HOW CAN JESUS HELP ME?

“Explore the Bible Lesson #01 for December, 2009

(December 6th)

SCRIPTURE TEXTS

          Background Texts: Mark 1:1-45

          Focal Texts: Mark 1:14-31

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF MARK:

          As we begin this Winter Quarter we will be studying in the Gospel of Mark. To better understand the context of our lesson passages it is helpful to learn something about the Gospel of Mark.

          Scholars are in general agreement that John Mark wrote this gospel from Rome during a period of persecution. His aim seems to have been to encourage Christians who were undergoing intense persecution. This persecution came primarily from the Roman Emperor Nero. The date of the writing of this Gospel was probably about 60 AD but some say about 68 A.D. A few scholars question if John Mark was the author, but most scholars think that he was. The Gospel itself does not give the authors name. Tradition says that John Mark wrote it based upon the recall of Peter- (According to Papias, a second century bishop of Hierapolis.)

          John Mark went with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. He left the mission part way thru it and so caused Paul to not wish to take him on another journey. He was a very young man at the time that Christ was betrayed and crucified. He is probably the young man who fled naked from those arresting Jesus. (See Mark 14:50-51)

          John Mark was later in Rome with Paul. (See Colossians 4:10, & Philemon 24, 2nd Timothy 4:11)  It seems that at that time he and Paul had become close companions in the work of the Gospel. Barnabas was John Mark’s uncle. He was the son of Barnabas’ sister. Also Peter called him his “son” in the faith, (1st Peter 5:13) so he was associated with two of the Apostles in the early days of the church. As such he would have had both personal knowledge of Christ as well as from those two Apostles, and likely several others, as sources of information.

          The gospel of Mark is a more action oriented gospel than the other three gospels. There is immediacy to the scenes which he describes. There are fewer parables and discourses in it than the other gospels. The words “straightway” and “immediately” occur frequently which gives the gospel a sense of action.

          Mark’s gospel is thought to be the earliest gospel. However, some think that the gospel of Matthew, written in Aramaic was earlier, but that is not sure. Luke’s gospel was likely written close to the time of Mark’s gospel. Paul seemed to be familiar with Luke’s gospel, or at least Luke’s verbal telling of his knowledge because several statements in Paul’s writings seem to be references to things in Luke’s gospel. It is likely that the writings of these authors was known to some of the Apostles in the 50’s and 60’s AD. The Gospel of John is regarded as the last of the gospels written. It is believed to have been written about 90 AD.

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE LESSON:

          Our lesson opens with the first verses of Mark’s gospel. It does not go into any genealogy of Jesus’ background, but jumps right into the beginning of His ministry. It starts with Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist and then gets right into Jesus’ ministry.

          Mark’s gospel was written for the Roman world and is therefore less “Jewish” than the other gospels. It is more vivid in descriptions of some of the scenes and actions that he relates.

          He portrays Jesus’ role as the “Servant of the Lord” sent to do a specific work in the world. He is pictures as fulfilling several scripture that prophesy about “the Servant of the Lord”. (See Isaiah 42:1-7, Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-12) His miracles are emphasized as showing that He is the Son of God. While Mark is the shortest gospel, it is forceful and dynamic in portraying Christ as the prophesied “Servant” who was sent by God to save and deliver His people.

          Now, let us look at the beginning of this gospel and see what He can do to help us today.

 

I.) HE CAN SAVE: Mark 1:14-15

         

          “14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

          15 And saying, ‘the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.’ ” [1][1]

          In the first few verses of Mark he relates the story of John the Baptist’s preaching of repentance and baptism as a confession of sin. Jesus came to him and was baptized, not because He had sin but to identify with the message John was preaching.

          Then in verse 14 we see that after John the Baptist had been imprisoned, Jesus came preaching the same message: that people need to repent and believe the good news that God was sending. The word “gospel” means “good news”. Jesus came to save those who would accept Him and His “good news”.

          That has not changed. He still holds out the promise that those who receive Him will be saved from their sin and be granted eternal life. Before any other answers to how Jesus can help us can be answered we first must deal with this question- “Have I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior?

          That is first and foremost what He can do for anyone. He can save and deliver all who accept Him as Lord and Savior by turning from their sin and accepting His pardon.

 

II.) HE CAN LEAD: Mark 1:16-20

 

          “16 Now as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

          17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

          18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

          19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

          20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.”

          As soon as Jesus began to preach the kingdom of God`s good news, He began to recruit helpers. These 12 men were to become His Apostles. The word “apostle” means “one sent”.           This is akin to the modern day role of ambassador which countries send to represent them in other countries. They stand in the place of the one sending them and have certain power and authority. The early Apostles were the first stones in the building up on the church. They derived their power from the commissioning which Jesus gave them and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. They were not allowed to begin their mission after His ascension to heaven until they were to “receive power” after the hold Spirit came upon them. (See Acts 1: 4-9)

          Today, while there are no long “Apostles” we so have a commission to follow Him and to do as He calls us. He also will empower us to do the tasks which He wishes us to do. He will lead us by means of His Word and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. These two enablements always agree for they are both from God.

