"Hearing and Receiving the Gospel, Mark 4-6
Day One
Read Mark 4
Once a person receives the Gospel and responds as a believer, that person becomes a Christian. The sacrament of baptism signifies the entrance into the family of God. Infant baptism is celebrated in the United Methodist Church. The congregation welcomes the child into the family of God, as one for whom Christ died and lived. The child’s parents and the church community commit to raising the child until such time he or she confirms that they are choosing Christ as their own. Adults choose to be baptized and also welcomed into the family of God as Christians. receive, what St. Thomas Aquinas that Christians receive “all wrote benefits of Christ’s passion,” Their path towards discipleship begins from that moment on.
We are called by Christ to be His disciples. Calling is a vocation, the latin root “vocation” meaning a summons, or invitation.
The vocation of the disciple, a follower, is best described in the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28:18-20:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20)
Apostolic Authority
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Philippians 2:5-11
Jesus declares his authority over the entire universe. There is no other higher authority! He declares his authority and he freely shares it with his disciples, and he continues to do across the ages. Today’s disciples are just as commissioned by Jesus Christ as the first ones. We are all Disciples, who are sent as missionaries, Apostles, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whether it’s from one’s backyard or around the world.
Christ believes in and trusts in us so much, that “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
Jesus calms the storm the first time
Read Mark 4:35-41.
Four of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen. One would assume that they kept their cool, having survived many storms, and yet they freaked out when they thought the boat was sinking.
The disciples were just getting to know Jesus, so they weren’t sure if they could trust him. They had no clue understanding his dominion over the power of the storm. When they finally give voice to their fear and mistrust, it comes out, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38) Jesus is sleeping, his head on a pillow at the stern. He wakes up and looks around. The disciples plead, “We’re dying here. Will you PLEASE stop your napping and give us a hand?” In other words, It is very possible that what they were wanting was help pulling in the sails or bailing water. They had never seen the authority Jesus would soon demonstrate.
Fishermen are known to be superstitious. The men believed that there were monsters in the deep. Most didn’t even know how to swim. In Hebrew cosmology, deep waters represented chaos, the dark. No wonder the disciples were afraid of the storm. No wonder they were awestruck when Jesus calmed it.
They get a reply they had not expected, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” Here is the fundamental issue of Christian discipleship, namely trusting Jesus no matter what the “weather.” The lesson to be learned here is that Jesus does, indeed, have authority over all in Heaven and on earth. He is bigger than anything we may be facing and it should be enough for the disciple that Jesus is with us, whether life’s seas are calm or not.
There are forms of Christianity that stress economic prosperity (the prosperity gospel), happy families, and physical health as the inevitable and automatic consequences or evidence of discipleship. Such a false gospel turns a blind eye to the many Christian martyrs that populate the centuries, and the poverty in which most Third World Christians live. It is enough, is it not, that God is with us? One of the many names of our Lord is Emmanuel – God with us! We do not judge God’s care for us or the state of our soul’s health by the tranquility or absence of it in our lives. We “rejoice in the Lord” not because of our current circumstances but because Jesus is with us, as he said, “to the end of the age.” Matthew.28:20b
What does it mean to you to know Jesus, when he has commissioned you for ministry and given you his authority to do it?
Day Two
Go make Disciples
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19
Jesus gave authority to his disciples to make more disciples. He gives us compassion for the salvation of others and the yearning, determination, and motivation to go from proclaiming the Gospel to releasing an evangelical mission into the world. Churches exist to grow as they reach out to new persons so that they, too, may know Christ. Christians are motivated by their “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). The Sri Lankan evangelist, D.T. Niles, said it most eloquently: "Evangelism is one beggar telling another where to find bread.”
Read Mark 4:1-9. The Parable of the Sower begins with the injunction to “Listen!” Listen, first, to the main point. Although there is seed and soil in the parable, the emphasis is on the sower. The sower’s job, is to sow seed or broadcast seed – scatter seed with one’s hand onto the ground and allow it to grow wherever it lands without regard to the condition of the soil.
If the soil represents a variety of people in a variety of circumstances, how many times have we bypassed certain people because there has never been any interest in Christ shown previously? How many times have we been afraid to give God credit aloud for something God obviously had a hand in because the people around us have never shown any interest in God or had been hostile in the past toward matters of faith? Seed and soil are God’s responsibilities; the sower broadcasts the seed; the disciple of Jesus shares his faith whenever the opportunity arises and to whomever God puts in his/her path.
