Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 16

Mark 16

-The ladies that had tended to the Lord in His life now came back on the first day of the week, Sunday, to anoint the dead Man with spices for his proper burial. The Word says they went very early on this day as the sun had just risen. They were wondering who might be able to roll the stone away for them since it was described as being “extremely large” and therefore too heavy for them to move. But entering the tomb area where they had seen Jesus be buried two days before, they looked up and saw that the stone had been rolled away. They then actually entered the tomb and saw a young man sitting at the right wearing a white robe. This certainly amazed them as it would anyone. The young man said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” The ladies went forth from the tomb trembling and with total astonishment gripping their soul in fear and probably a new found-unexpected hope. They went back to the disciples as the angel had instructed. Mary Magdalene, who had had seven demons cast out of her by Jesus, reported to those who had been with the Christ while they were still mourning and weeping. They did not at first believe the incredible news that this woman was revealing to them. They refused to accept that this Man that they knew had been killed by crucifixion was now alive and had been seen by Mary Magdalene (her testimony of seeing the Christ is actually expanded upon in another gospel, John 20:11-18). The Emmaus travelers are also reported by Mark in two short verses here with an expanded version in Luke 24:13-36. These were not believed either, but afterward the Lord appeared to the eleven themselves as they reclining at the table. He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart. They still had some lessons to learn in faith at this point (Mark 16:1-14).

-Jesus now gives them their marching orders as the risen Savior of the world. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My Name they will cast out demons (Acts 19:11-20), they will speak with new tongues (Acts 2:1-4); they will pick up serpents (Acts 28:3-9), and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover (Mark 16:15-18, Acts 3:1-9).”

-The final scene is portrayed on the Mount of Olives as Jesus is received to the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven (Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9-12). From there they went out and preached everywhere just as the Lord commanded them. He was with them in every respect as a guiding influence by His Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8). He confirmed the Word by the signs that followed His disciples as the Kingdom of God advanced and multiplied “from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation (Mark 16:19-20).” The church was born.

-*Application* With total victory achieved we now have the power and authority of the Almighty in us as believers to change this dark and desperate world. Do we believe? Do we move in His Spirit? He has given us all we need to keep advancing His given mission during the course of our lives. Serve Him faithfully and enjoy the exciting life in Christ Jesus!

Verse to Memorize: Mark 16:15-16

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 15

Mark 15

-A consultation was held early on that fateful Friday morning as the chief priests, elders, and scribes all consorted together. They bound Jesus and led Him away to deliver Him over the Roman authority, Pilate, with the hopes of capital punishment for this Man believed to be a blasphemous imposter. Pilate questioned the Messiah asking Him if indeed He was the King of the Jews. Jesus replied that it was as he said. The chief priests began to again accuse Him harshly. Christ did not respond to their accusations, which led Pilate to wonder why He made no defense for Himself. This amazed the Roman leader (Mark 15:1-5). At the feast, the Romans had a tradition of allowing one prisoner to be released. There was an insurrectionist named Barabbas, who had committed murder, that came up for release along with Jesus. Pilate was aware, the Bible says here, that the Jewish leadership had handed Jesus over because of their envy more than anything else. So, he made attempts to peacefully release the Lord, but the chief priests were successful in stirring up the crowd gathered for this event to release Barabbas rather than Jesus. Pilate asked plainly what he should do with Jesus then, who was referred to as the “King of the Jews.” They shouted, “Crucify Him!” The biblical commentary paints a very sad tale for Pilate as he released Barabbas instead of Jesus wishing to satisfy the stirred up crowd. An injustice was served. Jesus was whipped and then handed over to be crucified by asphyxiation on a cross (Mark 15:6-15).

-The Roman soldiers quickly took him into the Praetorium, which was a part of the Antonia Fortress on the northeast side of the Temple Mount area. The whole Roman cohort (battalion) was called together for this occasion as they dressed the Lord in purple and placed a crown woven out of razor sharp thorns on him in mockery. They jeered, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They beat His earthly Head with a reed (or staff) of wood. They were spitting on Him in derision, and kept kneeling down in sardonic worship of Him to humiliate the Messiah. When this was finished, they undressed His purple robe and put His own garments back on. Then they led Him out to crucify the Lamb of God (Mark 15:16-20).

-Along the route to the crucifixion site, they pressed into service a passer-by from the country. Mark names this man as Simon of Cyrene and the father of Alexander and Rufus. This implies that this family ended up becoming Christians due to the fact that much was known about them in the early church. Simon of Cyrene bore the cross of Jesus, more than likely since the Lord was at this point too physically weak to carry it on His own. He was finally brought to the place, Golgotha, or place of the Skull, outside the city walls of Jerusalem. He was offered wine mixed with myrrh as an antiseptic, but He refused to take it. “And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take (Psalm 22:18, Mark 15:21-24).”

-Jesus historically was put on the cross at 9:00am local time. The charge against Him by the Roman government who was in dominion over Judea at that time read, “The King of the Jews.” They crucified at the same time, two other thieves to either side of the Lord. Thus the Scripture was further fulfilled that He, the Messiah, would be “numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).” Those going back and forth into and out of the city along what was probably a busy thoroughfare were hurling abuse at Him in mockery and disgust. They had hoped for a political savior, but it seemed their hopes had been dashed by what they considered to be yet another imposter and deceiver. They tempted Him, “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” In other words, “prove You are who You say You are by doing things our way, not God’s!” Thankfully, our Lord knew better and endured the insults casted so venomously at Him during His passion. Even the religious leaders were getting into the act as insensitive-abusive manipulators. Lastly, the two thieves condemned to die with Him were also insulting the King of Glory, but in another gospel at least one came around to salvation after truly observing the scene (Mark 15:25-32, Luke 23:39-43).

-By noon, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00pm). In this afternoon hour, Jesus cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Bystanders misheard Him in this plea. They falsely thought He was calling for Elijah the prophet. After another sponge with sour wine was offered to the Lord for a drink, He uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last breath on earth as the Suffering Servant. The veil of the Temple was immediately torn in two from top to bottom ushering in a new era of God’s mercy and grace upon the earth for all mankind. The centurion who had witnessed all the miraculous and incredible events of the crucifixion right in front of the Lord admitted, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome were listed as some of the prominent women looking of from a distance as these events unfolded at Calvary. These used to follow Him in Galilee and ministered to Him. They, along with others, had come up with Him to Jerusalem as witnesses of the greatest event in human history (Mark 15:33-41).

-Now when evening had already come, because it was the preparation day before the Sabbath, immediate action had to be taken to bury the Savior. Joseph of Arimathea (a tribal town of Benjamin in Judea about three miles northeast of Jerusalem), who was indicated as a “prominent member of the Council” and one who was “waiting for the Kingdom of God” gathered incredible courage to go before Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus after His death. Pilate indeed wondered how the Christ could have been killed so quickly, so he beckoned for the centurion and questioned him on the matter. Ascertaining the facts of the Lord’s death, Pilate granted Joseph of Arimathea His deceased body. Joseph bought a linen cloth, the Bible says, and took Him down from the cross. He then wrapped the body of the Lord in the linen cloth and laid Him in a nearby tomb which had been hewn out in the rock. Joseph then saw to it that a stone was rolled against the entrance of the tomb for protection. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see the exact spot where the Lord was laid. They would come back after the Sabbath day of rest to anoint Him in His proper burial (Mark 15:42-16:1).

-*Application* The death of One on behalf of the many, still draws us to excitement and passion today. Jesus changes lives. His sacrifice on the cross mattered. It is altogether the worst and the best thing that has ever happened in the history of the world all at the same time. A paradox, it is the perfect demonstration of courage and love for a hopeless case. When we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, the Just for the unjust (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18).

