Tag Archives: Kingdom of Heaven

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 16:9-20

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT)

v. 9 Now, when Jesus was raised early on the first day of the week, he appeared first of all to Mary Magdalene, from who he had thrown out seven demons. vv. 10-11 She left there and told those who had been with Jesus and were now grieving and weeping; and they couldn’t believe that he was alive, even after hearing the news that she had seen him. vv. 12-13 And even after all this, two of them showed up and reported to the other disciples that while they were just now walking through the countryside, Jesus appeared to them in a different outward appearance; and they still didn’t believe it. v. 14 But not long afterwards, while the eleven were eating dinner, he showed up and then scolded them for their disbelief and hard-heartedness since they had not trusted those who had seen him risen from the dead. v. 15 Then he said to them: “As you journey into all the world, tell the whole creation the Good News. V 16 The ones who believe and are baptized will be saved; but the ones who remain unbelieving will be condemned.” vv. 17-18 Additionally, miraculous signs will show up around the ones who believe: in my name, they will throw out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will remove serpents with their hands; they will not be harmed even if they drink something deadly; and they will place their hands on the sick and they will be restored.” v. 19 Then, with all assurance, after speaking to them, Jesus was taken up into the heavens and then sat down at God’s right hand. v. 20 And they left there, declaring the Lord everywhere. The Lord was working through them and validating the word through accompanying miraculous signs. Amen.

Study Notes:

v. 9 Now, when Jesus was raised early on the first day of the week, he appeared first of all to Mary Magdalene, from who he had thrown out seven demons.

The rock removed wasn’t for Jesus to escape. The power to keep Jesus from corruption and decay and raise him from the dead wasn’t so weak that a rock would stop it. The rock was removed by the angel afterwards, so the women would see and have faith.

Jesus’ resurrection in v. 8 is framed by his crucifixion. His sacrificed life is integral to the new life we are given in Him.

There were two choices for Jesus being “not there:” His body was taken, or He rose from the dead. No other options are there.

In this summary verses of the telling of the story, Mary Magdalene returned to the sepulcher to try to make sense of all she’d discovered.  And Jesus appeared to her. (Confirmed by John 20.)

vv. 10-11 She left there and told those who had been with Jesus and were now grieving and weeping; and they couldn’t believe that he was alive, even after hearing the news that she had seen him.

This is confirmed in the other Gospels that they couldn’t wrap their minds around this story either. They were slow in coming to believe that Jesus was alive.

vv. 12-13 And even after all this, two of them showed up and reported to the other disciples that while they were just now walking through the countryside, Jesus appeared to them in a different outward appearance; and they still didn’t believe it.

These would be the two walking toward Emmaus to whom Jesus appeared. They rushed back to tell the disciples they had seen Jesus. In sync with the two witnesses, word comes back from others that Peter has seen Jesus, too. (Luke 24)

In his resurrected body, Jesus is the same, yet not the same. He is not subject to the rules we are. He appears as and when and through whatever closed door He wishes. And He does so in the next verse.

That Jesus appeared to a woman and to two who were not of the inner circle shows that status isn’t the qualifier. Each of us has this revealing of the truth and presence of Jesus in our salvation.

v. 14 But not long afterwards, while the eleven were eating dinner, he showed up and then scolded them for their disbelief and hard-heartedness since they had not trusted those who had seen him risen from the dead.

Mark names the new set of apostles minus Judas, The Eleven. They were known here in the context of the one absent but also by the rest remaining faithful and together.

Jesus shows up at dinner, calms their fears, shows them his wounds, has a bite. and calls them out for not believing Mary or the two from Emmaus (or even what has been prophesied – Luke 24).

v. 15 Then he said to them: “As you journey into all the world, tell the whole creation the Good News.

Even the ending of Mark 16:8 fulfills the three prophecies Jesus gave: 8:31, 9:31, 10:32-34. He will complete the work and hand off the work to tell everyone to us. Good News experienced and share in discipleship.

The whole creation contrasts with what Jesus sent them to do earlier as they went out in twos to the Jewish people. Now, all creation, Jews, Samaritans, and the nations.

V 16 The ones who believe and are baptized will be saved; but the ones who remain unbelieving will be condemned.”

This passage is interesting in including baptism in the numbers of the ones who are saved. This isn’t adding the act of baptism to make salvation happen. It is saying, “you believe and of course baptism what you do to show it” but if you don’t believe, of course you wouldn’t be baptized. If you believe, you are also baptized, and in community. The NT concept doesn’t entertain the loner Christian. Other Christians are our community; the ones we rely on, relate to.

vv. 17-18 Additionally, miraculous signs will show up around the ones who believe: in my name, they will throw out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will remove serpents with their hands; they will not be harmed even if they drink something deadly; and they will place their hands on the sick and they will be restored.”

