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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

First Impressions:

The Jerusalem team of legal experts had passed judgment on Jesus. He was a threat to their traditions and their power. When power is threatened, power becomes an adversary. When traditions are threatened, traditions become the default. Either way, truth is drowned out.

Apparently, the verdict from the legal experts had not trickled down. But it’s amazing how our approach to faith and to the Father shifts when trouble or tragedy happens.

Amazing in that the synagogue ruler was certain that God would give him a gift through the healing Jesus brought.

Amazing, too, that he was not deterred in that Kairos moment when Jesus’ desire met his willingness to believe, in spite of:

  • The messengers’ news.
  • The crowd’s pressures (do you think perhaps that’s why Jesus only took a few into the moment.
  • The mourners’ wailing (some in the community were professional mourners who earned income bringing the show home when it comes to mourning.)

v. 21 Jesus came back across the Sea of Galilee to the area of Capernaum. He had just traveled with the express intention to save the Gadarene who was gripped by demons.

vv. 22 – 24 Jairus was one of a group of elders or rulers in the local synagogue. He couldn’t have helped but to know people who had earlier been healed by Jesus. Luke reminds us that this was not only his little girl, but his only daughter. The life was ebbing out of her so rapidly that it was as if she was already dead (Matthew’s perspective.) Luke probably got the verb best: she lay dying with no hope of recovery. Jesus was quick to respond with compassion and attend to the matter right then. In spite of the “thronging” – that’s the verb – of the crowd, Jesus moved forward.

v. 35 – 36 Don’t trouble the Master with a wearying journey, since the little girl had passed. Jesus overheard the news and assured him she would be okay. This narrative beautifully captures the potential ebb and flow of faith. Something bad; God encourages. Discouraging word; Jesus assures. People without faith scoff; the Father directs toward the Kairos moment.

v. 37 Jesus often chose a few within the Twelve or paired them up. We will look that this a couple of weeks in Mark 5:6ff. The pattern seems to be 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s. That’s a good pattern for disciple-making. In this case, in part, he wanted the crowd to thin out and Jesus left most of his followers behind on the road to Jairus’ home so they could proceed, and this spiritual leader could believe.

v. 38-40 But even with the thinning of the tumult of the street crowds pressing and calling out with every need possible, when Jesus with Peter, James, and John and Jairus, arrived the mourners had already set up in strategic places to make the most impact with their wailing. The English language isn’t the only one to use onomatopoeia (like scuttlebutt or murmur) – this Greek word sounds like it means: alaladzontas means wailing. Clearly not people of faith as they made their living off the need for congregant mourning; they not only discouraged faith but laughed in its face. They jeered at Jesus. And the voice of the enemy could be heard in this solemn moment with laughter and jeering when faith is needed. Since the poorest of Jewish families were expected to have at least two flute-players and one wailing woman, a synagogue ruler probably hit the motherlode of mourners!

What does he mean with he says she only sleeps? This is the same thing he said to Lazarus’ sisters. He puts what we consider as the finality into perspective of eternity. In the light of the eternity, our separation from our loved ones is miniscule. If we are and they are a part of the people Jesus is building into a Kingdom, there is only a moment between the departure and our reunion from heaven’s perspective.

They went “where the child was.” We, as people of the Kingdom, often have to go where the hurt is, where the person is grieving, or, in this case, the room where death was – and take faith and hope and compassion. Our typical desire is to keep our distance with an attitude “I can pray from the comfort of my whatever” – Jesus moves us to be where He wants to bring the Kingdom. We have to leave the comfort zone to enter the Kairos moment when the Father’s will, and the willingness and obedience of people, capture the miracle and the signs and wonders of heaven.

vv. 41-42 Talitha cumi. To korasion egiere. Little girl, you arise. Aramaic, to Greek, to English. (Affectionate and in the language and tone of a little child, Jesus takes her hand – sweetie, get up now.) This was the miraculous sign like Lazarus and the young boy on the funeral bier, that declared to the heavenlies: The Kingdom of God is come and the final sting is removed from the enemy’s weaponry. Her spirit connects with the command of the Savior, and she obeys and arises.

