Fellowship through bible study - Mark

[IKTCA]

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[seangoh]

Hey Merry Christmas iktca! Just want to affirm you of your commitment to read your bible daily and your study of mark. For me i haven't got time to do a study of Mark 3 yet but i'll do it tomorrow and post my thoughts here. I'll comment on what you said too.Keep the faith man!

 

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[seangoh]

It was a good lesson on laws. After reading your post, it comes to me very real that the laws were binding rather than freeing. I wonder if that is the difference between laws and grace.

Hi iktca, yes the laws that the Jews created and made it their tradition were very burdensome. God would never want that to happen. As in Mark 2:27, it says "the Sabbath was made for man". It's like the Sabbath was presented to us as a gift for us to accept and enjoy. "not man for the Sabbath" reflects how the Jews made the Sabbath a burden by placing in it strict ways to observe it. And this is what grace is about too. Since God has already well-packaged the Sabbath for us, it shows His graciousness. We don't have to do anything to "improve" upon it.

And yes, that is the difference between how God's grace provides the freedom that man yearns. James 1:25

"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. "

It's not to be confused of the "law" james is referring to with the "law" Mark 2 portrays by the Jews. The law of God is the law of liberty which is the 10 commandments. "law" is just a generic term used.

Length was no problem since I printed it our before reading/disgesting. Thanks.

I am going to go back to Chapter 2 and move forward as fast as you are.

Oh no, i feel i'm crippling your progress. One reason why i'm slow is because i want to dedicate a length of time for study as i tend to go deep. I use a reliable concordance for my study and that's the main source of my sharing after reading the chapter a few times. Are you using any study tools?

 

[seangoh]

Though he rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, he still cared about them. He embraced even those who would not listen to him and went up to the cross for them, too. Amen.

Amen! That IS the heart of Jesus and from here i present my study of Mark 3. I found it easier to break it into verses rather than paragraphs. It was an enriching study and there's alot to include but i'll just present the main ones. I left out a description of the disciples and the way the disciples were grouped together (in twos) and also Jesus' brothers.

Mark 3

v4
Their sullen silence was an admission of defeat. Previous encounters with Jesus had taught them that nothing could be gained by challenging Him publicly, for He always succeeded in turning their own arguments against them in such a way as to reveal truth and to make it evident to the people that the rabbinical position was untenable.

v5
It is often said that the only anger without sin is the anger against sin. God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. Erring mortals all too often make the mistake of hating the sinner and loving the sin. Anger against wrong as wrong, without evil wish or design on others, may certainly be considered a commendable trait of character.He was “grieved” because the Jewish leaders made use of their high offices and positions to misrepresent the character and requirements of God. No doubt He was also “grieved” because of the results this would have upon these leaders themselves and upon those who followed their misleading ideas. The Greek implies that Jesus’ initial reaction of anger was momentary, but His concern for these benighted children, estranged from their heavenly Father and misconstruing His love for them, continued.

v13
None of the Twelve was chosen because of perfection, either in character or in ability. Christ selected men who were willing and able to learn, whose characters might be transformed. All had serious defects when called, but these, by His grace, were removed (except in the case of Judas), and in their place Jesus planted the precious seeds of the divine character that germinated, grew to maturity, and later produced the fruit of a Christlike character (Gal. 5:22, 23). Christ takes men where they are, and, if they are willing and submissive, He transforms them into what He would have them be. He appoints men and women to positions of responsibility, not because He considers them fully prepared for the demands these positions make of them, but because, in reading their hearts, He discerns latent abilities that, under divine guidance, may be encouraged and developed to His glory and to the advancement of His kingdom.



v27
In the parable Christ now sets forth He reinforces the truth in verse 24 that the “kingdom of God” is come and that the kingdom of Satan is being invaded. Christ is the “one” who enters Satan’s “house” or “kingdom” . A man does not enter his own house and “spoil” his own “goods”; Satan does not “cast out” Satan . Therefore someone entering the “house” of Beelzebul , to “spoil his goods,” must of necessity be his enemy.Satan claimed this world as his, that it had been “delivered” to him (see Luke 4:6). In that sense, this world was his “house,” and the human beings in it constituted his “goods.” Christ came to release Satan’s captives, first from the prison house of sin (see on Luke 4:18) and then from the prison house of death (see Rev. 1:18). By casting out demons Christ was robbing Satan of his victims, that is, spoiling his “goods.”