Verse to Memorize: Mark 15:37

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 14

Mark 14

-The time comes within two days of the Passover and feast of Unleavened Bread where the chief priests and scribes were seeking how to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. They wanted to be inconspicuous as much as possible so as not to cause a riot among the people since they feared them knowing that Jesus was a powerful teacher with substantial influence. What they neglected to figure out was that He was the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Christ was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper. While He was reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume (about a year’s worth of wages). It was pure nard, and she broke the vial of it and poured it over the Lord’s Head. This was a symbolic anointing for His burial, but she may not have even known the real significance of this act. Surely the disciples didn’t. They became indignant with what they considered a wasteful spending of money on this occasion. Jesus rebuked them though. He told they would always have the poor to give to whenever they felt led, but He was only here for this brief time. What the woman was doing was commended by the Messiah, and He prophesied that wherever His gospel was preached, she would be known in memory (Mark 14:1-9).

-The scene quickly jumps in the text to Judas Iscariot and his primary steps in the betrayal of Christ Jesus. He went off to the chief priests to plot and plan. Of course the religious establishment was glad when they heard of this treachery. They promised to give him money for his efforts, and they began to seek an opportune time to get Him (Mark 14:10-11).

-On the first day of Unleavened Bread under the Law of the Jesus at its appointed time, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, the Lord’s disciples asked where He wanted them to prepare to eat the traditional meal of Passover. He sent two of the disciples into Jerusalem and told them ahead of time that they would meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. They were to follow him and enter the house to ask the owner for his guest room for the feast with His disciples. The owner would show them a large upper (upstairs) room, which would be furnished and ready. Jesus told them to prepare for the meal there in that appointed place. Many think this was the same place where the Holy Spirit entered the scene post Christ’s return to the Right Hand of God the Father, but this cannot be proven textually. The disciples went and came to the city to find it just as the Lord had said, and they prepared the Passover dinner there (Mark 14:12-16). When it was evening, He came with the twelve. As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus began to speak, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” The disciples began to be very grieved saying one-by-one, “Surely not I?” He then dipped in the bowl with Judas Iscariot, and once again prophesied as the fulfillment of ancient prophesy. He pronounced woe and ruin on the betrayer knowing his fate and heart fully. His comment that it would have been better had he never been born is a powerful condemnation as to the consequences of this heinous act of intrigue. While still eating, Jesus now took some bread and initiated the first communion. He blessed the bread, then broke it as a symbol of His death and gave it to them saying, “Take it; this is My Body.” After this, the Lord took a cup of wine, gave His Father in Heaven thanks for it, apportioned it to the disciples having them all drink from the same cup. Then He commented, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” After they all sang a hymn to the LORD, they went out to the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley to the east and outside the gates of the Holy City (Mark 14:17-26). Here, Jesus again predicts Peter’s future denial of Him. He begins the passion like this from the Old Testament prophecy, “I will strike down the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered (Zechariah 13:7, Mark 14:27).” But then He gives them hope. “After I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Peter pledged his allegiance to his Master at this point, but Jesus plainly stated, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” Peter was insistent on his promise guaranteeing to go to his death without denying the Lord. All the disciples were joining in with this fervor, not exactly knowing what was about to go down (Mark 14:28-31).

-*Application* We can also sometimes object to a clearly stated word from the LORD on matters in our lives. This is dangerous and always fallible. It proves to be arrogance against the Almighty who knows all and sees ahead in situations. Instead of false bravado and unscrupulous pride, we would be better served to humbly submit to the King’s word. He always knows better than us as fate would have it. We will continue to see the dynamic of betrayal play out as a theme in Peter and Judas Iscariot with very diverse results. Repentance and return to the LORD we will see is crucial when we have fallen, and God’s grace is always sufficient when we have the proper heart.

-They came to the place named Gethsemane on the lower western part of the Mount of Olives. He wanted His disciples to sit while He prayed. He took Peter, James, and John a little further along, and the Word says He began to be very distressed and troubled in His Spirit. In fact, His Soul was grieved with heartache to the point of death. Another gospel tells us that He was in such anguish that He sweated drops like blood from His pores (Luke 22:44). This was indeed a desperate plea before the Father as He asked to have this cup of suffering removed from Him. Nevertheless, He wanted God’s will above His own wishes facing this torment and torture for the sake of redeeming the world. He returned to find His disciples sleeping. He implored them to wake up, keep watch, and pray, but they were extremely weary. He knew that the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. He exhorted them to watch and pray that they may not enter into temptation. He went back to pray again in His distressed and oppressed Spirit, but the disciples again grew tired and slept. When He came back a third time to find them sound asleep, He commented, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand (Mark 14:32-42)!”

-While He was still speaking these words, immediately Judas, one of the twelve, came up to Him accompanied by a cohort from the chief priests and scribes and elders of the people. They had clubs and swords looking ready for a fight. Judas kissed the Lord as the prearranged plot to identify Him in the dark of night calling Him, “Rabbi!” They tried to seize Him, but a fracas briefly broke out with Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest’s slave (John 18:10). This resulted in a healing from another gospel account, which appears to be the Lord’s last earthly miracle before His crucifixion (Luke 22:51). Jesus quickly calmed things down in this chaos though. He proclaimed, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? Every day I was with you in the Temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures.” After this statement of concession, the disciples vacated the scene quickly. They ALL left Him and fled. One dubious young man, who some scholars believe was John Mark himself, had only a linen sheet over his naked body. This sheet was grabbed by the captors, but he ripped away and escaped naked (Mark 14:43-52).

-Jesus was then led away to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. All the chief priests, elders, and scribes who had illegally conspired together, with forethought and preparation, gathered together to examine this Messiah. Peter regained his moxy for a moment and followed the procession at a distance right into the courtyard of the high priest’s house. He was sitting with the officers there warming himself by the fire. Inside, a council of the Sanhedrin developed in the house, but the testimonies were inconsistent, and they were not finding any convincing proof that would condemn Him to death. His statement about rebuilding the Temple without hands even fell apart in this farce of a courtroom. Finally, the high priest himself stood up and came forward toward the Lord to question Him. He didn’t understand why Jesus was silent in the face of His accusers. When He wouldn’t speak even to the high priest, Caiaphas cut to the quick, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” This was the moment of truth, and Jesus responded, “I AM (emphasis mine); and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the Right Hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of Heaven (Psalm 110:1-7, Daniel 7:13-14).” Now fully knowing the claim by this Man, the chief priest tore his clothes in disgust saying, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” The council ALL condemned Him as deserving of death at that pivotal point. Some began to spit at Him. They blindfolded Him and beat the Messiah with their fists mocking Him to “Prophesy!” As the officers received Him, they too slapped the Lord in the Face (Mark 14:53-65).

-Peter was still below in the courtyard below observing the scene as much as he could. A servant-girl of the high priest came and looked out the disciple and commented, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.” Peter, as Jesus had prophesied, denied it saying he neither knew Him nor understood what she was talking about. Fear had gripped his heart as he walked out onto the porch and heard a rooster crow. She came back later and seeing him said to the bystanders, “This is one of them!” Peter again denied it. Sometime later these bystanders were purporting, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.” At this point, the man who claimed he would stand up for Jesus no matter what began to curse and swear to the fact that He did not know Jesus and had no idea what they were talking about in trying to identify him with this condemned Man. Immediately a rooster crowed for the second time and triggered Peter’s memory of the Lord’s words. The Bible says that at that point he went outside and began to weep bitterly (Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:62).

