Mark 8 (tactical teaching)

Up to this point in Mark we have seen mostly the events of Jesus' early ministry.  Now, in Mark 8, we begin to see a bigger chunk of His teaching.

For the purposes of this CMS (Chapter Memory Study) I am following an acronym outline; I have a phrase for the book of Mark and I'm fitting all of the chapter outlines under that phrase.  The phrase is "Jesus is the Ransom" and we're all the way to the 'T' of 'the' for chapter 8. 

The chapter title is "Tactical Teaching", and the chapter outline is;

• The four thousand fed
• The Pharisee's yeast
• The blind man touched
• The identity of Christ
• The call of discipleship

The key verse of chapter 8 is;
Mark 8:29 (ESV)
And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”



Brief Commentary


The Thousands Fed
Having already fed 'the 5000' in Mark 6, Jesus is now faced with another hungry crowd.  Jesus sets up His disciples with what we call in softball, a 'meatball'.  A nice easy pitch that He is sure they will be able to hit.  Whiff.  'We can't feed all these people, we only have 7 loaves of bread!'  Jesus' response is once again proof that He lived a sinless life because He responded with grace instead of indignation toward His men.  They had just seen Him feed more people with less to start with, and they had already forgotten.

But Jesus, giving us an image of the invisible God, blesses the crowd with food, the disciples with mercy, and gave glory to God by the work of His hand.

The Pharisee's Yeast
Here we see the Pharisees continuing to antagonize Jesus.  Now they came to Him seeking a (another) sign.  The record of Jesus' response is, to me, a wonderful gift from Mark.  He writes that Jesus 'sighed deeply in His spirit'. 

I don't think I've ever crossed the official line of heresy about the nature of Jesus, but I sure went many years without thinking about His humanity.  I know that the perfect and complete union of God and Man as seen in Jesus is a brain-smoker, but I don't think that means we don't let the brain smoke a little bit (smoke because of how hard it's working...)  Jesus, being fully God and fully Man, gave a visible, perceptible heavy sigh when confronted by the Pharisees once again.  Mark doesn't explain exactly what the sigh was about, and many commentators have speculated about such.

The mind-blower for me is that He sighed, but didn't sin.  He didn't sin in thought and then have to repent, He didn't blow up and say something He'd regret, He didn't sin period.  But He sighed.

Hebrews 2:17 (ESV)
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Thank You, Jesus.

The Blind Man Touched
This story is at once perplexing and comforting.  Perplexing because it appears to take Jesus 2 tries to get this guy healed.  He spits in the man's eyes first which causes him to be able to see some.  But then Jesus lays His hands on the man's eyes again, and his sight is restored.  Mark does not comment on this story.  He doesn't tell us why Jesus had to try to heal this guy twice.  I read three different commentators who said three different things.  It is perplexing.

But it is also comforting, and this is why.  God is God.  If we could understand every mystery about who He is and how He works, then He wouldn't be God.  There is mystery in this story, which forces us to believe by faith.  It's also a reminder that (like Elijah) even when you're perfectly in God's will, it still may not be easy.  God told Elijah to pray and that it was going to rain.  But it still took him seven times (1 Kings 18).  Sometimes God gives us a glimpse of the bigger story if it's in our greater good, but sometimes He doesn't...for our greater good.  I have a working axiom on God's will (meaning I'm in the process of seeing if it truly represents the Bible; it still could be established or discarded);  even if God told us exactly where we are supposed to be in the future, or who we are supposed to become in the future, we would botch up the 'getting there'.  We would take over, do it our way, and miss the point.  I think that He can't tell us somethings because He actually wants us to get there.  Thank You, loving Father, for saving us from ourselves.

The Identity of Christ
If you knew nothing of Christ and just flipped a Bible open to this passage, you might think that Jesus was taking giving a popularity poll to His disciples.  Given His character and behavior in Scripture we can be confident that this question was truly not about what others thought but about what His disciples thought.   And they bit;

Mark 8:28 (ESV)
And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

It would have been interesting to hear all of the responses (assuming there could have been several 'crazy' ones that Mark leaves out) and the conversation that this question started.  But after the first responses, Jesus changes the question to reveal His real purpose;

Mark 8:29 (ESV)
And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

Whether or not Peter's (or the other disciples' for that matter) words or actions in the rest of the account always validate this confession, at least they were making progress.  Peter probably spoke here as the appointed leader of the disciples.  But also being the most impetuous of the crew, he might have just blurted out the answer without raising his hand.

Jesus' command of them to NOT tell anyone this truth is perplexing to people.  'Why wouldn't He want everyone to know so they would come and hear the Gospel and be saved?'  Pastor Jason acutely observed that in our modern 'information at an instant' age, the thought of Jesus trying to remain anonymous (given His identity, nature and mission) is absurd.  But Jesus understood the bigger picture and the implications that this profession would bring to bear on His mission.  Given the misunderstandings of His own disciples (just wait a few verses), not to mention the obvious misunderstandings of the people (see the response to His previous question), the addition of the weighty title 'Christ' may make the waters murkier.   There was so much nationalistic baggage attached to the title 'Christ' because the Christ, Messiah, was thought to be a military and political hero sent to liberate the Jews from oppression.  Jesus, in full cooperation with the Spirit and in submission to His Father, knew full well who He was and what His mission was but also knew that an undefined title (Christ) proclaimed by undiscerning sources (His guys) could potentially undermine His mission (to seek and save the lost).  And He fully knew the importance of His mission.

The Call of Discipleship
I think this section is astounding.  Jesus clearly and plainly told them that He would suffer, die, and rise again.  He warned them.  He spelled it out.  And yet they still didn't seem to understand.  Peter pulls Jesus aside and says something in the category of 'rebuke' which forces Jesus to address and rebuke the whole crew.  Based on what Jesus tells them, it appears that His guys were getting comfortable and selfish having Him there all the time.  The thought of Him being taken away like that disrupted their lives a bit.  So Jesus spell it out so they would understand:

Mark 8:34-38 (ESV)
³⁴ And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. ³⁶ For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ³⁷ For what can a man give in return for his soul? ³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

The gift of salvation is absolutely free; the work of God's grace alone received by faith alone in Jesus Christ.  It cannot be earned, purchased or lost by us. 

The life of discipleship is costly.  Following Jesus will cost you the old selfish will and way of the flesh (deny yourself), will require you to submit to the will and way of Jesus (take up your cross), and will cause you to identify yourself with a new Teacher, King, Lord and Savior (follow Jesus).  This is the call and the cost of discipleship.  There is no room for self-preservation; following Jesus means that your life will reflect more and more of Jesus and less and less of the world. 

We must be prepared to follow Him to the end (lose his life for Jesus and the Gospel), give up our unhealthy and idolatrous desire for wealth and possessions (gain the whole world), and proclaim boldly the Gospel of Jesus Christ (not be ashamed of Him). 

This He spoke tactically to His disciples.  This He speaks tactically to us. 

Mark 7 (substance disclosed)

One of the things I have learned about the CMS experiment is that I should write the outlines in pencil. Sometimes I get very myopic the longer I work on a particular chapter outline. So that when I step back to think about remembering the outline and how it all fits together, I wonder if this particular set of descriptors will endure.

Well, if you haven't guessed from my intro, this was one of those chapters. After I looked over my CMS in prep for doing this post, I took another couple days to re-think it. And re-think it I did. I like the outline better, but I like the chapter title worse. It's ok. I'll get there.

The Chapter Title for Mark 7 is (for now): Substance Disclosed (starts with an 's', second word starts with 'd'; which is how the outline worked out, too)

The Chapter Outline for Mark 7 is:

• Substitute dead traditions
  
• Sin defiles from within
  
• Syrophoenician "dog's" faith
  
• Speech and deafness healed
  

The key verse for Mark 7 is:

Mark 7:6 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;

Brief Commentary

Substitute dead traditions
The Pharisees belie their own problem; they call these practices 'traditions of the elders'

What is the place of 'traditions' in this sense? Are these the same as 'bylaws', or 'church constitutions'. Or does it extend to unwritten practices in the church?
It probably could have a very broad application to any practice, personal or institutional, that usurps authority and primacy of the Scriptures.

In these passages we see the trap of religion. Religion is (in my own words) based upon what people can do to advance their own spirituality (at least in their own minds). Religion is made up of rules and requirements that drive the process of spiritual standing with God; e.g. if I do something religious, then I am more spiritual. It is the heart of legalism.

These Pharisees (the most devout-acting individuals of the day; very 'spiritual' in appearance) think they have trapped Jesus because of certain unbecoming behavior displayed by His disciples. They didn't wash their hands before they ate. I would consider this particular tradition to be very helpful and important (hygienically speaking). There is nothing wrong with washing your hands before you eat. Jesus did not even argue the validity of the rule itself.

What He does is discloses the substance of their objection; they are 'teaching as doctrines the commandments of men' (7). They have placed their own rules ahead of even the Scriptures. They are hypocrites and idolaters.

Jesus then uses an example from their own traditions to exhibit His point. One of the traditions of the Pharisees was to declare something (money, possession) 'Corban'. This means that it is forever dedicated to the service of the Lord and cannot be given to any other person. Although, the catch is that the money or item can continue to be used by the owner himself. This was apparently abused in relationship to caring for one's parents. Individuals would declare something 'Corban' so they could continue using it themselves and not have to use it in support of aging parents. So by following their tradition, they are breaking a commandment.

I can't find a commentary to back me up :), but it looks like Jesus says (in His gracious way) 'there's more where that came from; you want to go on?' We tease the disciples for being slow to learn, but the Pharisees were worse. They continued to challenge Jesus even after He totally crushes them time after time. This time, He disclosed the substance behind the traditions they had substituted for God and His Word.


