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The Gospel According to Mark

(Part 9)

Good morning and welcome to Jesus Church

• Last week we finished up talking about Discipleship
  • That discipleship isn’t just believing but becoming like Jesus
  • Because the job of a disciple was to become like your Rabbi
  • To know his teachings / be like him in every way / spread his word
• Discipleship not a level of Christianity… we don’t achieve discipleship
  • Example: When did Peter become a disciple – Dropped the net
  • And we all know Peter was not no where near perfect
• And what I know is its far too easy to be a Christian and not a disciple
  • And Jesus never intended it to be that way
  • And I believe this is core to finding fulfillment in our life
    • And relationship with Jesus… to become a true disciple
    • If you missed the last 2 weeks – Please go back and listen

This week we are going to get to the end of chapter 1… I promise

• Only took us 9 weeks to get there (and there are 16 chapters)
  • So today’s plan is read the rest of Ch. 1 – takes place of 24 hours
  • Basically this is “A day in the life of Jesus”
  • It’s Marks way of saying this is what life was like for Jesus
    • If you were walking with him day in and day out

Mark 1:21

They went to Capernaum and when the Sabbath came Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

We talked about Capernaum a couple weeks ago

Located on the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee (Pic 1)

• Jesus grew up a couple miles south west of Capernaum in Nazareth
  • But think of Capernaum as Jesus home base for his ministry
  • And it was right off the main trade road throughout middle east
  • So if you do something in Capernaum… everyone is gonna know it
    • We see that happen over and over (starting with this story)
• This story takes place on the Sabbath – Jewish day of rest & worship
  • Happened from sunset on Friday to sun down on Saturday
  • And everything we’re gonna read takes place in the synagogue
  • Synagogue was the epicenter of Jewish life
    • Kids were educated there
    • Entire city would come together on Saturday for service

And there were 4 parts to a Synagogue service

• Prayer / Reading of Torah / Teaching / Closing blessing
  • But the majority of this gathering was teaching focused
  • Which is why it says Jesus began to… (what) TEACH
• This is an amazing place… I was at this synagogue 3 weeks ago
  • This was a very large synagogue – 5000 sqft (Pic 2)
  • The white stones show a 4^th century synagogue – Remodel
  • But the dark stones are from Jesus synagogue (Pic 3)

Mark 1:22

People were amazed by his teaching because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

• What this means is when most Rabbi’s would teach
  • They would just quote other Rabbi’s
  • So Rabbi so-n-so says Exodus 34 means this
  • So they would never give a teaching based on their own thoughts
• But Jesus was nothing like that – He taught his own interpretation
  • Says w/ AUTHORITY: Ex-u-thia – author (out of the original stuff)
  • He was different… telling story like the author and with authority
    • And watch what happens

Mark 1:23-24

Just then a man in their Synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out “what do you want with us Jesus of Nazareth, have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the holy one of God”.

This impure spirit is terrified of Jesus – And for good reason

• If u wonder why demons always name Jesus as God in these stories
  • Tactic in Jesus day: If you said your spiritual enemy name / rank
  • You would have some type of an advantage over him
  • But it obviously doesn’t work

Mark 1:25-28

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

• Now we read this and think no big deal – Its Jesus
  • But demonization was an epidemic in Jesus day
  • It was all over Mediterranean world much like in the world today

There are tons of Jewish writings on exorcism

• Super complexed… like magic invoking authority of Solomon or Isaiah
  • And then do these crazy rituals
    • Some would hold up animal fesses to drive demon out
    • Or you would pour water to wash the demon out
  • Worst: Drill a hole in their skull to let demon out
    • If you live.. wear bone around neck to ward of other spirits
    • Found a gravesite they dug up – 6 of 120 had hole in head
• What’s crazy – Jesus doesn’t do any of that
  • No “in the name of” – This isn’t Gandalf fighting a balrog
    • Its just: Shut your mouth and leave
  • And guess what… IT WORKS!!!
    • Which is why they people react so amazed
    • He teaches with this AUTHORITY… like he wrote the book

So this is just the beginning of Jesus day – Gets better

Mark 1:29

As soon as they left the synagogue (probably around noonish) they went with James and John to the house of Simon and Andrew.

• Homes in Jesus day weren’t like they are today
  • Your house would be a part of a 4 house complex
  • Surrounding a courtyard to do everything (Cook/Laundry/Work)
  • Entire extended family lived in the complex
    • So you would have 50 to 60 people all living together
    • Today what they do is build up instead of out (Pic 4)

Mark 1:30-34

Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. (fever in this time was life threatening… and now they know Jesus has all this authority) So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

• So the sun sets which means the Sabbath is over
  • Now you can work… travel
  • And immediately the whole town is crammed in this courtyard

Mark 1:35-37

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him they exclaimed, “Everyone is looking for you”

• What are you doing out here in the wilderness
  • You’re trending on twitter… NY Times wants to do a piece
  • Netflix wants to film your life story
  • What are you thinking out here alone praying

Mark 1:38-39

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

• Meaning what Jesus did over this 24 hour period in Capernaum
  • Is now starting to spread and happen over the entire region
  • His ministry is going town to town… synagogue to synagogue

