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Day 15 of Journey through Mark: TO GOD WHAT IS GOD'S Apr 03, 2020

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COMMENTARY
In yesterday’s reading, Jesus indicted Jerusalem’s religious leaders for their corruption and failure to welcome Him as God’s Son. In today’s reading, representatives of these leaders confront Jesus with a number of questions in order to trap Him. The first trap deals with the issue of Roman taxation. In Mark 12:14, some ask Jesus, “Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” The “imperial tax” these questioners ask about was an unpopular Roman census tax. One rebel leader compared paying this tax to slavery. The sensitive nature of this yes or no question put Jesus in a difficult situation. A “yes” answer would show Jesus to be a Roman loyalist and undermine His Jewish following. A “no” answer would show Him to be an insurrectionist and give the Romans a reason to execute Him.
Jesus responds to their question with a question. In Mark 12:15-16, He says, “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it. . . Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” The denarius Jesus asks for is a silver coin used to pay the imperial tax. It depicted the current emperor, Tiberius Caesar and would have said: “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus.” When the people affirm that Caesar’s image is on the coin, Jesus then gives His final answer, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:16-17).
Jesus’ answer is brilliant for a couple of reasons. First, it is vague enough to be interpreted as a “yes” or “no.” He admits that Caesar should get what belongs to Caesar while not denying the view of Jewish nationalists that everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). The ambiguity of the answer therefore allows Jesus to circumvent the trap. He can’t be pinned into a “yes” or a “no.”
Second, by drawing attention to the image on the coin, Jesus is able to teach a larger lesson. If coins should be given to Caesar because they bear the image of Caesar, then we should give our whole lives to God because we have been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28). This has been the call of Jesus all throughout the book of Mark. It’s His call to the disciples, to the rich man, to Bartimaeus, and to every one of us. When Jesus asks us to follow Him, He’s asking us to deny ourselves and give everything to Him - our actions, our thoughts, our possessions, and our pursuits (Mark 8:34). He’s given us the honor of bearing His image. We owe Him our whole lives.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 12:13–44

PAYING THE IMPERIAL TAX TO CAESAR

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.

MARRIAGE AT THE RESURRECTION

18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

WHOSE SON IS THE MESSIAH?

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.

WARNING AGAINST THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

THE WIDOW’S OFFERING

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

REFLECTION

In Mark 12:29-30, Jesus affirms that the most important command is for us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This command was first given in the covenantal context of Deuteronomy 6:4-6, where love has to do with loyalty rather than emotions. God wants our whole being to express loyal love to Him. How can you show Him more allegiance today with your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
In Mark 12:31, Jesus affirms that the second greatest command is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” How have you failed to love others as yourself recently? What step can you take to show self-sacrificial love in the coming days?

Day 14 of Journey Through Mark: A WITHERING FIG TREE & TEMPLE Apr 02, 2020

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COMMENTARY
Mark 11 introduces the third and final act of the book of Mark. Over the last few chapters, Jesus has been traveling to Jerusalem. Now, He finally enters Jerusalem. When He arrives, He does a couple of odd things. These actions come to us in the form of another “Markan sandwich,” a story within a story.
The first half of the outer story tells us that on His way into Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree when He sees that it has no fruit. Jesus says in Mark 11:14, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” Later, in the second half of the story, Peter reports that the fig tree dried up just as Jesus said: “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (Mark 11:21). Read by itself, this story can make Jesus seem petty. Why was He so upset about this insignificant tree? But when we read it along with the inner story, this episode takes on symbolic significance.
The story at the center tells how Jesus enters the Temple, flips over money-changing stations, blocks the flow of merchandise, and drives out the buyers and sellers of sacrificial animals (Mark 11:15-18). Like the cursing of the fig tree, these actions can also seem erratic. However, Jesus’ actions were intended to bring the operation of the Temple to a standstill. Without the activities that He disrupts, daily sacrifices could not be funded, sacrificial animals could not be purchased, and sacrifices could not be offered. Therefore, Jesus wasn’t having a random fit of rage. Jesus was deliberately and symbolically undermining the Temple system and its corrupt leaders.
Jesus’ issue with the Temple was that it no longer fulfilled its intended purposes, just as the fig tree had failed to produce fruit, its primary purpose. God intended for the Temple to be a “house of prayer for all nations,” but fraudulent officials had made it “a den of robbers” (Mark 11:17). The outer story of the fig tree therefore symbolizes what would eventually happen to the Temple. Like the fig tree, the Temple would soon “wither” away, and Jesus would become the new “Temple” through whom we can pray and have access to God (Mark 11:22-25; 13:1-2; 14:58).
SCRIPTURE
MARK 11:1-12:12

