MARK, Chapter 4: "Even the wind and the sea obey him!"

For the next Online Bible Study lesson, I suggest reading Chapter 4 of the Gospel According to Mark.  At the beginning of Chapter 4, Mark indicates that Jesus has moved his teaching from the synagogue to the seaside, where he is followed by large crowds that press upon him so much that he boards a boat and teaches from out in the water.  The rest of Chapter 4 contains a sampling of Jesus' practice of teaching in parables.   The first of the parables in Mark is the extended allegory about a sower scattering seeds on all sorts of ground.  The other parables in Chapter 4 are brief similes or comparisons (a lamp under a bushel in verses 21-25; a growing seed in verses 26-29; and a mustard seed in verses 30-32).  At the end of the chapter (verses 35-41), Mark indicates that "at the end of the day" Jesus said to "them," (presumably his closest twelve disciples), "let us go across to the other side."  During the trip, while Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat, a large storm arises, threatening to swamp the boat.  When the disciples awaken Jesus, asking "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"  Jesus commands the sea to be still.  "Why are you afraid" he asks the amazed disciples.

Why do you think Jesus chooses  to teach in parables? Doesn't it seem puzzling that he explains the parables to his disciples, but he does not explain them to the crowd?  Why does he use parables about seeds while teaching at the seaside?  Which of these parables seems the most relevant to your own circumstances? Do you have a favorite?  Why does Jesus describe the sower as scattering seed in all sorts of terrible locations?  What are the implications for us?  Why are the disciples so amazed when Jesus calms the sea, after they have witnessed several of Jesus' healings?  Do you ever find yourself asking God, "Do you not care that we are perishing?" 

Mark, Chapter 3: "Is Jesus Crazy?"

Chapter 3 of the Gospel According to Mark is very interesting, because of the way Mark connects Jesus' early actions as a healer and widespread concerns about his sanity.  Jesus uses the controversy to describe a new kind of family bond among those who truly care about "doing" the word of God.

In verses 1-3, Jesus again heals a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and this time he is challenged about the lawfulness of healing on the day of rest.  Jesus angrily responds in verse 4 that it is lawful to "save a life" on the Sabbath; this response is not new to Jewish doctrine.  It is not only permissible, but mandatory to rescue someone in need on the Sabbath.  But the answer is embarrassing to the people who think they are especially holy, and they described as beginning to plot against Jesus (even joining in league with the Herodians, who presumably care less about religion than about maintaining power).  Can you think of situations in which you have felt particularly angry or resentful at someone who has embarrassed you, even when you have known they were right?

In verses 13-19, the text describes Jesus' selection of twelve "apostles" to be sent out to proclaim his message, and to "have authority to cast out demons."  What do you think these "demons" could be?  Was it important that he chose twelve apostles?  Were these chosen apostles intended to be uniquely authorized, or were their successors also to be given the same authority?  Whom did Jesus intend to be the successors of the apostles--individuals chosen for their "offices," the individual believers who came after the apostles, or the collective body of believers?

Verses 19-21 indicate that Jesus then goes home, where he is so constantly surrounded by crowds "that they could not even eat."  His family then goes out "to restrain him, for people were saying 'he has gone out of his mind.""  What about his actions would make people think that Jesus was crazy? Were those the same "people" who had been in the "crowds"?  Why would the religious scholars from Jerusalem agree with the diagnosis of insanity?  Why would his family be inclined to "restrain" him, rather than inclined to defend him?  When Jesus' mother and brothers come and stand outside asking for him (verses 31-35), Jesus looks at those around him and announces that those who are with him, that whoever "does the will of God" is his brother and sister and mother.  Is he irritated or sad that his own family members seem to be siding with the crowd, or is he merely using the opportunity to claim special affinity with those who do God's will?  Have you ever known anyone who felt closer to church or to friends than to his or her own family?  How would that feel? What are the implications for those who would want to be Jesus' "family"?