Two other parables follow immediately and are related to the Parable of the Sower – the Parable of Spontaneous Growth and of the Parable of the Mustard Seed. There are two seasons of human activity in producing a crop: planting and harvesting. God’s good news is to be shared and followed up on, but the growth in between is a mystery of God’s Holy Spirit. Growth happens! From the seed comes the plant, which in its time will develop its fruit. It is the disciple’s task to watch for the fruit and to follow up on it. Faith sharing may be followed, in other words, with an invitation to a church service, or if the fruit is ripe and ready, an invitation to receive Christ as Lord and Savior!
Now read Mark 4:30-32, the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Let the Church take heart and be challenged! Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed – the smallest of seeds sown. Yet, when it takes root and grows, it becomes the largest of all garden plants and the birds of the air make a home in its branches. Although the Kingdom of God and the Church are not the same thing, the church can be the Kingdom of God on earth, if she is faithful to Jesus’ call as a discipling church.
First of all no small action is without consequence and no witness is inconsequential. This is a word of encouragement to small congregations who think themselves unable to make a difference in their community, let alone in the Kingdom of God. Not so! What is small, if it is of God, will grow! God’s church will grow so that “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Philippians 2:10-11
There is also a challenge to the Church in this parable. In Jesus’ time this parable would have caused people to rise to their feet in anger, rend their clothing, and throw ashes and dust into the air. Why? It seems like such a sweet parable. A tiny seed grows into something large and significant and little birds come, build nests, and raise a family. It sounds so pastoral.
What would have possibly upset people so? “Birds of the air” was, in that day, a euphemism for gentiles – non Jews. The very idea that the Kingdom of God would be inclusive went against the grain of everything Jews of that day understood about being a covenant people. And yet, Jesus’ parable tells us that everyone is welcomed into the Kingdom of God. May it be so for the Church.
Which would best describe how you are sowing the seed?
Not at all.
I tend to remove one little seed from the bag of seeds and carefully place it in the ground.
I am willing to broadcast the seed, but I won’t waste it. I will only broadcast it when the soil all around me is ready to receive it.
I broadcast it all over the place and let God take care of the condition of the soil.
Explain why you chose that answer.
Day Three
Read Mark 5:1-20
The healing of the demoniac from Gerasene, across the border from Judea, there are many lessons for the modern disciple.
Faith in Jesus makes all the difference. By the power of the living God, prisoners are set free; addicts from chemical and emotional addictions and sinners from every condition that frustrates God’s will, in His human creation will be delivered from their demons. The demoniac is delivered by the Biblical promise: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see? Everything has become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
The parable of the Sower is a segue into the story of the Gerasene demoniac Mark 5:1-20.
Jesus ministers and heals Gentiles in foreign territories
When Jesus and his disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee, they entered into the Gentile territory of Gerasenes,. It was anathema for Jews of that day to travel into Gentile territory. During his ministry, Jesus intentionally entered into Gentile territory iJewish n four different locations. Jesus did so because he came not just for the Jews, but for all humanity
He also crossed into Samaria, avoided by the Jews, who despised the Samaritans because they prayed at another temple other than the one in Jerusalem (Goggle Samaria for historical information). It was there that Jesus had that marvelous conversation with that fallen woman at the well. He broke all the tabus that proper Jewish males behaved towards women other than their wives, and a fallen woman at that! Jesus winning her heart for God. She became a missionary to her fellow villagers. “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be Jesus the Messiah, can he?” John 4:7-31). Perhaps the experience inspired Jesus to tell his most well known parable of the good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37
Jesus Removes a Legion of Demons Out of a Man
The man was possessed by a legion of demons. A Roman legion has 5,000 soldiers. As Jesus speaks to the demons, and exorcizes the man. The demons came out of the man and entered 2,000 swine who ran into the sea and drowned.
The swineherds spread the story, and the people come running. They see “the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind,” and Mark writes – “they were afraid.” (Mark 5:15) God’s part in the healing results, not in praise and worship, but in a request that Jesus and his company leave! While we might expect, on first reading, for an outburst of faith and discipleship, the opposite occurs. One never knows the condition of the soil into which the seed falls.
As for the man, he is ready to follow Jesus as a disciple for the rest of his days, as one would expect. What is not expected is Jesus’ turning him away, or better, turning him towards home. “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you,” Mark 5:19 commands Jesus.