CHAPTER 11

JESUS COMES TO JERUSALEM AS KING

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

JESUS CURSES A FIG TREE AND CLEARS THE TEMPLE COURTS

12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. 19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [26]

THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS QUESTIONED

27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism— was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ . . .” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

CHAPTER 12

THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS

1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vine- yard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:

“ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

REFLECTION

In Mark 11:25, Jesus says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Who have you been holding a grudge against lately? Who do you need to forgive?
In Mark 11:23, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” This is a bold statement. We all have mountains in our lives that we would like Jesus to move. What do you need to ask Jesus for today? Use this space to write out your prayer.

Day 13 of Journey through Mark: THE SIGHT OF THE BLIND Apr 01, 2020

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COMMENTARY
Throughout the last two readings in Mark, Jesus has been on a journey to Jerusalem. In today’s reading, this journey ends in the same miraculous way that it started, with Jesus healing a blind man (Mark 8:22-26; 10:46-52). On its own, this closing story is significant because it reveals Jesus’ Messianic identity as the one who can bring sight to the blind (Isaiah 35:5; 42:7). Where it is located, the story is especially ironic because it shows how a blind beggar named Bartimaeus can “see” what others along the journey have failed to see.
For example, Mark 10:50 tells how Bartimaeus abandons his cloak when Jesus calls to Him. This might not seem like a big deal to us, but for a beggar like Bartimaeus, this was a major sacrifice. His cloak may have been his only possession, and it was likely the place where he received alms. By casting his cloak aside in his pursuit of Jesus, Bartimaeus shows that he sees that following Jesus is worth more than making money. This is in direct contrast to the rich man described in Mark 10:17-22, who rejects Jesus when Jesus asks him to sell everything. Unlike Bartimaeus, the rich man couldn’t see that Jesus can give “a hundred times as much” to those who leave everything to follow Him (Mark 10:30).
Bartimaeus also sees what two disciples, James and John, fail to see. Jesus asks all of them the same question: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36, 51). The response of James and John shows they still have a misguided view of the kingdom: “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory” (Mark 10:37). In contrast, Bartimaeus’ request shows that He sees Jesus as a Messiah who bestows “mercy” rather than seats of power (Mark 10:40, 47). Bartimaeus humbly but boldly tells Jesus, “I want to see” (Mark 10:51).
This story about Bartimaeus should remind us that “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14). Even though he had been a blind beggar, Jesus welcomed Bartimaeus into His community of “seeing” followers (Mark 10:52). Likewise, the spiritual blindness of the disciples and the rich man should challenge us to consider whether the love of power or money has blinded us to the way of Christ and His kingdom. Jesus can help us see, but first we have to recognize that we are blind.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 10

CHAPTER 10

DIVORCE

1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied.

4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

THE LITTLE CHILDREN AND JESUS

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

THE RICH AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers,

sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH A THIRD TIME

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

THE REQUEST OF JAMES AND JOHN

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

BLIND BARTIMAEUS RECEIVES HIS SIGHT

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus

(which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

REFLECTION

When Bartimaeus was “healed” [literally: saved], he was no longer content to sit “by the roadside,” but instead actively followed Jesus “along the road” (Mark 10:46, 52). How would you describe your own faith walk right now? Are you more like a fan, passively watching from the sidelines, or are you actively participating in your faith?
Imagine that Jesus asks you the same question He asks James, John, and Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36, 51). How do you respond?

