Unit 6 Mark’s Gospel

Unit 6 Mark’s Gospel The role and nature of Christian Discipleship

Discipleship Disciple = follower or learner. Qualities of a disciple: humble, patient, understanding, obedient, kind, friendly, selfless, loyal, committed, faithful, caring, trustworthy, loving, forgiving, compassionate • Disciples Low Points: • Lacking faith during the storm • Arguing with Jesus before the feeding of the 5000 • Peter, James and John fall asleep when Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane • Judas betrays Jesus and Peter denies him • Ran away leaving Jesus when he got arrested • They didn’t believe Jesus had risen and were afraid so they hid away • Disciples High Points: • Gave up everything to follow Jesus • Peter recognises Jesus identity as Messiah at Caesarea Philippi • Were upset when Jesus told them they would betray him • They were sure they would be loyal even if it meant death • Peter regrets denying Jesus • They carry out Jesus mission

Jesus calls his disciples Jesus calls the fishermen • Jesus walked beside Galilee. • He saw Simon and Andrew casting a net into the lake. • “Come follow me and I will send you out to fish for people. • They left their nets and followed Jesus. • A little further he saw James & John on a boat. • He called them & they left their father and followed him.

Jesus calls his disciples • Jesus calls Levi • Beside the Lake Jesus began to teach a large crowd. • He saw Levi sitting at a tax collectors booth. • Jesus told him to follow him & he did. • The disciples & Jesus had dinner at Levi’s house. • The teachers of the law asked “why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” • Jesus replied “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Key points • I will teach you to catch people = He would teach them how to bring people back to God. • They dropped everything and followed Jesus immediately (They leave their jobs & father). • Simon became known as Peter, meaning ‘rock’ – he would become Jesus’ closest disciple. • Tax collectors were hated for being dishonest & because they worked for the Romans. • A Jew associating with outcasts would be ‘unclean’ (religious impurity). • Jesus was more concerned with the outcasts than keeping religious duties!

Jesus’ attitude to the Sabbath “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath”. • Jesus was going through the grainfields with his disciples, they began to pick some heads of grain. • The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” • Jesus answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

Key points • There were a list of 39 actions not permitted on the Sabbath. ONLY EXCEPTION = IF SOMEONE’S LIFE WAS IN DANGER! • Picking corn broke 1 of the 39 actions. • Jesus reminded them of a time when even King David broke the Law for the sake of his men. *Jesus taught that human need is more important than the Law. *Jesus said that he had authority to do whatever he liked on the Sabbath.

Jesus Chooses the 12 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelvethat they might: - Be with him. - Preach. - Have authority to drive out demons.

The 12 Disciples

Key points • They would learn from him and carry on his work. • The number 12 represented the 12 tribes of Israel in Jewish Scripture. CONSIDER: Q. How can Christians carry out Gods work today? A. By talking to others about Christ. You do not have to be a minister or priest, you can have any job/vocation.

The Challenge of Witnessing • Jesus went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. He taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and many who heard him were amazed. • “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. • Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

Key points • The people of Nazareth didn’t recognise the importance of Jesus – they thought of him only as a carpenter • Jesus wasn’t able to carry out many miracles in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith. • Jesus’ rejection by his friends and family were a foretaste of the rejection he would face at the end of his life.

The Mission of the Twelve • He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. • “Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” • They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Key points • The mission of twelve is an extension of Jesus’ mission. • TWO main reasons they were sent out in pairs: 1. Protection: roads were dangerous. 2. Witnesses: the evidence of 2 could be trusted. • They had to rely on the hospitality of others and therefore rely fully on God (Depend on God NOT yourself). • Jews would shake the dust from their feet when leaving a Gentile area – a serious action! • Oil used to heal – still used today in some Churches!

