Mark 1 The Way of the Lord

John the Baptist bursts on the scene after the prophetic voice in Israel had been silent for four hundred years. He challenges his people to prepare a way in their hearts in the same way that people in the Orient made the road smooth for a visiting king. John urges the people to take away the barriers and the rough places, and to make the way of the Lord a smooth entrance. This is not a one-time preparation but a continual readiness and maintenance program. John the Baptist calls for a spiritual discovery: a tough-minded awareness of our failure to measure up to God's will and a radical change of heart, determining to follow God's will more closely.

Moving through the first days of Jesus' ministry in chapter I, we see the forces that the Lord will encounter when he comes on the path into our hearts. There will be religious objections, resistance to change, family resentments, emotional distress and physical symptoms that erect huge barriers to the coming of the Lord.

Read through all of the book at one sitting, if possible. This creates the sense of drama and awe that Mark wishes to communicate. Then reread Mark I.

Find The Facts

What prophet does Mark quote? What does John preach? What does John say about Jesus? What does Jesus preach? Whom does Jesus call to be his disciples? What examples of Jesus' power does Mark include? How does Jesus teach? What does Jesus say is the reason he came?

Consider:

1. List the kinds of people, powers and attitudes that Jesus encounters in the first chapter. What contemporary name can you give to each of them?

2. Note the word immediately wherever you find it in the text. What impression do you think Mark wishes to create? Why?

3. Read Isaiah 40:1-11. Compare Isaiah's message with John's. What more can be understood about John's message and Jesus' identity from Isaiah?

Mark 1:1-8

John cries out, announcing the arrival of the Messiah. John's ministry is one of preparation, calling people to repentance, baptism, confession and forgiveness—the elements of our own preparation for encountering the living God. There is no other way than this "repentance road" on which the King is able to enter the hearts of his people. Confession and forgiveness remove the barriers that obstruct the King's embrace of love.

To baptize, (Gk., baptizo) literally means "to dip in" or "immerse," implying also "to wash clean." John invites the people of Israel to be cleansed from sin by repentance, turning away from old ways and moving in the opposite direction.

Confession, which means "to agree with someone else," involves the open acknowledgment of the truth about our sin—to ourselves, to God and perhaps to another person. Confession specifically names the offensive behavior, recognizes its darkness and brings a disciplined effort to turn away from it. John hears the people's confessions before the people are immersed in the water. He searches their attitudes and questions their behavior (LK. 3:7-17). This verbalizing is the outward show of their repentance, which makes them candidates for baptism. Confession does more than recognize sin; it agrees with God about sin's seriousness.

John's attire and lifestyle clearly indicate his role, for they echo Elijah's protest against the superficial and materialistic lives of his contemporaries (2 KG. 1:7-8). Though John attracts many by his powerful message, he has come not to gather people to himself but to "prepare the way of the Lord" (JN. 1:19-27). Jesus far surpasses John, as John certainly recognizes. Only the lowest of slaves would remove a person's sandals, one of the most menial and humble of tasks.

Consider:

4. Using your own words, list in order those steps that must be taken to meet with the Lord. Name and agree with God about one attitude or behavior that needs to be changed in you. Go through the steps you have just outlined.

5. Do you think John consciously associates himself with the prophets who came before him? Why or why not? What other messages might John wish to communicate through his lifestyle? What does John's lifestyle suggest about his freedom from the values or opinions of those around him?

6. What differences and similarities do you see between John's water baptism and Jesus' Holy Spirit baptism? Read John 3:1-8. How does Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus further explain the two baptisms?

Mark 1:9-13

Jesus' arrival at John's place of ministry signals the beginning of his own ministry. As the people seek God, Jesus joins them in an act of complete identification. He goes down into the Jordan with these admitted sinners and submits to the same baptism. Though he has no need for repentance or forgiveness, the first step in his mission of atonement (2 COR. 5:21) involves the decision to associate himself fully with the human condition (MT. 3:15).

This act leads first to affirmation from God; it expresses perfectly Jesus' identity as God's Son. It also leads to a time of severe testing, the narrow, spiritual pathway that continues the repentance road. Before Jesus can reach out effectively to others in their sin, illness and spiritual perversity, he first must face his own temptations to minister in ways other than his humble, loving, forgiving, suffering-with-others style.

Consider:

7. What does Jesus' baptism reveal about the nature of his ministry? In what ways does Jesus' baptism define his calling from God? What does our baptism reveal about our ministry and calling?

8. In what ways do you think God's voice and the descent of the Spirit prepare Jesus for his wilderness experience? What part do wilderness experiences play in maturing us as Christians?

Mark 1:14-20

Jesus' public ministry begins as he preaches the gospel (literally, "good news") of the nearness of God's kingdom. This kingdom is not some far-off place or event, but an open door through which any person may enter by repenting and believing. The time is ripe; the decisive moment (Gk., kairos) has begun a new epoch.