Day 12 of Journey through Mark: SERVANTS OF ALL Mar 31, 2020

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COMMENTARY
Today, Jesus continues to teach His disciples what it means for Him to be the Messiah, and just as we’ve seen in the past, His disciples are confused by His message. Their confusion takes on a variety of forms. One way it manifests itself is through an argument they have among themselves on the road. After hearing Jesus make another prediction of His death, they get into an argument over who among them is the “greatest” (Mark 9:34). This argument might have been provoked by Jesus inviting Peter, James, and John to witness His transfiguration (Mark 9:2). It almost certainly was grounded in a belief that the kingdom of God would have a rank and file hierarchy like the kingdoms of this world (Mark 10:35-37).
Jesus responds to their argument in two ways. First, He teaches them about the upside-down nature of His kingdom. In Mark 9:35, Jesus says, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” In Jewish society, the word translated here as “first” referred to those who had “leading” roles in society (e.g., Mark 6:21). By teaching that those who aspire to be “first” (i.e., leaders) should take the position of those who usually come “last” (i.e., servants), Jesus flipped the social structures of the day on their head. In the kingdom of God, being a leader looks like being a servant.
Second, Jesus responds to them by embracing a “child in his arms” (Mark 9:36). This might seem like an endearing gesture to us, but in Jesus’ day, it would have been radical for a person of Jesus’ prominence to embrace a child that wasn’t His. At that time, children had little to no status. Socializing with them was thought to be detrimental to one’s well-being. One rabbi even compared “chatting with children” to “drinking wine at noon.” By welcoming a child into His arms, Jesus symbolically conveyed yet again that the kingdom of God knows no class distinctions. The kingdom of God welcomes those who are rejected because Jesus Himself was also rejected (Mark 8:31; 9:12; 37, 12:10).
On this side of the cross, it can be easy for us to wonder how the disciples could be so confused about Jesus. Look at our culture. We have our own titles, ranks, honors, and hierarchies. Just like the disciples, it can be easy for us to misconstrue what life is like in the kingdom of God. Like the disciples, we desperately try to climb the social ladder. For what? If we want to live lives that really, truly matter, we have to live as Jesus did, embracing people regardless of status and being servants of all.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 9:14–9:50

JESUS HEALS A BOY POSSESSED BY AN IMPURE SPIRIT

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 When- ever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I com- mand you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH A SECOND TIME

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

WHOEVER IS NOT AGAINST US IS FOR US

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

CAUSING TO STUMBLE

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones— those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where“ ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’

49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

REFLECTION

In Mark 9:24, the father of the suffering boy desperately cries, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” This plea reflects a great truth about faith: we can still believe even when we don’t have it all figured out. What is the status of your faith today? How do you need help through unbelief?
Today’s reading ends with a collection of strong warnings about wrongdoing. These warnings are hyperbolic. Jesus doesn’t mean that we should actually lop off limbs or stab out our eyes if we struggle with sin. After all, sin has its roots in the heart (Mark 7:21-23). But Jesus does intend that we understand the gravity of sin and take action to repent when we’re in the wrong. What wrongdoing do you personally struggle with? What steps can you take to help you through your struggles?

