The Book of Mark
Fall 2005 Bible Study
Chapters 3-4
The Book of Mark
Fall 2005 Bible Study
Chapters 3-4
| "St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us." |
Greetings
A crowd of about 20 gathered to listen to the gospel according to Mark and discuss its meaning for us now. We joined in a marvelous opening prayer and closed with a spontaneous home-spun exclamation of our gratitude while in between we dined on the most fabulous desert imaginable. Was it those homemade and super gooey-double-chocolate-fudge-brownies? The ones you need a plate so the chocolate doesn't get lost soaking into a napkin or running down your arm? I know the routine! Thanks Vi.
We also enjoyed a fascinating large group that went a bit longer than our new guidelines allow (and you know how inflexible we are down here!) led by one of our resident scholars, Miss Betty S. When we did break out for small group discussion when our leader said two groups and it was really enjoyable. Here follows the overview.
Chapters 3 and 4 of Mark in "Not Your Grandmothers" Bible Study
3:1-6 This is the fifth controversy Mark gives us (the first was 2:1...
remember? Like the first (2:1-12), it spins together a miracle and a debate
to show Jesus' mission and his God-given power. It is the second (2:23- 28)
on his teachings on the Sabbath. Sabbath observance was one of THE BIG
controversies at that time when the Christian movement was in the process of
separating from the synagogue. Remember, Christianity was a Jewish movement
for a long time, they kept the Sabbath in synagogue and the next day met to
honor Jesus and their new way at looking at their faith. This story could
have served as a defense for the early church custom of meeting on Sunday
(resurrection celebration for the Jesus movement) The argument about the
Sabbath was one of those that lead to his death. Remember, keeping the
Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments---
Furthermore, keeping the Sabbath was supposed to be for the well being of
people. This story shows again that keeping the ritual and the rules had
become more important than the wellness of the person. The previous stories
describe audience reaction as amazed but this one turns into hostility. He
speaks of "hardness of Heart". Bible translations: JB 'obstinate stupidity",
NIV "they were stubborn and wrong", NAB "they had closed their minds" pretty
well cover it. The same word is used in 6:52 to describe the lack of
comprehension of the disciples. Ouch! For anyone not acquainted with Mark,
the disciples repeated a failure to "get it right" is a recurring theme.
For discussion, if you wish: Many or most of us believe that one day without
work in a week is a healthy ideal, do we achieve it?
Is it special? How do we observe most Sundays? Does it have to be on Sunday?
For discussion on today's church, if you wish: Are there ways in which
today's church leaders can get so blinded to what appear to be necessary
rules that they fail to see God's healing work in action?
For discussion on our society, if you wish: We seem to be able to buy
anything and everything but liquor and a new car on Sunday. Do we see
economic forces as dehumanizing? As abusing the Sabbath law? If we want to
live in a relative rhythm of work and rest, can we do it without becoming
legalists ourselves?
3:7-19 FYI The "mountain": also translated as "going into the hills", is the
place where people go to plan revolts. Galilee was famous for it. Every Jew
knew there were twelve tribes of Israel. The coded message is "this is what
we've been waiting for."
Change is here, it is starting, but the traitor's name is Judas Iscariot.
The commissioning, now as it was then, is to follow him, to speak as he
speaks and to share his mission. In Mark, Jesus is appointing for a special
function, the understanding of appointment for ecclesiastical office
developed later.
3:20-30 and 3:31-35 In these two readings, the people who coulda, shoulda,
oughta have been more perceptive about Jesus (but aren't) are shown coming
to wrong conclusions. Mark uses this to point us toward the recognition that
Jesus is guided by God (the Holy Spirit). FYI The "Accuser" in Tom Wright's
commentary we now personify as Satan.
Jesus' family lived in a time when the family was also the economic unit and
the identification unit and the security unit. No individualism as we know
it. You were a member, you had an appointed place and you did as you were
told and the head (whether good, bad or mediocre) was the oldest big daddy
in line. You did nothing without approval and you associated with no one
without approval and you did the work you were told to do and you married
whomever was selected, etc. The question of an unpardonable sin v28 also is
found in other places in scripture: I John6:16, Heb 6:4-6, 10:26. The New
Jerome Biblical Commentary has this to say:
For discussion: v.28 Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons
of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter.
4:1-20 These are several parables going on to v.35 for this paper. Because
they are a metaphorical way of communicating, parables are open to multiple
meanings. It is normal that similar parables in Matthew or in Luke will be
interpreted somewhat differently and that all three Gospels may not be
interpreted, as it would have been at the time Jesus spoke or early
Christians repeated a given parable.
v. 3-9 Parable of the Sown Seed (the Sower) v 4-10: private instruction to
an inner circle commonly signals an interpretation of the teaching of Jesus
adapted to the needs of the early church. It could be interpreted as
encouragement: we hear three kinds of wasted seed followed by three degrees
of increasingly abundant yield could be the contrast between disappointing
beginnings and great results. What the listener could hear: "sown seed is
rich with promise and so is the reign (Kingdom) of God, it takes time and
work and the payoff is in the future."
For discussion: Is the sower Jesus? Is the seed his message? Is the effort
to live closely with Jesus, to follow Jesus and live out his message
worthwhile? Does this address committed Christians who are at the moment
spiritually 'dry"; congregations, church boards, preachers, whoever is
disheartened by periods of sterility or discouragement?
Maybe not for discussion: Is this parable asking me "What kind of soul am
I?"
The story is also about kinds of listeners: 1) those who hear but
immediately reject the message. 2) those who hear gladly but not
persistently; 3) those who hear many conflicting voices along with the
gospel; 4) those who hear, receive and then act appropriately in accord
with the gospel.
For discussion: the statement: When the word of Jesus Christ confronts us in
any form, we are challenged to be receptive, persistent, single-minded and
responsive.
4:26-34 We discussed the mustard seed a lot when we did the parables before
but I found a couple of interesting things I never paid attention to before:
" In goes the sickle at once, because the harvest has arrived." It's in
Joel 3:13 talking about the end of time and the last judgment. Also the word
for get up is also one of the regular words for the resurrection. I think
maybe I read it but didn't totally "hear" it! I guess I will read it
again...
For discussion: Whoever will hear and do this word may become the true
relative of Jesus.
And now a reminder that for next week, November 8, Dorothy Irvin will present her slides on archeological evidence of women in the diaconate, priesthood, and episcopacy in the early church. It will be held in the Church. Bring friends and family, it should be interesting.
Don't let us forget to sign up for privileges for the following week!
Om
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694