Gospel of Mark-1
Gospel of Mark-1
by Tony Coffey
Introductory Remarks
1. Mark’s audience: There are several clues in the Mark’s gospel to indicate he is writing for the benefit of persecuted Roman Christians.
2. Each of the four gospel accounts has a particular audience in mind. Matthew has a Jewish audience in mind, hence the genealogy. Luke’s emphasis is on Christ’s humanity while John focuses on faith/belief. Mark is writing for Roman Christians.
3. Mark is the only writer to mention Jesus’ encounter with ‘wild beasts.’ (1:13). For Christians facing lions in the arena, this would have been comforting.
4. Over half of Mark’s gospel is devoted to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Mark is presenting Jesus as ‘the suffering servant.’
5. A keys verse is 10:45. This is the mission statement of Jesus.
6. A number of references are made by Jesus to his purpose for coming – his death upon the cross. (2:17;8:31; 9:31; 10:33f;45). Highlighting his mission served to remind the Christians that they too are involved in the mission of the cross. But there is resurrection. (16:6).
7. There are two great confession: Peter’s and the centurion’s. (8:29; 15:39). Both give support to what Mark says in 1:1. Mark’s gospel is an announcement, a proclamation, a debate or a defense.
8. A favorite word is ‘immediately’ or ‘straightway’ and is used 41 times.
9. Mark is the author of the book. He was an active member of the early church (Acts 12:1ff) and is referred to in 1 Peter 5:13.
10. Literature in that day was intended to be read aloud to an audience. So knowing the writer would write with that in mind. The reader would know when to emphasize a point by the tone of his voice, and the repetition of words served to drive home a particular point.
The First Witness – The Prophets. 1:1-3
1. Mark’s gospel is about Jesus the Son of God. The stage is set.
2. Mark combines Isaiah, Malachi and Exodus in his OT quotation. The Scripture is his source of authority. This is his strongest source of appeal.
3. Our Lord appeals to the OT to verify who he is. (John 5:46; Lk 24:25-27,44).
· John, a forerunner. One who prepares the way for the coming of a king.
· John’s task was to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Messiah by calling them to repentance.
· The spiritual condition of the people – a spiritual wasteland, wilderness. That is the true condition of the heart.
The Second Witness – The Ministry of John. 1:4-7
1. John is called the greatest of all the prophets. (Mt 11:11).
2. John’s baptism had God’s authority. (Matt 21:23ff; Lk 7:29-30).
3. Jesus was baptised by John, identifying himself with the truth John proclaimed – that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah.
4. Repentance was a major feature of John’s ministry. The evidence of repentance should be obvious. (Matt 3:8).
The Third Witness – The Coming of the Spirit. 1:8
1. John’s ministry was preparing people for the coming of Jesus who is superior to John. John baptised with water, but Jesus would baptised with the Holy Spirit.
2. The baptism of the Spirit is the giving of the Spirit by Jesus. Mentioned six times, fulfilled on Pentecost. (John 1:29,31 = Acts 2:38).
The Fourth Witness – The Father’s Endorsement. 1:9-1
At his baptism the Father endorses Jesus as his Son. This endorsement occurred again on the mount of transfiguration. (Matt 17:1-5) that time with the additional words, ‘Hear him.’ This was significant since on that occasion Jesus appeared with the two great prophets, Moses and Elijah.
The Temptation In the Wilderness. 1:12-1
The wilderness would be a familiar term to the Jews because of their history; their ancestors spent forty years there because of disobedience. Jesus would enter the wilderness and win the battle for us.
Jesus Begins His Ministry In Galilee. 1:14-1
1. Jesus proclaims good news. What the prophets foretold was coming to pass.
2. The kingdom of God is near. What does that mean? The mission of Jesus was to defeat sin and reign over his enemies – Satan and death.
3. Repentance is also a feature of Jesus’ ministry. This is a call to turn from sin and turn to God. To renounce the ways of evil and embrace the ways of God.
4. Jesus calls on us to ‘believe the good news.’
Jesus Calls His Disciples. 1:16-2
1. This was not our Lord’s first encounter with these fishermen. There is good evidence that he had known them for a while before he called them.
2. ‘Fishers of men’ defines the work Jesus has for them. They will be engaged in saving the lost.