The Mission in action today

The cost of being a disciple He called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: -“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Key points • Being a disciple requires: - Self denial. - Being willing to face death. • Carrying part of your own cross was a Roman custom showing you submitted to the rule you opposed. Christians should publicly show they submitted to Christ’s authority. • Many of Mark’s readers were being killed for being Christian (Dying but remained faithful). • Some Christians still face death today or may be simply mocked or lose friends. *Being Christian involves sacrifice but also reward!

Living a life of poverty & preaching CONSIDER: What might this kind of sacrifice mean for Christians today?

Jesus at the temple • Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. • He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. He taught them “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.’” • The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

Key points • Both Jews & God fearing Gentiles would be at the Temple to make a sacrifice. • Sacrificial animals had to be pure, such animals were sold for 10 or 15 times their normal price. • Offering only accepted in special coins (no image of Caesar) – had to be changed to shekels and there was a large fee for this service. • People were being exploited. Jesus was fulfilling a prophecy by cleansing the Temple (Malachi 3:1-4).

Coping with temptation • “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. • If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. • And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. • And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ • Everyone will be salted with fire.“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Key points • Frightening warnings used to emphasise the importance of faith. • Remove anything that might cause you to lose faith. • Life in the Kingdom of God is more important than anything, even the body! Millstone: large heavy stone used to grind stone.

Question about paying taxes • They sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They said “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” • Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. • Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”And they were amazed at him.

Key points • Jesus’ opponents wanted to trap him and get him into trouble with the authorities. • He could be arrested for going against Rome if he suggested they shouldn’t pay taxes. • If he said yes he would seem to support Roman rule and become unpopular with ordinary people. • Jesus avoided their trap and taught that they should give the Romans their money but remain loyal to God.

The widow’s offering • Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. • Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. • Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Key points • The woman’s act of giving was greater than that of the rich. • The poor were thought of as less important than the rich. • This woman was a widow with no source of income – yet she offered all she had to God. • Sacrifice is more important than the amount given. • Disciples of Christ should offer all they have to God.

The pressure of discipleship Jesus predicts Peter’s denial • At the Mount of Olives Jesus said ““You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” • Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” • “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twiceyou yourself will disown me three times.” • But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. Key points • Jesus makes 3 predictions: 1. The followers will scatter. 2. He will rise again. 3. Peter will deny Jesus 3 times. • Peter confidently shrugs this off – he argues that he would be prepared to die with Jesus.

Peter denies Jesus • Peter was in the courtyard and one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. She looked closely at him. • “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. • But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” • When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. • After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” • He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” • The rooster crowed the second time.Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken to him.

Key points • Peter was approached whilst Jesus was on trial before the Sanhedrin. • The High Priests servant woman questioned Peter twice. • Finally the bystanders recognised him as a Galilean and questioned Peter. • Peter denied Jesus just as he had predicted, he broke down and cried when he realised what he had done. *How might Peter’s behaviour reassure Christians today?

Past paper questions – Part A • Name two of Jesus’ disciples who were fishermen [1 mark each]. • Which disciple was a tax collector? [1] • What does the word disciple mean? [1] • Why did Jesus praise the widow at the Temple treasury? [1] • Where did Jesus meet the first four disciples? [1] • What was Jesus’ job said to be? [1] • Where and by whom does Jesus say a prophet is never respected? [1] • How many disciples travelled together? [1] • Who did Jesus drive out of the Temple? [1]

Past paper questions – Part B • Describe the call of the first four disciples [5]. • Explain some of the ways in which the disciples disappointed Jesus [5]. • Describe and explain the qualities of a true disciple [5]. • “Christians today are ashamed to share their faith with others.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer [5]. • Outline the Mission of the Twelve as recorded by Mark [5]. • Explain what Jesus meant when he said, “Take up your cross and follow me” [5].

Past paper questions – Part C • “Following Jesus today involves making sacrifices.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer [10]. • “The disciples are good role models for Christians today.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer [10]. • “Anyone can be a disciple of Christ.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered different points of view [10].

Unit 6 Mark’s Gospel