The word for “astonished” is a double word. They were greatly amazed (mega-amazed). They were riveted in their place. Eyes in the room turn from the little girl to the daddy and momma, then landed back to Jesus. Faith as small as a grain of mustard, in the right subject, and the right Kairos moment, can do “the impossible.”

v. 43 Food for strengthen and food to display she was no ghost or phantasm. Keep it quiet for now.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 6:1-13

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Pastor Rick’s Translation – Mark 6:1-13 (PRT)

v.1 Then Jesus left Capernaum and arrived at his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.

v. 2 And when the Sabbath came around, he took the initiative to teach in the synagogue; and many, as they were hearing him, were astonished, and wondering aloud about where he got these things and what was the source of his wisdom – especially considering such miracles that were done by his hands.

v. 3 Still they were offended by him and said, “Isn’t this just Mary’s son, the carpenter? Isn’t this the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t all his sisters right here?”

vv. 4-5 Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored, except in his hometown and among his relatives and friends.” And he was not able to do many miracles except for healing a few people that he laid hands on.

v. 6 Still, he was astonished by their lack of faith. And he went to the villages around there and continued to teach.

v. 7-9 And he gathered the Twelve and began to send them out in two’s and gave them charge over impure spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the road beyond their walking stick and shoes, no extra shirt, no full wallet, food, or backpack.

vv. 10-11 Also, he told them that whenever you enter a household, stay there until you decide it’s time to leave that place. But, in like manner, when you decide an area will neither accept you nor listen to you, leave, wipe your hands clean of them and shake even the dust from your shoes as proof against them. I firmly say to you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah when the day of justice comes than it will be for that town.

vv. 12-13 And as they went out, they declared to the people that they should repent; they sent many demons where they belong and anointed many who were sick and healed them.

v. 6:1 Then Jesus left Capernaum and arrived at his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.

Jesus travels to Nazareth where he grew up, his mom still lived, and his reputation as a carpenter was intact. A long day’s walk, for sure. This point is where Jesus moved his ministry from the seaside of Capernaum into the greater Galilean/Judean region. As he expanded his ministry, he expanded his technique including sending out the Twelve.

Jesus was broadening his ministry and he left the comforts and successes of Capernaum behind and moved steadily toward the mission of training and teaching the Twelve and heading toward the Cross.

v. 2 And when the Sabbath came around, he took the initiative to teach in the synagogue; and many, as they were hearing him, were astonished, and wondering aloud about where he got these things and what was the source of his wisdom – especially considering such miracles that were done by his hands.

This is not his first recorded teaching in Nazareth’s synagogue. His first was the declaration of His fulfillment of the prophetic One to bring the Good News from Isa 61. Here, Mark uses the term “Powers” for what Jesus brought when the Kingdom broke in. His power for miracles was present and they had heard about this before Jesus taught. After all, their lack of faith left them without the Powers displayed before. This was a favorite term for miracles with Mark (the other three are “signs,” “wonders,” and “works” used by the Gospel writers.

The wondering aloud in this verse has the tone of talking down to the occasion. The tone is “where did this guy get such things and how did the fellow come by this wisdom.”

It’s almost as if they believed because of the wonders, then turned from what was obvious (signs, wonders, powers) to what they were content with (oh, that’s just Jesus, who does he think he is?)

v. 3 Still they were offended by him and said, “Isn’t this just Mary’s son, the carpenter? Isn’t this the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t all his sisters right here?”

This is assumption by associate that Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah. He is too “known” – that leads to the proverb Jesus quotes. As if to say, we know too much about you to let you be something more than what we’ve always known. He’s just a “commoner” in their eyes. The truth is, Jesus was always more than they saw or believed.

The term is skandalon as they were made to stumble; they were offended. This is interesting since Jesus the carpenter likely worked with stone and other building materials. He may have worked with Joseph to do work on the very synagogue they met in. 1 Peter talks about stumbling over the very rock upon which our security and salvation should be built.

Jesus’ family shows up earlier seeking to take him home from the crowds. Even his mother was puzzled about his life and sought to protect him. And at least some of his brothers were there in the synagogue and didn’t seem to defend him.

vv. 4-5 Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored, except in his hometown and among his relatives and friends.” And he was not able to do many miracles except for healing a few people that he laid hands on.

Again, “powers,” but not many because of the absence of faith. The miraculous work of the Kingdom is dependent on faith from some quarter.