3. Without overstretching matters, there are features about fishing that apply to evangelism. Let’s note them:
· Indiscriminate casting of the net into the sea.
· A day’s fishing may mean you catch nothing.
· There can be disappointment and danger.
· You can’t command the fish to get into the net, you have to go fishing.
4. Jesus would give these men ‘on the job training’ so they could continue what he came to accomplish.
Jesus Teaches With Authority 1:21-2
1. Procedures in the synagogue provided for ‘guest speakers.’ (The early church is closely modeled on the synagogue).
2. Jesus taught with authority, he didn’t rely upon what the leading rabbis had said, Jesus quoted himself. ‘I say to you…’ That’s what amazed the people. E.g. Matt 5:21,27. Note John 12:49.
Casting Out Demons. 1:23-28
1. How often this poor soul came to the synagogue we do not know, but on this occasion the demons who possessed him recognized Jesus.
2. This is the third time Jesus is identified as the Son of God (1:1,11).
3. Exorcism was a major feature of our Lord’s ministry. What was it’s significance? It’s like a ‘drum roll’ announcing the coming defeat of Satan and his demons. After all, this was why Jesus came. (1 John 3:8).
Jesus Heals Many. 1:29-32
1 This is a busy day, Jesus had a full schedule.
2 The healings Jesus performed were instant.
3 By the end of the day he had to have been exhausted.
The Source of His Strength. 1:35-39
1 Very early in the morning… He had very little sleep, yet prayer was a priority. Although he is the Son of God, in his earthly ministry he depended upon the Father.
2 A solitary place. Jesus needed some quiet time. No interruptions.
3 There is astonishment in Simon’s words, he’s almost rebuking Jesus (vs. 36).
4 Jesus’ response – ‘Let us go somewhere else.’ (Did he not hear what I just said – there are opportunities waiting for you).
5 Why did Jesus move on? Why were the people coming to Jesus? Was it because they had repented and believed the kingdom of God and wanted to make them their Lord, or was it because of the miracles? (John 6:15).
6 The ministry of Jesus was not intended to sort out every problem, or to heal every illness, but to accomplish salvation through his death. That’s the specific purpose for his coming. His miracles, though important, were secondary.
Gospel of Mark-2
Gospel of Mark. (Part 2)
by Tony Coffey
1:40 – 45. Touching the Untouchable
1. We need to read this story with our imagination fully engaged.
2. Leprosy was one of the dreaded diseases in the ancient world. It manifested itself in a number of ways, such as scabs and sores, and the more serious cases disfigured a person. Lepers can do themselves great harm and not know it because the nerves in the hands and feet are dead.
3. There were unfounded fears that leprosy was contagious, so lepers were pushed to the margins of society. In our own time we have seen the fear people had of touching a person with AIDS.
4. In Israel there were religious and social consequences to leprosy: Lepers could not enter the temple and were socially alienated. They were reminded of their alienation on a daily basis. They were not allowed to forget that they were lepers.
On his knees. Vs. 40
The leper is seen an imploring figure, begging for help, a picture of utter hopelessness. He is in great need but he knows who can heal him.
Filled with compassion. Vs. 41
1. Jesus’ response is far more than a momentary pang of conscience, a tug at the heart strings that lasts a few moments and is then forgotten. (We sometimes react like this to pictures of starving children.)
2. Compassion speaks of sympathy that desires to remove the cause of the suffering. This provides us an insight into the heart of God. He is a compassionate God.
3. Jesus reaches out and touches him. Touching is an effective way of communicating. Jesus didn’t have to do this, a spoken word would have sufficed, but so much is said by a touch. Jesus was coming into contact with the untouchable; he was entering into his world.
4. Think about this: how long might it have been since the leper had received a compassionate touch from a healthy person?
5. Jesus’ touching the leper tells us something about the ministry of Jesus – alienation is being removed and reinstatement is taking place.
The request. Vs. 41
“If you are willing….” Jesus doesn’t rebuke him for the uncertainty in his words. Jesus didn’t say, “What do you mean, if? What kind of faith is that?” Compassion respond in that way.
The healing. Vs. 42
1. The healing is instant. No need for a medical examination. No need to place him on a period of probation just to make sure that the leprosy has really gone.
