Tag Archives: Spirituality

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 11:15-18

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Pastor Rick’s Translation: Mark 11:15-18 (PRT)

v. 15 When they arrived in Jerusalem  and was going through the Temple, Jesus began to drive out those busy peddling their wares and doing business buying and selling in this sacred place. And he flipped over the tables of the currency exchange rate dealers and benches of the sacrificial dove hucksters.

v. 16 And he would not give space for anyone to carry their goods through the Temple.

v. 17 Then, he taught them and said: “Has it not been written, ‘My house will bear the name House of Prayer for all tribes and nations; but you have turned it into a safe house for robbers and gangsters.”

v. 18 And the chief priests and religious legal experts heard this and they plotted how they might kill him; for they all feared him because they saw the crowd was amazed at Jesus’ teaching.

Study Notes:

v. 15 When they arrived in Jerusalem  and was going through the Temple, Jesus began to drive out those busy peddling their wares and doing business buying and selling in this sacred place. And he flipped over the tables of the currency exchange rate dealers and benches of the sacrificial dove hucksters.

The passage prior is the physical “parable” Jesus presented with the fig tree with plenty of show, but no fruit, and its subsequent removal from the fruit-bearing stage. This fig tree near Bethphage (“the place of the winter fig” is what its name means) showed all potential through its “profession” to have fruit, but with no performance. Jesus proclaims through his actions what the national order of Israel had adopted: many words, but no fruit.

Jesus then faces the display of this very loud and physical activity of “profession” without producing fruit in the Temple. As Jesus walked through the courtyard known as the “outer court” or the “Court of the Nations,” he saw a return to the cacophony of a marketplace that had supplanted the purpose of the court – a place of prayer for all nations.

And in the progression of walking through, he became zealous once more for the place which His Father designated for His purpose usurped by greed and evil. There were people peddling their wares at tables and booths where the holy act of seeking the Father’s will and presence should hold sway.

The money changers were there first to give a way for pilgrims to pay their share, but it  had to be in temple tender. The dove and animal traders maintained a spot where they would sit on a bench with animals and cages awaiting purchasers. Fraud and price gauging were common. Still, this is neither a condemnation of capitalism as some might hold, nor a judgment of churches who ask for a donated price for a coffee mug or t-shirt; it is a condemnation of a religious culture that has supplanted the purpose of God’s people and their worship and prayer with schemes that push God’s purposes to the margin.

On top of all this, the Court of the Nations had become a market short-cut for loads of supplies, goods, and animals. You can see and hear (and smell) the scene! The press, the noise, the odor of animals and the travelers replaced the scent of worship, the sweet sound of prayer, and the weighty presence of God’s glory.


Jesus had enough.

v. 16 And he would not give space for anyone to carry their goods through the Temple.

And he shut down the corridors and pushed them to return to their normal paths of merchandise outside the courtyard.

v. 17 Then, he taught them and said: “Has it not been written, ‘My house will bear the name House of Prayer for all tribes and nations; but you have turned it into a safe house for robbers and gangsters.”

The temple is a place not “of” but “for” prayer for every tribe, language, culture, and geography; that God-fearers might seek the Father.

Instead, it has become a safe house for brigands, usurers, and gangsters in league with the cartel of priests, animal merchandisers, and money brokers.

v. 18 And the chief priests and religious legal experts heard this and they plotted how they might kill him; for they all feared him because they saw the crowd was amazed at Jesus’ teaching.

The result is reinforced that Jesus has to go. This man, this single person, must be sacrificed for the good of the nation of Israel (e.g. the established money-making scheme and the status quo); hence the “prophecy” of the High Priest that “validated” Jesus’ murder.

Because the people hung on Jesus words, the religious ruling class was cautious in proceeding in the plot to kill Jesus. The words mean a continuous action of plotting and conniving and watching in order to accomplish what was in their hearts.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 10:13-16

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Mark 10:13-16 (PRT)

v. 13 And they brought little children to Jesus so that he might hold them; however, the disciples blocked them.

v. 14 Then they saw that Jesus was deeply displeased, and he said to them, “Make it easy for the little children to come to me; don’t stand in their way, for the Kingdom of God is here for people just like this.

v. 15 “I say to you, in all truth, whoever does not embrace the Kingdom of God as a little child will not step foot inside the Kingdom.”

v. 16 And after embracing the children and placing his hands on them, he celebrated them with blessings.