No matter where our discipleship takes us, as with every journey, it always starts at home! Sometimes these are the hardest people to share faith with, as they know us so well, as when Jesus was thrown out of Nazareth, his home village. We may not be the ones to lead non-believing family members to Christ, but our witness to them is still essential.
The healed man’s experience was so powerful and so life-changing that he could not help but share it. You may not have had such a dramatic experience with Jesus, but there is probably some way Jesus has made a difference in your life.
In a small group or on your own, share a way or a time Jesus made a difference in your life. Jot down a few notes below.
Our authority to share Jesus reaches the whole world, all peoples, cultures, and languages. John Wesley responded to a local parish in England that barred him from preaching for being “too enthusiastic” by saying, “the whole world is my parish.” Today, after the start of the Wesleyan movement 250 years ago, the United Methodist church and other Wesleyan communions, are expanding in more than 145 countries, with over 2,300 missionaries in almost 3,000 ministries.
This may be a daunting idea for many people. How is it possible to Reach Every Nation for Christ?
One Healing Interrupted by Another One
Jesus and his disciples return to Jewish territory and are confronted by Jarius a local rabbi, pleading repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” Mark 5:23. “A large crowd followed him and pressed on him. Mark 5:24.
Then a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, an isolated outcast, touched Jesus’ cloak. Jewish law condemned this woman to be shunned because of her illness. Yet, she had the faith to break through her disgrace, “If I but touch his cloak, I will be made well. Mark 5:26. Jesus senses that power had “flowed” from him. “Who touched my cloak?” Mark 5:30
The woman knelt before Jesus and tells him what had just happened to her. “He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:34.
The woman’s physical healing wasn’t enough. When Jesus called her “daughter,” he was not merely acknowledging her, but publicly restoring her social, spiritual, and familial status. This term of endearment transformed her from an unclean, isolated outcast into a welcomed member of God’s family. We learn that her faith healed her. She took a great risk seeking Jesus to be healed. Jesus was moved by her faith. ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Jesus reveals his compassion and love for the outcast and the downtrodden, and his respect for women.
Meanwhile, some people came to Jairus and said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further? But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the synagogue leader, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe’” Mark 5:35-36
The meaning of “Belief” can be understood in many ways. It is often misunderstood. “Belief” translated into Greek is “pisteuo.”
Day Four
Read Mark 6
To All Nations
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… (Matthew 28:19)
There are two significant miracles in Mark 6 that can give us hope for accomplishing such a monumental task: the miracles of Jesus feeding the five thousand and walking on the water.
The First Miraculous Mass Feeding
Consider Mark 6:30-44. Jesus was an amazing teacher and people flocked to him from all parts of Galilee to listen and learn from him. On this particular day he had the rapt attention of the crowd far into the day until it was past supper time. The disciples ask that the crowd be sent away to find food. Jesus tells them, “You give them something to eat.” They said (whine) to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” (Mark 6:37). But Jesus insists that the disciples provide them with a meal lest they faint from hunger while on route to home. This idea is outrageous – impossible – to the disciples. Among them they only have 5 loaves of bread and two dried fish. How can that little bit of food feed so many?
Then Jesus asks the disciples to seat the people on the ground in groups of 50 and to bring him the bread and fish. He blesses the food and divides it. A miracle happens. The fish and loaves multiply again and again and again until every man, woman, and child has had their fill. In fact the leftovers fill 12 baskets. Once counted, 5000 men are fed – and that does not include the women and children.
Jesus walks on water and calms a storm the second time
The miracle that follows in Mark 6:45-52 should have clenched it for the disciples. Again, we see the humanity and fallibility of the disciples. They were stunned and frightened by the sight of Jesus walking toward them on a stormy sea. There was no other explanation than that Jesus was coming to them as a ghost.
In the second storm which Mark tells, there is an interesting reference. Jesus sent the disciples on ahead to Bethsaida by boat, while he stayed behind to pray. A strong wind arose and Jesus set out himself across the lake, by foot and not by boat. As he approached the boat, walking on water. His intention was to pass by them by. (See verse 48) Was he testing them? Did he see that they were able to handle the wind and sea on their own?
There have been lots of storms that Jesus has not stilled for his followers. His disciples are not without skill in handling boats. There are some things we can handle ourselves, knowing that God loves us, is with us, and that there is a purpose and a destiny running through our lives. The disciples however see Jesus and they were “terrified.” (Mark 6:50) It was the walking on the water that frightened them. God’s presence in our midst often disturbs our peace and our presumptions! “Take heart,” says Jesus, “It is I.” (Mark 6:50)- clearly referencing to God’s self-revelation as the Great I Am.