v28
In the particular situation Christ here refers to, a group of Pharisees had attributed the power of the Holy Spirit (see on v. 28) to the devil (v. 24) in the full knowledge that their charge was false (see DA 322). It was this deliberate rejection of light that was leading them, step by step, toward “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.” It is important to note that the statement made by the Pharisees came as the climax of a protracted process of rejecting increasingly clear evidence of divinity of Jesus (see DA 213, 538), a process that had begun with the birth of Jesus (see DA 63) but which became more intense as His ministry progressed. The clearer the evidence, the stronger their opposition to Him (cf. Hosea 4:6). As time went on and each encounter with Jesus served only to reveal their hypocrisy, they became more and more bitter and outspoken. Now they came out openly, declaring Christ to be demon possessed and working in collaboration with Satan, as one of his accomplices (cf. 5T 634). Henceforth they were under the control of the very power they had accused Christ of being subject to (DA 323).
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, or the unpardonable sin, consists of progressive resistance to truth that culminates in a final and irrevocable decision against it, deliberately made in the full knowledge that by so doing one is choosing to pursue his own course of action in opposition to the divine will. The conscience is seared by continued resistance to the impressions of the Holy Spirit, and one may hardly be aware that he has made the fateful decision. There may, indeed, be nothing more than continuing failure to reach a decision to act in harmony with God’s will (see DA 324). A person troubled with a haunting fear that he has committed the “unpardonable sin,” thereby has conclusive evidence that he has not committed it.
The most miserable person in the world is one whose conscience troubles him for doing wrong when he knows that he should do right. A miserable Christian experience is usually the result of not living up to the light one has. A person whose conscience troubles him may solve the problem and remove the tension in one of two ways: He may yield to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit by making wrongs right with God and man, or he may sear his conscience and eliminate its painful promptings by silencing the Holy Spirit (see Eph. 4:30). The person who takes the latter course cannot repent, because his conscience has been forever made insensitive, and he does not want to repent. He has deliberately placed his soul beyond the reach of divine grace. His persistent perversion of the power of choice results in the loss of the power to discern between good and evil. Evil finally appears to be good, and good appears to be evil (see Micah 3:2; see on Isa. 5:20). Such is the deceptiveness of sin.
Conscience has been aptly called the eye of God in the soul of man. It is a divinely implanted monitor that prompts men ever to live in obedience to the light that has been revealed to them. To tamper with it in the least is to risk the peril of eternal loss. Deliberate and persistent disobedience to God finally becomes a habit that cannot be broken (see DA 324).

v33
It is clear that Jesus was personally devoted to His mother (see John 19:26, 27). His view of the duty of children to their parents is also clearly set forth in His teachings (see Mark 7:9–13). Accordingly, His meaning here is that even those closest and dearest to Him had no right to interfere with His work or to direct how it should be carried out (cf. Matt. 16:23). See on Luke 2:49.

v35
Jesus here makes a personal application by the use of nouns in the singular. All who acknowledge God as their Father are members of “the whole family in heaven and earth” (Eph. 3:15). The ties that bind Christians to their heavenly Father and to one another are stronger and truer even than blood ties, and more enduring. Here is a clear denial that Christians should give special attention to Mary (see on Luke 11:28).

 

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[seangoh]

I just printed out your study notes. I need some time to digest it. By the way, your notes have DAxxx, 5Txxx. What are these?

hi iktca, those are actually references to other books. DA means Desire of Ages. I don't know how to put it but you can take it that these books are like commentaries. You can see an online one here
http://www.whiteestate.org/books/da/da.asp

And 5T means Testimonies for the Church vol 5 i think.
So in effect, i'm actually using a commentary that uses other "commentaries" to further explain Mark. Interesting eh?

 

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[seangoh]

Mark 3
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He was grieved at their hardness of heart
and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” (v. 5)
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Yes, Jesus was grieved because the pharisees still wouldn't believe Him. It's almost like Jesus heaved a sigh and told himself, "These people still won't believe me, now i'll have to work this miracle in front of them to see." In a sense, Jesus was more concerned of the Pharisees hearts. He was greatly burdened by their unbelief even though He had worked the miracles. All that He could do He did and they still didn't buy it. I have a friend who wanted God to work a miracle so he could believe, but i really wonder whether he will believe if a miracle did happen.

Christians are grievers. They grieve because many around them reject Jesus’ love. In Christian joy, they grieve. And in godly grief, they rejoice. Love is a strange thing. After all, this love is of God.

In fact this is one reason that made me a little down. I had read Ecc 1:18
"For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. " I told myself it can't be true. Perhaps this part of the BIble is not true. But then, i knew at the back of my head that it was and as time went by, how true it was.

Lord, as we increaseth knowledge and grieve more, may your own grace be displayed to us so that we will be joyful at the same time.

 

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[repentandbelieve]

“But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
can never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an eternal sin.”
For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” (v. 29-30)
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The scribes knew John came from God. They knew John brought water baptism from God. But they would not admit that.

Now Jesus came from God to deliver His people from bondage. They knew it. But they would not admit it before the people. Not only that, they rejected Jesus. To top that, they said Jesus had Beelzebul.