Notes:

v. 13 And they brought little children to Jesus so that he might hold them; however, the disciples blocked them.

The wording seems to indicate that the mothers kept bringing in succession their babies to Jesus for a blessing. And the disciples saw this as an interruption. These are little toddlers and infants that would crawl into laps or need tender holding. Imagine Jesus down in the dirt playing with a toddler or cradling carefully the head of an infant whom the parents laid in his arms for a blessing.

The word for hold is the same for touch tenderly or lay hands on. It can be hold or lay hands upon. In fact, Matthew spells this out: Jesus placed his hands on each child and blessed him or her. It’s an interesting juxtaposition in this: the tradition is that mothers would seek out the synagogue or temple leaders for a blessing. The blessing would invoke the Father to “make the child famous in the Law, faithful in marriage, and abundant in good works.” Here, the word is  masculine, so at least some of the dads had turned to Jesus instead. And he blesses each with the Father’s love in similar ways. Would that the Gospel writers had included this blessing in the text!

v. 14 Then they saw that Jesus was deeply displeased, and he said to them, “Make it easy for the little children to come to me; don’t stand in their way, for the Kingdom of God is here for people just like this.

Keep in mind that, just a short time before, Jesus reminded the disciples of the importance of children in the Kingdom.  And here they are again in need of the reminder. In fact, in Mark 9, children and our ability, willingness, and level of faith is illustrated by how readily children were to trust Jesus (and receive him.)

In Mark 9, Jesus affirmed the value of a child and how receiving him or her in Jesus’ name is like embracing Jesus. In Mark 10, Jesus affirms the value of the simplicity of faith, the position of “yes-ness” and receptivity to the gift of grace through Jesus that children have. How excited a child gets when they are offered a gift! No push back or analysis. Just, yes.

A child is dependent, vulnerable, of no apparent value to the culture. Yet, Jesus embraces. We come needy, dependent, and bring nothing but our worst. It’s a simple faith.

Some translations say Jesus was “indignant” – a similar word to “not pleased” with a motivation to express it. He didn’t choose to “look displeased’ but acted on what stirred this inside him. But the disciples saw it!

The “Kingdom of God is here – the word “here” is derived from the “exist” or “to be” but in this case, is present, here, or belongs to the moment.

In this passage, Jesus is responding to the disciples who were considering the moms and the babies an “interruption.” But Jesus takes this teaching toward a universal principle. Not only should we make it easy for children to say yes to Jesus; but if we stand in the way, if we hinder them, we are culpable in their eternity. Parents live your lives in a way that your children are not just encouraged to say yes to Jesus but aren’t discouraged. Make your life count so that your children will look at you and want the faith you embraced, and not be blocked by a life that “stands in the way” of the Kingdom’s activity in their lives.

Jesus sees us with eyes of grace; but when we stray or miss the mark, He is displeased with the action or pattern. He loves unconditionally; but He longs for our spiritual growth and health.

Most translations use the term “such as these” – it means that we, and not just children, enter into the blessings of the Kingdom with a simple, spontaneous, trust in the person, nature, gift and presence of Jesus, unfazed by sophisticated paths. Simple and uncomplicated. It’s a surrender, just like a little child’s raised arms to the Father.

v. 15 “I say to you, in all truth, whoever does not embrace the Kingdom of God as a little child will not step foot inside the Kingdom.”

The word “embrace” here is to “take for oneself” or to “receive or welcome.”  Though it’s not the same word, I see it as a parallelism to the next verse. He teaches – “embrace the Kingdom in simplicity and trust;” then he demonstrates it and celebrates it with the children in his arms and the mothers who are waiting nearby.

Embrace is represented by a passive and accepting posture; step foot inside, or enter, represents the active posture. We receive and we enter into God’s grace and Kingdom.