          We should never take the lead away from God, but should always allow Him to lead us through His Spirit in accord with His Word. There is one other tool which we also must use in seeking His leadership and that is prayer. Jesus prayed often and sometimes all night. It the very Lord of Glory felt the need for such intense and frequent prayer, how much more so should we?

          Notice how these men reacted to the call by Jesus to follow Him. No doubt they had heard His preaching before hand. They probably were longing to go where He went but their jobs and duty to family likely held them back. That is, until He issued a personal call for them to follow Him. When He did, they immediately left everything and followed where He led.

         

THOUGHT QUESTION:

          Are you ready to follow Him wherever He leads? There is and old Hymn which says “Wherever He leads I'll follow”. Do we really mean that when we sing that in our services?

 

III.) HE CAN FREE: Mark 1:21-28

         

          “21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

                22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

                23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

                24 Saying, ‘Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? ‘Art thou come to destroy us? ‘I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.’

                25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Hold thy peace, and come out of him.’

                26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

                27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What thing is this?’ ‘What new doctrine [is] this?’ ‘For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.’

                28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee”

          Jesus not only taught and called His followers, He demonstrated that He was the Messiah by His miraculous power over the forces in the world. His perfect obedience to the Father and His sinless life entitled Him to be all that man was intended to be. In this He assumed the role of the “Last Adam” (See 1st Corinthians 15:22-45)

          All the powers God had given Adam, and which he lost by falling into sin, were given to Jesus because He was obedient where Adam failed. Therefore He took on the role as the head of the human race in Adam’s place. As such He had power with God and power over all creation, which was what God granted man in the first place. So much was lost when Adam chose to sin, but Jesus reclaimed it. He has power, the original power granted to mankind at creation.

          Many think that Jesus did miracles by the power he had as the Son of God. This is not the entire truth, He had the power granted man in the beginning for He was the only man who never sinned, and therefore had all the powers that were rightfully bestowed upon mankind at creation. In many other instances He demonstrated His power over creation, when He commanded the storm on the Sea of Galilee to cease, and it did instantly. Also when He healed many diseases and afflictions, when He forgave sin, He demonstrated His power as the legal head of the human race. He had real authority. He often cited His authority as “the son of man”. This was no idle statement. He was literally the inheritor of mankind’s authority by virtue of His virgin birth and His sinless life.

           Therefore He can free any who come to Him seeking His pardon and restoration. His role as Supreme Head of the race preceded His death and resurrection. He already possessed the power to lay down His life and also the power to take it up again. (See John 10:18) All this flowed from His position as the one perfect man born without sin and continually living without sin. In one place He declared: “I do always the things that please Him.” (IE: the Father). (See John 8:29)

 

IV.) HE CAN ENABLE: Mark 1:29-31

         

          “29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

          30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

          31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.”

          Jesus not only can save us, and free us, He also can enable us to do His work. His calling of the twelve Apostles and His commissioning of many others as disciples is still the same power He has today to enable us to do what He has for us to do.

          His enabling of Peter’s mother to get out of her sick bed and go about her work is just one picture of His enabling power.

          Notice in this case that her healing had a purpose other than demonstrating His power. It was so that she might do the tasks she needed to do. This is always the case with His enablement. He enables us to do our tasks, not just for the sake of healing us of some infirmity.           When He restores your health, when He frees you from some care or concern, there is an agenda which He wishes for you to do. He intends us to continue in His work in this world until He is through with us. The work of His Kingdom is the most important task that there is.

         

THOUGHT QUESTION:

          Have you received healing? Have you received help with a problem? Then God is not through with you just yet.

 

CONCLUSION:

          Jesus was very active in the Gospel of Mark. His task was urgent and He filled the 3-1/2 years of His ministry with demonstrating His concern and His power to change human lives.           That mission continues today through those whom He has sent into the harvest. That means all of us. He saves, He frees and He empowers His followers to continue to spread the “good news”. There are still millions who have not heard and there are still millions who may have heard but have yet to receive Him. Our task, which He has given us, is to continue to “go tell”, or to enable others to do so. He will guide, He will empower when His word is proclaimed. Yes, people have to choose for themselves, but let it not be said that they have not heard the “good news” because of us.

 

Joe Forbus 12/01/09

 

 


 


[1][1] Quoting from the Authorized Version (King James) using the Interlinear Scripture Analyzer program. Used by License. All scripture quotes in this lesson are from this same source. JLF