All of this is witnessed in Acts but one: Philip, Paul, others threw demons out of people; Pentecost and the house of Cornelius prayed in new tongues; Paul shook the snake into the fire on the trip to Rome; numerous people were healed from the hands of the early church. Early church fathers tell us that John was poisoned as a way to dispatch him; but he lived.

v. 19 Then, with all assurance, after speaking to them, Jesus was taken up into the heavens and then sat down at God’s right hand.

This is the position of both authority and serving. The timing for His return is known only in the heavenlies. I remember the movies always had trouble making this real; how does one imagine what this was like? I will get to ask the disciples who were on the hillside watching this.

v. 20 And they left there, declaring the Lord everywhere. The Lord was working through them and validating the word through accompanying miraculous signs. Amen.

The main character in this passage is neither the angel resting with confidence on the bench to the right of where dead people lay, nor the women who come to anoint the body, nor the disciples, nor Peter. It is the culmination of the Good News of the Kingdom. It’s about Jesus just like it started with verse one: The Good News starts with Jesus; Our Hope begins here.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 6:30-56

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

First Reflections:

Jesus moved from crowd to solitary place throughout Mark. Both were essential to his strategy to bring the Kingdom. In the “One Boy” narrative, these two strategies collide. Jesus takes his disciples away to pour into them and the crowds run after him. The five loaves and two fish become a link between the small and insignificant and the big and grand, the simple and behind-the-scenes and the bigger than life.

How many excuses can the disciples make: too late, too remote, too little, too many, too expensive, too far for the markets, too tired, and my favorite. Not my responsibility; not my job?

The young boy’s response. Here’s what I’ve got!

(PRT) Pastor Rick’s Translation:

6:30 Then the apostles drew in tightly to Jesus and they reported all they had done and the things they had taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away with me to a quiet place and rest yourselves a little.” For many were coming and going so that the disciples had no opportunity to even eat. 33 But many in the crowd saw them leaving and, taking the trails from each town and village, they converged at that spot before the disciples arrived. 34 Then Jesus stepped out of the boat and saw the throng; and compassion welled up inside him for this great gathering because they were like a flock of sheep without the care of a shepherd. So, he began to teach them many things. 35-36 But by then, the hour was late, so the disciples came to him to remind him, “This place is desolate and it’s late in the day. Send them away so they might buy something to eat somewhere in the vicinity or villages.”

37 He answered them, “You give them something to eat.” But they said, “We could go to the market with several month’s wages and barely give this crowd any food.” 38 “See how many loaves you have,” He asks. And figuring it out, they said “Five, along with two fish.”

39-40 Then he directed them to have everyone sit down on the fields of green grass, group-by-group. And they sat down in bunches of fifties and hundreds. 41 And taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus blessed it. He then broke the loaves into pieces and portioned out the fish and gave them to the disciples so they could set it before all the people. 42 And all ate and were satisfied. 43-44 Then they collected the leftovers, filling a dozen hand baskets with bread and fish. And the total who ate was five thousand men.

45-46 And right afterwards, he urged his disciples to get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side towards Bethsaida while he wrapped things up with the crowd. And after sending them off, he turned aside toward the mountainside to pray. 47-48 When evening came and the boat was in the middle of the sea and he was alone and ashore, he saw them struggling at the oars because the treacherous wind was against them. And in the early pre-dawn hours, Jesus came near them walking on the sea intending to arrive close to them. 49-50 Then, seeing him walking on the sea, they feared he was a ghost and screamed aloud; for what they saw terrified them. And at that moment, Jesus reassured them and said, “Be brave. Don’t be afraid. It’s really me.” 51-52 And he climbed up into the boat with them, and the treacherous headwind stopped; and more than ever the disciples were extraordinarily perplexed; for they had not even processed the loaves-miracle with their dulled emotions.

53-54 And the sailed over to the shore and arrived at Gennesaret and set anchor. As soon as they climbed out of the boat the people recognized Jesus. 55-56 Word travelled throughout the region that Jesus was back, and wherever they heard he was, they carried the sick on pallets.  And no matter where he went – the villages, the cities, the fields or the marketplaces – they laid the feeble and sick prostrate before him and pleaded only to touch the edge of his clothes; and whoever touched him was healed.

v. 30 Then the apostles drew in tightly to Jesus and they reported all they had done and the things they had taught.

The disciples had a brief mission trip around the region and they came back to report. This was the next level of training Jesus insisted on; the disciples are Plan A.