Sin defiles from within
Jesus continues to preach the truth and disclose the substance of the issue. The Pharisees had it backwards; they thought that religious behavior (avoiding certain things, keeping the rules and traditions, restricting their diets, etc) kept them free from sin. But Jesus turns them on their head. "It's not the stuff that we see 'go in' that defiles you, it is what comes out of your heart'. It is possible to display acceptable behavior but have a defiled and idolatrous heart.

In His explanation to His disciples, He goes even farther with the example of food. "What you eat goes to your stomach and then out. It's not about the food. It's more about your deepest desires. Food in itself is not a sin. Sin comes from your heart and has many faces..." Then Jesus starts a list.

But this is not a list given to us so we can simply avoid these things and then be ok. He prevents this interpretation with His very first example; evil thoughts. 'Ever have an evil thought?' Sin. There's more, but the point is made.

Jesus is making a priority statement here. He is more concerned about the hearts and eternal condition of people than He is about how well they follow rules. There are rules, and He will work on that with them. But the Pharisees thought that 'the way in' was through the rules. Jesus discloses the substance of the sin that defiles from within.


Syrophoenician "dog's" faith
Ok, so I honestly felt a little bad about this outline title at first. I felt weird calling this woman a 'dog'. But Jesus does in this context, so I think I'm safe :) (plus, it fits the outline so well with the 's' and the 'd').

A Gentile woman comes to Jesus because her daughter has a demon. She begs Him to heal her, but His first response is 'what I have come to do is not meant for the dogs'. Huh? But there were several cultural issues here that must be remembered. This woman was a Gentile; Jesus was a Jew. This woman was a....woman, and Jesus was a Man. As a Rabbi, Jesus was restricted from having contact with Gentiles and women. But there she was.

By 'dog', Jesus apparently meant to put His mission into perspective. The Gospel was first for the Jews. But He left a door open by saying that the children should be fed 'first'. So, she didn't leave dejected after Jesus gave His first response. She pressed in with faith. With a full loaf of faith, she asks for a crumb. And Jesus was moved by it. He honors her faith in Him and love for her daughter and grants the request.

Until this moment, I haven' thought of this interaction as prayer. But that's what this woman was doing; praying to Jesus. And she was praying in faith. And Jesus responded in grace. What a precious and powerful thing prayer is. I need to remember that.


Speech and deafness healed
In the last section of chapter 7, we find Jesus showing mercy on a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. In this case, Jesus took the man aside, put His fingers in his ears, spit, and touched his tongue. Then Mark records that Jesus 'sighed' before He said 'be opened'. And it was done. Then, even though Jesus told them not to, the people zealously proclaimed the work of Jesus in the region.

Although there are several curious things about this interaction, I was most drawn to the 'sigh' of Jesus. But when I dug into it I found 3 different explanations in 3 different commentaries :)

1. It was probably His strong emotion as He battled the satanic powers that enslaved the man
2. It expressed His grief over the suffering that sin brought on mankind
3. It expressed His incredible empathy and compassion toward the needs of this man.
   

The problem is that the text doesn't say. And I'm not smart enough to make a guess. So I leave it at what it says; Jesus looked up to heaven and sighed before healing the man. This is not the key to the 'formula' for healing deaf people. Understanding Jesus' 'sigh' and then recreating it will not somehow empower our prayer. Jesus was fully God and fully Man. He dealt with temptations, problems, stress, anger, frustration, fatigue just like we do. Yet somehow He did it all without sin. Because we do not know why He sighed, the fact that He did reminds me that He was fully dealing with His humanness. And I'm so glad He did.

Hebrews 2:17 (ESV)
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

__

Mark 6 (inexorable in mission)

So, this particular Chapter Memory Study is stretching the boundaries of my vocabulary.  In the past, I have given up to quickly with some outlines.  That is what led me to 'inexorable' for this chapter.  I don't mind expanding my (or my readers') vocabularies if it is appropriate.

The 'I' for Chapter 6 of Mark (based on the acronym "JESUS IS THE RANSOM") is Inexorable.  It means:

Not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped: relentless

Jesus and His followers are faced with obstacles and opposition in their ministry, but they remain steadfast and unmovable. Jesus models this character, and His men are learning to walk like Him.

The Thematic Outline for Mark 6 is:

• In His hometown
• In His discipleship
• In John's death
• In feeding the 5000
• In walking on water
• In healing at Gennesaret
  

(by the way, I adjusted the outline for chapter 1; see the sidebar for the update)

"Brief" Commentary  (you know you're in trouble when "brief" has quotes around it :)

In His Hometown
Jesus was not persuaded, moved or stopped from His mission even after being rejected in His hometown of Nazareth.  Even though some were amazed at His teaching, still others mocked Him openly about His 'questionable' birth, His family and His occupation.  So His ministry to His hometown was limited to some teaching and a little bit of healing.  "and He marveled at their unbelief".

In His Discipleship
Jesus was not persuaded, moved or stopped from His discipleship of His guys.  The training continued.  Now it was time for a test.  Jesus paired off the disciples and sent them out, with His authority, to teach, heal, and cast out demons.  For this particular mission, Jesus gave them specific instructions about what to bring, what to wear, and how to interact with people along the way (who either receive or reject them).  And off they went.  They preached repentance and the Gospel, they cast out demons and healed sick people.  Just as Jesus said they would.  If training was going to stick, there needed to be some 'field time'.  They had watched Jesus, they had heard Him preach, and they had seen Him minister to people.  With His power and authority, now it was their turn.  To be continued...

In John's Death
Jesus was not persuaded, moved or stopped by the tragedy of John the Baptist's death.  In this section,  Mark takes an opportunity to finish the story about John the Baptist.  Mark writes that Herod (not the same Herod that ruled when Jesus was born) heard about Jesus' name and activities and feared that John the Baptist had come back to life and was operating under immense spiritual power.  Then verse 17 begins a sort of 'flashback' to what happened to John.

Apparently Herod knew of John and feared/respected him because he was righteous and holy (even though John was speaking against Herod's marriage to his brother's former wife....)  The soap opera continues.  Herod's new wife hated John.  When her daughter was given the chance to dance for Herod, she did so in a very provocative way so that Herod promised her a great reward.  By her mother's counsel, she requested John's head on a platter.  It was granted, though Herod seemed to regret it.

This is the unglorious ending to a man who was indeed 'great before the Lord' (Luke 1:15).  Jesus Himself testified that John 'was a burning and shining lamb, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light' (John 5:35).  But, in accordance with his own stated mission, John had to decrease so that Jesus could increase (John 3:30).

In Feeding the 5000
Jesus was not persuaded, moved or stopped when He and His disciples were tired from ministry.  When His disciples returned from their mission, they reported all they had done.  But it appears that there was weariness in their eyes, for Jesus guided them to a desolate place because there had been people around all the time and 'they had no leisure, even to eat' (31). 

But it was not to be.  They were a conspicuous group now that they had taught, healed, and cast demons out of people.  People saw them and pursued them to their landing.  Jesus again leads His men.  Instead of being selfish and disappointed, He 'had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd' (34).  And so He gave them all a big hug, right!?!  Nope.  'And He began to teach them many things' (34).  He starts with what is most important; their souls and their eternity.  He stays on mission by preaching repentance and the Gospel.  That, whether they realize it or not, was their greatest need.

When it got late, the disciples started fidgeting about logistics.  'Um, Jesus.  It's getting late and the nearest Culvers is a long way away.  We should let people go so they can get some chow' (translation mine:).  Jesus' response was not what they expected; 'you give them something to eat'.  Ok, so we don't know how much later in the day this was, but let's not forget from where the disciples just returned; from preaching, healing and casting out demons in Jesus' name!  They had no doubt seen and performed many miraculous things under the authority of Jesus that very morning!  And yet when it comes time to think about doing something miraculous for people, they clammed up.

Please don't hear that I'm mocking the disciples.  I have even preached a sermon (called Philip and Me) in which I stated confidently that I would have been the first to count the people, get on Googlemaps to find the nearest restaurants, calculated the average cost of feeding that many people, and shouted out from my abacus 'we can't do it, it would be too expensive!!!'  It's me.  I would have said the same thing.  So I cast no stones toward the disciples here.  My incredulity is at us; we who follow Jesus, see His mighty work, and then forget about it when something new comes up.  It's me.  It's us.

Jesus finds out how much food they have, miraculously multiplies it, and feeds all 5000 men (plus the women and children) with a full basket left over for each of His guys.  He had compassion on those who had no shepherd, and patience with the ones for whom He was their shepherd.  He was inexorable by tall odds and doubting friends.

In Walking on the Water
Jesus was not persuaded, moved or stopped by fatigue, weather, or His own disciples density.  After feeding thousands of people, Jesus was tired.  He sent His disciples across the lake and He went up the mountain to pray.  Apparently He could see very well from His spot, because He saw the disciples rowing very hard against the wind and waves.  Now this is astounding.  Jesus didn't go take a nap, He prayed...well past midnight until 'the fourth watch' (which is between 3am and 6am).  That's when He walked out (in very choppy water, remember) to meet and help His men.  They were freaked out and thought He was a ghost.  This imagery superimposed onto modern thought has probably helped picture Jesus as always wearing a long white robe all of the time.