2. Jesus made no deal with the leper, no money changed hands, and no performance was given, only love from the compassionate Christ.
The application
1. We are all infested with an incurable disease – sin.
2. The consequence of sin is alienation from God.
3. Jesus is the only one who can make us clean.
4. By touching the leper Jesus became ceremonial unclean, he did this so the leper could be clean. Jesus, the sinless one, became sin for us so that we could be counted as sinless.
5. Though Jesus said to the leper, ‘Don’t tell anyone,’ Mark’s gospel ends with the command of Jesus to tell the world about him.
Gospel of Mark-3
Gospel of Mark. (Part 3)
by Tony Coffey
Jesus Heals A Crippled Man 2:1-12
1. Vs. 1.A few days later: Just look at the busy schedule Jesus had been keeping. (1:21,29,35,39) Crowds had gathered to hear him, the house was overflowing.
2. The arrival of four men carrying their crippled friend shows that Jesus’ reputation was spreading. Many could now testify that Jesus had healed them. Diseased bodies were now healthy; lives that were once demon possessed had an inner peace and calm; former lepers could now be seen worshiping in the temple and reinstated into society.
3. Undeterred by the crowds the four men made an opening in the roof. We need to read this event with some imagination. There is a great commotion being created by the activities on the roof. Those in the house are bewildered by what is taking place. Jesus has to stop his teaching, and then a crippled man is lowered before Jesus. There was nothing dignified or clinical about the procedure; in fact, the whole event may have caused some laughter.
4. Jesus didn’t rebuke them for this unseemly interruption. What others saw as unmannerly behaviour Jesus saw as faith. His comments – ‘your sins are forgiven’ – must have come as a big disappointment to the crippled man who specifically came to be healed. And as Jesus engaged in dialogue with those in the house the crippled man must have wondered if Jesus would ever heal him.
5. There was a silent reaction to Jesus’ words about forgiving sin: they were thinking in their hearts how outrageous it was. (Vs. 6) Jesus knew what they were thinking, ‘Who can forgive sins but God alone’, and he never attempted to correct them, because what they were thinking was correct – only God can forgive sin. And that’s who Jesus is.
6. Jesus asks, “‘Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and take your mat and walk?’” The answer is obvious. It is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Why? Because it requires no evidence; all you have to say is words.
7. However, to demonstrate his authority to forgive sins he heals the man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ And immediately, ‘He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.’ The miracle was instant, and seen by everyone. No one could deny it but rather praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’
Gospel of Mark-4
Gospel of Mark. (Part 4)
by Tony Coffey
Portraits of Jesus. 2:13-27
The Physician. 2:17
1. The Pharisees were not impressed with the Jesus kept; they saw them as ‘sinners,’ he saw them as patients in need of physician.
2. There are three kinds of patients: (1) Those who don’t know him, but need him. (2) Those who know about him, and don’t care. (3) Those who think they don’t need him. (W.W. Wiersbe).
3. Vs. 17. This is Jesus’ mission statement, ‘I have come to call…sinners’ and it is confirmed in 10:45. There have always been people trying to heal the world’s wounds with the wrong remedy. (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11). Jesus is the only one who can make us whole.
The Bridegroom. 2:18-20
1. To some, our Lord’s conduct seemed inappropriate. The religion of the day was a solemn, joyless matter which was brought about by the heavy burdens placed on them by a false religion. (Matt 23:4; 11:28-30).
2. Jesus is not saying that fasting does not have its place; it does. But not right now. Now is the time for the guests to enjoy themselves, to celebrate with the bridegroom.
The Messenger 2:21-22
1. Jesus came with a new message – grace. He did not come with a plan to patch up the old or to make some renovations to Judaism thereby making it acceptable. He underlines his point by way of two illustrations: You don’t put a new patch on an old garment and you don’t put new wine into old wineskins.
2. Grace is the new wine brought by Jesus. The legalistic religion of the day cannot contain that wine. Liberating truth cannot be found in a legalistic religion. Grace and law are mutually exclusive, one depends on God the latter depends on oneself.
3. ‘Come out from among them,’ is the Lord’s call to his people. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). The Christian faith makes exclusive claims. It cannot, it will not share center stage with the best from other religions. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
The Liberator. 2:23-27.