-*Application* We know that Jesus was one with the Father and completely obeyed His good and perfect will on earth. This certainly was not easy as we can discern from the text. It will not be easy for us too to take up our cross every day and follow Him (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, 1 Corinthians 15:31). But the reward is great and God has substantial mercy. Just remember Peter’s failures and eventually restoration to give strength to persevere when God calls us to do difficult things for His Kingdom’s success.

Verses to Memorize: Mark 14:22-25, 36

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 13

Mark 13

-As Jesus continues His passion week, one of His disciples notices the wonderful edifices of stones and buildings in the Temple area and remarks this to the Lord. The Christ prophecies, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down (Mark 13:1-2).” This occurred in about 70 A.D. when the Romans came in with destruction of the Temple and tore down the place stone by stone to possibly scrape up some of the Temple’s gold. Ruins of this Temple in ancient sections of the Holy City can still be seen today as a testimony of the accuracy of Jesus’ Words. This is a picture I took several years ago of these ruins of the Herodian Temple:

-Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, just to the east of the Holy City opposite the Temple with a beautiful view of it, Peter, James, John, and Andrew of the twelve questioned Him privately of these things wanting some signs for the end of times. Jesus gave some of the most insightful and deliberate teaching here in this context of His second coming. His first point was to avoid deception, “See to it that no one misleads you.” Many, He said, would in His Name falsely claiming to be the messiah, and many would be led astray by these counterfeits. He informed them of future wars and rumors of wars that would occur as the beginning birth pangs of His coming. He added to this earthquakes in various places around the world along with famines and food shortages. He told His audience not to be afraid, or frightened, when these early stages happen. Then He let them know that believers would certainly be persecuted before His return. They would be delivered over to courts, flogged with whips in the synagogues, and set before kings of the earth for the King’s sake as a testimony to them. The gospel would be advanced and proclaimed to all the nations. God, by His Holy Spirit, would give His followers the words to say in that given hour. In that time, brother would betray brother, a father his child, and children will rise up against their parents and have them killed. The disciples of Jesus would be hated by all because they adore the Name of Christ Jesus, “but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” The Anti-Christ, called here the “Abomination of Desolation,” will stand in the Temple where he should not be, and then the Jewish people and all believers in Judea would need to vacate to the mountains immediately without packing up at all. The Lord pronounces woe on those who may be pregnant or have nursing babies in those days. He also warns that people should pray that this doesn’t happen in winter, when the weather is more harsh and cold. Those days will be a time of trial and tribulation without parallel in world history. “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.” Jesus also warned them not to believe those who say that the Christ has appeared here or there “for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.” Jesus then gives a pertinent word to prepare, “But take heed; behold, I have told you EVERYTHING (emphasis mine) in advance (Mark 13:3-23).”

-Now He goes into His return. After the tribulation, “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” The Christ will send forth His angels to gather His elect from all over the earth. Jesus says to pay attention again to the fig tree parable. “When its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so, you (disciples) too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation (race, age) will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away (Mark 13:24-31).” Christ, in His human element, did not know the day or hour that these things would transpire. No one would know, not even the angels in Heaven. So, He simply said for His disciples to “take heed” and “keep on the alert.” The end will be like a man on a journey who is away putting all of His servants in charge of His house, each one with a charged task. Alertness is reiterated over and over again (Mark 13:32-37).

-*Application* Taking heed to the things that Christ reveals and being alert to them will keep us awake and ready for His return. Summer is here, are we ready to receive the King in all His power and glory today? Don’t get weary as we work and wait (Galatians 6:9). Don’t be deceived by false teachings or mockers (2 Peter 3:3-9). Jesus will come in His appointed time and in the prophesied way. The victory is assured!

Verses to Memorize: Mark 13:10, 23

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 12

Mark 12

-The parables continue as Jesus addresses the Jerusalem crowd right before His crucifixion. The parable of the vineyard and the annihilated son projects the LORD’s view of the unresponsive religious and political elite to His ordained prophets and messengers including the Incarnate Son. It is interesting that the religious leaders understood that He spoke the parable against them. They wanted to seize Him, but they feared the people. “The Stone which the builders rejected, this became the Chief Cornerstone; this came about from the LORD and it is marvelous in our eyes (Psalm 118:22-23, Mark 12:1-12).”

-The religious leaders then sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus in another attempt to trap Him in His words. This is the great episode where they inquire about the Roman poll-tax that so infuriated the Jewish populace. They wanted to either turn the people against Him if He said yes to the question, or bring an accusation of treason and rebellion against Rome if He said no. Jesus, “knowing their hypocrisy,” had them bring a denarius (a day’s wage) and asked whose inscription was on it. When they rightly replied “Caesar’s,” He uttered these famous words, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” The crowd was amazed at His wisdom in the answer. His intellect and quick wit was impeccable. He was the perfect Lamb of God (Mark 12:13-17). Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, then quizzed Him about the marriage of seven brothers to one woman under the Law and how that would apply in the afterlife. Jesus took advantage of this opportunity to teach on the other realm and how to properly interpret Scripture. First, He let them know that there is neither marrying or giving in marriage in Heaven, but individuals would be “like angels.” Secondly, He pointed to the tense of the text in the Old Testament writings of Moses to prove that God is the God of the living, not the dead. The Sadducees were greatly mistaken in their theology, and Jesus rightly corrects their fallacy. This proves that Jesus is a verbal-plenary advocate in interpreting the Word of God (Mark 12:18-27). One of the scribes who had come up upon the discussion recognized that He had answered the Sadducees well. This inquisitive individual asked what the greatest command in the Law was. Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The LORD our God is One LORD; and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’” When the scribe agreed with Him and made the comment that these essentials were “much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices,” Jesus recognized his intelligence and said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” After this, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions (Mark 12:28-34).

-Jesus was then teaching in the Temple posing the question, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, sit at My Right Hand, until I put Your enemies beneath Your Feet.’ David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” The crowd loved these deep questions and hung on every word He was speaking (Mark 12:35-37). He was explaining the concept of Messiah plainly written about in the Old Covenant for any who wanted to know the truth.

-He continued with a scathing rebuke of the hypocrisy of the religious elite who like the look of holiness only for their own personal benefit. He called them out for their lust for power and respect in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, while really they were devouring widows’ houses. The Lord told his audience to “beware” of them (Mark 12:38-40). Now He made a point on real sacrificial giving when He observed the scene at the Temple treasury. The rich were putting in their large sums, but this didn’t impress the Christ. Calling His disciples to Him, He explained after seeing a poor widow put two copper coins amounting to about a cent, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on (Mark 12:41-44).” Again, God was focused on the heart of holiness, not the appearance of it.

-*Application* How genuine is our faith? Jesus has a way of exposing the real truth doesn’t He?

Verses to Memorize: Mark 12:32-34

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 11

Mark 11

-Jesus is now nearing Jerusalem from the eastern way. Up from Jericho, He approached Jerusalem through the desert coming to Bethphage and Bethany, which was near the Mount of Olives that overlooks the Holy City. From there the Christ sent two of His disciples into a village opposite them to find a colt tied there on which one no had ever sat. The Master commanded them to untie this donkey colt and bring it back to Him. Jesus even gave them instructions if someone should ask why they were untying the colt. It happened just as the Lord had predicted as they came into the village. They found the donkey colt (actually two if you cross reference gospel accounts, Matthew 21:1-7), and some of the bystanders did ask what they were doing untying the colt. When they told them the Lord had need of it, they were given permission to take the animal for Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. They put coats on the tender animal, and Jesus got upon the humble beast of burden to receive His prophesied glory as He entered Jerusalem during this time of His ultimate sacrifice for humanity (Isaiah 62:11, Zechariah 9:9). Those who went in front and those who followed were placing their coats and palm branches out before Him in the road shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD; blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus entered the Holy City going straightway to the Temple, and after looking around a bit, He retreated back across the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives to Bethany with His twelve disciples since it was already late in the day (Mark 11:1-11).