I understand that in children's books and Bible stories that they need to somehow identify Jesus.  But it has taken (and will take) a lifetime for me to get the 'Sunday School poster' Jesus out of my brain.  I don't think that guessing what Jesus looked like is idolatry.  He lived as a man with a body, face, nose and ear hair.  We don't have a picture of Him, but an honest attempt to visualize a Jewish man from that time seems reasonable.  He still has a glorified body and will be recognizable when we see Him.  But many people have in their minds a humble, marginalized, Galilean peasant with long hippy-hair, sheep in one arm, child in another, walking around piously spouting off catch phrases like a fortune cookie writer.  That's not Jesus.  It wasn't Jesus.  It won't be the Jesus we see when He comes back (see Rev 19 for the Jesus whose side you want to be on).

Back to the study.  So the disciples saw Him and were freaked out.  Look what He does; 'take heart; it is I.  Do not be afraid'.  What He actually said was 'I AM'.  This echos the covenant name of God given to Moses.  And the storm stops.  And the disciples were astounded, again.  He simply speaks with the power and authority of God, and things happen.  I think He also wanted to remind them who He is.  And Mark points out that even Jesus' closest friends and followers still didn't totally get it.  But He didn't give up on them.

Healing at Gennesaret
Jesus was not persuaded, moved or stopped from His continued commitment to loving people and proclaiming the Gospel.  This is a short pericope at the end of Mark 6 that describes another instance of Jesus' healing ministry.  When Jesus and the disciples finally reached land at Gennesaret people recognized them immediately.  They flocked to Jesus to be  healed.  The astounding healing of the woman with bleeding (Mark 5) may have spread very quickly through the region because they sought to touch 'even the fringe of His garment' (36).  Jesus honored this act of faith and, by His own will, chose to heal people by that means.

I find it interesting in the account of Jesus' ministry that I don't read things like 'and after He healed many, they repented of their sin and believed in Jesus as the Savior', or '...and after He healed them, He preached a killer message and thousands came forward for the altar call'.

It is clear that He taught people.  A lot.  Just a few verses up, after He 'saw the crowd and had compassion on them' He didn't turn all the water into wine and the trees into disco-balls so people could have a party and feel better about themselves.  "And He began to teach them many things".  How many times, by word and action, did He come back to this primary mission; '...that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out' (1:38).

But He loved people and cared for their needs.  He healed them and gave them the Gospel.  He constantly sowed seeds of His message for those who would hear.  And He gave His guys a beautiful model of ministering to people and proclaiming the Gospel.

Mark 5 (rescuing people)

This chapter was fun to outline.  Having to use the second of 4 'S's (out of 'JESUS IS THE RANSOM') for the outline theme drove me right to the thesaurus again.  But what I found there was an absolute jewel that I didn't foresee.

Salvage.

The picture I have in my head when I hear this word is some sort of National Geographic-esque underwater shot of some sunken ship.  So I looked it up.

Salvage:  to save something for further use, rescue something from a bad situation, save something from destruction. 

This is what Jesus did for people in Mark 5.

• Salvaged the man with Legion
• Salvaged the woman with bleeding
• Salvaged the girl who died
  

And the key verse I chose for this chapter is beautiful:

Mark 5:19 (ESV)
And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

The sunken ship can sail again.  The totaled car rolls into town.  What was bound for destruction at the hands of demons has been set free and restored by the hand of Jesus.  That is true for all three of these people in Mark 5.


Short Commentary

Salvaged the man with Legion

Here we see Jesus' confrontation with another person oppressed by foul spirits.  In this case, we find out that there were 'many' spirits inflicting upon this man ('legion' referred to a Roman regiment of up to 6 thousand men, but it also seemed to be used as a euphemism for 'a lot'), maybe even thousands.  At some point, Jesus saw the man and determined that he was demonized.  We know this because after Mark quotes the demonized man he writes that Jesus 'was saying to him "come out..."'  The man runs to the shore, falls down in front of Jesus, and professes Him to be the Son of God.  But in the same breath he (or the demon through him) lashes out and says basically 'mind Your own business, and swear You won't torment me before my time!'  Jesus responds with in authority by asking the demon what his name is.  This is where we find out that the man is demonized by many demons called Legion.  Then the demon (probably the leader) begs Jesus not to send them away.


The first thing that sticks out to me is the vast and varying range of emotions and dispositions of this demonized man.  He 'ran and fell down before him' (an act of worship or submission), he tells Jesus to 'mind His own business' (a statement of defiance), he tries to adjure (dfn. to force to take an oath) Jesus to swear that He won't torment him (an act of brash irreverence) and then begs Jesus not to send them out of the country but into a herd of pigs (a final pathetic plea of desperation).

I just love how Mark writes Jesus' response; 'So He gave them permission'.  He is in charge.  And the demons knew it even though they still tried to weasel out of punishment.

The man was grateful, and offered to follow Jesus.  But Jesus told him to go to his home and testify to the work the Lord had done in his life.  And everyone marveled. 

Salvaged the woman with bleeding
Mark picks up the story on the other side of the lake where another great crowd had gathered (I just did a quick search on the word 'crowd' in Mark; 35 times).  A man named Jairus, who was a ruler in the synagogue, came to Jesus and worshiped at His feet.  He then implores Jesus to come heal his very sick daughter.  As Jesus is going with the man to his house, He stops. 

We find out that a woman had somehow sneaked close enough to Jesus to touch His robe.  When she does, Jesus feels power go out from Him.  He then asks the disciples 'Who touched me'?  They aren't sure what to say because there were so many people around; how would they know?   But the woman who touched Jesus heard Him and was convicted to make herself, and her intentions, known.  She tells them of her disease and that she hoped that by simply touching the garment Jesus was wearing that she would be healed.  Mark says that the flow of blood (her disease) immediately dried up.  And see how Jesus treats this woman; 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease'.  She was no doubt very freaked that He sensed the healing, and came in 'fear and trembling'.  Jesus comforts her and blesses her for her faith.  It was pointed out to me that this woman would have been a social outcast in this town because of her ceremonial uncleanness.  Yet Jesus calls her 'daughter'.  He was on his way to heal the beloved daughter of Jairus, and on the way healed an outcast daughter and gave her back her life. 

Salvaged the girl who died
As he was talking with this woman, a servant of Jairus came to tell him that his daughter was dead.  They told him not to bother Jesus anymore.  Let's not forget the social implications of this.  Jairus was a ruler in the synagogue...which was filled with people (his friends) who hated Jesus (e.g. the Pharisees).  He was taking a huge social risk by coming to Jesus in this way.  Mark doesn't give us Jairus' reaction, but only tells us that Jesus overheard the conversation (how many times do we see Jesus having tremendous hearing :).  And what does He say?

"Do not fear, only believe."

If Jairus had as much faith as it took to come to Jesus so far, he must have displayed a willingness to still trust Him.  Jesus took His executive committee (Peter, James and John) and went to Jairus' house.  Everyone there was sure that the girl had died.  There were already official mourners present (as was the custom).  Jesus asks them "why are you mourning, she is not dead, but sleeping".  They laughed at Him, because it was so obvious that this girl was dead.  Notice how quickly this group goes from sadness/mourning to laughter/scorn.  Jesus walked right through it, took His execs and the parents and went in to see the girl.  He took her by the hand and simply spoke to her (the power of His Word).  She got up.  Jesus raised her from dead.  And then He further cared for her by requesting food for her. 

I have heard Jesus' mission on earth referred to as a 'rescue' mission.  And it was.  But in Mark 5 we see that Jesus also had a 'salvage' mission; saving souls from destruction for further use. 

Jesus sees beauty and value in people the world has cast off. 

Mark 4 (Jesus teaching with parables)

The key verse for this chapter sums up the chapter fairly well.

Mark 4:34 (ESV)
He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

I subtitled Mark 4 "Using Stories". It is built on the 'U' of Jesus is the Ransom (our chapter outline acronym). To add to the memory hook, each outline point has a 'u' first word and an 's' second word.

• Using a Sower
• Using a Shining Light
• Using a Seed
• Using a Storm

Brief Commentary

Using a Sower
Church health strategies, church growth initiatives, church-wide evangelism programs......one out of four. Jesus teaches that the ratio of people who receive the Gospel and trust Him to those who ultimately reject Him is 1 out of four. And this is Jesus talking. It's the ratio that He saw in His own ministry. People (including me) tend to overlook the fact that people rejected Jesus all the time in the Gospels. Even some who followed Him, whom John calls 'disciples', turned away and stopped following Him (John 6:66). And this is after walking with Jesus Himself. How can this inspire my ministry? The numbers don't look so good. I must remember when I'm preaching, teaching, counseling, leading, confronting, evangelizing, shepherding, and contending that even if I use the exact words that Jesus Himself would have used........one out of four. Even if I give the same counsel that Jesus Himself would give, some will reject it. Even if I use the same strategy of evangelism that Jesus would use, some will reject it.
My job? I need to walk with Jesus so that I do lead and speak in the very character and mind of Jesus.....and trust the response to God. I must be true to Jesus and His Word.....and trust the response to God. I must proclaim the truth and beauty of the Gospel of Jesus to the crowds and to individuals (to all who have ears to hear, v9).......and trust the response to God. Then, should He call someone and they repent of their sin and follow Jesus, we obey His commission; make disciples and baptize them.

Using a Shining Light
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.....hide it under a bushel, NO..." If the Gospel is a life-giving light, we must let it 'shine' in our lives. If we don't then we won't see where to go, and we'll never be able to help others see where to go either.

2 Peter 1:19 (ESV)
And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, (italics mine)

Using a Seed
There are actually two 'seed' parables back-to-back in this chapter. The first is about how a seed (apparently the Gospel seed similar to the one sown in the vv 1-20) grows. Jesus teaches that a man sows the seed, but he doesn't know how it grows. But it does. And when it is ripe, the man brings in the harvest. This echoes what Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV)
⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

God is the originator of the Seed itself (the truth of the Gospel), but has given it to us to proclaim. God is the instigator of salvation (He alone saves people), but He has given us a role in the 'watering'. God is the initiator of growth (Holy Spirit working in us) but He commanded us to make disciples in His name. We are to sow, bring Christ to people, and make disciples. But the power of all of this lies with God alone.