1. The Sabbath had lost its original purpose and taken on an alien role. How the Sabbath was to be observed was surrounded by manmade traditions; traditions that were treated as law. These laws became a religious burden.
2. In defending his action, namely, satisfying the hunger of his disciples, Jesus cites the example of David. What does that prove? Just this: Human needs take precedence over ceremonial law.
3. Jesus expected the teachers of the law to understand the principle that was contained in what David did, hence, his question, ‘Have you not read…’ Of course they had read it, many times, but they never saw the principle that could be extracted.
4. They had turned the Sabbath, and the rest of God’s law, into a spiritual straight jacket thereby making their religion an intolerable burden.
Gospel of Mark-5
Gospel of Mark. (Part 5)
by Tony Coffey
The Sin of Unbelief. 3:1-6.
1. Jesus chooses the Sabbath to work yet another miracle. Incurring the wrath of the religious authorities was doing nothing to enhance his popularity; quite the contrary. The religious leaders had decreed how the Sabbath was to be observed and everything else that happened on the Sabbath had to pass through that particular filter.
2. Background to the Sabbath: (1) The Sabbath was a sign between God and Israel. (Ex 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Deut 5:15). (2) The Sabbath was given as a day of rest and prayerful reflection upon what God had done for Israel. There were regulations governing how the Sabbath was to be observed, in particular, abstaining from work. (3) What God intended for good had now become an intolerable religious burden. (4) Faithfulness to God was measured by one’s observance of the Sabbath.
3. The Pharisees misunderstood what God intended regarding the Sabbath, thereby producing a distorted image of God. He was seen as a religious legalist who majored in disqualifying people on technicalities. However, the revelation God had given of himself bore no resemblance to their distorted image.
4. Having exposed the Pharisee’s narrow understanding of how the Sabbath was to be observed (2:23ff), ‘they watched him closely’- not to learn, not to be enlightened, but to accuse.(verse 2)
5. Would he heal on the Sabbath? If he did, they would accuse him of having worked, thereby breaking the Sabbath and wrongly conclude, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’ (John 9:16).
6. Addressing the man with the shrivelled hand, Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up in front of everyone.’ Jesus wants everyone to see what is about to take place.
7. Jesus asks, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ (Vs. 4). Jesus is forever asking people questions, challenging them to think, to reason things out, to examine what it is they believe. See 2:9, 25.
8. ‘But they remained silent.’ They said a lot by their silence. Their silence showed them to be dishonest, uninterested in the pursuit of truth, prejudiced and with their minds already made up. Nothing Jesus would do could change their minds. On another occasion, in response to the his question, they evaded the obvious answer that would have exposed their disobedience by saying ‘We don’t know’. (Matthew 21:27).
9. Vs. 5. Things have to be bad for Jesus to be ‘angry and deeply distressed, ’ but what confronted him were ‘stubborn hearts.’ Jesus was witnessing blatant dishonesty, evil hearts refusing to concede an inch. These people were unlike Thomas who said he would believe if the evidence was provided. When it was, he believed. (John 20:24-28).
10. What causes a heart to become so dishonest, to remain in unbelief? It certainly was not due to the lack of compelling evidence; it was deep rooted sin that blinded them from seeing Jesus. Contrast their stubborn hearts with that of David. (Psalm 27:4; 42:1f.).
11. ‘Stretch out your hand’ Jesus says to the man with the shrivelled hand, remembering he is standing in full view of everyone. And when he stretched out his hand it was completely restored. Who could deny that a miracle had occurred? Everyone saw it, everyone knew of the man’s condition and they witnessed the result.
12. The reaction of the religious teachers was to form a coalition with the Herodians who were despised because of their association with Herod. Yet the teachers of the law found common ground with them; they both despised Jesus.
Observations we can make:
1. We were not created by God to be victims of disease and sickness. The Fall introduced that into the world.
2. The miracle, the restoration to full health, is a preview of what God will eventually do for all his people at the end of time.