In his own family or house, among his own people, they made him to be the stumbling block to faith. Keep in mind that his brothers were likely in the congregation listening, and they didn’t even have his back.

v. 6 Still, he was astonished by their lack of faith. And he went to the villages around there and continued to teach.

Jesus walked out of Nazareth, it would seem from the Gospel accounts, for the last time. He stopped in at the villages around there and it seems that he makes his way back toward his disciples. Perhaps, considering the expanded ministry that was ahead of them and in his plans, Jesus allowed the some of the Twelve to rest up, see their families and friends, and prepare for his message to gather – which came in the next verse.

The division of this is right in the middle of the verse. He was astonished. Then he began his next ministry excursion into Galilee and beyond, doing exactly what he would in the next verses send the Twelve to do.

v. 7-9 And he gathered the Twelve and began to send them out in two’s and gave them charge over impure spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the road beyond their walking stick and shoes, no extra shirt, no full wallet, food, or backpack.

Jesus connected however they did so back then with the Twelve, gathered with them, gave them instructions (Matthew covers this the best), and sent them out in different directions. The goals were: 1) live by faith, 2) build relationships that last, 3) test the message with a call to repent to see who was ready, 4) bring evidence of the Kingdom with healing and freedom, 5) learn, 6) report back in for the celebration.

The walking stick was for both protection from animals and for stability along the road. The wallet was what they shouldn’t depend on. The backpack should be left at home. Extra food was left behind, too, as this was a hospitality culture.

The demonized were no threat to them as they walked together with another and in the power of the Kingdom. They were given authority, or charge, over any evil or impure spirit and could and did send them “packing” as The Message says.

Illustration: Due due in Italian. Two two. In Greek duo duo.

That he began to send them out indicates that he started this process that would continue as a part of his training. He sent them and continues to send them. He empowers them and continues to empower them.

Here is one of the frequent “contradictions” that sometimes crop up in disputes about the efficacy of Scripture. Mark says take the staff you have; Matthew and Luke say don’t take a staff. The resolution is found in Mark: don’t go out a get a staff if you don’t already have one; but if you do, take it. In other words, no special preparation for this excursion: no extra food, no extra shirt or shoes, not even a staff if you didn’t already have one.

vv. 10-11 Also, he told them that whenever you enter a household, stay there until you decide it’s time to leave that place. But, in like manner, when you decide an area will neither accept you nor listen to you, leave, wipe your hands clean of them and shake even the dust from your shoes as proof against them. I firmly say to you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah when the day of justice comes than it will be for that town.

The term “come into a house” intimates that they would enter into the family experience. Our perspective, since we are not such a hospitality-oriented culture, is that they had to “go looking” for someone who might perhaps take them in. The culture was really a reverse of this. Families in a village would see a visitor near the end of the day and they would take turns inviting that visitor to stay with them. The two disciples didn’t go door-to-door hoping to find someone gracious enough to put them up; they were seen, and they were invited.

In Jesus’ point-of-view, this would happen, that is, until the ones offering hospitality found out they were His followers and brought a message of repentance. Then, they might be rejected. If this happened, he wanted his disciples to leave behind any bitterness or animosity by washing their hands of the village, shaking the dust off the bottoms of their feet, brushing the dust from their clothes, and moving on. The Father would see this as would the townspeople as a rebuke of the village.

vv. 12-13 And as they went out, they declared to the people that they should repent; they sent many demons where they belong and anointed many who were sick and healed them.

The disciples would use oil to place on a sick person as a tangible sign of the Kingdom’s presence and evidence of the remaining work the Kingdom brings. When the Kingdom presence is there to heal, healing happens. The person doesn’t get sick again when they don’t “feel” the Presence. A lot we can learn. The Kingdom is not at the Father’s whim; he is intentional and willing as we ask, believe, turn to Him, and pray.

The demons were “cast out” – that is, they left the person in bondage and went where the belonged.