3 Things from a day in the life of Jesus

1 – Jesus did his work in the church and the home

• Because to Jesus it wasn’t one was right and the other wrong
  • Jesus was about just doing ministry inside the synagogue walls
    • Gathering on a day as a community
    • Hearing teaching and prayer/worship together
  • But also in the city… in a home… hitting the streets
• There’s this myth that Jesus was anti organized religion
  • And while its true that Jesus didn’t come to found a religion
    • Jesus is not down on organized worship of God
    • Jesus was very religious actually…
  • And there’s a trend that teaching isn’t necessary in Gods house
    • Enjoy life… talk over coffee… don’t need organized religion
    • Because Jesus wasn’t about information but transformation
• And yes he was absolutely about transformation
  • But this saying is a lie… Jesus was a RABBI – TEACHER
    • He was known for 2 things: Teaching & Miracles
    • And he taught in the Synagogue until it was too small
    • Then he did it outside… but only because he had to
  • All to say that we need both because Jesus embraced both
    • We need the weekly gathering of God’s people with teaching
    • But we also need the week long scattering of God’s people
      • Into a home… coffee shop… park

TAG: If you only have one or the other… YOU ARE MISSING OUT

2 – Jesus saw the home as a place of ministry and mission

• Ministry (inside God’s family) and Mission (outside of the faith)
  • Jesus saw the home as a great place to do ministry
    • Many people see the home as a retreat from ministry
    • I was taught as a pastor don’t have people to your house
    • Then go out from your house to serve somewhere else
  • But to Jesus it was inverted – Jesus did ministry in a home
    • And then would go out to rest in a solitary place
    • Which you would to if 60 people were living at your place
• And this is so important when it comes to our home life
  • Have family… 2^nd job way more important than one that pays you
    • And mom/dad know parenting is hard work
    • Temptation is work hard and come home and check out
    • Because you come home – worn down… but your kids aren’t
      • It’s hard work to be there… and actually be there
      • Eye’s up… phones down… engaging with each other
  • And what about your position within your community
    • Is your home open… do you have people over
    • Is your home a place where like Jesus – relationship happens
• All to say: What could it look like 4 home not be retreat from ministry
  • But like Jesus for it to be a place where ministry can happen
  • What if the kitchen table was where Jesus worked through you
  • Or living room was where people were encouraged in faith
    • Because that was what Jesus was all about

3 – Jesus took time to make room to get away with God

• Would you say that this was a pretty busy day for Jesus
  • If that was my day… I’m sleeping in… enjoy coffee… check phone
  • Did Jesus sleep in next day / veg on Netflix / do his own thing
  • No he made sure he had time to connect with the Father
• This was Jesus rhythm of renewal – How Jesus refreshed
  • What is your way to get refreshed… because we all get tired
  • And some might love the crowd… some it drains you
  • However you are wired: We all need time alone with God
    • Phone off – Email closed – Not falling asleep – In prayer
    • And make sure prayer is central… not just reading Bible
• And what happens: Jesus comes out refreshed with clarity and focus
  • Because that’s what time with God does
    • We all have times where we are in a fog… can’t do anything
    • Those are the signals that its been way too long – Go pray
  • So this week – Just try it… spend time away with God
    • It will give you clarity – focus – inspiriation – courage
    • Some of you have a big decision to make this week
      • Make sure you have made time to pray… talk AND listen
  • If you’re like me to busier I get the less time I spend with God
    • And ironically those are the times in need time the most
    • You can chart: Busier Jesus was… more the got alone

TAG: End – Odd story which is an illustration of what was happening now

Mark 1:40

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Now leprosy was the most feared disease in all of the ancient world

• It was a skin disease – Attacked face/mouth/nose… rest of body
  • • Would ooze and scar all over your face
    • You would look more like a monster than human
  • Then your hands and feet would shrivel up and disfigure
    • Fingers and toes would fall off
    • After 10 or so years you would die
• That wasn’t even worst part – It was you were considered unclean
  • Meaning you could not live or work inside the city
  • You couldn’t be within 50 ft of anyone without yelling “Unclean”
  • So no family… no temple (God)… no help… it was awful
• This guy is basically the living dead
  • Desperate and begging Jesus to help him

Mark 1:41

Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing, be clean!”

This seems like it makes sense… Jesus touches him to heal him but…

• A Rabbi would never touch anything unclean… especially a lepper
  • 1^st: They thought it was contagious
  • 2^nd: If you touched something unclean… you became unclean
• But what happens is instead of the clean becoming unclean
  • The unclean becomes clean
• This says so much about God… His heart towards the sinful & broken
  • There’s an awful belief that if I get clean – Then I can come to God
    • And that couldn’t be further from the truth
    • Like saying I really need to get healthy so I can see the doctor
  • And we know its foolish
    • But its so easy to believe it
    • And even if we don’t believe it… we act it out in real life

There is the Myth: God cannot tolerate sin in his presence (true/false)

• Definitely not true about Jesus
  • Jesus looked for people who are living in sin and goes after them
  • Takes his presence to them…
  • What they do with that is up to them
• But the unclean is made clean in God’s presence
  • The leaper is made healthy/whole/new in Jesus
  • This is what God is like

Mark 1:42

Immediately the leprosy left him and he was… (what) cleansed.

• This word… Cleansed: Katharizo – To be pronounced clean by the law
  • So from face looks like its melting / fingers and toes missing
  • ONE WORD ur not only clean… pronounced clean (and by God)
• And you might not have leprosy… but you might feel unclean
  • This man didn’t just hope God picked him… he made a decision
  • He recognized Jesus was his only hope… and he asked
• When you ask God: He will reach out and touch you
  • And it is the clean that transfers to you
  • Because the power of God will always overpower the power of sin

[PRAY]