3. Sin is powerful; it deludes people, it hardens their hearts and blinds their minds to truth.
4. The probing questions Jesus asked show that he wanted people to move from unbelief to faith.
5. His miracles could not be refuted, not even by his enemies, which confirms that they were genuine.
6. Jesus did not succeed in convincing everyone of the truth, neither will we.
Gospel of Mark-6
Gospel of Mark. (Part 6)
by Tony Coffey
Dressed and In His Right Mind. 5:1-20
Introduction
1. Mark focuses much of his gospel on Jesus’ encounter with those who were demon possessed, and thereby attracted the attention of the religious leaders. 3:20-30.
2. Mark provides some extraordinary details in this particular exorcism. His purpose is not to tell a good story, but to provide details that help fill in the bigger picture; and the Holy Spirit has preserved this event for the people of God throughout the ages.
3. The event revolves around demons, a demon possessed man, and a society that rejects him and his encounter with Jesus.
Jesus encounters the demon possesses man. Vs. 1-9
1. Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee (which is about 13 miles long and eight miles wide) and lands in a Gentile region where he encounters a man whose life is under the control of demons. He is a tormented soul.
2. Vs. 1-5. This demon possessed man was not allowed to mix in society and so he made his residence among the tombs.
3. Mark tells us that he could not be bound, even with chains. It’s worth considering that if he was strong enough to break out of the chains that bound him, how were the people able to chain him in the first place?
4. In his tormented state he can be heard howling day and night, frightening those living nearby. Furthermore, ‘he would cut himself with stones.’ The evil spirit that had taken possession of him was trying to destroy him.
5. Mark, in referring to the evil spirit that possessed him, has inserted an interesting comment: ‘no one was strong enough to subdue him.’ Is that not a veiled reference to 3:27?
6. Vs. 6-10. Demons often recognised Jesus. See Mark 2:23-24, 33-34; 3:11; and Acts 16:16-18. They recognised that: (1) Jesus was the Son of God, (2) he had superior power, (3) he had authority to banish them, and (4) they were subject to his authority. (When he says, ‘ Come out of him,’ they respond.)
7. “My name is Legion.” There was a belief that if you knew the name of a demon you could gain control over him, so a demon would never divulge his name. However, this demon bows to the authority of the Son of God and reveals his name, though he didn’t tell Jesus anything he did not already know).
Banished to the pigs. Vs 11-13
Why did Jesus do this? (1) Jesus is demonstrating how destructive demons are. (2) The demon possessed man was given visible proof that the demons had left him. (3) Jesus is showing that the restoration to wholeness of one person created in God’s image is more valuable than 2,000 pigs.
Please leave. Vs. 14-17
1. News travelled fast. The demon possessed man was recognised by the local people; this is the same man they had clamped in chains and banished to live among the tombs. They had observed his behaviour and heard his terrifying cries. But what they now saw was a changed man ‘dressed and in his right mind.’
2. Frightened, and rather than have anything else happen to the remaining pigs, or any other livestock, they ask Jesus to leave.
Go and tell. Vs. 18-20
1. Restored and in his right mind he wanted to remain in the company of Jesus but it was more important that he go and tell others what Jesus had done. He had a story to tell and Jesus wanted him to proclaim it. And he did, to the amazement of all who heard him.
Practical lessons
1. The Bible has much to tell us about the Devil. (See for example 1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8A.) Everything about him is destructive;he lies to us about everything. ‘It’s not wrong.’ ‘No one will know.’ ‘It’s good for you.’ ‘Everyone’s doing it.’ ‘What harm is it?’ ‘No one believes that.’ ‘You’ll never be caught.’ We must not underestimate the Devil, but neither must we underestimate God, ‘[For] the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4)
2. Chaining a demon possessed man didn’t resolve his problem. Chains were powerless to address his problem. Today people are trying to resolve their spiritual problems in a similar way. ‘Have you tried this?’ ‘You should read that.’ ‘Have you gone there?’ ‘Take this, try that, go there, join that, read this,’ and on and on the litany of useless solutions goes. And such falsehoods are often embraced by pious people. Yet they never experience deliverance because they are looking in the wrong place.
3. The demon possessed man seemed to be a pathetic, hopeless case. However, his encounter with Jesus changed him. And what Jesus did for him, Jesus continues doing for those who seek him.
4. The mission of Jesus was to defeat the powers of spiritual darkness. This Jesus did in his death and resurrection (Colossians 2:15).