Again, proclamation affirmed by demonstration.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes Mark 3:7-19

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT – Pastor Rick’s Translation)

vv. 7-8 And Jesus withdrew to the sea along with his disciples, but a great throng joined him from Galilee as well as from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, all the way from the other side of the Jordan and as far away as Tyre and Sidon; many people came to him, having heard the things he was doing.

vv. 9-10 And he directed his disciples to have a boat at the ready for him so that the throng might not crush against him; for he had healed so many that those who were suffering and sick were pressing against him trying to touch him.

vv. 11-12 And when the evil spirits saw him, they knelt before him and cried aloud declaring, “You are the Son of God.” And Jesus censured them all so that they would not make him known.

v. 13 Soon after, Jesus went up on the mountainside; and then he called to himself those he determined to be with him, and they joined him.

vv. 14-15 And he designated twelve whom he would call his apostles so that they could be with him as his followers, and so that he might send them out to proclaim the Good News and to have authority to send demons where they belong.

vv. 16-17 And he designated the Twelve and included in their number Simon Peter, and James, Zebedee’s son, and his brother John, whom he nicknamed Boanerges, or Thunder-sons.

vv. 18-19 Also, he included Andrew, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Alphaeus’ son, then Thaddeus and Simon the Zealot, and also Judas Iscariot who later betrayed him.

First impressions:

Just like with Matthew in the previous chapter, each person Jesus called uniquely brings who they are, what they’ve experienced, how the relate to each other, and where they excel or fall short. Each person in this set of 12 is there for a reason, they are there because they said yes to Jesus, they are there due to a personal specific invitation by name from God, and they were all asking the question “why me?”

Another Gospel account says Jesus went up to the mountain to pray. He drew away to a lonely place once again to be with his Father.

What uniquely identified each disciple? And each apostle? How they came to Jesus, how they needed him, where they ended up?

Illustration: The Roma revival in Romania led to 75% of the city in worship and where nearly all the bars shut down. And this in a region where alcoholism is devastating, especially among men.

Illustration: The Revival in the coal mines of England. When George Whitfield preached to the coal miners in Bristol, each saw the need for a doctor because he or she was sick, for a savior for each knew the sin that only a savior could forgive. Whitfield, while preaching on top of a rock to 10’s of thousands, said the streams of tears pours from eyes and cut a path down the coal-blackened faces.

Illustration: The fingerprint has been used for over a century to detect the presence of a criminal at the scene of a crime. Like the fingerprint, our voiceprint, retina imprint scan, and even our toe print each are unique to us and can be used to identify us. Did you know that even our kiss print is unique to each of us? They don’t use this in CSI since most criminal don’t use their lips in the act. God has made each unique:

  1. Unique blending of gifts, passions, talents and experiences.
  2. Unique nexus with people who they relate to.
  3. Unique calling to walk the path and reach the potential in the journey with Jesus.

Illustration. How many indicators does fb use to build a person’s profile and target his or her potential? Did you know that you have at least 52,000 aspects that make you unique? At least FB thinks so. 52,000 data points that their algorithms collect information on.

Verse by Verse:

vv. 7-8 And Jesus withdrew to the sea along with his disciples, but a great throng joined him from Galilee as well as from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, all the way from the other side of the Jordan and as far away as Tyre and Sidon; many people came to him, having heard the things he was doing.

How big a territory did this the throng come from? What did they have in common? 100 or more miles away, from the desert to the sea, from villages to walled cities. Like chapter two says, they knew they needed a doctor, a savior.

vv. 9-10 And he directed his disciples to have a boat at the ready for him so that the throng might not crush against him; for he had healed so many that those who were suffering and sick were pressing against him trying to touch him.

Interesting that, before this Jesus spoke in the synagogues. Now the living room and the boat became his places to proclaim the Good News.

The multitude or crowd pressed against each other and Jesus. He wanted to be able to continue to proclaim and demonstrate the Kingdom but couldn’t for the crush.

They weren’t dangerous except in their desperation. They weren’t out to get Jesus; only to get what Jesus brought hope to them that they might receive.

The word for sick is the word for plague, stricken with deep suffering, as if they had been whipped by the enemy with a scourge or cat-o-nine-tails.

vv. 11-12 And when the evil spirits saw him, they knelt before him and cried aloud declaring, “You are the Son of God.” And Jesus censured them all so that they would not make him known.

Each time a demon recognized Jesus, they submitted before him and declared who he was. Each time, Jesus censured the spirit and closed its mouth.