Day 11 of Journey Through Mark: A SUFFERING MESSIAH Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

COMMENTARY
Today’s reading represents a major turning point in the book of Mark. Up until this point, Jesus has spent His time in and around the Galilean countryside, demonstrating with great power that He is the Messiah. Now, the book begins its second act as Jesus travels “on the way” to Jerusalem and teaches about the “way” of the Messiah (Mark 8:27; 9:33-34; 10:17, 32, 46, 52).
The episode in Mark 8:27-33 functions as a hinge between these two acts. In the first part of the story, Jesus asks His disciples a question: “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29). This is not the first time that someone has asked a question about Jesus’ identity. Throughout Mark, people frequently raised similar questions (e.g., Mark 1:27; 4:41; 6:3). However, this is the first time that Jesus Himself poses the question. He asks it in Caesarea Philippi of all places, a city that was named after Caesar Augustus and had a temple dedicated to the worship of the emperor. Peter’s response, “You are the Messiah,” shows that Peter understands, at least in part, who Jesus is (Mark 8:29). Jesus is God’s anointed King, who would disarm the powers and authorities of this world.
Peter’s response is called “The Great Confession.” While his confession is great, it was still a bit misguided. Following Peter’s answer, Jesus went on to teach clearly what it would look like for Him to assume the throne as the Messiah. Mark 8:31 says, “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” We shouldn’t miss how startling this would have been to Peter. Mark says Peter was so disturbed that he “rebuked” Jesus, the same thing Jesus did to stormy seas and demons earlier in this book (Mark 1:25; 4:39)!
Peter’s rebuke reveals that he still had a shallow, albeit popular, view of the Messiah. He was expecting a Messiah that looked more like a military general than a suffering servant. In our culture, we have our own shallow, if popular, views of the Messiah too. Some prefer to see Jesus without His cross. Others prefer to see Jesus without His kingdom. Jesus wants us to see that they go hand-in-hand. Jesus came to triumph over sin in all its forms: spiritual, sociological, political, etc. He did this not by matching might with might, but instead, by suffering as a servant on a cross (Isaiah 52:7-53:12; Colossians 2:13-15).
SCRIPTURE
MARK 8:22–9:13

JESUS HEALS A BLIND MAN AT BETHSAIDA

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

PETER DECLARES THAT JESUS IS THE MESSIAH

27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

CHAPTER 9

1 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

THE TRANSFIGURATION

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters— one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

REFLECTION

How would you answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am” (Mark 8:29)?
In Mark 8:34, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” How does your life compare to Jesus’ portrait of a disciple?

Day 10 of Journey through Mark: IN GENTILE TERRITORY Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

COMMENTARY
In today’s reading, Jesus spends the majority of His time in Gentile territory. This is not the first time in Mark that Jesus has visited non-Jewish regions. He has already visited the Decapolis, a non-Jewish region on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee (Mark 5:1-20). That trip was brief, but Jesus now begins to focus His ministry in areas beyond the Jewish Galilee.
One story we read tells of how Jesus returned to the Decapolis and miraculously fed 4,000 people. Other than the specific location in Gentile territory, the details of this episode are similar to the more famous feeding of the 5,000. In both stories, Jesus has “compassion” for a large crowd in a remote place (Mark 6:34-35; 8:1-4). When He sees that they need something to eat, He asks the disciples to share their few loaves and fish (Mark 6:35-38; Mark 8:2-7). The disciples’ responses in each story are also similar. In the story of the 5,000, they respond, “That would take more than half a year’s wages!” (Mark 6:37). In the story of the 4,000, they ask, “Where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” (Mark 8:4). What stands out is the fact that the disciples still asked this question in the second story. Given that they had already seen Jesus feed 5,000 individuals, why would they doubt He could feed 4,000 now?
The answer seems to be rooted in their expectations of what Israel’s Messiah would do. Jews at this time expected that the Messiah would provide bread for Jews in the wilderness just as God had done for the Israelites many centuries earlier (Exodus 16). Jesus did this. The word translated as “remote place” in Mark also means “wilderness.” But few would have expected that the Messiah would miraculously provide for non-Jews like this too. Jesus’ repetition of this miracle for the Gentile crowds confronted the beliefs of His disciples. Though they may have thought the kingdom blessings were reserved only for people like them, Jesus was welcoming outsiders to His table too.
Like Jesus’ disciples, we may need our eyes opened to see who Jesus is welcoming into His kingdom. Jesus’ compassion isn’t reserved just for people who look, think, and talk just like us. His compassion extends to any who have need, and our compassion should too.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 7:24–8:21

JESUS HONORS A SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN’S FAITH

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

JESUS HEALS A DEAF AND MUTE MAN

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

CHAPTER 8

JESUS FEEDS THE FOUR THOUSAND

1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.