5. The man is told to go and proclaim what the Lord has done for him. You don’t need to be a theologian to share the gospel; all you need is to have been set free from sin by the living Christ.
Gospel of Mark-7
Gospel of Mark. (Part 7)
by Tony Coffey
A Missionof Mercy is Interrupted 5:21-43.
Introductory remarks.
1. Jesus had been rejected by one group (Vs. 17) and welcomed by another (Vs. 21).
2. A point of interest is that the child Jesus restores to life was twelve years of age, while the woman he heals has been suffering for twelve years.
3. In both cases Jesus allows himself to become ceremonially unclean by being in contact with the sick woman and the dead child.Behind his action is a clear statement as to why he came into the world to clean the unclean, to remove alienation, to give life.
4. We need to see these two events unfold in our imagination: visualise the healing of the woman, the interrogation that followed, the anguish of a father whose daughter was dying, then dies, and is raised to life.
Jairus comes to Jesus.
1. Jairus is a prominent man, a ruler in the synagogue, an influential man in the community.
2. Why did he make a personal visit to Jesus? Why leave his dying daughter? A personal visit might be more persuasive; or perhaps his fellow rulers did not want to be associated with Jesus who was not well received among the establishment so he came himself. We cannot know for certain the answers to these questions.
3. Would Jairus have sought Jesus if this tragedy had not come upon his daughter? Sometimes it takes a tragedy to bring a person to their knees before the Lord. Sometimes tragedy is the only way God can get a person's attention.
4. That Jairus went on his knees before Jesus shows the urgency of his request. Whatever sense of pride, whatever prejudices he may have had, were abandoned. There is no room for a proud or prejudiced heart when tragedy comes.
5. His request is heard: 'So Jesus went with him' (Vs. 24). It is easy to imagine how Jairus must have felt when Jesus began the journey to his home - profoundly grateful to Jesus for giving him renewed hope.
A mission of mercy interrupted. Vs. 25-34
1. His mission of mercy is interrupted by a woman in need of healing.
2. Mark says that she had spent all she had trying to find relief from her suffering, but to no avail.
3. She had never encountered Jesus before; all she had to go on was what other people said about him. But then, 'Faith comes by hearing the word of God.' You never know how the seed you sow today will eventually grow. It may lie dormant for a long time, then circumstances change and a journey of faith begins.
4. What she heard about Jesus stirred her heart and faith moved her to action.
5. In faith, she reached out and touched the hem of his garment. Why did she do this? Some background from Numbers 15:38ff will be helpful. The purpose of the tassels on the garments was to remind ever Israelite of God's goodness. The prophet in Malachi 4:2 speaks of the coming messiah bringing 'healing in his wings'; in his tassels is the idea.
6. The woman understood the words of Malachi, and reached out in faith to receive the healing she needed. She had no doubt. She said, 'I will be healed.' And she was (Vs. 29).
7. Though many were touching Jesus he knew that a person of faith had touched him, hence his question, 'Who touched my clothing?' (Vs.30). For example, everyone who touches a live electric wire receives a shock, without exception; but only one of the many who touched Jesus was healed. Why? Faith!
8. Jesus demanded to know who had touched him (Vs. 30-34). Jesus was not going to stop looking until she came forward. Why? Jesus wanted the woman identified (1) so he could identify himself with her, (2) so she could bear witness to everyone that she was healed, and (3) having been ceremonially unclean for twelve years, and excluded from temple activity, she could now be reinstated.
The consequence of having delayed. Vs. 35-36
1. We are not told how Jairus was reacting but it’s reasonable to assume he was growing impatient with Jesus and annoyed at the woman who was responsible for detaining him. Valuable time was being lost. And time was one thing his dying daughter did not have on her side.
2. Word reached Jairus that his daughter had died. Precious time had been lost attending to the needs of this woman; she had to share the blame for this tragedy. And Jairus must also have been disappointed with Jesus for not giving his request top priority. He knew his daughter was dying yet, let himself get side tracked.
3. Jesus didn’t give Jairus time to brood over the bad news. Immediately Jesus said to him, ‘Don’t be afraid, just believe.’ What does that mean? We know how the story ends, but at this particular point Jairus did not know. The future was unknown to him but not to Jesus. Jairus would have to walk by faith.