The tone is present and together they themselves jockey for position around Jesus to tell their stories.

v. 31 And he said to them, “Come away with me to a quiet place and rest yourselves a little.” For many were coming and going so that the disciples had no opportunity to even eat.

The plan was to rest, hear the stories, refresh for the mission ahead, get ready for the Passover. And the crowds showed up.

v. 32 So they pulled away by boat to a secluded place to be by themselves.

Jesus moved from crowd to secluded throughout Mark. He knew his main impact was helping the disciples grow, gain skills, process what they were experiencing.

v. 33 But many in the crowd saw them leaving and, taking the trails from each town and village, they converged at that spot before the disciples arrived.

The verb could be “they out-went the disciples and Jesus.” Surprise. There they were sitting on the shore waiting on Jesus.

v. 34 Then Jesus stepped out of the boat and saw the throng; and compassion welled up inside him for this great gathering because they were like a flock of sheep without the care of a shepherd. So, he began to teach them many things.

This is the pattern, too. Jesus is moved by the hurts and lostness of people. He teaches; he heals.

vv. 35-36 But by then, the hour was late, so the disciples came to him to remind him, “This place is desolate and it’s late in the day. Send them away so they might buy something to eat somewhere in the vicinity or villages.”

The day was spent, the hour was inclining. Idiom.

v. 37 He answered them, “You give them something to eat.” But they said, “We could go to the market with several month’s wages and barely give this crowd any food.”

v. 38 “See how many loaves you have,” He asks. And figuring it out, they said “Five, along with two fish.”

John stresses they were barley loaves, not the fine stuff of upper class, and notes that mom packed it for the little boy.

vv. 39-40 Then he directed them to have everyone sit down on the fields of green grass, group-by-group. And they sat down in bunches of fifties and hundreds.

The imagery Mark uses here is that of a patchwork of flower beds. The colors of Middle East were out in full. They were in parties or bunches of 50’s and 100’s. Translation: garden beds, garden beds.

v. 41 And taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus blessed it. He then broke the loaves into pieces and portioned out the fish and gave them to the disciples so they could set it before all the people.

Like the father at the table with his children, he looked to heaven, said the blessing that a father would be accustomed to say, and God did the rest.

Jesus broke the bread in a verb that is instantaneous, and then continuously gave it to the disciples in a steady stream to give to 5000 men (and their family members.)

v. 42 And all ate and were satisfied.

There was a common belief that the Messiah would replicate in some way the miracles from heaven that Moses performed. The manna from heaven and the miracle of bread and fish parallel.

vv. 43-44 Then they collected the leftovers, filling a dozen hand baskets with bread and fish. And the total who ate was five thousand men.

The wicker baskets were normal food carriers like we might have for a picnic. It was designed to keep the food separate from the people pushing and bouncing around the crowds.

vv. 45-46 And right afterwards, he urged his disciples to get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side towards Bethsaida while he wrapped things up with the crowd. And after sending them off, he turned aside toward the mountainside to pray.

Some think that Jesus needed to be directly involved in helping the disciples get out of the crowd and get the crowd out of there because they were in a “messianic fervor” and would make Jesus, king.

vv. 47-48 When evening came and the boat was in the middle of the sea and he was alone and ashore, he saw them struggling at the oars because the treacherous wind was against them. And in the early pre-dawn hours, Jesus came near them walking on the sea intending to arrive close to them.

Jesus spent time with the Father on the hillside and then on the beach as he watched over the disciples’ progress.

vv. 49-50 Then, seeing him walking on the sea, they feared he was a ghost and screamed aloud; for what they saw terrified them. And at that moment, Jesus reassured them and said, “Be brave. Don’t be afraid. It’s really me.”

They weren’t sure who it was, but they didn’t think someone would be strolling by on the water. Sailors have all kinds of “myths” about phantasms on the water.

vv. 51-52 And he climbed up into the boat with them, and the treacherous headwind stopped; and more than ever the disciples were extraordinarily perplexed; for they had not even processed the loaves-miracle with their dulled emotions.

This is what happens when they don’t get time with Jesus in private conversations and a chance to process what was happening. They hadn’t even gotten a grip on the fish and loaves; and now Jesus walks on water, stills the waves.

vv. 53-54 And the sailed over to the shore and arrived at Gennesaret and set anchor. As soon as they climbed out of the boat the people recognized Jesus.

v. 55-56 Word travelled throughout the region that Jesus was back, and wherever they heard he was, they carried the sick on pallets.  And no matter where he went – the villages, the cities, the fields or the marketplaces – they laid the feeble and sick prostrate before him and pleaded only to touch the edge of his clothes; and whoever touched him was healed.

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.