6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

THE YEAST OF THE PHARISEES AND HEROD

14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied.

20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.”

21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

REFLECTION

Today’s reading begins and ends with two brief parables about bread (Mark 7:27; 8:15). The Syrophoenician woman’s response to the first parable contrasts with the disciples’ response to the second and shows that she understood what they didn’t. Why do you think the disciples continually struggled to fully understand what Jesus was saying and doing? How do you think you would have responded to Jesus if you were present at this time?
At the end of yesterday’s reading, Jesus declared “all foods clean” (Mark 7:19). In doing so, He broke down a traditional social boundary between Jews and Gentiles just prior to His Gentile mission. What social boundaries do you see at work in the church and world today? Why do we have these? What do you suppose Jesus would say about the boundaries we set up?

Day 09 of Journey through Mark: HUMAN TRADITIONS & THE COMMANDS OF GOD Mar 26, 2020

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COMMENTARY
Today, Jesus again finds Himself in trouble with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. As we’ve already seen in Mark, these people have accused Him of blasphemy, of eating with sinners, of failing to fast, of breaking the Sabbath, and of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Mark 2:6, 16, 18, 24; 3:2, 22). Now they have a new complaint with Jesus. After seeing His disciples eat without washing, they ask Him, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” (Mark 7:5).
To appreciate the angst of these religious leaders and Jesus’ response, it helps to explore some background on the tradition of the elders. In the centuries leading up to the time of Jesus, officials from Pharisaic schools of thought developed an elaborate system of rules. These rules, which were considered as authoritative as Scripture, were designed to put a fence around the Jewish laws so that people would not accidentally break any of them. In some cases, these rules helped people know how to obey laws that seemed unclear. In other cases, they functioned more like supplements to the biblical laws. This is the case with the issue of handwashing. Scripture records only one law about handwashing. But the Jewish Mishnah, a written record of these additional rules, dedicates more space to rules about handwashing than the Bible gives to the all the covenant laws combined (Exodus 20:1-23:33).
Jesus could have responded to His accusers by pointing out how their unending lists of rules had ironically undermined the Law rather than fenced it in. God’s one instruction about handwashing applied only to priests when they participated in sacred meals (Exodus 30:17-21). Elsewhere in Scripture, God allows common people to eat common meals, no matter the status of their hands (Deuteronomy 12:15, 22; 15:22). It wasn’t a problem for the disciples to eat their food without washing. But since this is the seventh time Jesus has been confronted with this kind of accusation, He cuts right to the chase: “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (Mark 7:8). Jesus’ response to His accusers should challenge us in the church today. We have our own rules and traditions. They aren’t all bad, but we have to be careful that we don’t value our rules so much that we forget what has come from God and why. When we lose sight of the original purpose of God’s commands, we can actually undermine His Law, even in our efforts to keep it.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 6:45–7:23

JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER

45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

CHAPTER 7

THAT WHICH DEFILES

1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)

5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16]

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come— sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

REFLECTION

In Exodus 33:19-34:7, God famously reveals His name and His glory to Moses when He “passes by” him. In Mark 6:48-50, Jesus similarly decides to “pass by” His disciples and then identify Himself, saying, “It is I” [literally: “I am”]. What is this story teaching us about Jesus? Why should this have been a cause for “courage” for the disciples (Mark 6:50)? Where do you need more courage in your life today?
In Mark 7:6-7, Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 to show how His accusers from Jerusalem were similar to the people of Jerusalem back in Isaiah’s day. Both groups looked like they were faithful on the outside, but on the inside, both groups were far from God. What has been the status of your heart lately? Are you more concerned with what others see on the outside or about what God sees on the inside?