In this new season, Jesus invites people to move from the empty obedience of ceremonialism to a fellowship based on sacrificial love. Some hear this good news gladly and follow Jesus. The word follow literally means to "walk the same road." It implies fellowship, joint-participation and a side-by-side experience with another. Jesus' leadership is not one of distant direction, but of intimate sharing in the joys and trials of a common path. That path, however, transforms those who walk on it. Following Jesus entails submitting to his revolutionary call.

Consider:

9. Why do you think Jesus chooses these four men as his first disciples? What qualifications do they have? What qualifications do they lack? On what basis do we often accept or reject fellow disciples?

10. Are all Christians called to be "fishers of men"? Why or why not? To what other parts of the fishing-for-people enterprise might you be called? setting the sail? steering? washing the nets and decks? throwing the net? What does this passage say about the way we become Jesus' disciples?

Mark 1:21-28

Capernaum stood at the crossroads of a key caravan route at the northern end of Lake Galilee. In the synagogue of this busy town, people gathered for prayer, praise and the reading and interpretation of scripture. The Greek indicates that Jesus teaches at some length, and his teaching is like being "struck hard by a fist." The people are utterly amazed by what Jesus says and the way he says it. He teaches with authority, unlike the scribes who teach by quoting a tangle of regulations made by other rabbis. Jesus explains the inner law of the Spirit based on compassion and human worth.

Mark juxtaposes the power of Jesus' words with the power of Jesus' works. Jesus first displays this power and compassion to a man with an unclean spirit in a place of worship and teaching. One wonders what this man was like before Jesus' teaching and what there is about Jesus that brings this spirit out into the open.

In Jesus' day people quickly recognized the reality and power of evil spirits and demons. Strange and aberrant behavior, pathological and some physical illnesses were considered a result of evil spiritual powers. The earth was a frightening place, a hell, where every life situation was ruled by these demonic spirits. Archaeologists have uncovered thousands of skulls with holes drilled in them that show growth after the drilling. Such drilling was thought to release evil spirits from the head. Jesus' authority over this demon amazes the people, for only God has control in this dark arena.

Consider:

11. For what reasons might the first event of Jesus' public ministry and the first display of resistance have happened in a synagogue? What might this say about Jesus' work today?

12. What is the significance of a demon's recognition of Jesus? of Jesus' response to the demon? What words today are sometimes used to refer to demon possession?

13. What does Mark imply about the scribes' teaching? How does Jesus' teaching differ from contemporary preaching and teaching?

Mark 1:29-39

Here, at the beginning of history's central event—the advent of Jesus Christ—Mark records the healing of a mother-in-law. Mark sandwiches this event between the exorcising of a demon in the midst of Jewish worship and huge crowds bringing other demon-possessed and physically ill people. Peter's mother-in-law shows the proper response to Jesus' touch: service prompted by gratitude and devotion.

What Jesus has done in the synagogue spreads like a firestorm. The people could hardly wait for the Sabbath to end, as signaled by the first three visible stars. So at sunset, a flood of people come to Jesus, carrying or leading their sick, confused and maimed friends and family members. With compassion and power Jesus responds. Many can speak with a semblance of power, but few are able to follow through with deeds of power. Jesus produces results.

After telling of the first busy day of Jesus' ministry, Mark now shows us the secret of Jesus' effectiveness—solitude and prayer. In his baptism, Jesus identifies with people who are aware of their separation from God and who desire to return. Only Jesus' consistent, personal, spiritual practice of spending hours alone with the Father can sustain him in his mission of identification and atonement.

After the time of quiet, Jesus is ready to abandon the immediate adulation of the crowds (1:37) in order to fulfill his greater calling. Everyone indeed is searching for Jesus.

Consider

14. Compare today's Church members to the crowds that were attracted to Jesus. How would you characterize Jesus' style of ministry? How might this be adapted to your church's ministry in the world?

15. Describe your spiritual practice. Name your lonely place. In what ways does the time you spend with God prepare and empower you for service?

16. What do you think Jesus' followers want him to do in verse 37? Why? What form do you think this voice takes in the Church today? What kind of confidence enables Jesus to leave the success at Capernaum?

Mark 1:40-45

The Greek word for leprosy does not necessarily mean the disease we now identify by that name (also known as Hansen's Disease). A variety of skin diseases went by the name "leprosy" and were the most dreaded of all diseases.