-The next day began the time of preparation for His crucifixion. He would clean out the Temple and be tested for purification from the priests and scribes. But before all that, a symbolic gesture was made using the fig tree. Jesus was hungry as He left Bethany, much like the people He had encountered in the land of Israel and the surrounding locations were spiritually hungry to the point of desperation as He ministered to them. He saw a fig tree in leaf with all the appearances of producing good fruit on the outside, but when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, “for it was not the season for figs (figs symbolizing the religious establishment).” He cursed the fig tree telling it that it would never produce eatable fruit again. His disciples took note of this and found the fig tree withered from the roots up the next morning when they passed by. Jesus’ conclusion from this didactic was this, “Have faith in God.” This was no doubt in comparison to men who were imperfect, robbers, and corrupted, (i.e. the religious leaders), which most mistakenly looked to for their well-being (Mark 11:12-22). Jesus went further on this faith issue when He matter of factly taught, “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea.’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.” Then He made a huge point on forgiveness, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in Heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in Heaven forgive your transgressions (Matthew 6:12-15, Mark 11:23-26).”

-The inspective testing in the Temple area continued as the chief priests and scribes came to Him with a question. They wanted to know by what authority Jesus did these things that He was doing. Jesus wisely came back at them with an unanswerable question. He told them He would answer their question if they would first answer His. The question was this, “Was the baptism of John from Heaven, or from men?” They reasoned among themselves and could not answer. If they said it was from God, then they would have to concede that they had not believed in Him. If they said it was from men, then they would face an angry mob, for everyone considered John to have been a legitimate prophet. They feared the people; therefore, they could not answer the Christ His question, and He got out of answering theirs (Mark 11:27-33). Just like the sacrificial lambs had to be examined for imperfections before the Lawful Temple rituals, God was having His Son pass the test of questioning with dynamic flair without the religious establishment even aware of what was going on.

-*Application* Do we look to God or man for our salvation? This is an ultra-important question now isn’t it? There is only One Mediator between God and man, and that One is Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). He is our hope and our promise. He is the fulfillment of every prophesy. He is our King. We need not look to anyone or anything else. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD! The Son of David is the Son of the most high God. And His Kingdom will never end. Believe in Him, trust His provision, and forgive your neighbor as He has forgiven you. This is the path to life eternal.

Verses to Memorize: Mark 11:17, 24

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 10

Mark 10

-Chapter 10 has many key components as Jesus now leads His followers toward Jerusalem and His ransomous crucifixion for the world. He begins His journey on the eastern side of the Jordan in the region of Judea. Here in approximately the same area that John the Baptist ministered, large crowds were again gathering to hear His teachings. It was His custom by now to instruct on these occasions when the people were coming to Him for the insight, knowledge, and miraculous demonstrations from this most unusual Individual. Some Pharisees were about and tested Him on the lawfulness of divorce situations. The Christ asked them first off, “What did Moses command you?” Moses, under God’s direction of course, had allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send the wife away in the Law. The Lord clarified His true position on the matter, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” This statement led the disciples to question the Rabbi later in a house concerning the subject at hand. He plainly stated to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.” another gospel gives some more insight onto this issue, but the main point is that man’s hardness of heart is the primary problem with temporal relationships (Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:1-12).

-The people were bringing children to Jesus in this region that He might touch them, but the disciples were rebuking them as an inappropriate gesture. But, when Jesus saw this, He became indignant and told them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” After this profound statement, He took the children in His All-powerful Arms and began to bless them, laying His Holy Hands on them (Mark 10:13-16). What is it about a child that so closely relates them to the Kingdom of God? I can think of several things here:

1)     Humility- There is no place in the Kingdom of God for those who trust in themselves (previous) or those who believe they can earn or work their way to Heaven (after). The ones who are low, who will humble themselves and seek the LORD, will be accepted (Matthew 18:4). We must give up our rights and our pride to come to this Savior, there is no other way. It is a death to self and children are willing. A nothing to lose mentality.

2)     Dependence- That these were (and still are) the ones that cast their dependence on the LORD. Little ones know that they can’t do it by themselves. They need help and are willing to allow those more capable to assist them in what they need done.

3)     Faith- They have faith and trust in the LORD much more than adults (Warning on causing them to stumble Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42).

4)     Purity- They are less tainted by the world, closer to the image of God that He created us to be, they are more pure (although there is ample evidence of a sin nature).

5)     Freedom from worldly desires- Little ones have a special enthusiasm for the things of God, a joy in the little things, don’t worry about things as much (see Matthew 6 on being anxious, Matthew 6:33 “Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you).

-As Christ Jesus was setting out from this place on the journey which would take Him ever closer to Jerusalem, the antithesis of a childlike faith is noted by the author in the text. A rich-young ruler (Luke 18:18) ran up to Him and knelt down before the Lord to discern an important question. He asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus seized upon this opportunity to clarify His deity. He responded, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” Then He began an attempt to bring this young man into the Kingdom of God. He began with the commands, and the man thought he had done everything to abide by those requirements. But Jesus went further and deeper into his real state. Looking at the wealthy individual with love He stated, “One thing you lack; go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.” This called out the fact that he neither loved God with all his heart, mind, and soul, nor did he love his neighbor as much as himself. These are the two concepts that the whole Law is built on (Matthew 22:36-40). He wasn’t as righteous as he made himself out to be as he walked away from the Lord’s call saddened and grieving due to his inability to give up his worldly riches. This had to have grieved the Lord too as He looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed by this comment since from an earthly perspective it seemed like the more prosperous had it all. But Jesus corrects this thinking when He continues, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” This astonished the disciples even more as they all chimed in, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus, the Master Teacher, then brought the themed lesson to completion, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” This led the thoughtful Peter to draw some rewarding conclusions. He began to say to the Master, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus, I can picture probably smiling, replied, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first (Mark 10:17-31).” What a promise! What a good, good, good God!

-Like Willie Nelson, Jesus and His disciples were on the road again going up to the majestic Jerusalem, where the Temple of the LORD was and where Christ would give His life as a ransom for all mankind to purchase them from spiritual death. Jesus walked ahead of His posse in determination of purpose. Those who followed Him did so with amazement and fear the Bible says. The Christ again took the twelve aside for a ministry briefing to alert them as to what was about to happen to Him. He told them matter of factly:

that He would be delivered (paradidōmi- betrayed) to the chief priests and the scribes, that He would be condemned to death,

that He would be handed over to the Gentiles,

that He would be mocked,

that He would be spit on,

that He would be scoured (whipped),

that He would be killed,

and that He would rise again from the dead in three days (Mark 10:32-34).

-James and John come up to Jesus at this point and ask for something special. They wanted to sit on either side of Him in His glory as the Kingdom came. Jesus wisely told them that they really didn’t know what they were asking for. He challenged them to see if they were really willing to go through the suffering baptism of fire that He was about to go through with pain and torment. They both said that they were able, and Jesus prophesied that indeed they would go through intense persecution. But then He told them frankly, “…to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” The other ten disciples were put out upon hearing this request from James and John. Jesus used the teachable moment to bring His followers closer to the Kingdom of God, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:35-45).”

