents. The Father's love and forgiveness knows no bounds!

Henri J.M. Nouwen, in his book "The Return of the Prodigal Son," summarises Jesus’ parable perfectly: "The story of the Prodigal Son is the story of a God who goes searching for us, runs toward us, and welcomes us back with open arms, regardless of our past."

As I read about the Prodigal Son's return, I couldn't help but think about the brother who stayed home. He was resentful when his father was grace-full. He was jealous when his father was generous. He was selfish when his father was celebrating. This bitter brother reminds us to join the Father in celebration, generosity and grace when a lost child comes home.

Changing Hearts: A Story Worth Telling

When I was 12 years old, I was asked by my pastor to preach a sermon. He recommended I dress as a Biblical figure and act out the story. A few weeks later, I stood before the congregation, dressed in a brightly coloured costume, sandals and a headscarf, and enacted the story of the Prodigal Son. 

I invited my adult uncle, who was not a believer, to come and hear my story. To my astonishment on the day, he was there in the audience. As I reached the part where the father embraced his son, I noticed tears running down my uncle's face. 

It was a profound moment that emphasized the power of the parable and set my life on a new course - I wanted to keep doing whatever I had done that day. Telling the story of God’s love and forgiveness touches hearts and changes lives!

Jacob and Esau: A Story of Reconciliation

Now, let's turn to the narrative of Jacob and Esau in Genesis chapters 27 to 33. This story portrays a tale of deception, sibling rivalry, estrangement, and, ultimately, reconciliation.

Jacob lied to his blind father and tricked him into blessing him with the inheritance of God’s promises rather than allowing it to go to his older brother, Esau, as it should have. The depth of Jacob's deception is revealed when Father Isaac said to Esau: "Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing" (Genesis 27:35). This act sowed deep discord between the brothers. 

Esau, understandably hurt and betrayed, “held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, 'The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'" (Genesis 27:41). In modern English: “Once dad is dead, so are you!”

Fearing for his life, Jacob fled to his uncle Laban's house, where he lived in exile for many years. The relationship between the brothers remained deeply fractured. 

However, years later, in a moment of divine grace and transformation, Esau forgave Jacob. Genesis 33:4 beautifully captures the reconciliation: "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept."

Conclusion

Both stories emphasize the importance of recognizing our sins, repentance, and seeking reconciliation with our Heavenly Father and with one another.

They also speak of the nature of God’s love. Just as the father in the Prodigal Son parable embraced his wayward son, and as Esau forgave Jacob, God's love is unconditional, and His mercy knows no bounds. These stories remind us that all of Heaven celebrates when a sinner repents. There is a profound joy that comes with reconciliation and restoration in our own lives.

C.S. Lewis once said, "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." That’s what it's all about. Forgive as you have been forgiven. 

When he realised the heart of Esau was filled only with forgiveness, Jacob declared, "To see your face is like seeing the face of God" (Genesis 33:10). This profound statement underscores the idea that reconciliation and forgiveness are God's prime attributes. When we extend forgiveness and experience reconciliation, we catch a glimpse of God. In such moments, we revel in Divine love and mercy.

As followers of Jesus, let us carry these lessons with us, always ready to forgive and seek reconciliation. Whether we find ourselves in the role of the Prodigal Son, in need of repentance, or like Esau, ready to extend forgiveness, may we strive to emulate the love and forgiveness shown by our Heavenly Father.

May you know the unbounded love and mercy of God. 

May you, like the brother who chose forgiveness over resentment, be ready to forgive.

May you recognize the face of God when you receive forgiveness from others.

And, may you experience Heaven’s profound joy every time the Father calls for a celebration!

Great Communicators

Humans are communal creatures. We are masters of tribalism, nationality, culture, sub-culture, language, dialect, family, religion, fields of study, etc. - all result from of our need to have group identity. Each of these collective categories bond us together within the group and separate us distinctly from those outside the group. It's what we do. It's how we make sense of things.

Having specialised terms helps us clearly say that which is important to us. Higher learning has its words, phrases and definitions. So do religions, cultures and nations. Heck, so do families - my dad and I have words and phrases that mean nothing to anyone else but bring entire memory clusters back to mind when we use them - thus bonding us again, closer and closer - becoming more like each other and less like everyone else.

Those who successfully speak to others outside their personal areas of specialisation excel at using common language - simple speak. And they make a study of the group they wish to speak to. Christians call this incarnation. Scholars call it 'dumbing down'. Communicators call it necessary!

Good communication is saying it right.
Great communication is being heard right.
Good communicators are educated and articulate.
Great communicators are relational and understood.

Here's a strategy to help you know if you have something ready to truly communicate to those external to your worldview. Explain it to an eight-year-old and ask them to tell it back to you in their own words.

Trying to understand God? Here, try these on.

Put on your coloured glasses. Oh, you already have them on! 

We all do. 

The cultural, spiritual and physical context of when and where we live combined with the education we receive from that culture create the lenses through which we see God, how we read the Bible and how we think of our fellow humans. 

This has always been true of humanity. Just like us, in Old Testament times, they defined God and their relationship with God through the lenses created by their world. And when they wrote it down, they wrote it with those lenses on - believing they were seeing clearly. When we read it, we read through our lenses. Learning about their lenses and trying them on when reading the Bible will help us understand them and their writing. 

But understanding God takes a lot more than the right glasses! We believe we can now see God clearly because of Jesus. Hogwash! God had work done - a lot of work! - before he showed up as Jesus. It's called the incarnation. God went through a massive transformation - gestation in a human womb, childhood in a Palestinian village, indoctrination in an Israelite community, all with a teenage mum and and tradie dad - so he could be one with us. He was still God, but cloaked in humanity and locked in a historical context. He came as close to being one of us as was divinely possible. 

Perhaps he did too good of a job. He spent much of his ministry saying, "How long have I been with you and still don't understand who God is?" Even after Jesus died, came back to life and was about to be slurped up to Heaven, "Some of them still doubted" (Matt 28:17). That's just the way of us humans. Our lenses only allow so much to be true!

So, if you have trouble understanding God - join the club. He doesn't expect us or require us to understand him. The epic narrative of Biblical scripture repeatedly shows that God wants us to know one thing - God loves us. He said it over and over and they wrote it down in their language. Then he showed up looking strangely familiar and showed us with his words, actions, death and resurrection. God is Love. God loves you. God created you as a creature of love - to love and be loved. Can you see it?

For God         (spiritual lens)
so loved         (relational lens)
the World       (cosmological lens)
that He           (patriarchy lens)
gave               (monetary lens)
His                 (gender lens)
one & only     (eggs in one basket lens!)
Son                 (family lens)
whoever          (inclusivity lens)
believes           (faith lens)
in Him             (trust lens)
will not die      (fear lens)
but have           (identity lens)
eternal life       (hope lens)