How could people be this wicked? They were systematically rebellious. Every piece of mind was full of thick rebellion.

Jesus had flesh and bones. But he was good.
The scribes had flesh and bones. But they were evil.
I have flesh and bones. I can be good. But I can be evil, too. Even the thought shudders me.

Father,
Deliver me from evil. Amen.

Hello Iktca.
Jesus fully exposed the true character of the "religious leaders". Jesus publically rubuked them for their actions and called them hypocrites.
"Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in" The pharisees had a lot of influence over the people. People didn't question there authority or knowledge of religious matters. But the Pharisees used this to their own advantage. Jesus saw this and didn't approve of it.

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men, they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the boarders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at the feast, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the greatings in the markets, and to called of men Rabbi, Rabbi".

and there are many other recorded instances where Jesus continues to denunciate the religious leaders for their misrepresentation of Gods character of love, mercy and forgiveness.

The Pharisees thought so highly of themselves that they were blinded with self pride. They did not realize that they were in a worse condition than the ones they dispised. The publicans, sinners and gentiles were less bigoted, less self righteous and less self sufficent, and thus were more open to the influence of the Truth.

 

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[seangoh]

hi iktca,
Thanks for sharing all your thoughts. I've learnt much from them. I'll be sharing mine for Mark 4. I had thought that the seed was us but i find an alternative parallelism which is more logical and full.

seed-Christ(the Word which is gospel truth),gospel truth
sower-Christ,ministers (who share the gospel)
soil-Heart of man

In view of this, here goes.

Mark 4:1-20
v1
I can't help but imagine the impact Jesus had on the people such that they wanted to follow Him wherever He was. I do not know who on earth today has that great charisma Jesus had. Perhaps no one ever has commanded such attraction. What really is so special about Jesus? I would suppose that He looks like a normal human being. So the only thing that could be different would be His character. The character of Jesus must be far superior than anyone. He was different and had that aura of holiness about Him. How He treats people and His relationship with God is all that is different. So again is stressed the importance of a close relationship with God and our fellow man to have a fulfilling life.

v2
Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men. So it was in Christ's teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar.

v3
Its characteristic feature is neither the sower nor the seed, but rather the four kinds of soil on which the seed fell when it was sown. The parable emphasizes the reception accorded the seed by each of the four kinds of soil, together with the effect this reception had upon the growth of the seed. The skill of the sower and the quality of the seed are the same in relation to each of the four kinds of soil.

v10
This was the desire which Christ wished to arouse, that He might give them more definite instruction. He explained the parable to them, as He will make plain His word to all who seek Him in sincerity of heart. Those who study the word of God with hearts open to the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, will not remain in darkness as to the meaning of the word. "If any man willeth to do His will," Christ said, "he shall know of the teaching whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself." John 7:17, R.V. All who come to Christ for a clearer knowledge of the truth will receive it. He will unfold to them the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and these mysteries will be understood by the heart that longs to know the truth. A heavenly light will shine into the soul temple, and will be revealed to others as the bright shining of a lamp on a dark path.

v13
The parable of the Sower, the Seed, and the Soils was the simplest of parables. Its meaning should have been clear to the disciples. If they experienced difficulty with this one, what would they do with the others? And ironically, i experienced some difficulty in understanding this parable. May God be gracious to me and shower me with continued wisdom.

v15
The Soil--by the Wayside
The seed sown by the wayside represents the word of God as it falls upon the heart of an inattentive hearer. Like the hard-beaten path, trodden down by the feet of men and beasts, is the heart that becomes a highway for the world's traffic, its pleasures and sins. Absorbed in selfish aims and sinful indulgences, the soul is "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Heb. 3:13. The spiritual faculties are paralyzed. Men hear the word, but understand it not. They do not discern that it applies to themselves. They do not realize their need or their danger. They do not perceive the love of Christ, and they pass by the message of His grace as something that does not concern them.

As the birds are ready to catch up the seed from the wayside, so Satan is ready to catch away the seeds of divine truth from the soul. He fears that the word of God may awaken the careless, and take effect upon the hardened heart. Satan and his angels are in the assemblies where the gospel is preached. While angels of heaven endeavor to impress hearts with the word of God, the enemy is on the alert to make the word of no effect. With an earnestness equaled only by his malice, he tries to thwart the work of the Spirit of God. While Christ is drawing the soul by His love, Satan tries to turn away the attention of the one who is moved to seek the Saviour. He engages the mind with worldly schemes. He excites criticism, or insinuates doubt and unbelief. The speaker's choice of language or his manner may not please the hearers, and they dwell upon these defects. Thus the truth they need, and which God has graciously sent them, makes no lasting impression.