-Now they came to Jericho, the regional place where Joshua had led the children of Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Land many years before. As the Christ was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus cried out from his sitting position on the road, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He had heard that Jesus the Nazarene was approaching. Since he could not see, he was probably just randomly calling out as he heard voices approaching his presence. Many were trying to shut him up from speaking out, but he persisted in crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped when He came and said, “Call him here.” So they obeyed and told the beggar, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling you.” We get a vivid impression of his excitement from the text. He threw aside his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” God always wants us to be relational and specific. Bartimaeus responded, “Rabboni (My Master), I want to regain my sight!” Jesus told him that his “faith” had made him well. Immediately, a healing miracle occurred and Bartimaeus began following the Lord on the road, a new disciple in Christ (Mark 10:46-52).

-*Application* The things that jump out to us the most in this lengthy chapter are the origins and costs of discipleship. Do we have that childlike faith that it takes to enter the Kingdom of God and receive His miraculous works in our lives? Have we truly loved Him more than anything else, and do we really love our neighbors as much as ourselves? Is our heart hard or pliable for goodness sake? When we are confronted with these calls and challenges, will we go His way or our own? This makes all the difference now and for eternity. I love what the Lord says though. When we do give everything up for Him and die to ourselves, He raises us back up in His overwhelming power and gives us more than we ever could have hoped or  imagined (Ephesians 3:20).

Verses to Memorize: Mark 10:21, 45

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 9

Mark 9

-Chapter 9 continues the ministry of Jesus Christ with more incredible theological discoveries for the reader. The Lord had remarked that there were some of His disciples with Him that would not taste death until they had actually seen the Kingdom of God come in Its power. Six days later, the Christ took His inner circle, Peter, James, and John, to a high mountain (I believe it to be Mt. Hermon in northern Israel near Caesarea Philippi), and He was transfigured before them. The Bible says His garments became radiant with exceeding whiteness that no launder on earth could perform. Elijah and Moses appeared on the mountain and were talking face to face with Jesus. Peter spoke up in a daze of trepidation and humbly offered to build them three tabernacles. Then a cloud formed to overshadow the scene, and a Voice was heard, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” All at once they looked around and saw no one but Jesus anymore. Coming back down the mountain, Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what they had seen and experienced until He was resurrected from the dead. The disciples seized upon that statement and discussed what they might mean. They also entertained the prophetic question about Elijah’s appearance before the coming of Messiah (Malachi 4:5). The Christ explained to them that this had indeed happened. He doesn’t discuss it Mark’s text, but John the Baptist had already come and suffered in the Spirit and power of Elijah, the Spirit of prophecy and repentance as a forerunner (Matthew 11:10-15; 17:12-13, Mark 9:1-13, Luke 1:13-17).

-Upon coming back to the rest of the disciples, they observed a large crowd with the scribes arguing with them. When Jesus was recognized, people were again amazed and began running up to Him to greet Him. He was still a very popular figure at this point of His ministry. Jesus basically asked what was going on, and found that they had come upon a difficult situation in trying to cast out a powerful demon from a boy. His father was desperately trying to get help in this situation. The boy was stricken with muteness and seizers of fits that would slam him down on the ground making him foam at the mouth and grinding his teeth all while stiffening out. The convulsions from the demonic influence would often attempt to kill him when they were near fire or water. The father was understandably begging for help and pity. He asked Jesus IF He could help the situation. Jesus rhetorically replied, “If You can? All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately and spontaneously the father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” This honest contradiction of statements moved Jesus to quickly help his son as He saw a large crowd beginning to gather. He rebuked the unclean spirit of deafness and muteness. He commanded that it never enter the lad again. The demon cried out and threw him down one last time in terrible convulsions before leaving. The boy became so dysfunctional that most thought him to be dead at this point, but the Christ lifted him up by the hand; and he got up. As Jesus went into the house, His disciples beseeched Him as to why they had no power over this particular unclean spirit. He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer (some manuscripts and translations include fasting here too as a prerequisite, Mark 9:14-29).”

-The theme of Christ’s death re-enters the narrative as the chapter proceeds. The group of Christ’s followers went out and had begun to go through Galilee again, but Jesus did not want anyone to know about it this time. This was a teaching mission. He began to say unto them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” The disciples didn’t really understand these statements, but they were too afraid to ask Him for further clarification at that point (Mark 9:30-32).

-As they came to their home base of Capernaum once more, the Lord questioned His disciples as to what they were discussing on their way. In His omniscience He knew that they had been arguing with each other in pride about who was the greatest among them. Who was the alpha disciple, if you will. He explained before the twelve, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. Then taking a child that He set before them, He illustrated, “Whoever receives one child like this in My Name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him (the Father) who sent Me (Mark 9:33-37).” John speaks up at that time and wonders if they should continue trying to prevent those that were not of their group who were casting out demons in the Name of Jesus. The Lord matter of factly stated, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My Name, and be able soon afterword to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us (Mark 9:38-40).” Jesus then returns to the child who is present to teach more lessons to His disciples. Giving is extolled, as well as not becoming a stumbling block to people’s, especially children’s, spiritual growth in faith. Jesus has hard words for those who disrupt another’s progress in the gospel. Then He goes back to individual responsibility. He lists a series of things that could cause a person to stumble, and warns that getting rid of those things for spiritual purity in the Kingdom of God is the primary concern. His warning is precise as He begins to teach on the awfulness of being separated from the Father in Hell, “where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” He goes on to say that everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good” He says, “but if salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another (Mark 9:41-50).” In other words, keep an eternal perspective on all that you do in this life.

-*Application* Have we seen the Kingdom of God with all Its power in our lives? It really can when we believe and receive Him and His Holy Spirit that desires to indwell us. This is how Heaven comes to earth and manifests His presence most powerfully, a changed and contrite heart bent on an eternal perspective that loses everything to follow Jesus. Be transformed and transfigured.

Verses to Memorize: Mark 9:23-24

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 8

Mark 8

-Jesus does yet another miracle of multiplication with a large crowd of 4,000. They had been with Him for three days in a desolate place, and the Christ had compassion on them since they had nothing left to eat and, for some of them, had a long journey back. The disciples were slow. They had not yet grasped the concept that the Lord could provide something out of nothing, or very little in this instance. Jesus took seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, gave thanks to the Father, and then had His disciples once again distribute the food until all ate and were satisfied. Once again there were left overs. This time seven large baskets were used to full capacity to gather the scraps. After this Jesus sent the crowd away and entered the boat with His disciples to come into the district of Dalmanutha, which is on the western side of the Sea of Galilee. Here, the Pharisees came out to begin arguing with Him seeking a sign in order to test Him. This affected a deep sigh in the Spirit of the Messiah and a pertinent question, “Why does this generation seek for a sign?” Then He went on, “Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” He left them at that point, embarking to the other side of the sea (Mark 8:1-13). On this journey, the disciples had forgotten to bring along bread for sustenance. Only one loaf of bread was with them when Jesus commented, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” The disciples were slow to understand His point, and began to discuss the fact that they had not brought enough bread. The Lord rebuked them here for not understanding what He was trying to teach them and for hardening their heart. They had been short to remember that He was “Jehovah Jireh (God will provide)” and could easily feed them. He recounted His two great miracles of multiplication, and ended the lesson with a rhetorical question, “Do you not yet understand (Mark 8:14-21)?” One day they would get it, but it had not yet occurred to them, even though they had seen incredible things, that this Man was God in the flesh. He and the Father were One, and soon the Lord would probe them some more to draw their attention to this fact.