The second seed parable seems to compare the growth of the Church to that of a mustard seed. Although the mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, it can grow into a large plant. Jesus' mission has played this out. His investment and training into a few men grew into a world-wide church that continues to carry out His mission today.

Verses 33 and 34 are confounding and yet comforting. Jesus taught with parables. He taught that way to the crowds to (among other things) test to see who was hungry. Then He took His disciples aside and explained it to them. He walked with them and taught them continually. Even if they didn't know it at the time, the kingdom rested on their shoulders (by the grace of God). He wanted to make sure they got it.

Using a Storm
Jesus got tired. I can't believe that He was just 'faking' being asleep, or that (as some would suppose) He just 'appeared' to be tired in order to better relate to His men. He was tired. He walked a lot, taught a lot, it was hot, and working with people is draining. So after a hard day of teaching, preaching, healing, and ministering....He wanted to get out on the water and take a nap.

And a storm came up. But He still slept. So He was either REALLY tired, or His disciples were freaking out over a storm that wasn't really that bad. Either way, they were scared, He was asleep. They wake Him up, accuse Him of not caring if they live or die, and then He displays the power of His Word.

'Peace! Be still!'

Done. No more storm.

But instead of just going back to sleep, He used this moment to challenge His men.

Mark 4:40 (ESV)
He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Faith. They heard Him. They followed Him. They walked all over the place with Him.

But did they trust Him?
Did they really believe Him?
Did they know Who He was?

Jesus let them get to the point of despair and then used the moment to drive home His point; remember who I am, and trust Me.

It seemed to take a long time for His own men to really trust Him. They had to walk with Him and follow Him. They had to learn, and sometimes re-learn. They had to believe who He was and what He was sent to do. Only then could they truly be disciples of Jesus.

Mark 3 (Jesus picking fights with bullies)

I'm reminded of a scene from Braveheart (which I saw many times in college, but can hardly watch anymore; unless it's the edited for TV version :)  when William Wallace gets his army all fired up and then says to his friend 'I'm going to pick a fight'.  The British looked on the rag-tag group of Scots with scorn and superiority.  Wallace was about to change everything they ever thought about how important freedom is to those who are oppressed.

Well, that was Jesus' battle cry long before William Wallace.

Luke 4:18 (ESV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

In order to free people from the oppressive bondage of the Pharisees' religion, Jesus had to pick some fights.  The title I have given to Mark 3 is 'Skirmishes'; based on the first 's' of JeSus is the Ransom.   


The thematic outline is

• Shrunken hand
• Spirits proclaim Him
• Selects the twelve
• Sacrilege against Holy Spirit
• Sisters, brothers and mothers

The key verse is

Mark 3:5 (ESV)
And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Brief Commentary

Shrunken hand
The Pharisees were doing their homework.  They followed Jesus around trying to figure Him out.  Here, Jesus came to them in the synagogue where He found a man who had a withered hand (side note; this would have been really cool to watch).  Knowing He was under heavy scrutiny, He picked a fight with the Pharisee bullies using a carefully crafted question.  The Pharisees didn't bite (probably still smarting from the crushing they received from Jesus before).

I really appreciate how Mark includes Jesus' emotions here.  He looked at them 'with anger' and He 'grieved at their hardness of heart'.  Then He healed the guy.  Look at the faith He challenged this man to have; Jesus made the man expose his malformed arm and extend it.  It was probably embarrassing, but certainly awkward.  But when the man stretched it out, he was healed.  Whatever faith this man had in Jesus, he used it and trusted His word.  And he was healed.  Now, Jesus did the healing, but He required the man to have a part.  I suppose a debate could be waged about the possibility that if the man didn't extend his hand then he wouldn't have been healed.  We don't know because the Bible doesn't give us that information.  But it seems that sometimes Jesus commands a person to do something in order to initiate the healing; notably the 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19.  Jesus told them to go present themselves to the priest and 'while they went, they were healed'.  This was not to earn their healing, but to demonstrate faith and obedience to Jesus.  Hopefully we can track down this guy in heaven and ask what Jesus really did for Him that day.  I can only imagine that there was more to this story for that guy. 

Spirits proclaim Him
I haven't even looked at a map yet to see where some of these towns are and how far apart they are...but it doesn't matter.  Jesus was healing people, and crowds showed up.  So much so that we see Him making a contingency plan in case things get out of hand; a boat to get away from the crush of the crowd.

But the very interesting verse in this section is Mark 3:11.  (don't forget to use Ref-tagger; just hover over the reference and you'll see the verse pop up).  These demons are coming face to face with Jesus and they (obviously) can't handle it.  They cry out "You are the Son of God".  But Jesus strictly orders them to stop. 

I gave my wife free ammunition for teasing me one day.  I took one of those online IQ tests for fun.  Well, obviously it showed up that I am a genius :)  Well, she has no end of fun reminding me (and others) that I am a genius according to the internet.  My job is to play the 'shhh, don't say 'from the internet'' card.  But why?  The source of information labeling me a 'genius' is dubious indeed.  While me being a genius may be true (it's not, but for the illustrations sake, bear with me :), the fact is tainted by the one accrediting it.

The Bible does not say specifically why Jesus tells the demons to be silent.  And I always used to think that the demons just couldn't help themselves when they came into the presence of Jesus; they had to proclaim the truth because of His authority.  But I had another thought also.  Demons, being the minions of Satan, will try anything to discredit, disprove, or dismantle anyone's credibility when it comes to Jesus and the Gospel.  So here, knowing that their time was numbered, what if they were testifying about the true nature of Jesus in order to get people to think "Hey, how can we trust what demons say about this guy?  Who is He really?"...etc.  Or they might think that He was from Satan (see below).  Or they might just think He's crazy.  Our enemy is devious, clever and strategic, and Jesus knows it. And Jesus knew the correct time and place for the disclosure of His person and ministry; it was going to be on His terms. 

It's also interesting that the demons obeyed Him, but some people (see Mark 1:40-45) completely blew Him off. 

Selects the twelve
These guys are worth mentioning.  Not because of who they were, but because of who the became under Jesus.
Simon Peter
James
John
Andrew
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James son of Alphaeus
Thaddaeus
Simon the Cananaean
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.

Sacrilege against Holy Spirit
Jesus then beautifully mixes logic and parable in His refutation of the Pharisees' accusation that He was 'of the devil'.  He blows up their argument by reminding them that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.  Then Jesus changed the focus and put it in proper perspective; He came to bind the strongman (Satan) in order to plunder (rescue) those whom were enslaved by him (lost people).  

And then He draws a line in the sand after being accused of being 'demon possessed.  "All sins can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" (28-29).  This 'unforgivable sin' gets some people really worked up.  Here's my basic thought; if you are worried that you have committed the unforgivable sin, you almost assuredly have not.  A lifestyle of continually blaspheming and denying God and His free gift of salvation would not leave one wondering or caring about the unforgivable sin.  If a person rejects Jesus, disregards God, and attributes the powerful, holy work of Holy Spirit to demons, one may suppose that the unforgivable sin (that is a continued rebelliousness that never repents nor seeks forgiveness) will continue for eternity.  We need to take sin (ours and others') very seriously.  I sometimes summarize discipleship to Jesus as 'loving more of what He loves, and hating more of what He hates'.  Jesus hates sin and everything about it.  Thus His call to 'repent and believe in the Gospel' (Mark 1:15). 

Sisters, brothers and mothers
First of all, His family wasn't coming to give Him some of his favorite cookies and a pep talk.  We know they aren't really sure what to think of Jesus and His antics.  But He still uses this incident to make a point; 'My family is those who obey God and follow Me'.  I don't know if it's as much a statement against His family as it is for His disciples.  There's more to following Jesus than getting some degree or prestige.  Those who repent of sin and believe in Jesus are actually adopted by God the Father into His family.  And with that adoption comes the inheritance due a child of God; eternity in heaven with Him. 

Mark 2 (calling the sick and sinners)

So far, so good :) I think we are on track to continue as planned with the CMS (Chapter Memory Study) in Mark. The outline acronym is holding up, so we'll stay with 'Jesus is the Ransom'.

We're on chapter 2, which brings us to the 'e';

• Extricates the paralytic
• Extracts Levi
• Explains fasting and Sabbath
  

As with chapter 1, I was able to multiply the memory hooks for this outline (not only starting with the same letter, but having the same second letter also). I can't promise this will always happen, but it's nice when it does.

The memory verse for chapter 2 is;

Mark 2:17 (ESV)
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Brief Commentary
The story of the paralytic and his 4 helpful friends has always been one of my favorites. But after studying it more deeply (and graduating from my archaic 'flannel board' version of the event) I discovered some profound implications tucked away in its midst.


Extricates the Paralytic (extricate = to release somebody or something with a difficulty from a physical constraint or an unpleasant or complicated situation)
Jesus was preaching (possibly in Peter's house) and many people had gathered to hear Him. There we so many people that the four men carrying their friend on a cot could not get close to hear Jesus or possibly get their friend healed. So these guys get up on the roof, start tearing apart, and lower their friend through a hole. There was no trap door. There was no sky light. They actually dismantled someone's roof right over top of all of the people who were inside the house listening to Jesus. Mark doesn't record this, but I'm guessing the folks sitting there were not too fond of the debris and noise these inconsiderate men were filling the house with. So, when all the craziness subsides and the paralytic is now laying right in front of Jesus (in the middle of a sermon, by the way)...'what's Jesus going to do with this guy?'

