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Urgent Grace: Understanding the Gospel of Mark

Urgent Grace: Understanding the Gospel of Mark. Session 6: Reactions & Open Questions. My favorite thing about Mark is…. Mark’s presentation of Jesus as a confident authority with nothing to prove Jesus’ willingness to confront religious leaders

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Urgent Grace: Understanding the Gospel of Mark

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  1. Urgent Grace:Understanding the Gospel of Mark Session 6: Reactions & Open Questions

  2. My favorite thing about Mark is… • Mark’s presentation of Jesus as a confident authority with nothing to prove • Jesus’ willingness to confront religious leaders • Willingness to associate with the “least” and the “lowest” • Jesus’ single-mindedness, uncompromising dedication to his mission

  3. My favorite thing about Mark is… • Simple, straightforward, understandable • Jesus’ encounters with people changed lives • Powerful style, fast pace • Two Commandments vs. a load of rules • Clearer understanding of motives • The “cliffhanger” ending; how will I respond to the witness of the Gospels?

  4. My least favorite thing… • The abrupt ending and lack of Resurrection appearances • Absence of Nativity story • Too much emphasis on demons • Emphasis on miracles and healings – could give the wrong impression

  5. My least favorite thing… • Missed the Prodigal Son, Jesus’ concern for Mary from the cross • Little effort to convince the reader that belief in Jesus is desirable • Unevenness of intensity between Passion story and ministry story

  6. Some Questions • Is the eye of the needle in 10:25 a metaphor for something else? • What is with the “unclean spirits”? Is this Satan, or mental illness? • What about divorce? Jesus is pretty clearly against it; how does the Lutheran church justify divorce in light of this?

  7. Some Questions • Why no birth narrative? • How do Mark’s view of Satan and the Lutheran view of Satan coincide/differ? • Why so many Passion predictions? • Why the admonitions to secrecy?

  8. Open Questions: Mark 4:25 • Read Mark 4:25 • What might Jesus be talking about “having,” “giving” and “taking”? • Immediate Context: • Read Mark 4:21-25 • Does this shed any light?

  9. Open Questions: Mark 4:25 • Broader Context: • Consider Mark 4:1-25 • Does this shed any light? • Is it possible that Jesus is talking about how we show/hide our allegiance to the reign of God? • Is it possible Jesus is talking about the ethics of the reign of God?

  10. Open Questions: The Ending • Best available evidence is that anything after 16:8 is a later addition • Why would Mark end his gospel with, “They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid?” • What function is Mark trying to accomplish with this ending, and with his Gospel?

  11. For Your Consideration: Mark 1:1 • Is this a section heading for Chapter 1? • Or is this the title of the entire book? • Is it possible that Mark leaves the tension unresolved because the story is not yet finished?

  12. For Your Consideration • Consider real human life • Are there any loose ends in your life? • Are there past disappointments? • Are there things you look forward to in the future? • Is it possible that Mark ends here to honor the “already/not yet” tension in which we live?

  13. Fulfilled Promises Passion Desertion & Betrayal Denial Resurrection Pending Promises James & John will drink from the cup Disciples will testify Gospel will be preached Jesus will be enthroned, will come again For Your Consideration: Mark 16:7

  14. For Your Consideration • Based on Mark’s text, what do we surmise about the date, the location, and composition/situation of his audience? • Given this audience, what might Mark’s purpose in writing be? • Is it possible that Mark’s purpose is satisfied by the empty tomb, apart from the post-resurrection teaching found in the other Gospels?

  15. Open Questions: Judas • Read 14:21 • Is Judas “damned”? • If so, what does that mean for our “betrayals”?

  16. For Your Consideration • Read 3:28-30 • What does Jesus himself identify as the only unforgivable sin? • Read 14:26-31, 50-52, 66-72 • Note the contrast between the bold words and weak deeds of the disciples • Compare with 16:7-8

  17. A Few Closing Thoughts • Jesus’ Opponents • Discipleship as the Way of the Cross • The Primacy of the Passion • The Core Values of the Reign of God

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