-A blind man was healed as they came to Bethsaida on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. On this occasion, He brought the man outside the village by the hand, spit on his eyes, and laid His Hands on him. The first sight this man saw was what appeared to him to be men as big as trees walking around. Jesus quickly laid His Hands on his eyes again to completely restore the blind man’s sight. He then sent him home telling him not to even enter the village (Mark 8:22-26). Again the Lord was trying not to gain a popular following preceding His crucifixion. This would have created a civil disturbance that was definitely not the Lord’s will. He came to bring peace, not war, with His first incarnation. The other interpretive issue here in this section deals with what the blind man saw when he was first regaining his eyesight. Did he have spiritual insight into another realm? Or, was he just foggy in his perception of his surroundings? This we may never know until we can ask in Heaven, but it is an intriguing part of the text.

-Jesus now went north probably along some of the feeder springs, creeks, and rivers that feed the Sea of Galilee up to the village of Caesarea Philippi. This was a very pagan area full of demonic sacrifice and polytheistic worship of the Hellenistic gods. Along the way, Jesus took the opportunity to question His disciples further in regards to who He was. His pointed question, “Who do people say that I am?” began the discussion in the text. They were giving the common answers such as: John the Baptist, Elijah, or maybe one of the other prophets of old. The Lord continued though, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter, the budding leader of the group, spoke up, “You are the Christ (anointed Messiah).” Again Jesus warned them not to tell anyone what they were discovering about Him (Mark 8:27-30). This was an important event, the acknowledgement of the Divine. This was truly a marker in the development of the Lord’s disciples, but they would see more and learn more as the saga continued.

-God began to teach them at this point that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the establishment in Israel. He prophesied that He would be killed, and after three day He would rise again. This He was stating plaining as the gospel writer goes back and recalls. Because of this negative word, Peter pulls the Lord aside and tries to rebuke Him. Jesus’ response is classic as He turns and sees the disciples, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” At that point He gathers everyone who was following Him and said these powerful words, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 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 (Mark 8:31-38).”

-*Application* Have we acknowledged the Christ for who He really is in our own hearts? This is truly the decisive question now, isn’t it? The Word says that we should sanctify (set Him apart as Divine) Him in our hearts, and be ready to defend our faith and hope with gentleness and reference (1 Peter 3:15). It is important to note that Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned those Words of God at a more mature point in his life. Like the disciples, we sometimes are slow to grasp these spiritual concepts and lessons that God is trying to teach us. Often we are hard hearted and need to be chiseled at to refine our thinking and spiritual response. Are we really ready to lose our lives today for His sake so that we can gain everything in eternity? True relationship with the King involves sacrifice and confidence before Him in a marred world. Faith is the key to these vital things and what it all boils down to. Is it easy to give it all away for life in Jesus? No, not at all. But, is it worth it in the end? Absolutely, no doubt about it. We who have believed in the Son of God and given up our lives for Him will ultimately find His favor forevermore.

Verses to Memorize: Mark 8:25, 33-36

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 7

Mark 7

-The Lord’s teaching on inner purity continues in this seventh chapter of the book. Scribes and Pharisees who had come from Jerusalem noticed that the disciples of Jesus were not following their man made traditions of hand washing and cleansing before they ate their bread. Jesus spoke from the prophet Isaiah to address this issue, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men (Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:1-7).” He went on to make a point on the fact that they often set aside the clear commandment of God to hold to their religious traditions. The case He used here was in regards to taking care of parents in an honorary way for Corban (given to God). They invalidated the Word of God with their man made traditions handed down as false worship. Jesus enlightened them that there were many such things like this in Judaism (Mark 7:8-13). He continued with a lesson that He wanted everyone to listen carefully to and understand. Nothing outside the body defiles a person, but the things that proceed out of them is what defiles them. Later, His disciples questioned Him on what appeared to be a new teaching in regards to their faith. Jesus admonished them for lacking understanding in this instance. Things that go into the body go through the stomach are eliminated. Thus, He declared all foods clean in the sight of God as it pertains to salvation and relationship with Him. What He was getting at was the heart. He taught, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these things proceed from within and defile the man (Mark 7:14-23).”

-Jesus’ Kingdom mission headed north and east from there to the region of Tyre and Sidon. He wanted to escape notice, but His popularity and renown followed Him to these distant regions. He entered a house and had a woman, who was a Gentile, entreat Him to heal her daughter of an unclean spirit. She was persistent in her request to the point that it caused Jesus to make what seemed like a rude statement. He was actually prophetically speaking and testing when He commented, “Let the children (Jews) be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” He knew her heart and what her response would be in His discernment. She kept making her case that even the dogs are nourished from the scraps and that she was capable of receiving blessing from the Almighty. Her answer impressed the Messiah, and He healed her daughter. In faith she went back to find her child lying on the bed and cleansed from the tormenting demons (Mark 7:24-30).

-He then came through Sidon, which was further north of Tyre, before coming back over to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of the Decapolis (ten cities). The people there brought Him one who was deaf and had difficulty speaking. They implored Him to lay His Hands on him for healing. Jesus, this time took him aside from the crowd by Himself and put His fingers in the man’s ears. Then after spitting, He touched the deaf man’s tongue with the saliva. Looking up to Heaven, with a deep sigh, He commanded, “Be opened!” The man’s ears were opened, and he could both hear and speak plainly. The Lord told them not to broadcast this event to anyone, but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim His marvelous works. In astonishment they were saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak (Mark 7:31-37).”

-*Application* When the inner man is well, the whole being will be well spiritually speaking. Take care of your heart; it is the well spring of life (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus is the only One that can change our heart. We only need to look to Him to heal the brokenness in our lives. His grace is always enough. Even the crumbs of His goodness provide all we’ll ever need. He does all things well.

Verses to Memorize: Mark 7:21-23, 37

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 6

Mark 6

-Jesus visited His hometown in Nazareth with His disciples following Him. When Sabbath came, He began to teach in their synagogue, and the many listeners were astonished at His wisdom from above. His miracles too were being noticed, but He could only do a few in this place where He grew up. His famous statement concerning that goes something like this, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” People thought of Him as the good little boy of Mary with normal brothers and sisters. They missed the fact that He was the anointed Son of the Most High God. Their unbelief prevented Him from doing many miracles there in Nazareth. He wondered at their lack of faith and acceptance, and He was therefore going to other villages around the area teaching and ministering (Mark 6:1-6). At around that time, He summoned the twelve and began to make them apostles (sent out ones). He sent them out in pairs and gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits. The work of the Kingdom was beginning to multiply and manifest from the Divine. He instructed them with specific instructions. For this particular mission (not every mission of course, we need to note that) they were to take nothing for their journey. This would be a test of faith and other people’s hospitality. The only things they were allowed to bring with them were a staff, sandals for their feet, and their normal clothes. They were not even allowed to bring along a second tunic (inner garments, what we would call underwear). They were to go into homes that accepted their ministry and stay in that house until they left town. Any place that would not receive their message or listen to them would receive this: they were to “shake the dust off the souls of their feet for a testimony against them (Mark 6:7-11).” Their preaching was on the theme of repentance, the first step towards salvation by the grace of God. The twelve were casting out demons and anointing the sick with oil for healing. Many miracles were now taking place through normal-natural-everyday people (Mark 6:12-13).