Well, here's what Mark gives us. Jesus saw their faith....pause. First, He saw faith in action. He looked past the annoyance and the interruption and saw straight to their faith. Next, He saw their faith. Notice that we never hear from the paralytic. We don't know how or how much he was paralyzed, we just know he obviously couldn't walk on his own. But Jesus doesn't say 'I notice how well you order around these slaves', or 'I'll give you points for effort', or 'because you have made an individual profession of faith'. He sees the faith of the group (at least the 4 guys who could walk and talk) and is moved with compassion to forgive the sins of the paralytic. We don't read here that He even acknowledged the other 4 guys. He goes right to the one who is sick (see theme verse :). I also wonder what the friends first thought when Jesus said that. 'Um, that's great, but we need a fifth guy for our arena-ball team, and we were hoping you could make him walk...at least enough to play goalie...' Were they disappointed? Were they confused? I can't imagine it was just the scribes who were thinking 'um, what was that all about?'

So Jesus does something radical, causes people to ask questions, and then brings home the point. (on a side note, I wonder what His sermon was about. I bet it was good, and I bet this fit right in :). He perceived in His spirit what they questioned in their hearts and He called them on it.

Mark 2:8-11 (ESV)
⁸ And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? ¹⁰ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— ¹¹ “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

And the peoples' response? 'We never saw anything like this!' Amazing. I love how Jesus shows us that if we walk in the Spirit, no matter what we are doing we can always bring glory to God, help people, and proclaim the Gospel. I'm so glad Jesus sent another Helper to show us the way to love, serve, and proclaim like Jesus did.

Extracts Levi
So Jesus continues to teach the people who were following Him. Then He passes by a tax booth and sees Levi. What people saw was a suspicious tax collector who worked for Rome and, by reputation of tax collectors, probably dealt unfairly and unscrupulously with the Jews. I get the impression that these guys were even lower-regarded than the IRS is today :) But what Jesus sees is a man with the potential to love, serve, and follow Him as a disciple; not to mention write it all down as the first book of the New Testament.

But not only does Jesus talk to this tax collector (gasp), we soon find Him hanging out with all of this guys tax collector buddies and questionable characters. In fact, it says that now there were many of these unsavory individuals following Jesus. And the scribes were beside themselves. But notice who they complain to:

Mark 2:16 (ESV)
And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Remember, the scribes just got crushed by Jesus for what they were thinking. They might have been (justifiably) a little gun shy to confront Him again. So they went to His disciples and registered their disgust. But, as they soon learned, Jesus not only has a discerning spirit, but really good hearing :)

Mark 2:17 (ESV)
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

This verse was easy to pick as the theme verse for the chapter. It draws the three stories (paralytic, Levi, fasting and Sabbath) together under one main thought; 'I didn't come for the people who think they are righteous and well, but for the ones who know they are sick and in need'.


Explains Fasting and Sabbath
I put these two together because they are linked in theme (and I wanted to keep the outline to three points :). The Pharisees tried to pin Jesus and His disciples down with the application of their law. Jesus, on both counts, refutes them by teaching that the Law (probably more specifically in this case, the rules established by Jewish custom) was made for men, not men for the law. Jesus' message (the Gospel) was not intended to fit into the 'old wine-skins' (the laws). Nor were those laws and customs to keep people from faith and trust in Jesus because of their rigidness and complex systems. The Gospel of grace confronts the religion of the law at every turn. Jesus continues to confront the established 'institution of religiousness' with His message of the Gospel.


Both confrontation of religion and presentation of the Gospel are just as critical today as when Jesus first preached it.

Mark 1 (Jesus brings in the Gospel of the kingdom)

And immediately...Ethan began his Chapter Memory Study in the Gospel of Mark (a nod to one of the most used words in this action-packed adventure).

As I covered in my introductory entry, this is my systematic study through the book of Mark.  The goal is to (hopefully) create a system that helps me remember where stuff is.  This is not the whole of my walk with Jesus, but it is a way I train myself to love Him with all of my mind (one of the means of love that contributes to a whole-person love as described in the Greatest Commandments, Matt 22:37).

So, on we go with the training.

I have, for the moment, settled on the chapter acronym; JESUS IS THE RANSOM.

So, the 'J' falls on chapter one, and the outline points are built on the 'J'. These are the key events or passages found in the chapter.  This chapter has 4 (but could have more), others may have less.  My goal is 2-3. 

• Jesus baptized by John
  
• Jesus baited by Satan
• Jesus begins His ministry
• Jesus brings the Gospel

(I can't promise that all of the outlines will line up the same way, but my goal with each is create a 'hook' that makes it distinct and easy to remember...thus the second words all start with 'b')

The key verse for memory and meditation is

Mark 1:15 (ESV)
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Comments and Reflections
Mark wastes no time diving into the story of Jesus.  He quotes two prophets (Malachi and Isaiah) briefly before jumping straight into the action.  John the baptist was the one who would come before, and he knew it.  His ministry was important, but he was preparing the way for Jesus who would bring salvation and Holy Spirit.  One observation about John;  he is about the same age as Jesus, right?  So I assume he didn't just get up one morning in his late-twenties and decide to be the pre-cursor to the long-awaited Messiah.  He was a prophet of God, and his ministry (and location) were ordained by God.  But I believe that it is safe to say that he was also trained by God.  He had a message, he knew Christ was coming, and he had the reckless confidence of one who had received his marching orders from God.  He had been 'raised up', then he 'appeared'.

Mark then briefly mentions the baptism of Jesus and the appearance of the Trinity; Jesus in the water, Holy Spirit descending like a dove, God the Father speaking from heaven.  Then, where Matthew and Luke spend considerably more time, Mark summarizes in 2 verses the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness.  All of this seemingly leading us to verse 14 where the action begins; Jesus starts His ministry.  I obviously don't know why Mark blows by these other important events (not to mention Jesus' birth and pre-ministry life), but one thing is certain; Mark hits the ground running and doesn't stop until he's done.  He writes us a quick-cutting action/adventure story of Jesus and His invasion of the world.

Jesus starts calling disciples (16-20), healing people (21-34,  40-45), and preaching the Gospel (14-15, 35-39). 

A few observations.  Verse 17 struck me with one little word; become.  That's not how I remember the song (with the actions, of course); 'I will make you fishers of men...'.  Mark quotes Jesus saying "I will make you become fishers of men."  For some reason that really helps me.  Jesus didn't tap them on the shoulder and 'boom' transform them into mighty missionaries for the Gospel.  He invited them to walk with Him for 3 years and become His mighty men of the kingdom.  This involves time, training, and teaching.  While I deeply yearn to be farther along than I am, I know that I must become who He is making me into. 

So, why didn't everyone who saw or heard about the miraculous things Jesus did believe every word He spoke and follow Him?  He's healing people and delivering people from demons and preaching the Gospel all over.  They acknowledge His authority and uniqueness.  His fame 'spread everywhere' (28).  But Jesus wasn't fooled by this instant fame, nor did He subject Himself to its lure.  There were some people who just liked the show (like today), and some who would chase after whatever is the latest thing (like today), and some who would still not believe what He said no matter what miraculous things He performed (like today).

In what has become one of my favorite passages of Scripture, Jesus makes sure His disciples see His priority.  In verses 35-39 Mark gives us a very helpful little story.  Jesus gets up early and goes out to be by Himself to pray.  His disciples (led by Peter) eventually wake up and don't see Jesus; so they go find Him.  "Hey, Jesus, this healing and deliverance ministry You do is really catching on!  People from everywhere are coming out to see you and be healed.  Everyone wants to get in on this, Jesus.  You're a hit!  Let's go back and give the people what they want."

Jesus, in all grace and patience, with the the verbal precision of a divine surgeon replies "pack it up boys, we're moving out.  I have a mission, and the mission is the message.  I need to preach the Gospel of the kingdom, not become a side show."  He didn't let fame, importance, urgency or other people's expectations deter Him from His mission. 

One more thought (though there are probably hundreds of nuggets here, my goal is not exhaustive commentary).  This story at the end of chapter 1 about the leper that Jesus heals is very interesting.  The guy comes to Jesus with great faith and says "if You will, You can make me clean".  Jesus is moved with pity, touches the man, and heals him.  Then Jesus tells the guy to go straight to the priest (to be officially declared clean) without telling anyone else along the way.  Well, the guy is obviously pumped about his new skin and ignores Jesus' 'stern' command.  And look what happens; because of this guy's disobedience Jesus can't go into the city anymore.  He has to stay outside of town and let the people come to Him.

One guy's disobedience affected an entire town.  People could still come to Jesus, but they had to come 'out in desolate places' to reach Him.  One person can make a difference for a whole town...

See you in chapter 2.

Mark (info, intro, and becoming a warrior-shepherd)

Greetings, and welcome to the first installment of the great experiment in Mark.  I have completed a CMS (Chapter Memory System) study in several other books (even ones as long as Mark), but this is the first attemt to capture a narrative-style book in a memorizable format.  Again, my goal is not to memorize the whole book, but to memorize what is in and where it is in the book. 