Day Five
I am with you Always
“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
Where do you see God at work in the miracle of reaching all nations with the reality and love of Christ? Where do you see miracles happening to you and those around you?
What part do you play in that miracle?
Baptizing them
“…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… (Matthew 28:19)
Not only are we to make disciples of all nations, we are given the instruction to baptize them, that is, to share with them the means of grace before they can prove their worthiness to be Christians. Grace abounds on our behalf before we are aware of it. John Wesley calls prevenient grace. The new Christian is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, the Holy Spirit, the one God, who is the perfect communion of the three manifestations of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What higher authority may we have than that?!
Teach them to Obey
“…and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20)
The teaching of the disciple makes the difference between a community of disciples and a list of members on a church’s roll. Teaching the disciple takes time, and the teaching demands the response of our obedience to what we have learned. The option is always open to whether or not we choose to follow. Yet it is better to know the claims of the Gospel at the beginning, rather than later. The challenge of churches in renewal today, is the realization that many of their members have joined the church without being aware of the claims of Christian discipleship and their vocation as ministers of Christ’s outreaching love. The challenge for the American church today is to teach members to be disciples.
There is a natural division in the Gospel story between Jesus calling the disciples and Jesus sending them. First, he calls; then, he sends. In Mark 1-5, the emphasis is on the calling and training of the disciples. With chapter 6 the focus shifts to the sending of the disciples out two by two.
Could they have had more preparation? Of course, but the time comes, sooner than later, when in spite of all their limitations, they are to put their discipleship into practice by telling others. And even this is a way to teach and to learn. They go out in two’s for encouragement and support. It is still a good strategy. Jesus gives them authority. They have none of their own. They will preach with power and be able to drive out evil spirits and to heal the sick so long as they are doing his work and not their own. One cannot exaggerate the risk Jesus takes in sending his disciples out to preach and to heal. They do not understand his teaching. They do not trust his care for them. And yet no disciple, ancient or modern, is ever ready. We come to understand the Gospel by proclaiming it; we learn to trust by risking. The place to take risks is not in the church but in the world.
Christians spend too much time with Christians. Why is that? (Living in the Bubble.)
The home, the neighborhood, the place of work and play – these are the places for Christian witness! What would it take for you to be able to move into the world of the unchurched and be a Christian witness?
Jesus was an evangelist for the Kingdom of God. Following his baptism by John, Jesus began a preaching and teaching ministry that had the “good news of the kingdom” as its center. In the original Greek “good news” is evangelia, which is the root of our word “evangelism.” The good news was the coming and the closeness of God’s reign – The Kingdom of God. He calls the disciples to follow him in extending God’s Reign over all persons and circumstances. Our mission is not to grow the church but to grow God’s Kingdom! The Church is, to be sure, of God, but it is very human indeed and only a tool of the Kingdom. When God’s Kingdom comes in its fullness, there will be no Church. (See Revelation 21:22)
What are the differences between growing the Kingdom of God and growing the Church?
The role of the disciple is to act in obedience under the authority of Christ, broadcasting the seed (Mark 4:1-20), which is the Word of God, trusting God’s provision and providence, particularly during the stormy times.
How would we act if we really believed this? How would our church be different if we really believed this?
According to Dr. George Hunter in “Church for the Unchurched,” (1996, Abingdon Press) there are two kinds of churches. There are churches for church people. These are the traditional 1950-model churches described above. They are strong in denominational loyalty. Membership training consists largely in acquainting people with the polity and politics of the denomination, rather than teaching basic Christianity. In other words, they are not equipped spiritually or programmatically to welcome unchurched people. The other kind of church, according to Dr. Hunter, are churches for unchurched people. Such churches are characterized by an apostolic faith focused in the atoning death and resurrection of Christ, and an apostolic outreach to unchurched people employing the language and music of the people they are called to reach. If they have a denominational identity, they are on the edge of their denomination.
How would you rate your congregation – as a church for church people (traditional) or as a church for unchurched people (missionary)?
In many traditional churches serving God and serving on a church committee are synonymous. Missionary churches send people into the world to serve.
What part of God’s world do you feel sent into? Does your church help you serve God there? What could your church do to better equip you?
No comments:
Post a Comment