Day 08 of Journey through Mark: A TALE OF TWO KINGS Mar 25, 2020

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COMMENTARY
A major portion of today’s reading tells the story of John the Baptist’s death. At first glance, this seems like an odd story to be placed at this point in the book. John had been a major figure early on, but he hadn’t been seen in five chapters (Mark 1:2-14). What’s more, this story is told as a flashback. By this time in Jesus’ life, John had already been killed. So why did Mark tell the story of John’s death in this part of the book?
It seems that Mark placed this story here to draw a contrast with the story that immediately follows it. In the first story, we learn that John was killed by a “king” known as Herod Antipas. Herod was a power-hungry governor in Galilee, the area where Jesus did most of His ministry. Mark calls him a “king,” in part for dramatic effect and in part because this was a title he desperately craved (Mark 6:14). We learn from extra-biblical sources that Herod had a history of spurning Jewish values and exploiting the poor. This particular story tells us that Herod stole his brother’s wife, asked his stepdaughter to “dance” in front of his friends, and literally served “the head of John the Baptist on a platter” at a banquet (Mark 6:22, 25).
In contrast, the story that follows tells of a very different king and banquet. This is the story of Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000. The basic details of this story are well-known, but we shouldn’t miss how much royal symbolism it contains. The story has echoes of Psalm 23, a poem about the Divine King (Mark 6:34, 39, 42; Psalm 23:1-2, 5). It also tells how Jesus provided bread in the wilderness, a miracle that people expected from the Messiah (Mark 6:32). Most importantly, Mark says that Jesus had compassion for the crowds because they were like “sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34). This was biblical code language for “people without a king” (1 Kings 22:17; Ezekiel 34:5). In other words, Jesus looked with compassion on the people that Herod had failed to lead. Then, He showed them the kind of King He would be.
This is so relevant for us today. We live in a world where leaders all too often exploit those under their care in their insatiable pursuit of power. Jesus’ deeds show us a different way. The kingdom of God is not characterized by oppression but by compassion, so we should live compassionately too. When we feel hurt by those in power over us, Jesus’ actions can be an encouragement. We are seen and loved by a compassionate King.
SCRIPTURE

MARK 6:6b–44

JESUS SENDS OUT THE TWELVE

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protect- ed him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immedi- ately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them some- thing to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

REFLECTION

In Mark 6:8, Jesus instructs His disciples to “take nothing” with them on their missionary journey. Why do you suppose Jesus instructed this? When in life have you experienced lack or nothingness like this? What did you learn from that season?
Mark 6:26 tells us that Herod was “greatly distressed” about his stepdaughter’s request. He knew what was right in his heart, but he didn’t want to look like a coward, so he killed John. This is yet another example of someone who was “seeing but never perceiving” (Mark 4:12). He was like the “seed” that was choked by the “desires for other things” (Mark 4:18-19). When have you felt similar distress about how others perceive you? How do you find the resolve to stand up for what’s right even when others seem to choose what’s wrong?