This was a continuous action account. The demons would see him, they would fall down before the King of Kings and he would admonish them to silence over and over, one at a time.

The word can be censured or demanded or admonished them to be quiet.

v. 13 Soon after, Jesus went up on the mountainside; and then he called to himself those he determined to be with him, and they joined him.

Prior to this, the organization needed to train a group to take his teaching further had not formed. Here was a pivotal decision. Of course, Jesus would need to spend time with the Father before initiating this brilliant plan. The Twelve, His Apostles.

Some say he invited a group from the throng to join him on the mountainside; then spent the night in prayer and invited twelve to be with him and to be trained.

vv. 14-15 And he designated twelve whom he would call his apostles so that they could be with him as his followers, and so that he might send them out to proclaim the Good News and to have authority to send demons where they belong.

With Him, Sent from Him. Both are needed to do what Jesus did and complete the mission. Though we might relish lingering in God’s presence in worship, prayer, His refreshing presence; we go out, engage the enemy in prayer, and bring the values of the Kingdom to lives.

vv. 16-17 And he designated the Twelve and included in their number Simon Peter, and James, Zebedee’s son, and his brother John, whom he nicknamed Boanerges, or Thunder-sons.

The apostles often show up in threes and fours. In this case Peter/James/John, Andrew/Phillip/Bartholomew (also known as Nathaniel), Matthew (also known as Levi)/Thomas/James, and Thaddeus (also known as Jude or Judas)/Simon/Judas Iscariot.

Boanerges means sons of thunder or sons of tumult.

vv. 18-19 Also, he included Andrew, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Alphaeus’ son, then Thaddeus and Simon the Zealot, and also Judas Iscariot who later betrayed him.

Matthew is the same person who was Levi in the previous chapter who lived in the booth but never experienced the journey, till now. Thaddeus is also called Judas or Jude. Bartholomew is also known as Nathaniel. Like every culture, friends call friends by different names and nicknames.

Sitting Down with the Enemy

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How often do you and I get a chance to do life with someone from another world? This week’s outreach project with the All Nations Cafe reminded me that many of us don’t often get opportunities to sit down, eye-to-eye, with people not like us. We served and had lunch with Columbians, Ecuadorians, Romanians and Belarusians. We heard their stories, shared ours and began the conversations about God when we the door opened. Each week they come, the conversation goes deeper.

I had another conversation some time ago with someone else connected with the All Nations Cafe – a young Muslim man from the Mediterranean region. He, like thousands other 20-somethings from all over the globe, came to the Beach to work in the service industry a few months, make money, meet people, and see America.

His nation and ours don’t see things the same. In fact, some would say we are enemies.

He stopped by to return the bike he’d gotten early in the summer and he joined our circle of conversation about Jesus. We heard his story, his dreams for his own life and his family back home, and how he missed his culture but would miss ours, too.

We, in turn, shared the Good News of the Kingdom – how God had loved us enough to invite us into a love relationship with His Son Jesus, how we had experienced His mercy and grace through our faith in what He accomplished on the cross, and that we believed God sent him to turn in his bike at the right moment for us to pray with him.

And we did. We prayed for his family, his travels, his nation, and most of all, for his salvation. As we soaked him in prayer, he soaked it up.

We invited this young man into the family that Jesus is building, one repentant life at a time.

The Gospels speak of “kairos” moments – when the Father brings us into his work in a nexus of His purpose, our willing service, and someone’s need. He gave us a “kairos” moment that day – not with the enemy, but with someone who is loved by the Father and invited to the table of grace in Jesus.

Thank you, Father, for my friend who I pray now sees you call to him to salvation and serving Jesus.

