Mon - 7:1-13; Tues - 7:14-23; Wed - 7:24-37; Thurs - 8:1-9:1; Fri - 9:2-29
The first section of the Gospel of Mark is focused on the identity of Jesus, “Who is this?” and the Kingdom that he proclaims has come near. With his Kingdom, comes a new ethic and way of living because the hope of the old ways has been fulfilled in him. We know who Jesus is and Mark invites us to laugh a bit at the pillars of the church, in their struggle to understand Jesus, in a way that invites us to examine ourselves for where we struggle to accept who Jesus is. For the readings this week, I will focus on the main points of King and Kingdom as we move into the opening readings of the central section of Mark’s Gospel.
Monday and Tuesday 7:1-23 – Jesus does not dismiss Jewish practices of ritual cleanliness per se but establishes a more important ethic of purity, “What comes out of a person’s heart is what makes them impure.” We tend to focus on the impurity of others, especially in our surrounding culture, but this short passage invites us into the heart of Jesus’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). Transformation of the heart brings about a purity that belongs in the Kingdom of God. Take a moment to read the list in 7:20-23. Which of these do we tend to dismiss as not being too big of a deal? Which ones do you struggle with the most? An additional thought to this passage: Jesus says that “nothing outside a person can defile them…” How far should Christians take this teaching when it comes to Kingdom ethics?
Wednesday, 7:24-37 – These two stories establish that the context Jesus is in is Gentile. This will be important for the first story in tomorrow’s reading. Up to this point, Jesus’s interactions with non-Jews has been limited. Jesus’s response to the woman can be read in as harsh (calling her a dog) or in a softer reading (there is order to who is fed first, but everyone eats). Either way, her persistence and faith are what prompts Jesus to heal her. When in your life have you been bold with God in prayer? Is it appropriate for you to be persistent when it appears God has said no?
The major point here I believe is that Jesus is now opening the gates to Kingdom citizenship to the Gentile people. He then moves into the Decapolis where the formerly demon possessed man went to share is story in Mark 5:20. News of Jesus spread rapidly, not because of his self-promotion through his healing ministry but because he genuinely cared and had compassion for people, and they couldn’t help but share the good news of their encounter with Jesus. What is the best way for churches to make a name for themselves?
Thursday, 8:1-9:1 – (8:1-21) It seems odd that there is an almost identical story of feeding a multitude. Within the context of Jesus being with the Gentiles, the focus of this story shifts in importance. The language Mark emphasizes echoes the words often remembered around the Lord’s Table (took bread, gave thanks, and broke it – 1 Cor 11:23-24). How many loaves this time? What does this number mean? Jesus in the next section asks these questions and gives the response “Do you still not understand?”
Seven is the number of perfection extended out to the Gentiles as a blessing from the one who has compassion for them. When Jesus brings perfection in his Kingdom, all will be welcome and made perfect at the table. Hear the echoes of Paul’s “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female…for we are all one in Christ” (Galatians 3:28). Who do you struggle to accept as your equal at the Lord’s Table? This may be hard to answer but allow the Spirit to examine you and reveal where you need to offer grace in the same way that grace has been offered to you.
“Do you not understand?” is the transitional question into this central narrative of Mark’s Gospel. This central section is framed by two healings: The Blind Man at Bethsaida (8:22-26) and Blind Bartimaeus (10:46-52). The first story acts as a lived parable where the blind man represents the followers of Jesus who can see but not quite clearly yet. As they continue in their walk with Jesus things become more and more clear. Peter becomes the example of this gradual coming of sight in the next section where he proclaims Jesus to be the Messiah. He has the right answer but the wrong interpretation of the answer. When you hold to your human concerns you try your best to shape Jesus into your own image and understanding. As we walk with Jesus through this central narrative we will learn what it means to have the concerns of God in the three times Jesus proclaims his death and resurrection and in turn calls us to take up our cross and follow him.
Friday, 9:2-29 – The transfiguration becomes the image to carry forward with us as we contemplate what it means to take up our cross. Sprinkled with imagery of Moses on Sinai (Exod 24, 33-34) and Daniel’s vision of the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:13-14), the transfiguration of Jesus points forward to his resurrection and in turn our own resurrection in Christ (Rev 6:11). Seeing Jesus glorified, God tells Peter, James, and John to listen to Jesus. This is certainly in reference to the teachings of Jesus where he “speaks plainly” about his death and resurrection. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the narrative we are baptized into when we accept the call to follow Jesus. Will we have the concerns of man in our hearts or the concerns of God when it comes to our walk with Christ? This is the fundamental question that shapes how we respond to Jesus’s call for us to “take up our cross and follow him.”