Friday, February 23, 2007

Lenten Bible Study of the Gospel of Mark (2)

Chapter 1:14-45

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew castings their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after men, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the sone of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The peopel were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

On leaving the synagoge he enter the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town gathered at teh door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages tha I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogoes, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning hime sternly, he dimissed him at once. Then he said to him, "See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleasing what Moses prescribeds; that will be proof for them." The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Amen.

Verse 14: After John the Baptist was arrested did Christ "come onto the scene." John the Baptist's work/mission was completed.Verse 15: "gospel" What does it mean?

Verses 16-20: All of the first four apostles called were fishermen and two sets of brothers.

Verse 24: The demon says "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? ... I know who you are, the Holy One of God!" A confused demon about the differences of singular and plural usages?

Verse 30: Simon (Called Peter) has a mother-in-law (i.e., he is married).

Verse 31: She was cured and then began to serve them; a contrast to the lesson of Martha and Mary?

Verse 35: He prays in a deserted place so that people start searching for Him.

Verse 40: "If you wish, you can make me clean." God's Will always precedes us and our desires.

Verse 45: He stayed out in deserted places away from the crowds and people came to Him. We have to actively seek Him.

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