Understanding Parables According to the Gospel of Mark: Chapters 1 to 8

By Dennis Herman

The Bible becomes an easy book to understand once you learn to use techniques Jesus taught. This book explains how Jesus taught in simple terms a child can understand. Jesus used effective methods of repetition and personal experience to teach His disciples. The same methods have been used in classrooms all over the world. Theology adopted the same simple methods, but applied technical terms few people understand. We need to go back to the original terms and methods Jesus explained.

In Mark chapter 4, Jesus promised His disciples if they understood the parable of the farmer sowing seed, they would understand all parables. Jesus didn't teach His disciples how to interpret scripture in a single lesson found in one chapter, but in a series of lessons from chapters 4 to 8. This book explains how and what Jesus taught by following the simple rules of Inductive Bible Study. You can't imagine how easy it is to learn this method until you see how Jesus taught it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781300656197

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Chapter 1

Mark Chapter 1

Mark 1:1-5 John the Baptist

Mark 1:6-8 John Announces Jesus

Mark 1:9-11 John Baptized Jesus

Mark 1:12-13 Jesus Goes to the Wilderness

Mark 1:14-15 Jesus begins His Ministry

Mark 1:1-5 John the Baptist

Mark 1:1-5 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began (2) just as the prophet Isaiah had written: "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. (3) He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the LORD's coming! Clear the road for him!'" (4) This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God to receive forgiveness for their sins. (5) All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

Here are a few thoughts from a new believer. What do the gospels teach us about Jesus? What was His message? What is the message He gives us to share with the world?

Mark begins his book with the main message he wants to convey. This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Mark wants us to think about these three details throughout his entire book. This is the Good News. Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is he Son of God.

One of the things I've learned is, when Jesus quotes scripture, He did it for a reason. He is pointing us back to the Old Testament to learn a lesson about Him. In this case Mark quotes scripture because it teaches us something important about John the Baptist. We will never learn the deeper details unless we take the time to look at the original quoted texts.

Malachi 3:1-4 "Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. (2) "But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refinesmetal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. (3) He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD. (4) Then once more the LORD will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.

The only part of this text Mark quoted was, Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the LORD's coming! Clear the road for him!' Look at a list of the additional information supplied by the original text:

Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple.

The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,

But who will be able to endure it when he comes?

Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears?

He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.

Then once more the LORD will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.

The original texts go way past John to the Messiah, linking the two together in a common mission established by God. One, the Son of God, the other only a man blessed by God, coming together at the exact moment in history God foretold. Isn't it important to read about John while thinking about how the message he was given to preach helps fulfill the plan of salvation? John was doing more then merely preaching, he was announcing, the messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly. It had to be done to fulfill God's written Word.

The original texts also shows the intent of his preaching, to bring the Levites back to God. He was personally offering the message to them. Words cannot express the feeling I get when I think about God first offering this message to the people who would eventually be responsible for Jesus' crucifixion. From the beginning of the message until the cross, and beyond, God never stopped reaching out to them. No matter how much they tried to run away from God, He kept reaching in every way He could. God had no choice but to send His Son to reach the tenants in His vineyard.

There is another text many people associate with John's ministry that sheds more light on the life and message John was given to share.

Psalms 40:7-11 Then I said, "Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: (8) I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart." (9) I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know. (10) I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have toldeveryone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. (11) LORD, don't hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.

Why did John preach in the wilderness? Why didn't the announcement of the Messiah begin in Jerusalem? Was it important for the priests to go to John? Was it the setting? Did God design the scenes of nature to draw the religious leaders to a new view of the Creator? Did He have to draw them away from their worldly accomplishments to understand John's message? It was not only the religious leaders who came out to see John. Mark records: All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. Was this early message misunderstood by the priests because it was delivered to everyone? Did they look at themselves as God's only messengers?

Why could some people understand the message while others could not? They all heard the same words while gazing upon the same scenes of nature. All of them had sins to be forgiven. Some people hear the truth from God and accept the message while others have trouble understanding. Have you ever received the impression some people think if the message did not come through them, it could not be true. What determines who God will speak though and when? What lessons can we learn from John the Baptist?

As a new believer I wonder why Mark began his book by drawing us back to the Old Testament. Did he do this for a reason? Is Mark telling us this message, the Good News was written long before he sat down to record what he was inspired to write. I can't help but think, looking up the Old Testament scriptures referenced in the Gospels may be one of the most important points when reading stories about Jesus. Based on additional information learned in this example, I see the Old Testament texts are an important feature to consider. In a sense it slows us down and allows the Spirit to do the teaching.

Mark 1:6-8 John Announces Jesus

Mark 1:6-8 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. (7) John announced : "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am--so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. (8) I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"

Mark began his book with the words, This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. When we consider Mark's introduction we can see why he begins his book with John's announcement of Jesus' ministry. Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am--so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit! I can feel Mark's excitement as he begins to write his account of Jesus' ministry in this world.