The first hurdle was the chapter acronym.  With other CMS studies I have had an acronym assigned to the book to serve as a memory tool.  Sometimes it was as simple as the title of the book (or a truncated version) while other times it was a single 'theme word' that had the same number of letters as the book had chapters.  Having 16 chapters, Mark provides some interesting challenges.  First of all, 'M.A.R.K.' doesn't get us very far.  And while there are plenty of 16 letter words (most end in -ology or -ism), finding one word (and then spelling that word :) has proven difficult (although, there is a great web-site for finding specific words by first letter, number of letters, and words with no duplicate letters; wordnavigator)

So I began searching for key words throughout Mark so I could piece together a description or phrase that would fit the book.  (email me if you want to hear more about the process...it's a little nerdy :)  I read several commentators who pointed to Mark 10:45 as the theme verse of the book;

Mark 10:45 (ESV)
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

By mixing and matching words (with the right number of letters, and without too many duplicate letters) I came up with (what I hope) is the Chapter Memory Acrostic for Mark:  JESUS IS THE RANSOM. 

That said, the problem I ran into with previous studies was having to cram theme and content into words that began with a specific letter.  So I'm going to work through the first several chapters before I more firmly establish the acrostic. 

Ok, if you're reading this and you don't know me personally, you may think I'm treating the Bible like a text book or a manual instead of the Living Word of God.  That is not my approach or intent.  This study is my simple way of trying to get a better handle (to 'rightly handle' 2 Tim 2:15) on God's amazing, transforming, living Word. 

I picture this process as if I am a warrior with a sword (the Sword, as it were).  If I just carry it, but don't know how to use it, I'm not doing me, others, or the Kingdom of God much good.  If I just pick it up and start swinging it around aggressively and wildly, I'm more likely to hurt myself or my allies than I am to help lost people or fight off enemies.  But if I train with it, get to know it, get to know the One who made it, and let Him teach me how to wield it...then I can become more and more of the warrior-shepherd that He has called me to be for my family, my flock, and His kingdom. 

So I study.  And I study the way that my personality and learning style lead me to.  This is not THE way, but it's my way....for now.  

Stay tuned.  If my training is of any help to you, may we learn to wield His Word in a way that honors Him and advances His kingdom. 

Ethan

This blog has not been abandoned....

Hello again. It's been a few months. A lot has happened.

I wonder if there is such thing as online-overload? I was doing fine when this blog (my first) was the only one. Then I got a blog for church stuff, then I got a facebook account......I think I reached a limit.

But never fear, those of you who have been anxiously awaiting another entry to the 'His Word, my heart' archives, I believe there is more to come. I need to continue my reviewing (the current thread of 'Upon Further Review') but will also be starting a new study in Mark. I had put off trying to tackle a Gospel with the CMS system because of the differences in style and length. But alas, I felt that I was reading a lot about Jesus, and not much of Jesus Himself. Ergo a Gospel. Ergo the shortest one first :).

I would like to continue the same style and approach that I have taken with other books; overall outline theme, overall outline acronym (which is tricky with 16 chapters), chapter outline titles, and chapter memory passages. I'm currently working through the first few chapters to get an idea where to go with the acronym. Then, I will start and see how it goes.

I love Jesus. I love His Word. I don't want to just learn more verses and know more stuff. I want to know Him and walk with Him. This is how my brain seems to study and process best. And I freely share it with you.

talk with you soon,

epj

Upon Further Review; 2 John

Maybe reviewing 3 John before I reveiewed 2 John opened my eyes to something I missed before.  In my attempt to 'dig in' and get everything possible out of each of these letters, I think I missed the elements that tie them together.  There are two words that appear the most in each letter; and they're the same words.  In 2 John we find 'love' 4 times and 'truth' 5 times; in 3 John we find 'love/beloved' 6 times, and truth 7 times. 
These two things themes hold true even though the focus of each letter is slightly different. 
In 2 John, John urges his readers to 'walk in truth and love one another' (4-5) in the face of opposition and false teaching from the outside the fellowship.  Apparently there were some who 'went out' from the fellowship and were deceiving others with false teaching.  John implores them to 'watch themselves' (8) and 'abide in the teaching of Christ' (9).  Holding to the truth of Christ and to love for one another is a strong defense against the opposition from the outside.

In 3 John the same teaching is applied to opposition from within the fellowship.  John commends the fellowshp for 'walking in the truth ' (3-4) and in love (5-6) as expressed in their tremendous hospitality for those traveling with the Gospel.  And while there is always persecution from the world to deal with, the focus of this letter is dissention within the fellowship.  John identifies an individual, Diotrephes, who is selfish, insubordinate, deceitful, and inhospitable.  The fellowship is not to imitate this evil example, but is to imitate the good example of walking in truth and love. 

I tried really hard in the original CMS to find a distinct outline for each of these letters.  Upon further review, I think it would be most helpful to remember them as a set; Walking in Truth and Love both Outside and Inside the fellowship.  A good shepherd must always be on guard against wolves from the outside, and 'wolves in sheep's clothing' from the inside. 

Now I have to think of a clever way to outline these.....

Upon Further Review; 3 John

Personal touch.  This letter was written by a person to a person.  (I heard a unison 'duh' from all you theologian types...)  John definitely had some straightening-out to do in this letter, but it was not terse or detached.  From the greeting to the closing, this letter drips with genuine Christian brotherhood;  love in truth.

This time through 3 John, that's what stuck with me most; the underlying themes of love and truth.  Love for God, love for each other, love for God's truth, and love for God's truth in each other.  He commends them for loving other Christians according to the truth of Scripture, and condemns those among them for not 'walking in the truth' the same way. 

Diotrephes did not walk in truth and love, but rather selfishness, dissension, false teaching, in-hospitality, and control.

Demetrius, on the other hand, is affirmed in his walk of truth and love by those around him, by John's fellowship, and by truth itself.

Just today, I caught myself NOT walking in love with my family, and definitely not living out the truth of Scripture. 

"Ethan, don't forget...."

Walk in truth (3 John 3)

Walk in love  (Eph 5:2)

Walk in new life (Rom 6:4)

Walk in humility (1 Pet 5:5-6)

Walk in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience (Col 3:12)

Walk in good works (Eph 2:10)

Walk in wisdom (Col 4:5)

Walk in light (1 John 1:7)

Walk in a manner worthy of Him (Col 1:10)

Walk in Him (Col 2:6, 1 John 2:6)

Another thing I am reminded of by this passage is that we need to keep out eyes out for wolves in the flock.  Wolves can be identified by their walk as well.  They walk in selfish ambition and a desire for power.  They walk in envy of those who have authority; often rebelling against the spiritual authorities over them.  They talk with wicked tongues; lying and slandering others in the body.  They are uber-protective of 'their turf' and their influence; not wanting outsiders to come in and mess it all up (or expose them).

Part of walking with God is loving what God loves.  Another side of it is hating what God hates.  John rejoices in the obedience and faithfulness of some of the brothers in the church.  But with righteous anger he exposes the work of the wolf, Diotrephes, and shines the light of truth on his behavior.  The truth comforts, and the truth confronts.  This takes courage.  But it must be done.


Lord, help us walk in Your love, and walk in Your truth. 

Upon Further Review; Jude

The first thing I re-noticed about Jude is the focus on ungodliness (used 6 times in the short letter, but described in great detail throughout).  One of the ironies that I experienced as I read through Jude a few times a few times in a row is how beautiful and poetic this scathing epistle is.  It condemns, rebukes, and judges ungoldly people and their behavior with the lilt and flow of an expert sonnet.  The 'triads' of Jude (that were discussed at length in the original study) enrich the argument with precision and beauty.  It just seems that the Lord used a very creative, poetic individual to pen this epistle.  It really is a work of art.

But aside from the aesthetic character of the epistle, the section that grabbed my heart was the last portion (titled 'Direction and Exhortation' in the original outline).  Especially verses 20-21;

Jude 20-21 (ESV)
20But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

After hammering on the character and behavior of the ungodly, Jude offers direction for the believers.  We are to build each other up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep each other in the love of God, and wait for the mercy of Jesus.  Jude reminds us to go back to the basics; faith, prayer, the love of God, and hope.  Hang on these in times of trouble and persecution. 

I would love to dig into this passage more....maybe a sermon some day? 

I was greatly encouraged by this review through Jude, and I'm thankful to the Lord that He used it in my heart in a different way than the first time through. 

Upon Further Review; Hebrews

I need to keep reminding myself that this is an experiment.  I'm still not quite sure how all of this works together.  I spent over 2 years working through different books of the Bible one chapter at a time trying to 'learn where stuff is'.  After a few years in ministry (even preaching a good bit) I found that I had lost the overall picture of Scripture.  So I began the CMS; Chapter Memory System.  Which, upon further review should probably be renamed, since it sounds like I'm memorizing whole chapters at a time; not the case.
For a while, it was easy to review, because there weren't that many verses.  After a few books, I found that adding 3-5 verses in a week AND reviewing 30 or 40 other passages (of 3-5 verses each) became a little overwhelming.  So, at the beginning of this year, I declared a season of review.  And so far I've only been able to review one book.  It is a big one, but it's been just one.

So, for this first review entry, I'm feeling led to give an overview, impression, reaction to my re-reading and re-reviewing.

First of all, what a tremendous description of the necessity and efficacy of the work of Christ.  I actually just sat down and read straight through Heberws one day.  I came away tremendously encouraged.  Jesus went through a lot on this earth in order to accomplish His mission.  His role as High Priest was not just granted, it had to be 'earned' by His suffering.  Earned by His blood.  I've read Chapter 9 a few different times, but I was reminded this time about the tremendous cost He paid; the shedding of His own blood for our sins.