Raising Jairus’s daughter to life. Vs. 37-43
1. Arriving at Jairus’ home, Jesus saw that the funeral arrangements were already under way. Custom dictated that even a poor man was to have two flute players and one professional mourner present at his wife’s funeral. Jairus, being a prominent leader in the community, would have had a full compliment of musicians and mourners.
2. Jesus’ remark, ‘she is asleep’, is also found in reference to Lazarus who had died ( John 11:11). Death was often spoken of as sleep (Acts 13:36).
3. Jesus is sensitive to this situation and so performs the miracle in private. He says, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’ and she was restored to life immediately (Vs. 41-42).
4. What Jesus did could not be kept secret; the child could not be kept indoors for the rest of her life. But Jesus prohibits the family from telling how he raised their daughter (Vs. 43).
5. Both the woman whom Jesus healed and the household of Jairus had a story to tell. Their testimony would join that of the demon possessed man to whom Jesus said, ‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you’ (5:19-20).
Practical lessons
1. God does not live by our schedule. There are times when he delays responding to our requests, but it has nothing to do with indifference. He delayed coming immediately to the daughter of Jairus so that he could raise her, not from a sick bed, but from death.
2. Through his miracles Jesus is reversing things to what God originally intended: sickness, death, and suffering were never what God planned for his creation.
3. Jesus’ words to Jairus, ‘just believe’ are all we will have to cling to in life, but they’re powerful because they are uttered by the Son of God with whom nothing is impossible.
4. No one, not even one who belong to the Lord, is immune from sickness and tragedy in this life. But a day is coming when sin, and everything associated with it, will be banished because of what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection.
Gospel of Mark-8
Gospel of Mark. (Part 8)
by Tony Coffey
A Prophet without Honour - 6:1-6
1. A year earlier Jesus had spoken in his home town of Nazareth. “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’ they asked.” However, what Jesus said aroused the fury of the leaders in the synagogue and they “took him to the brown of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.” (See Lk 4:16-30.) Jesus has now returned to Nazareth but nothing has changed.
2. On this occasion, ‘Many who heard him were amazed’ (Vs. 2).They were amazed at what he was saying because it was so very different from what they were accustomed to hearing.
3. Referring to him as ‘Mary’s son’ and not ‘Joseph’s son,’ as on a previous occasion, (Luke 4:22) carries a hint that they regarded him as illegitimate: We know who your mother is, but not your father.
4. ‘And they took offence at him’ (Vs. 3). Why? To declare himself to be the fulfilment of the ancient prophets was outrageous. How could he make such a claim when everyone knew his family background? Furthermore, his teaching set him at variance with the official teaching of the religious establishment. Yet he had credentials that bore testimony to him, as Nicodemus concluded: ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him’ (John 3:2). Rejected by his own, he became a prophet without honour in his hometown.
5. ‘He could not do any miracles there…’ (Vs. 5). This is not a commentary on our Lord’s inability to work miracles. He could not do miracles among people so blatantly hostile. It is as if Jesus is saying, ‘I could not bring myself to work a miracle for them. It would have been a waste of time, as they are not honest seekers after God.’ And so their hostility ‘prevented’ him working miracles. Their unbelief did not rob Jesus of his power; that would be impossible. Remember, faith is not a requirement for Jesus to work a miracle. He raised the dead daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:38-42).
6. ‘And he was amazed at their lack of faith’ (Vs. 6). It is interesting that earlier they were amazed at what Jesus had to say and now Jesus is amazed at their unbelief. His amazement shows his exasperation and his bewilderment at their hard hearts.
Practical lessons
1. One can be amazed at the teachings of Jesus and still do nothing about it.
2. The best evidence God could provide to help people believe that Jesus is the Son of God was his miracles; yet not even miracles could bring some people to faith.
3. Though Jesus is the Saviour and wants people saved, he knew, on this occasion, that working miracles among some people was a waste of time. These people remained in unbelief, not because of insufficient evidence, but because of having chosen not to believe.
4. Why should we think we can be more effective today in reaching people when not even Jesus could reach everyone in his day?
5. Don’t be surprised when some people who attend religious meetings, pray and read the Scriptures are uninterested in the gospel of Christ Jesus.