Thank you, also, Renovation Vineyard, for stepping out in faith this week at the cafe and around the Grand Strand, looking to the Father for that “Kairos” moment He invited you to step into.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes on Mark 1:1-15

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Pastor Rick’s Study notes:

Mark 1:1-15 (PRT – Pastor Rick’s Translation)

v. 1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the son of God. As v. 2 it has been written recorded in Isaiah’s book, “See this, I send my messenger before you who will prepare the way for you.” v. 3 “the voice of one crying in the desert places, prepare the way of the Lord; make straight and level His path. v. 4 John came baptizing in the desert places and announcing a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. v. 5 And all from the region of Judea and from Jerusalem went out to him and, confessing their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River. v. 6 And John was dressed in camel’s hair clothing with a leather belt around his waist living on locusts and wild honey. v. 7 And he preached, saying “He who comes after me is mightier than me, for whom I am not worthy to bend down and untie his shoestrings.” v. 8 “I baptized you with water; but beyond this, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” v. 9 And it happened, that in those days of John’s preaching and baptizing, Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee came and was baptized by John in the Jordan. v. 10 And straight away, in that moment, as Jesus was rising up from the waters, he saw the heavens splitting open and the Spirit in the form of a dove descending to rest on him. v. 11 “You are my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well-pleased,” came a voice out of the heavenlies. v. 12 And straight away, in that moment, the Spirit compels him deeper into the desert places. v. 13 And for forty days, Jesus was in the desert places being tempted by Satan and he was with the wild animals and the angels served him. v. 14 And after John’s surrendering over to custody, Jesus came into Galilee announcing the Good News of God. v. 15 And he proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is near; repent and believe the Good News.”

v. 1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the son of God. As…

STUDY NOTES:

Mark’s account of the good news first declares that Jesus of Nazareth is both Messiah and son of God. The King who came and God with us.

v. 2 it has been written recorded in Isaiah’s book, “See this, I send my messenger before you who will prepare the way for you.”

The story of the Bible has been leading up to this point, to the time when the Father would send one to prepare the way for His Son. The creation. The Fall. The flourishing of man. The Family of Israel. The Judges. The King. The Division. The Captivity. All the Prophets throughout. All pointed to the Redemption and the Restoration the Good News brings.

v. 3 “the voice of one crying in the desert places, prepare the way of the Lord; make straight and level His path.

This passage is a royal welcome passage. Get the worn-out paths wide and level; prepare each step of the way so that the welcome celebration can happen. Why in the desert? Why does it start with John? Each Gospel writer began at a difference point of reference: Matthew with the genealogy to show the Jews that Jesus fit the prophecies, Luke with the birth of John as the miraculously sent forerunner, John with the pre-incarnate Christ. Mark with the message of John that sets the stage for Jesus.

With John’s quote here, the verses hearken to when this was originally spoken – to prepare the captives in Babylon for God’s intervention and nearness to rescue. A prophet’s words often have both near and far meanings.

v. 4 John came baptizing in the desert places and announcing a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

It could be “toward freedom or release from sin’s bondage.” He baptized to announce freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin was possible based on a heart that renounced and turned away from sin. This prepares the heart for restoration and redemption through the Good News of the Kingdom. Note that John preached the Kingdom come near; to preach the Kingdom present is reserved for King Jesus and His followers. John “came” – the word has a meaning of high importance, epochal.

John was baptizing Jews as if they were foreigners needing to enter the Kingdom of God. All of us need to repent, be baptized as a picture of this repentance, and see God’s hand of forgiveness.

v. 5 And all from the region of Judea and from Jerusalem went out to him and, confessing their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

This would put much of John’s ministry nearer to Jerusalem and Bethany than to Capernaum in Galilee. Did everyone? Not a literal “all” but all heard, and a steady stream of people entered the waters upon turning from sin and making the heart change of repentance. Certainly, all means all strata of the culture came to John’s baptism; tax gatherers, centurions, religions, businessmen, fishermen, rich and poor, etc.

v. 6 And John was dressed in camel’s hair clothing with a leather belt around his waist living on locusts and wild honey.

Quite the contrast from all other rabbinical lifestyles, John lived on what he found in the desert. The original bohemian lifestyle, a mashup of Essene, prophet, and Bedouin.

v. 7 And he preached, saying “He who comes after me is mightier than me, for whom I am not worthy to bend down and untie his shoestrings.”