If there was a verse that stuck with me upon this further review, it would be this one:

Hebrews 10:22 (ESV)
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

So, somehow we can draw near with a true heart, with faith, and with a clean conscience.  This whole section of Scripture is full of 'let us' phrases; things we are supposed to do!  Not on our own, of course.  Not without the work of Christ that opens the 'new and living way', of course.  But once we are given a new heart, a new faith and a new conscience, we are to 'enter the holy places', 'draw near' to God, 'hold fast the confession', 'stir up one another to love and good works'';  God doesn't just do everything for us.  He prepares the way and equips us, but there are some things He wants us to do.  How else would we grow!

What do I get if I do everything for my kids instead of teaching them how to do things themselves?  Spoiled, lazy, increasingly demanding brats who never grow up.

That's not who I want to be, and I'm pretty sure it's not who God wants me to be.

And how I learn to live from my new heart, faith, and conscience is by drawing near to Him.  Walking with God.  Learning, training, growing.  He doesn't want us to try to do it without Him, and He doesn't want us to try to do it without each other.

Thus ends my first review of Hebrews.  It was good for my heart.

Ethan

Season of Review

I hereby officially declare a 'Season of Review' for His Word, my heart. After basically taking the month of December away from my systematic study, I have found that lack of reviewing has led to, well frankly, a lack of remembering. I need to review. And jumping right into another Book while also trying to review the old ones seemed a bit daunting.

So, I'm going to call the next series of posts 'Upon Further Review' (probably because it's football season ;). I will go back over the outlines and themes, review the memory passages, and reestablish a consistent interaction with God's Word.

I know, this may sound like a New Year's resolution, and I assure you it is not. In the ongoing experiment that is this blog, I need to figure out how to better facilitate the absolutely necessary review process.

Also, I've decided to work back through the studies from most recent to most distant. The reason for that is the most recent ones are the least established in my memory.

So, coming soon, 'Upon Further Review: Hebrews'.

Hebrews 13

We made it,

I'll have to look back at when I started this study in Hebrews...but I'm sure it has been longer than expected.  I have learned a lot about myself during this study.  Much from the text, indeed, but also about my reliance on 'routine'.  I had things all worked out and fit in and arranged...until life started happening.  All my 'nice little life' needed was a little nudge in a couple areas and I was out of sync.  I will spare you all the details.  But let me just say that the message I (finally) heard from the Lord was "can you walk with Me in the midst of the disruptions?"  It changed my focus from praying the disruptions away, to walking with Him through them.  Duh.

I think my routine was honoring to Him; I was studying and growing and walking with Him.  But life will not always offer me a nice little routine on a cheese tray (I've lived in Wisconsin too long...).  I still have to walk with Him when there is no routine in sight.

So, that said, here is the study for Hebrews 13.  The thematic outlines have been funny the past few chapters (not 'ha ha' funny, but 'are you sure?' funny).  Chapter 11 had one section, then chapter 12 had three!  Well, it turns out that we're going to end the letter with three as well.  The outline is built on the 'R' of "SON IS MEDIATOR";

• Right conduct in the body (1-7)
  
• Render praise to God (8-16)
  
• Respect your leaders (17-25)
  

The  memory passages for each section are:

• Right conduct in the body
  Hebrews 13:1 (ESV)
  1Let brotherly love continue.
  
  
• Render praise to God
  Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)
  15Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
  
  
• Respect your leaders
  Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
  17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
  

Brief Commentary

The first thematic section, Right Conduct in the Body (1-7), reads more like a smattering of individual thoughts on five different areas of life.

• Hospitality to travelers
• Ministry to those in prison
• Marital purity
• Financial contentment
• Treatment of leaders

Just looking at this list, I see a common thread is stated in verse 1; 'Let brotherly love continue'.  We are to have love for traveling strangers, those in prison, our spouse, the Giver of financial blessings (not the things themselves), and those set among us to lead. The writer is giving us examples of how to live out the command of Christ:

John 13:35 (ESV)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

The second thematic section, Render Praise to God (8-16), seems to turn the focus to our vertical relationship to God.  The writer begins with this bold proclamation:

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

This eternality includes Christ's teaching, ministry, and worthiness.  We are to hold fast to the free gift of grace that He offers, not to be led astray by strange teachings.  We are to seek the 'city that is to come' (14) because Christ has gone ahead and made the way for us as our High Priest.  We are to continually offer Him the praise He is due by honoring His name and loving each other. 

The final section, Respect Your Leaders (17-25), contains the charge to obey and respect the leaders of the church along with the writer's benediction and personal greetings.  The readers are to obey and submit to their leaders because;

1. the leaders are keeping watch over their souls
2. the leaders have to give an account for their leadership
3. the followers will be better led by empowered leaders
   

 Those words, obey and submit, are not very popular these days; nor is having to 'give an account' for that matter.  The first two reasons are true and critically important.  But in case someone needed one more bit of motivation, the writer appeals to common sense; 'if you treat your leaders well, they will be better leaders'.  Then the writer, seemingly including himself as a leader, humbly asks for prayer.  He assures the readers that they (their leaders) have a clear conscience and desire to act honorably.  And the writer longs to be restored to the people he is writing to.

The two-verse benediction reviews some of the main themes of Hebrews; the work of Christ on our behalf, His role as shepherd and High Priest, His mediation of the new covenant, and His enabling us with faith and strength to follow Him in a way that pleases Him. 

How does this affect my worship?
Hebrews 13:15 is on 'the list' of my all-time favorite worship verses.  It paints such a vivid picture of worship; 'the fruit of our lips'.  Our life in Christ will bear all kinds of fruit in His kingdom including our praise and worship of Him.  The thing about this translation is that I'm not thrilled with 'acknowledge' as a rendering.  Other translations render it 'confess His name', or 'give thanks to His name'.  Acknowledge (in its modern usage) sounds too casual...like waving at someone as you pass them in the car.  I want the fruit of my lips to honor Christ continually. 

How does this affect my discipleship?
Once again I, as a disciple-maker, am warned about the dangers of false teaching.  New or young believers can easily be influenced by strange teachings and false doctrines.  As a discipler, I must keep my eyes open for such infiltrations (through the disciple's language and questions).  It is one more way in which the leaders will be held accountable, and must be taken seriously.

Following Him,

Ethan

Hebrews 12

Hello again!

For the record (if anyone is keeping track), I am finding more 'freedom' in my study by not rushing to get a whole chapter completed in one week.  That goal was very good for me in the beginning of this study (to give me motivation and get this whole thing jump-started) but I have found myself camping on certain verses and passages more.  I know full well that the next time I do this study through the Bible I will be drawn to much different things.  So I trust Holy Spirit to lead me to the things He wants me to dig into this time, and leave the things He might have for me next time.  It's great to have the Author as a person Guide and Tutor :)

Up through Hebrews 11, I gave each chapter two main outline sections.  Chapter 11 had just one.  Chapter 12 has three.  But I checked with the administrator of this study, and he said that was ok....

The outline theme for Hebrews 12 is built on the 'O' of 'SON IS MEDIATOR':

• Our Founder of faith (1-2)  
  
• Our Father who disciplines (3-17)  
  
• Our future kingdom (18-29)  
  

The memory passages are;

• Our Founder of faith
  Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) 
  1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
  
  
• Our Father who disciplines
  Hebrews 12:7 (ESV)
  7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
  
  
• Our future kingdom 
  Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV) 
  28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29for our God is a consuming fire.
  
  

Occasionally in this study I come upon a passage that just begs to be memorized.  I tried a few ways of sticking vv1-2 with the larger section on discipline, but it just didn't work.  So I made it its own section; Our Founder of faith.  The writer refers to the previous list of faith heroes and encourages us to put aside the things that weigh us down, deal with sin, and run hard.  Our goal?  Jesus, Who founded and perfected our faith by His work.  But He did not go about His mission grudgingly or reluctantly; He endured the cross and the shame because He knew that the end was worth it.  He looked to the joy before Him (of being exalted and united again with His Father) as we are to look to Him (being united with Him in eternity) as our hope (1 John 3:2-3).

A much larger section (vv 3-17) deals with Our Father who disciplines.  But it appears that vv3-4 are somewhat of a continuation of 1-2.  The writer again points to Christ to say that His suffering under sinners and struggle against sin (though He did not sin) should be an encouragement and an exhortation to us.  We can be encouraged of heart that Christ, our Example, endured to the end of His mission on earth.  But we are also exhorted to not lose heart, even if we struggle against sin to the point of shedding blood (as Christ did in the garden (Luke 22:44) and on the cross (Col 1:20)). 

The word 'discipline appears 9 times in this passage.  While I still have a lot to learn about studying God's Word, I'm pretty sure that when a word shows up that many times that I should pay attention.  I also find it very interesting that the writer doesn't start off with our need for discipline but our standing as sons (which appears 6 times).  "Don't forget, you are children of God!  If He disciplines you, it is out of His love for you and for your own good.  It's better to be loved and disciplined by a loving Father, even if it isn't fun for the moment; the alternative is being spiritually Fatherless."  Verse 11 sums up the fruit of discipline from God:

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Right after describing the work of God in our discipline and training, the writer lists several things we are responsible for in the process.

• Lift our drooping heads
• Strengthen our weak knees
• Make straight paths for our feet
• Strive for peace
• Strive for holiness
  

Walking with God is a shared endeavor; what He does (and can only do) in combination with what He wants us to do.  Again, the metaphor of a father and his children applies.  What dad is not thrilled with the first steps of his tottering child?  And yet, that same dad does not want his 16 year-old still learing to walk.  I see it so plainly with my own children.  I can show my 5 year-old exactly how to do something but until she decides to work with me in the process, we don't get anywhere.  I could do it for her (and do it well), but then she would never learn herself.  God knows what (and how) we need to learn in order for us to produce the good fruit He intends for us. 