Satan has many helpers. Many who profess to be Christians are aiding the tempter to catch away the seeds of truth from other hearts. Many who listen to the preaching of the word of God make it the subject of criticism at home. They sit in judgment on the sermon as they would on the words of a lecturer or a political speaker. The message that should be regarded as the word of the Lord to them is dwelt upon with trifling or sarcastic comment. The minister's character, motives, and actions, and the conduct of fellow members of the church, are freely discussed. Severe judgment is pronounced, gossip or slander repeated, and this in the hearing of the unconverted. Often these things are spoken by parents in the hearing of their own children. Thus are destroyed respect for God's messengers, and reverence for their message. And many are taught to regard lightly God's word itself.

Thus in the homes of professed Christians many youth are educated to be infidels. And the parents question why their children are so little interested in the gospel, and so ready to doubt the truth of the Bible. They wonder that it is so difficult to reach them with moral and religious influences. They do not see that their own example has hardened the hearts of their children. The good seed finds no place to take root, and Satan catches it away.

v16
In Stony Places
The gospel seed that falls into the hearts of stony-ground hearers finds enough soil to germinate, but the soil is shallow and the effect of the gospel is at best superficial. The gospel appeals to their emotions, and they are quick to react to it, but the impression made by it passes with the fickle tide of emotion. The rock of selfishness prevents the gospel from effecting a reform in the life. Any effort to serve Christ is so hindered by the fundamental purpose in life to serve self that the gospel has little or no influence. Stony-ground hearers habitually follow their inclinations. Any convictions that such people may have are based on inclination rather than on principle. It is evident that the truth has a measure of appeal to them; they admit that it is good; but they love themselves. Quickly accepting what seems good at the moment, they fail to count the cost of discipleship; they do not apply the principles of the gospel to their lives and give it an opportunity to reform their patterns of thought and action. They are unwilling to face the fact that their habits must be changed.

v17
Germination was rapid, but so was withering. The only hope of stony-ground hearers is to be born again. The superficial influence of the gospel upon them does not bring about confession and the forsaking of sin. They do not experience justification. Their reaction to the gospel does not result in conversion.

v18
Among Thorns
In thorny ground the tender plants did not wither as rapidly as they did in the stony ground. Similarly, the experience of thorny-ground Christians progresses further than that of the stony-ground hearers. They make what appears to be a real start, and apparently they experience justification and the new birth. But they soon become “weary in well doing” (Gal. 6:9) and do not “go on unto perfection” (Heb. 6:1). Absorbed by the pleasures of this world and in the pursuit of its attractions, they neglect to weed out from the life those tendencies and traits of character that respond to temptation. They are like the person who had been freed from demon possession only to be repossessed by seven evil spirits (see on Matt. 12:43–45). Many of the things that attract the thorny-ground hearers and absorb their attention may not, in and of themselves, be harmful. But such persons become so absorbed in this world that they have no time to prepare for the next.
The thorns made it impossible for the wheat to mature (see Luke 8:14). In the same way secular interests prevent the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) from reaching maturity. Religion is relegated to the subordinate position of being only one interest among many. For lack of cultivation it withers and eventually dies. That which the thorny-ground hearers lack is a moral transformation. To them, justification is the sum and substance of religion, and they fail to realize that the Christian life consists essentially in the process known as sanctification—the process by which evil traits and tendencies are replaced by the perfect life-pattern of Jesus Christ (see on Gal. 2:20).

v20
In Good Ground
This does not mean that the heart of man is naturally “good” before the seeds of divine truth have made it so, for “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). In man there naturally “dwelleth no good thing” (Rom. 7:18). The “ground” is “good” simply because it yields to the plowshare of truth, because it responds to the softening influence of the Holy Spirit.

Fruit
This refers to the fruit of character (see on Gal. 5:22, 23). The fruit of the Spirit manifested in the outward life is evidence of a healthy Christian experience. In the hearts of the wayside hearers the truth found no response. With the stony-ground hearers truth produced nothing more than a momentary impulse. With the thorny-ground hearers it was a response that began well but withered in the face of difficulty and opposition. But in the hearts of the good-ground hearers the response is permanent and effective. The result is a life transformed according to the pattern of the perfect life of Jesus Christ. The successful Christian is not a creature of circumstances; he perseveres to the end (see Matt. 24:13).

Most of the ideas presented are from here
http://www.whiteestate.org/books/col/col2.html

Lord, i present myself a sacrifice to you, though unholy it is, but i ask that you change me and cleanse me. May i respond in the same way the seed fell on good soil. Change me from within and help me love you more. Amen.

 

[repentandbelieve]

Most of the ideas presented are from here
http://www.whiteestate.org/books/col/col2.html

Thank you seangoh 23 for the link. I checked it out and found it to be a very interesting resource and look forward to visiting it again. Thanks again and Happy New Year.

 

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