Day 07 of Journey through Mark: A SAVIOR FOR ALL Mar 24, 2020

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COMMENTARY
Today, we read two more miracle stories that reveal Jesus’ identity and character. These stories are presented to us in a form that scholars often call a “Markan sandwich.” This is a literary feature used throughout the book of Mark. Mark frequently places one story in the middle of another story (e.g., Mark 3:20-35; 4:1-20; 6:6-31; 11:12-21; 14:1-11, 53-72; 15:40-16:8). By combining stories in this way, Mark intends for us to read them together so that each might shape our interpretation of the other and provide depth to our portrait of Jesus.
The stories sandwiched together in today’s reading have a number of similarities.Both stories feature sick females. One was a twelve-year-old girl (Mark 5:42). The other was a woman who had been suffering for twelve years (Mark 5:25). In both stories, the ailments were not just physical but also of a religious nature. The girl and the woman would have been considered unclean and therefore unfit to touch (Mark 5:25, 35; Leviticus 15:25-27, Numbers 19:11). In both stories, people made jokes about Jesus’ words (Mark 5:31, 40). Finally, faith in the saving power of Jesus resulted in healing for both (5:34, 36).
While there are multiple similarities between these stories, one trait clearly differentiates the girl and the woman. One was represented by her father, a well-to-do, ritually clean, and respected “synagogue leader” (Mark 5:22.) The other had no representation. She was likely bankrupt from medical bills, almost certainly unmarried, and definitely living on the margins of her community. By sandwiching these stories together, Mark teaches us that just as sickness and death don’t distinguish between social classes, Jesus doesn’t either. He goes out of His way to heal both of them. This should come as an encouragement to us. We are all in need of healing, no matter our background. The good news is we have a Savior who came for all of us.
SCRIPTURE

MARK 5:21–6:6a

JESUS RAISES A DEAD GIRL AND HEALS A SICK WOMAN

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her some- thing to eat.

CHAPTER 6

A PROPHET WITHOUT HONOR

1 Jesus left there and went to his home- town, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been giv- en him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

REFLECTION

Mark 6:5-6 indicates that Jesus did not “do any miracles” in His hometown because of their “lack of faith.” What does this teach us if we are looking for a miracle in order to believe?
Mark 5:30 says that Jesus noticed the touch of the sick woman even while a crowd pressed against Him. Jesus’ awareness of the woman should encourage us. He can sense when we reach out for Him too. Use this time and space to reach out to Jesus today. Be bold with your prayers and confident that He notices you.

Day 06 of Journey through Mark: WHO IS THIS MAN Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

COMMENTARY
At the end of yesterday’s reading, Jesus paused to teach about the kingdom of God through a series of parables. In today’s reading, Jesus resumes His ministry with a series of miracles. As we’ve been discovering throughout Mark, Jesus’ miracles were not just random acts of power and goodwill. Like His parables, the miracles that He performed taught veiled lessons. They demonstrated through actions what He had not said openly, that He is the Messiah, the Son of God.
The first miracle story we read about today illustrates this well. Mark 4:35-41 tells of a time when Jesus calmed chaotic waters by the power of His voice. This was a profound miracle, one that would cause any of us to echo the disciples’ words: “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him” (Mark 4:41). Its significance is amplified by the symbolism that Jesus’ disciples would have attached to this miracle. In the cultural context in which the Bible was written, it was widely believed that the god who had power over chaotic waters was the king of the gods. Throughout Scripture, God leveraged this symbolic connection between water and kingship to stake a claim that He is the world’s one true King. We see this connection, for example, in Psalm 93:1-4 which says, “The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is mighty.”
In light of this, we shouldn’t miss the significance of what Jesus was teaching through this miracle. He wasn’t just ensuring the safe passage of His friends across the sea, though He did care about their safety. By calming the waves, He demonstrated undeniably what Mark has been proclaiming from the beginning: Jesus is God and Jesus is King.
SCRIPTURE

MARK 4:35–5:20

JESUS CALMS THE STORM

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

CHAPTER 5

JESUS RESTORES A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN

1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shout- ed at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

14 Those tending the pigs ran off and report- ed this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

REFLECTION

Following Jesus’ exorcism of the demon-possessed man, the people of the town respond by asking Jesus to “leave their region” (Mark 5:17). Their response was likely motivated by a combination of fear and economic concern. Rather than seeing a tormented man set free, all they could see was the loss of 2,000 pigs. This is an example of what Jesus meant in Mark 4:12 when He said, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving.” What are some reasons why people chase Jesus away today? In what ways are people ever seeing but never perceiving in our culture?
Like the disciples, we sometimes face storms in life that we don’t know how to navigate. Jesus’ questions for the disciples then become questions for us: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). What storm are you currently facing or have faced recently? What would it look like for you to choose faith over fear in the midst of your storm?

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