Tag Archives: Kingdom of God

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 4:30-34

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(Pastor Rick’s Translation)

v. 30 Then Jesus said, “What can we compare the Kingdom of God to, and what illustration can we draw a parallel with?”

v. 31-32 It’s like the mustard seed, the smallest seed in all the world, when it has been sown in the earth, it springs up and becomes bigger and taller than all the plants in the garden and produces great branches so that the birds of the sky can perch under its shade.

v. 33 And with many parables and illustrations like this, he taught them the word to the level they were able to understand.

v. 34 Indeed, he did not speak to them unless it was with parables; however, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything. (PRT)

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

First impressions:

The village of Capernaum was rich with illustrations: both agrarian and fishing became his canvas. Here, and elsewhere, we see Jesus picking up the images of seeds, weeds, planting and reaping. The one seed is significant in the Good News because of:

  • Potential – The Good News spreads because of the power resident inside it
  • Portability – The Kingdom goes everywhere because we represent Him everywhere.
  • Possibility – Seeds multiply.
  • One person, one invitation, one prayer, one truth shared.

v. 30 Then Jesus said, “What can we compare the Kingdom of God to, and what illustration can we draw a parallel with?”

Parallelism. Compare, illustrate. The word means to lay alongside another thing. Hence, parallel. Jesus wants us to understand the Kingdom of God. It is not like an earthly kingdom that needs a great army, huge budget, great egos; it is an invisible kingdom made up of many who are willing to die, to risk, to lose themselves for the sake of the King.

v. 31-32 It’s like the mustard seed, the smallest seed in all the world, when it has been sown in the earth, it springs up and becomes bigger and taller than all the plants in the garden and produces great branches so that the birds of the sky can perch under its shade.

“small as a mustard seed” was already a known comparison – anything small might be called this. In the south, knee-high to a grasshopper or sparse as hen’s teeth might fit.

Jesus here is turning a common phrase into an unforgettable principle. With God’s presence, even the smallest act in His name is sufficient to bring hope.

The seed dies.

The mustard seed isn’t the tiniest seed of all creation; but it is the smallest that a gardener in the region would plant. And for the gardener’s effort, a ten or twelve foot bush would grow with branches, shade, and sturdy trunk.

Birds of the heavens. Shadow is the word, but shade is what an animal might search for in the heat and sun.

v. 33 And with many parables and illustrations like this, he taught them the word to the level they were able to understand.

Keep in mind that this is not the “faith as a mustard seed” comparison. This is clearly a Kingdom comparison. The small, the unassuming, the invisible in willing obedience to the King grows to fill the skies.

Jesus, in John 16 even said to his own disciples, “I have many more things to share with you, but you can’t take it all in.”

Here, when talking with the crowds, he used illustrations alongside truth to draw them into understanding at the level they were able to. Keep in mind, the Holy Spirit had not come yet; it was the Presence of the Kingdom and the masterful teaching of the Rabbi-King that brought understanding and faith bloomed when it could.

v. 34 Indeed, he did not speak to them unless it was with parables; however, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything.

When Jesus withdrew with his disciples, his own, he explained. The word is epiluo – more loosing, he untangled the meaning, he unraveled the perplexed thoughts they had. He made sense of it all.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes – Mark 1:14-15, 35-39

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Pastor Rick’s Translation (PRT):

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. 35 And very early in the morning, a great while before the sun had risen, Jesus went out and turned aside to a solitary place and there was praying. v. 36 And Simon and those with him searched hard for him. v. 37 Then, after they found him, also said to him, “Everyone seeks you.” v. 38 Then, Jesus said to them, “Let’s take another way towards the towns nearby so that I might proclaim the Good News openly there; after all, it’s for this I have gone public. v. 39 And going from place-to-place all around Galilee he was preaching in their assemblies and sending demons where they belong.

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.

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.

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.”

v. 35 And very early in the morning, a great while before the sun had risen, Jesus went out and turned aside to a solitary place and there was praying.

This early morning prayer time is after a full day of ministry, teaching and demonstrating the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus has definitely entered the fray and stepped into what He came to do. Defeat the enemy, bring life and salvation to people.