In ancient cultures, illnesses and misfortune were seen as a punishment from God and/or the work of evil powers. Such affliction was believed to be a result of the sin committed by the sufferer or his or her parents. The terror of leprosy lay in the diminished physical changes that inevitably came and in the social and spiritual rejection associated with it. The leper lived apart from the community and, when encountering other people, yelled out "Unclean! Unclean!" so that others could avoid contact. Worst of all, no leper could participate in worship or join the community in any religious activities. No one had less dignity or hope than a leper.

By calling out for help, coming close and kneeling at Jesus' feet, this leper breaks the law. When Jesus reaches out and touches him, he, too, breaks the Levitical law. Jesus obeys instead the higher law of a compassionate heart. By cleansing this man's disease, Jesus reconciles the leper to his community and to God. The priest's declaration of ritual cleanliness reinstates the outcast in his family and in the society. The theologically trained scribes wonder how Jesus can supersede God's wrath and punishment (3:22, 30).

Consider:

17. What faith and doubt does the leper experience? How is this like your own faith and doubt?

18. How does the leper benefit by showing himself to the priest? How does the community benefit? What might this say about the ministry goals of the Church today?

Group Activities

1. Divide into groups of three and invite group members to share the event and circumstances of their own baptisms. Encourage them to tell about the location, their age, social circumstances and personal meaning of the event. Discuss:

• How does your baptism compare with Jesus' baptism?

2. Dramatize Jesus' wilderness temptation. Invite people to roleplayJesus, the Holy Spirit, Satan, the wild beasts and the angels. Read 1:9-13 phrase by phrase and let the roleplayers express what they imagine and feel. Dramatize and discuss any insights that came to them.

3. Review Mark I and ask group members to cite the various encounters that Jesus is having with people. List them on chalkboard, whiteboard or newsprint. Discuss:

• Who takes the initiative in each situation?

• What is the outcome of each situation?

Divide into groups, asking each group to choose a situation from this passage to present as a "frozen frame." Ask them to discuss privately the encounter that they wish to dramatize without words or movement, frozen as in a still photograph. Have the groups watch each presentation and guess which encounter is being depicted. Discuss:

• What is the effect on you of Mark's clipped and hurried style of telling Jesus' story?

• In what ways does focusing on Jesus' individual encounters enhance or detract from Mark's overall account in this passage?

4. Invite group members to brainstorm some human conditions and taboos that cause people to be as ostracized and feel as unacceptable as lepers did in Jesus' day. Discuss:

• When have you felt like a leper?

• Who or what are we expected not to touch?

• Name a taboo that your compassion has caused you to break.

• What groups today are treated like lepers (e.g., AIDS victims)?

Journal meditation

For a moment close your eyes and imagine a road that stretches out before you for miles. It is a rough road, with hills and gullies, dangerous barriers and deep holes. God is coming to you down this road, but is having a difficult time reaching you. Let the Holy Spirit show you the road hazards of your life. What must you remove? What must you level and fill in? What crooked places need to be straightened out? What must be bridged in order to prepare the way of the Lord? After a few minutes of quiet meditation, write down or illustrate what has occurred to you.

Stepstone to Prayer

Lord, if you are willing, you can make me ...

Mark 2–3 The Ferment and Freedom of Jesus' Way

Jesus' message and his actions bring him into conflict with the religious, economic and political leadership of his nation. His way causes such ferment that none of the existing social structures and mores can contain the effects of its transformative power. The freedom of choice that his Spirit-led faith sets loose is too threatening to the keepers of the status quo.

In these chapters, Jesus takes on the prerogatives of God by healing and forgiving what others thought to be punishment from God for sin. Jesus' forgiveness breaks through religious limits with an explosive freedom. Those who cling to rigid rules of religiosity must oppose Jesus or lose the foundation on which they have built their philosophy and safeguarded their privileges and power.

Read Mark 2–3 carefully before answering the following questions.

Find the Facts

Whom did Jesus heal? What religious law did Jesus allegedly break in each healing? Whom did Jesus call to follow him? Where did the scribes say that Jesus got his power? Who are Jesus' mother and sisters and brothers? What special mission did Jesus have for the Twelve? Whom did Jesus come to call?

Consider:

1. In chapter 2, Jesus repeatedly shatters the religious expectations of those around him. Read through Jesus' responses in verses 8-11, 17,19-22 and 25-28. What do you think Jesus is saying about his source of authority? his new way of spirituality?

2. Consider the different stories that Mark includes in chapters 2 and 3. What do you think Mark most wants to communicate about Jesus?

Mark 2:1-12

Jesus' home in Capernaum became the base for his early preaching ministry. The word translated preaching refers more specifically to simple conversation than dramatic speech. The power of Jesus' message was not in the presentation but in the proclamation of truth that cut through barriers.

Jesus' response to the persistence of the four stretcher bearers confounded everyone. The four men brought their friend for healing, and the crowd apparently expected another miracle (1:32-34). Jesus offers a greater gift: forgiveness.