The lowest of servants in a large household got the task of unstrapping guests’ sandals after their trek through the city and town streets filled with dust, refuse, and animal droppings. It was a lowly job; and John was not even that worthy. Let’s see how we feel doing that for a day. His perspective was spot-on. He is Lord of all, and we are not worthy; we are in by grace alone. And did Jesus find it the right illustration to do the same for each person in his circle of disciples – even the ones who doubted, denied, and betrayed him.

v. 8 “I baptized you with water; but beyond this, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

What was the Baptizer’s pneumatology? What did he mean? I’m guessing that, on this side of the Pentecost outpouring, John saw prophetically the redeemed inundated with and immersed in the present and consuming Spirit that filled him when he preached. Both are needed. Often, one is emphasized over the other.

v. 9 And it happened, that in those days of John’s preaching and baptizing, Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee came and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Jesus broke into the great work John was doing by humbly submitting to and sanctioning John’s baptism as a valid ministry that prepared people to receive the King. He came from a town so redneck that the normal rednecks laughed at it. A town that didn’t even warrant a mention in the Old Testament. It was a one-flashing stoplight town.

v. 10 And straight away, in that moment, as Jesus was rising up from the waters, he saw the heavens splitting open and the Spirit in the form of a dove descending to rest on him.

And let the “in that moment’s” begin, with the falling of the Spirit like a dove to rest on Jesus. The picture is incredibly vivid. John takes Jesus under the water and, just as the water clears Jesus’ eyes, the Father splits the heavenlies, opens the space between temporal and eternal, and sends in the form of a dove, the Spirit of God to rest on His Son. Father, Son, Spirit all declaring “in that moment.” Look up heavenlies in Ephesians (ouranon). In Ephesians, “heavenlies is “epiouranon” – that heaven above the heavens. God split open like a curtain the divide that separates the physical from the eternal, the earthly from the heavenly, and Jesus and John both at least saw the “heavenlies” that Paul writes of in Ephesians.

How many times does Mark use “straight away” or “immediately?” As many as 44 or more.

This is the same word used for splitting the curtain in the temple and letting us see into the holy places.

John saw this, too, as the Gospel of John records. So, the heavenlies were made visible from earth for Jesus and John to both see and hear what the Father was doing.

v. 11 “You are my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well-pleased,” came a voice out of the heavenlies.

Jesus had not performed a miracle, preached a message, or begun a public ministry; he had satisfied the Father’s longing before a single act or word that would set his ministry apart. When we are satisfying to the Father, we serve well; we don’t serve to satisfy the Father. The Beloved = His own dear son.

Three times the Father breaks in with His voice – here, at the transfiguration and in the Temple after he cleanses it and declares “It’s time.”

v. 12 And straight away, in that moment, the Spirit compels him deeper into the desert places.

The same Spirit of God who affirmed Him now tests Him. Jesus is compelled further into the deserted places toward the Dead Sea. This is the place the OT calls the Desolation or Horrible Desolation.

The word here is the same as the Spirit compelling workers into the harvest.

v. 13 And for forty days, Jesus was in the desert places being tempted by Satan and he was with the wild animals and the angels served him.

The angels kept him safe, served him by providing drink and encouragement. They served like deacons to the point of need Jesus had. Desert places find a significant place in the story of the Good News and the story of God’s kids. We find victory in the midst of temptation; we find nourishment; we hear from God; we see angels.

1 John 3:8 Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil. His first work after his baptism and infilling was to face the enemy in the desert places.

v. 14 And after John’s surrendering over to custody, Jesus came into Galilee announcing the Good News of God.

Did John have to leave the scene in order for Jesus to step into the Good News of the Kingdom? John was placed in the dungeons of Herod. Jesus preaches the Good News on the heels of John’s repentance message. They go hand-in-hand. Good News is just that for those who turn from a “me-centered life” toward a Jesus-centered life.

Between vv. 13 and 14, a lot happens. Jesus has met his first disciples, gone to a wedding in Cana, visited Jerusalem, met Nicodemus, purged the Temple the first time, and met the woman at the well on the way back to Galilee.

v. 15 And he proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is near; repent and believe the Good News.”

The Kairos has filled up and, in that moment, the Kingdom has come near. Our response is to repent and throw ourselves into the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of time came, God sent His Son Jesus.

Speak about time chronos, Kairos, etc. The perfect moment.

I’ve begun a series called Book-by-Book. This is a Chapter-by-chapter series.

In relation to time. Jesus in Mark 1 declared about the Kingdom present, “it’s here,” in John 12 declared about the Kingdom victory through the Cross, “it’s time,” and on the Cross in Luke about the Kingdom redemption and restoration, “it’s finished.”