The Book of Mark
Fall 2005 Bible Study

Chapters 11-12

"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

There was a relatively small group that gathered down in the hall at the old country church this Tuesday evening for another discussion, dissection, dissertation, dissemination, (all right, all right, we get the point already!) and all around swell time.

Again we had no official facilitator and again it didn't faze us. We all brought something from these two chapters of Mark that we either had trouble with or really loved and discussed them. We wandered far and wide and a few of us made valiant attempts to keep us on course.

Chapter 11 has Jesus entering Jerusalem on a white colt, at least that is what my bible says, Thompson chain-reference Bible - New International Version (red-letter Edition!) and the next day throws out the money-changers and merchants (from Temple) and "would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts." And as he taught them he said, "Is it not written:

" 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers'"

Which happens to be a favorite of mine. It is so like us today to fall into the traps of making money and of being consumed by these "trinkets" of the "world" and pleasures of the flesh and treat them as though they are the real treasures, forgetting our about or minimizing our real blessings and wandering from the path. It is easy to see how we fall into it...ok, this is a place of prayer and God but if we open it up for a little capitalism and money-making, who will really care, wherein the harm? It's financially profitable for us and it helps us keep tabs on and control the populace. Jesus takes them to task and the Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law are afraid for they know deep down Jesus speaks the truth. I certainly empathize with them and see the difficult position Jesus puts them in. Knowing that which is right but bowing before the alter of convenience, peer-pressure and profit. Oh how I have struggled with that in my life!

I also like the fact that the scripture reads, 'a house of prayer for all nations' Not just for Jews, not for Christians, not for Hindus, not for Muslims, not for Israelis, not for Palestinians, but for all Peoples. Do we remember this today?

There is the story of the withered fig tree which is about having 'faith in God', another of my favorites and a very important lesson for me regarding prayer, for Jesus says,

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Nothing short of spectacular!

Then we have the elders and chief priests questioning Jesus' authority and asking him on what grounds does he teach. Jesus answers them by asking one simple question and if they answer him he will answer them. They do not answer him, for either answer they give would put them in difficult social positions, and so Jesus does not answer them.

Then we have a parable that I had trouble with, (The Parable of the Tenants) and I love the parables! They are deep and rich with meaning, usually on many levels. I had to look it up in our Zannoni book and it sort of makes sense now. Too much to go into here but for those of you with his book, "The Parables of Jesus", it can be found on page 54.

Next we find Jesus answering the question, is it right to pay taxes to Caesar and Jesus knows they are trying to trap him, they usually are.

Then we have the interesting and confusing bit about marriage and the Resurrection, then the Greatest commandments, and Whose Son Is the Christ? Chapter twelve ends with the touching scene of the Widows Offering. Jesus tells us that those who gave to the Temple large sums did so from great wealth and yet the "Widow, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."

What we dined on for snacks at treat time was nothing short of a family and now a bible study tradition!! We were witness to and treated to mounds of homemade candies, from an ancient family recipe, with peanut brittle and some sort of the most fabulous caramel goodness you can imagine. For desert we had chocolate covered doughnuts and some out-of-this-world Mexican Free Trade java! R U kidding me!!! Mercy, Rita!

Now, for next week we have a first time facilitator taking the plunge so you don't want to miss it! Please read chapters 13 - 14

In Frieden
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694