By the time Mark sat down to write, he was finally able to see and understand Jesus' mission, the plan of salvation, and His love for this world. It must have seemed like a monumental task to write a story about Jesus, the Son of God. What if he missed a point? What if he misrepresented one of Jesus' parables? I don't think Mark worried much about the details. After His resurrection, Jesus taught them everything they needed to know about the Holy Spirit. But wait. Mark was not one of the twelve disciples. Here are their names: Simon (whom he named Peter), (17) James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them Sons of Thunder), (18) Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), (19) Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). (Mark 3:16-19) How is it Mark became one of the four to write a gospel about Jesus? Is there a spiritual message, a lesson in this?

Mark's brief description of John shows he was a simple man. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. I always wondered why John wore clothes woven from camel hair. Aren't camels considered unclean? Is wearing their hair considered a sin? Was it considered a sin by the priests, Pharisees and Sadducees? If it was, why would God place such a stumbling block in their path?

John also had a strange diet, locusts and wild honey. Would those symbolize anything? A new believer reading this text for the first time would have many questions to ponder. Some may be prompted by the Spirit to study the words locusts and wild honey throughout the Bible to find the answer, comparing texts to find the true spiritual meaning.

Locusts can have many different meanings. God used locust as a symbol many times. A vast army of locusts has invaded my land, a terrible army too numerous to count. Its teeth are like lions' teeth, its fangs like those of a lioness. Joel 1:6. We can see by the description Joel was not referring to physical locusts, but used them to point to a greater spiritual symbol. Jeremiah compared locusts to people. They will cut down her people like trees, says the LORD, for they are more numerous than locusts. Jeremiah 46:23 . Of course God used physical locusts for physical plagues such as those in Exodus. So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to submit to me? Let my people go, so they can worship me. If you refuse, watch out! For tomorrow I will bring a swarm of locusts on your country. Exodus 10:3-4. But which one if any apply to John's diet? I have learned one valuable lesson in Bible study, if the answer is not clear, providing a simple understanding, you have to take your time and dig a little deeper. It never pays to jump to conclusions. John's life is a good example of that. John was a type of miracle baby, born to dedicated parents well past their child bearing years. His father was a priest and his mother a dedicated follower thankful for the gift of a son.

Studying the word honey may provide an clue. David compared honey to God's Word and law. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. (102) I haven't turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. (103) How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. (104) Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Psalms 119:101-104.

The only problem is, both these symbols are consumed, eaten. They must agree with one another and help to explain each other.

I can't help but see a humble man in John. Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am--so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. When Mark wrote about John feeling he was not worthy to take off Jesus' sandals was he thinking about the example Jesus taught His disciples at the last supper when Jesus washed their feet? John had no way of looking at the future, but Mark had the opportunity to look back at both the events.

What did John know about baptizing in the Holy Spirit? Since John had not met Jesus until this point, he must have had a very close connection with the Holy Spirit himself. We see the evidence when we consider the message John was given to deliver. Can you imagine the faith it must have taken to go out, announce the Messiah, establish the new ceremony of baptism while dressed in camel hair? How do you think people would have reacted? Do you think John hesitated, or was God's Word so clear and powerful there was no doubt in John's mind? Imagine watching John and looking at the reactions on the faces of the people going out to see him. Do you think you could tell who believed and who did not? Why do you think some accepted John's message and others could not?

Mark 1:9-11 John Baptized Jesus

Mark 1:9-11 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. (10) As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. (11) And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy."

Based on views of a new believer, I can see how quickly Mark moves along in his stories. In the first verse he introduces the main point of his book. This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1) Mark immediately jumps into Jesus' baptism after introducing John. Mark provides few details, but for some reason finds it important to record John's diet of locusts and wild honey. It makes me wonder what significance this has in his account of Jesus' life. I have found, if the answer is not already provided, it will most likely be revealed in the following verses of the same chapter.

I've noticed, Mark does not provide much back ground information like Matthew and Luke. He does not mention any other people at Jesus' baptism, but at first glance seems to focus on Jesus and John. Jesus came up out of the water. This indicates Jesus was fully immersed in water. Mark also includes, the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove, in the same sentence. Wouldn't this call attention to a full immersion of the Holy Spirit? In Mark's account of the event, he includes one additional detail. And a voice from heaven said, You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy. Marks points out the presence of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God His Father. Maybe Mark's style of writing is not intended to focus on the physical, but the spiritual.

What does Mark's quick account teach us about baptism? Jesus was fully immersed in water in the presence of the Holy Spirit and His Father. Does this show how seriously baptism must be considered? Does Mark show us true baptism is performed in the presence of all three? When Jesus was baptized the event was not only attended by, but confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God. Based on the views of a new believer, I would consider baptism a very serious and solemn experience, an act performed in the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, and of course, Jesus. Imagine, the greatest powers in the universe so interested and excited about a new believer taking a stand they take time to personally attend each baptism. In two simple verses Mark has shown, God still has the same interest, love, and concern He had when He took the time to stoop down to the ground of His new creation and form the first man with His own hands from the dust, and breathed His own breath into him to give him life.

What was John's role? How was he prepared? What qualified John to baptize Jesus? All of the answers are written in other gospels. Details for another study in another time. More time to spend with God.

Mark