Demonstrates the potential of a simple abandonment to faith for a lifetime. It’s a celebration of blessing.

v. 16 And after embracing the children and placing his hands on them, he celebrated them with blessings.

This became the illustration of his teaching. Get out of their way and encourage the children (and their parents) to come to me. And the rest of the day, moms and dads came to Jesus with their babies for blessings, prayer, and celebration.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 9:29-41

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(PRT) Pastor Rick’s Translation

v. 29  And Jesus explained to them, this sort leaves only by prayer. v. 30-31 They left from there and passed through Galilee; but he didn’t want anyone to know they were there, because he was teaching his disciples. He explained plainly to them: “The Son of Man will be delivered into the power of men who will kill him; but after he is put to death, he will rise to life. v. 32 But they did not comprehend this message, and were afraid to ask him about it. v. 33-34 And he arrived at the house in Capernaum, and Jesus asked them: “What were you arguing about on our way here?” But they had nothing to say about one another since, along the road, they had been debating who out of all of them was the greatest. v. 35 Then he sat down and called the Twelve to gather around, and said to them: “If anyone longs to be first, he will choose to take last place and begin serving everyone else.” v. 36-37 And he took a child’s hand, and bringing him into the middle of the disciples, embraced him. Then Jesus taught them this: “Whoever chooses to take a little child’s hand and receives him in my name,  receives me. And anyone who chooses not to receive me, also choose to not receive the one who sent me.” v. 38 And John said to him: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out evil spirits in your name; but he is not walking with us; so we excluded and blocked him because he was not with us.” v. 39-40 Then Jesus commanded them: “Do not exclude and block him for no one will do powerful works in my name and, in the next breath, disparage me. For whoever is not against us is for us. v. 41 “Whoever chooses to give you a cup in my name filled with water to drink because you belong to Christ, with certainty, I tell you that he will in no way lose his reward.”

Study Notes:

v. 29  And Jesus explained to them, this sort leaves only by prayer

v. 30-31 They left from there and passed through Galilee; but he didn’t want anyone to know they were there, because he was teaching his disciples. He explained plainly to them: “The Son of Man will be delivered into the power of men who will kill him; but after he is put to death, he will rise to life.

He explained as a regular point of his teaching the kerygma.

v. 32 But they did not comprehend this message, and were afraid to ask him about it.

This message is radically different from what they expected from the Messiah. One of the reasons for regular teaching on this is so they will get it. They thought it “the Kingdom” would be set up soon and that’s a reason to jockey for the best positions when it happens.

v. 33-34 And he arrived at the house in Capernaum, and Jesus asked them: “What were you arguing about on our way here?” But they had nothing to say about one another since, along the road, they had been debating who out of all of them was the greatest.

They arrived after a quiet journey (the disciples were steamed at one another and embarrassed by their self-centeredness.

v. 35 Then he sat down and called the Twelve to gather around, and said to them: “If anyone longs to be first, he will choose to take last place and begin serving everyone else.”

v. 36-37 And he took a child’s hand, and bringing him into the middle of the disciples, embraced him. Then Jesus taught them this: “Whoever chooses to take a little child’s hand and receives him in my name,  receives me. And anyone who chooses not to receive me, also choose to not receive the one who sent me.”

Look how much teaching Jesus does without words. He sits down. He invites the twelve to join him. He sees a child and takes him by the hand and stands him right in the middle. He embraces this child. Then he talks.

In my name… the first in this passage. We embrace the forgotten and the weak in Jesus’ name.

v. 38 And John said to him: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out evil spirits in your name; but he is not walking with us; so we excluded and blocked him because he was not with us.”

Who would be using Jesus’ name to dispel darkness? This would be someone who knows the owner of this name.

v. 39-40 Then Jesus commanded them: “Do not exclude and block him for no one will do powerful works in my name and, in the next breath, disparage me. For whoever is not against us is for us.

Don’t prevent or forbid them. It’s my name and my Kingdom being expanded.

v. 41 “Whoever chooses to give you a cup in my name filled with water to drink because you belong to Christ, with certainty, I tell you that he will in no way lose his reward.”

Receiving God’s grace takes a willingness, too.