For this area, deserted places were hard to find as most of the land around Capernaum was farmland. But Jesus turned aside from the path and found a deserted or isolated place.

That battle includes a time of refreshing as well as a time for intercession. Refreshing in the Father’s presence; intercession for the mission He will accomplish.

Jesus was able to leave the house in Capernaum – Simon Peter’s family home, since he also healed his wife’s mom, walk a distance toward the Sea of Galilee and find a deserted place in order to pray.

“And there, praying.” Instead of the more used “there he prayed” this captures that he spent an extended time praying. The verse indicates the “watch of 3 to 6 am.”

For Power and for Refreshing.

Jesus demonstrates the weapons of battle – prayer, fasting, and rest.

v. 36 And Simon and those with him searched hard for him.

The word for searched is “followed” but also with diligence, with intense pursuit. Hence “searched hard” for Him.  A possible translation might be “went after him with intense desire and effort” – but that’s too intense. Simon is likely telling the story to Mark as he writes. The success and popularity of the previous day needed to be exploited in his mind; Jesus however had a different plan and calling.

It’s the same word the Psalmist uses in Psalm 23 – surely goodness and mercy shall search hard after me.

In Peter’s defense, he knew there were many who would want to hear Jesus and needed to be healed.

v. 37 Then, after they found him, also said to him, “Everyone seeks you.”

v. 38 Then, Jesus said to them, “Let’s take another way towards the towns nearby so that I might proclaim the Good News openly there; after all, it’s for this I have gone public.

Jesus was there for Capernaum, but also for all the villages and towns around Galilee. This area of the Holy Lands had become quite the supplier for crops, animals, and manufacturing – so there were a lot of small villages who needed to hear the Good News and see Jesus demonstrate it through miracles and signs.

The words declare/proclaim/preach indicate publicly and openly; the phrase “for this is why I came forth” in light of this makes sense – it’s why I’ve gone public, stepped out of obscurity into the limelight.

v. 39 And going from place-to-place all around Galilee he was preaching in their assemblies and sending demons where they belong.

The word here is “cast out” (ekballo) as in, throw out from one place forcefully. It can also mean send away with a purpose or force. Jesus “sent demons packing” as Peterson translated. In other places he sent them from and to.

Jesus faced the worst in man and brought His best, the darkest and brought the light, the most infectious and repulsive and brought wholeness, life and freedom. In the final verses, Jesus faced what was arguably the worst someone could contract and suffer in the leprous man.

Leprosy was so bad that it became synonymous with the corruption of sin and hell. Lepers were forbidden to relate to others who were “clean” and had to exist outside of society and warn others lest they stumble into their midst.

Jesus broke all kinds of rules: he approached the leper, he communicated with the leper, he touched the leper, he was moved with compassion (some translations say “indignant”) that such a disease would cause such pain and the culture would allow such ostracism, and he healed him.

Then, he said, go and make the offerings and do what the culture we live in requires for the eight days to show you are healed as a “testimony to them” meaning the priests. It was the way he would enter back into worship and society. And since no one had ever been healed of leprosy, no priest had ever had to exact this offering from one healed.

The culture had labeled and identified people with leprosy by their malady. They were no longer people – they were lepers. What we experience, what we might suffer through, what we have battled, is not who we are – it might make us into what we become, but we are not wrapped up in the identity of “the leper.”

Two important beliefs surround this miracle:

  1. No one from Israel who had a long bout with leprosy had ever been healed (Elisha healed a Gentile military leader and God had used leprosy as a brief sign to the disobedient.) Leprosy had been named “punishment from the finger of God.” And the belief was that in order to be healed from leprosy, the Messiah would have to come and perform the miracle.
  2. That no one could touch a leper or anything unclean because the unclean would transfer to make the clean unclean.

Jesus changed all of this! He felt compassion for this man kneeling before Him. This was an incredible faith. The man was declaring that, if you can heal me, you indeed are Messiah.

Points to consider:

Who are you getting up early for? Who are you doing battle for? Who are you willing to entrust to the power of the spirit and move on for?  What are you facing that you need others to do battle for?