The writer then exhorts believers to obtain the grace of God so that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble.  The examples he gives of these roots are sexual immorality and unholy selfishness (like Esau).  Walking in the grace of God, in holiness and humility, helps believers avoid the sinful seeds of bitterness and unholines.

The last section of Hebrews 12, Our Future Kingdom, contrasts two mountains representing two kingdoms.  Verses 18-21 remind the readers about the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.  This mountain was inapproachable because of the fire, darkness, gloom and tempest.  In fact, God commanded that if even an animal touched the mountain it must be stoned.  Moses, God's friend, even trembled with fear.  The Law that was given was also inapproachable in that it could not be fulfilled by the people.  It's purpose was to keep their sin before them (and remind them of their need for a Savior). 

The new kingdom, represented by Mount Zion, is different.  Because of the work of Jesus as our Mediator, we are now invited to draw near to 'the city of the living God'.  The old kingdom will be shaken and pass away, but we can be grateful for receiving a kingdom that will not be shaken.  For this (among other things) we should worship God with reverence and awe.  The writer then describes God as a 'consuming fire', which seems to reference Deut 4:24:

Deuteronomy 4:23-24 (ESV)
23Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you. 24For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

 This passage from a larger section warning against idolatry.  Indeed, anyone who worships anything of this world is giving their devotion to things that will be shaken.  We are exhorted to worship God, the Judge of all (23) who is the One who will do the shaking.  He alone is worthy of our worship.


How does this affect my worship?
We must not forget awe.  There are many approaches to worshiping God including praise, adoration, supplication, complaint, exaltation, etc.  It's true that we can approach the Father boldly because of the work of Christ (4:16), and that Jesus Himself calls us 'friends' (John 15:15).  But He is still God; who created heaven and earth, God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, who Authored and Perfected our salvation, and who will one day shake the earth and take to Himself all who are  His.  He is the Originator of the universe and Creator of my smallest cells.  He alone is worthy of worship.

How does this affect my discipleship?
I suppose there is an element of the 'shared enterprise' in discipleship, too.  There are the thing that the discipler does (teach, guide, counsel) and things the disciple must do (study, seek, ask questions, practice disciplines).  The disciple-maker has an important role, but cannot 'make' the disciple.  For both the disciple-maker and the one being discipled there is the on-going walk with God that included the things only God can do and the things He wants us to do.  This idea is best transferred by example.  Discipleship is following God in front of each other.

Grateful for our future kingdom,

Ethan

Hebrews 11

Greetings once again,

Given the state of life these days, I have adjusted my approach to the Chapter Memory Study.  For a while I was motivated to (and able to) get through 1 chapter per week.  That has not been the case over the past several months.  One of the main reasons for the change is that I was just basically 'getting through' the chapter without taking time to really meditate on it.  So, while this takes me completely away from my nice, structured schedule, I am finding the daily study time to be much more rewarding.  My note sheet (the document that I work on throughout the week, of which this entry is a product) is much longer and more involved.

So, that said, here is the Thematic Outline for Hebrews 11 (built on the 'T' of SON IS MEDIATOR):

• The hall of faith (1-40)
  

(that's right, it's an outline with one point.  This chapter is renown and unique; I couldn't figure out where to separate it)

The Memory Passage for Hebrews 11 is:

• The hall of faith
  Hebrews 11:1-2
  1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation.
  
  

Brief Commentary
First of all, I love how these last few memory verses are 'perfect' for this study.  They contain the essential key words and effectively set up the theme of the chapter.  The topic of this chapter is faith.  Faith in God is defined by the author as being sure of things you have been promised (by God) and convinced of things you can't see (of God).  At the heart of faith if trust, but the core must not be who is trusting but the One who is trustworthy.

I share this illustration in regards to faith.  In Minnesota during the winter the lakes freeze over.  In college this was a novel thing to explore.  But before you stepped on the ice you had to make a choice;"do I trust the ice?"  My heart could be filled with 100% certainty that the ice is thick enough and will hold my weight; but if the ice is only fractions of an inch thick I will get a cold bath.  Faith ultimately depends more upon in what (or Whom) you put your faith and not how much faith you have.  How else could faith the size of a tiny mustard seed be so powerful in the kingdom of God? (Luke 17:6).  Our faith has power because we have faith in God. Our first application of faith, naturally, begins with God; we believe that He created the world by His word; turning what was not into what is.  This is an 'assent'; one step beyond knowing the fact about something.  It is an action of the will in addition to an act of understanding. 

The writer then describes (in varying detail) the faith of individuals throughout Jewish history.  And a very good place to start is always.......page 2?  Notice the conspicuous absence of Adam and Eve in this list.  We begin with their son, Abel.  Abel was the 'good' son who obediently offered his sacrifice to God while his brother Cain did not.  And the rest, as they say, is the rest.  Abel's faith and obedience is a testimony to us still today.

Enoch walked with God and his life pleased God.  God chose to 'take him up' so that he would not taste death.

Verse 6 is the first little break-out teaching point that the writer makes.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

It is pressed  between Enoch and Noah, but also applies to the entire list.  God is pleased with our faith in Him, and our relationship with Him must stand on our faith that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Noah displayed striking faith in God in that he built a boat in the middle of the land on which it had never rained.  He believed and trusted God against all available science and evidence.  I love that the writer describes Noah's faith as 'reverent fear' (7).  This is the way to the 'righteousness that comes by faith'.

Abraham gets a nice chunk of the chapter.  By faith Abraham obeyed God and lived the life of a nomad.  He had no foundation on which to dwell, but trusted God for the future foundation He had promised.  Sarah is listed as living by faith in God's promise of a son.  This is interesting because she obviously got impatient with God and tried to settle matters herself.  In spite of that, she is on the list.  Her ultimate faith in God to fulfill His promise (even at her old age) must have been exemplary.  From this 'man as good as dead' (12) came the promised descendants who all 'died in faith' not having received the ultimate reward of the promise; an eternal homeland.

This seems to be the writer's next break-out teaching point (verses 14-16).  Being that the promise of a homeland will not come while we live on this earth, we must keep our eyes on the 'better country, that is a heavenly one', that God has prepared for us in which to dwell.  Those who keep their minds on the 'old country' have little to hope for in eternity.

Abraham is not done yet, and here we are reminded of one of the most striking acts of faith in the Bible.  God made it clear to Abraham that His promise would be fulfilled through Isaac, but then tests Abraham's faith by asking Abraham to offer Isaac to Him as a sacrifice.  (if you haven't read this story in a while, go back to Genesis 22 and read it again).  Abraham feared and obeyed God, even to the point of believing that He could raise Isaac from the dead in order to fulfill His promise.  Faith.  Fear.  Worship.  A picture of the cross.

Isaac's blessings of Jacob and Esau (listed in that order), while it seems to us like a big decptive mess, are listed as acts of faith by Isaac.

Jacob finished well and blessed the sons of Joseph in his late years.

Joseph had the faith to request that his own bones be carried out of Egypt when the Israelites would finally exit. 

Moses' parents are commended with faith because they hid Moses from the Egyptians.

Moses himself, by rejecting the posh life of the Egyptian royalty and embracing his true heritage, considered the future reward greater than the immediate gratification.  The writer actually says that Moses 'considered the reproach of Christ greater' than the opportunity for royal living.  Many people speculate about what this means.  Did Moses have some revelation of Christ?  Is the writer associating the suffering and mission of Moses as similar to those of Jesus?  Whatever the writer (or Moses) knew, the message to us is to look to the future reward and the blessing of heaven instead of just what the world has to offer.
Moses' most famous story (the freeing of Israel from Egypt) is only referenced to in passing; the writer says that Moses left Egypt (probably after he murdered the Egyptian) and that he obeyed the instructions for the first Passover (toward the end of his interaction with Pharaoh).  As a side note, it is interesting what the writer includes and omits.  Here, we have nothing about the burning bush, the plagues, water from the rock.

Israel as a group are said to have had faith when they walked across the dry bed of the Red Sea (which would take faith by each and every one, I'm sure).  Then we skip all the way to the 'battle' of Jericho.  Israel's behavior leading up to and including their banishment from the promised land is conspicuously absent.  But when we do get to Jericho, there is no doubt that they were victorious because of God and the peoples' faith and obedience in Him.

Rahab, a prostitute in the soon-to-be-ruins of Jericho, was saved because she had faith (and fear) in the God whose people were advancing on her city.  She welcomed and hid the spies, and her testimony of faith earned her salvation from the siege.

Then the writer does what many people (at least I) tend to do when listing examples; move from specific to general.  After going into varying details about the previous individuals, the writer simply lists Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel.  He lumps together 'the prophets' and then describes exploits of faith in general.  Some try to pin these acts of faith on specific individuals in history.  That is fine, but what we are given are examples of how people lived out their faith in God.

To close the chapter, the writer mentions the 'other side' of faith.  Not heroic exploits of national or military nature, but the trials and persecutions of those who suffered for their faith.  In sincere reverence, the writer recounts some of these stories and commends those who suffered thus; 'of whom the world was not worthy'.  But even the greatest of these people of faith still have not fully received what was promised.  And they will not until all those who have faith in God are joined under Him when He returns. 


How does this affect  my worship?
The two main themes of worship throughout the Bible are who God is and what God has done.  Look here at what God has done through those who have faith in Him.  Am I living faithfully to God so that He can use me how He wants to.  Not for me, but to Your name be the glory; for Your name's sake and your renown.

How does this affect my discipleship?
Living a life the models faith in front of any disciple is very important.  Faith can be contagious.  If my language and behavior exemplifies faith (even a young faith, or a challenged faith) in God, it will be noticed.  Faith, humility, and hope stand out in this world.

by faith,

Ethan