-Now when King Herod heard of these things of Jesus, gossip circulated as to who this Man was. Rumors of a resurrection of John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the other prophets of old were being discussed and believed. Herod was convinced that John the Baptist had come back to haunt him. And, in part this was true. John the Baptist was of the Spirit of prophecy, and Jesus certainly was filled with that Presence. This led Mark to recount the back story of John the Baptist’s beheading because of King Herod’s foolish words during a time of pleasure and a vindictive wife of the king who had tremendous influence over her daughter. We see the dichotomy in this earthly king as we read his intrigue with John’s words and the grudge that he held against the prophet of the LORD and forerunner to the Christ. We observe King Herod’s fear of man and capitulation to doing something that grieved him for well past the moment of its occurrence. His guilt was palpable. It probably carried over some years later to when he finally was able to meet this Messiah face to face at the time of His trial and execution (Luke 23:7-12). As the disciples heard the news of John’s death, they came and took his body away to be laid in a proper tomb (Mark 6:14-29).

-The apostles regathered with Jesus to report all they had done and taught. His desire was to go away for some seclusion and recuperation with rest due to all the chaos of ministry and the demands of doing God’s work on earth. They took off in the boat to find this area of privacy, but the people saw them taking off and ran on foot from all the cities and got there ahead of them. As Jesus went ashore, He saw the large crowd, and His heart—filled with compassion for them because they were like sheep without a Shepherd—went out to them. The Lord shows great flexibility in this situation as He began once again to teach them many things of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. It must have been awesome to be in His presence in such a forum. It was already quite late in the day when all this happened, and the disciples asked if the crowd should be sent away into the nearby countryside and villages to buy some food. Jesus had another idea for provision. He told them matter of factly, “You (disciples) give them something to eat!” Not getting the point at first, they replied with typical concern due to the costs of such a task. Jesus took inventory on what they had on hand. It came to a measly five loaves of bread and two fish. He commanded them to all sit down by groups on the green grass of that place in hundreds and fifties. He took the provision they had, offered a blessing by looking toward Heaven and began breaking the bread and separating the fish, giving it to the disciples for distribution among the crowd. They ALL ate and were satisfied! When the remnants were picked up, twelve full baskets of the broken pieces of bread, and also of the fish, were gathered. How big was this large crowd you may ask? 5,000 men and possibly some women and children as well had been adequately feed. It was a miracle of multiplication (Mark 6:30-44).

-Right after this, Jesus made His disciples get in the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida as He was sending the crowds away. After giving them farewells, He went up a mountain to pray to His Father in solitude. In the evening, the disciples were in the boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus saw them “straining at the oars” for the wind was blowing hard in their face. He came to them, walking on the sea with the intention of passing them by. However, they saw Him and supposed Him to be a spirit. Of course this terrified them, but He calmed them down, exhorting them to “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” When He finally got in the boat with them and the wind stopped, they were utterly astonished. The text says “they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened (Mark 6:45-52).” We get more insight into this adventure and how one of His disciples, Peter, also stepped onto the water to supernaturally walk on it in faith in another gospel account (Matthew 14:28-31).

-The disciples and Jesus finally landed at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. When they got out of the boat, the Christ was immediately recognized by the people there. They ran about that whole country and began to carry all the sick to Him for a possible healing. Wherever Jesus was heard to be, in the villages, cities, or countryside, people were coming to Him and laying the sick in the market places begging that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; “and as many as touched it were being cured (Matthew 14:53-56).”

-*Application* We see more of the incredible power that Jesus had over the natural realm in this narrative. What amazing things has He performed in your own personal life? Reflect on that today, and it may surprise you just how many miracles you’ve actually experienced yourself. God is amazing, and He is still in the miracle business. He sends each one of us out to do His work in His power with giftings, talents, and abilities that only He could have blessed us with. Use those for His glory every chance you get, and multiply your ministry.

Verses to Memorize: Mark 6:5-6, 12, 16, 26, 52

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 5

Mark 5

-On the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee in the country of the Gerasenes, Jesus and His disciples encounter a man who was demon possessed to the point that he was uncontrollable. He had to live in the cemetery since no one was strong enough to subdue and bind him, even with chains. Every day and night he would constantly scream among the tombs and in the mountains because of his torment, gashing himself with stones. The Bible paints a very bleak existence for this man before Jesus came along. When this man saw Jesus from a distance, he ran up to Him and bowed down shouting, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” Jesus then began calling out the unclean spirit that was within him. The Messiah was asking for the demons’ name, which got the response, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” The demons begged for the Christ not to send them out of the country, so the Lord disposed of them into a herd of unclean swine who were feeding nearby on the mountain. When they entered the herd of two thousand pigs, they immediately rushed down the steep bank of the mountain into the sea and they all drowned. Their herdsmen ran away in a tizzy and reported the event both to the city and the country. When the people of the area came out to inspect the situation, they found Jesus and the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down calmly, clothed and in his right mind. This frightened the populace, and they beseeched the Lord to leave their region once they had heard the story of what had occurred. As the Lord was getting into the boat to depart, the man who had been delivered approached Him and wanted to accompany the team of disciples. Jesus Christ did not have that plan for this man. He responded with His perfect will, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” The man went away praising God and proclaiming the great things he had experienced by the power of the Almighty in the Decapolis (10 cities area). Everyone was amazed at this transformation (Mark 5:1-20). 

-Upon His return on the other side, the Lord stayed in the seashore to speak since a large crowd had gathered around Him. One of the synagogue officials, who no doubt had witnessed some of His miracles by this point, fell at His feet and begged Him desperately to lay His Hands on his very sick child so that she would be well. Faith triggered Jesus’ response. He went off with the official, and the large crowd followed behind them. While on their way, another miracle took place, also triggered by faith, which becomes our theme here in this section. A woman who had dealt with a female part hemorrhage for twelve years with suffering and constant medical attention costing her everything she had without any success (in fact the text says she got worse with physicians help) came up to the Christ and touched Him in the midst of the crowd of people. Her thinking was simple, but profound, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” There was an immediate drying up of the flow of blood from her body when she touched the Savior! She could actually feel the healing from her affliction. Jesus, perceiving in Himself that His raffa power had gone out (Psalm 103:3), turned around and addressed the crowd, “Who touched My garments?” The undiscerning disciples couldn’t understand His preciseness. Many people had been pressing in and touching Him. Why would He call this out? The Lord noticed the woman by now. She was afraid and trembling, aware of what had just happened to her. She came before Him and told Him the whole truth. Christ’s words reveal His compassion and mission, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction. While still speaking these beautifully profound words, messengers came from Jairus’ house with terrible news. The daughter had passed into eternity. There was no longer need for the Messiah’s healing touch, or so they thought. Jesus overheard this conversation and petitioned the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” Only Peter, James, and John were allowed to accompany the Lord as He entered where the dead girl was. Outside the house was a large commotion with many people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus told them that she was only asleep; she was not dead. Because they thought they knew otherwise, the crowd began to mock His comment. Jesus put everyone away except the faithful. His companions, the mother, and the father entered the place where she lay. Then, Jesus took the child by the hand and said directly to her, “Talitha kum (“Little girl, I say to you, get up!)!” Another immediate miracle took place! She got up and began to walk around. The twelve year old astounded the witnesses, but Jesus gave them strict orders that no one should know about this. Then, recognizing every practical need, Jesus tells them that they should give the girl something to eat (Mark 5:21-43).

-*Application* Jesus’ sole mission on His trip across the Sea of Galilee was to drive out a legion of demons from a maniac that could not be previously contained. He drove the unclean spirits completely away into a herd of pigs. They were demolished. That man and that place was radically changed because of the power of God. We who have His Spirit in us have that same authority today, right now. Christ has all the power!!! Just think of it like this: Christ in you to drive out the evil afoot. Meditate on it and then go apply it in love.

-Jesus’ mission as He came back across the sea was to supernaturally heal on the basis of faith. The Lord can’t work with doubt. Trust in Him alone and observe what He does. The great thing about that these days is that we are exhorted to proclaim His excellencies to the world (1 Peter 2:9). We don’t need to hide it anymore. His Kingdom has come and His will should be done (Matthew 6:10). He’s no longer the suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). He is the King of an everlasting Kingdom (Psalm 145:13, Daniel 4:3, 34; 7:14, 27).

Verses to Memorize: Mark 5:19, 34, 36

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 4

Mark 5

-Jesus teaches from the boat in the sea many parables for the masses that were gathered as curious observers in these times of Messianic fulfillment. Most did not recognize Him, but they knew He was something special, even abnormal, given to them. Jesus explained everything to His followers and disciples. He wasn’t trying to hide things with His parables, but He did want people to seek out the deeper meaning and explore what the Truth was all about. That is why He would say, “To you has been given the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven (Mark 4:11-12, 33-34).” He spent time giving agricultural parables (an earthly story with a heavenly/spiritual meaning). Some got it, when they asked, sook, and knocked (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9). Others left their misunderstandings alone and walked away still clueless and unforgiven. Christ’s mission centered on the belief of the individual answering His call for change in the heart.

-He gave them a fundamental parable at the beginning concerning the sower and the soils (Matthew 4:13). The sower sows the Word of God. Some seed falls on the hardened road where Satan comes and easily takes away the Word which has been sown in them. Some seed falls on shallow places where rocks are underneath. The Word is received immediately with joy, and springs up looking like a healthy plant. But, it has no firm root to nourish it to make it last. This person has a temporary experience of tasting the Word of the LORD (Hebrews 6:4-8), but when persecution or affliction comes their way, they fall away as apostates. There was really never any relationship here in this second type of soil. Some seed falls on a third type of soil that is infested with thorns, or contaminants, to a healthy plant. The thorns, which are described as the worries of the world (or age), the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things rather than God, choke out the Word and these individuals become unfruitful. There is great debate on whether or not these will enter the Kingdom of God. On one hand they could be carnal Christians (1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:1-16). On the other, they may not actually have a real-authentic relationship with the Savior (Matthew 7:21, John 15). The last soil is the desired good soil. These people hear the Word of God, accept it in repentance and life change by faith, and bear fruit according to their giftings and talents, some thirty, some sixty, some a hundredfold (Mark 4:3-20).

-Jesus went on to teach about letting the Light that we have in Him shine for all to see using the analogy of a lamp in relation to a lampstand. No one would put their light under a bed, but expose that illumination for all to see. Jesus went on to say that He would be the One to bring all things to light, nothing in the end will be hidden or secret; it will all be revealed. “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear (Mark 4:21-23).”

-The next line of reasoning has Jesus telling the crowd to “Take care what you listen to.” Obedience to His Words will begin a growth process that will grow the Kingdom of God. Whoever wants more and more of it will be rewarded. Those who reject it, though they be religious, will never have and in the end have eternity taken from them (Mark 4:24-25). The Kingdom of God is like a man who puts his seed out on the soil. He doesn’t have to work for his increase. He goes to sleep while the divine process takes effect. The seed spouts and grows, but the person really has no clue as to how it happened. The soil (the Holy Spirit) produces the results by itself (Itself), the blade first, then the head, and then the mature grain in the head. When the crop is ready, it is harvested with the sickle of judgment because the harvest has come. Only those who have a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, will survive this (Mark 4:26-29). Another picture of the Kingdom of God is given with the analogy of the mustard seed. A mustard seed begins very, very small when it is cast upon the soil, but it grows into a mighty tree larger than all the garden plants that surround it and form large branches so that birds can nest (rest) in its shade (Mark 4:30-32).

-Now on that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” They would cross the Sea of Galilee that night with another lesson from the Creator. A fierce gale came upon them as they crossed over, and Jesus, probably from exhaustion, was sleeping in the stern of the boat. The disciples thought they were perishing and woke Him up. Jesus simply rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” The wind died down quickly and the sea became “perfectly calm.” To bring home the point, Jesus looked at His followers and asked, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The fact that they still had no clue that this indeed was the Messiah is evident from the last verse of the chapter. “They became very much afraid and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him (Mark 4:35-41)?’”

-*Application* What an amazing Savior we have. Think about all of His wisdom and power today as you do life. Seek, ask, and knock to find His answers and open door into the everlasting abundant life. What a good, good, good God!

Verses to Memorize: Mark 4:22, 28

Bible Study Notes in Mark- Chapter 3

Mark 3

-The Lord’s Sabbath healings continue with a man who had a withered hand. The Pharisees by now were watching closely to see what He would do in this situation. Jesus called him forward and asked the question, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” Everyone kept silent, which angered the God Man. “Grieved at their hardness of heart” He commanded the man to stretch out his hand, and his hand was restored like new. This led the Pharisees to go out and conspire with the Herodians, a political powerhouse of the day, as to how they might destroy Him (Mark 3:1-6).” They mistakenly thought He was a blasphemer and law breaker because of their own man-made traditions and hard hearts.

-Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples, and a great multitude followed Him to see what would transpire next. They came from the Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea (to the south of Jerusalem), beyond the Jordan River to the east, and the vicinity of the coastal regions to the north of Tyre and Sidon. A tremendous amount of people got the news and were coming to hear and see what Jesus was doing. Jesus showed great preparation in having His disciples get a boat ready for Him so that He could project His Voice from the water and maintain a teaching distance for His message. He had healed many and knew that the crowds would be pressing in on Him to touch Him. Whenever unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and cry out, “You are the Son of God!” However, He earnestly warned them not to divulge His identity to the populace (Mark 3:7-12).

-The events rapidly move to the point when the Christ appointed His twelve disciples. On an unnamed mountain, Jesus summoned who He wanted as His inner circle to train and prepare for His world changing mission. His plan was to send them out to preach as they became ready with His message empowered by His Spirit (Matthew 28-18-20, Mark 16:15, 20). He appointed the twelve so that they could be with Him intimately as He sojourned in His earthly ministry. They would have authority to cast out demons, which was to multiply the ministry of the Kingdom as it was advancing. Simon (Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, the sons of thunder “Boanerges” was their nicknames), Andrew (Peter’s brother), Philip, Bartholomew (Nathaniel), Mattew (Levi), Thomas (the doubting one, the twin), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas Iscariot (the betrayer of Jesus) were called as the disciples of Jesus (Mark 3:13-19).

-Now, the Lord came home and the crowds pressed them to the point that they could not even eat a meal. People started to talk and make comments that He had lost His senses. They even tried to take Him into custody. Scribes who had come down from Jerusalem started claiming that He was possessed by the devil, which gave Him power over the demons that He was casting out of people. Jesus called them to Himself and rationalized the situation in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin (Mark 3:20-29).” He was saying this because they accused Him of having an unclean spirit (Mark 3:30). Denial of the Holy Spirit is blasphemy and incurs eternal condemnation from God. The Spirit of Jesus is One and the same as the Holy Spirit. They are in complete unity, and these scribes were denying His supreme authority, an unpardonable sin.

-Then, we get the scene when the Lord’s mother and brothers arrived, but had to stand outside because of the crowds. Being made aware of their presence outside the house, Jesus made a community of Kingdom point. He said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Then looking around at those gathered with Him, He continued, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:31-35).”

-*Application* Have you ever thought of yourself as the brother, sister, or mother of Jesus? We are in complete fellowship and relationship with Him when we have trusted in His loving grace. He, the King, has called us “friends (John 15:15-17).”

Verse to Memorize: Mark 3:35