GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES
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The Bible- Gospel of Mark Series Icon. |
Welcome again to my Gospel
of Mark Series. I have not written for this series since January 2013, but
as I am half way through Mark’s Gospel, I am determined to recommit to this
series, and in the process gain a fuller understanding of Mark's Gospel.
During 2015, each week, I
will write a post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the
16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to
understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this
journey as we travel through the liturgical season. In today's post, we
explore chapter 8: 11-13 which is called No signs for Pharisees.
NO SIGNS FOR PHARISEES.
After the second meal in a
desert place, Jesus with his disciples to the district of Dalmanutha (8:10).
Although the geographical location of this place is unknown, Mark
understands it to be on the western shore of the lake, across from the place
where the crown was fed the second times, apparently in the Decapolis on the
eastern side of the lake.
The opposition to Jesus has
resumed when the Pharisees come and start to argue with Him again. The
lesson the meal in the desert that Jesu can nourish people with new life is
lost on them. These Jewish religious leaders in Galilee seek signs that
convince them that Jesus is from God.
The word ‘sign’ used three
times in this short passage, is not Mark’s usual word for a work of Jesus.
Mark understands the works of Jesus not so much as signs of something
hidden, but as works of divine power coming into the world to free people from
evils.
TYPES OF SIGNS
There are signs that
convince and signs that witness. The former proves beyond all
doubt, the latter invite. While the operate not matter what a person’s interior
attitude may be, the latter can witness to happenings only where there is an
interior readiness to see. The Pharisees ask for the former, but Jesus
offered the latter.
Jesus responds to the lack
of faith in the Pharisees with a deep sigh. Marks has mentioned the
emotions of Jesus before (1.14, 3:5, 6:34). The phrase ‘ Truly, I say to
you’ is used by Mark only in the sayings of Jesus to emphasise important
teaching.
In a symbolic gesture, Jesus leaves the Pharisees and gets back
into the boat for another crossing of the lake, towards Bethsaida on the
eastern shore, the place to where Jesus has earlier told his disciples to go
ahead of him.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
In our journal and/or our discussion
group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:
·
Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus
in this passage of scripture?
·
Reflect on the keywords in this passage for they contain the
substance and purpose of all the things Jesus said and did-?
·
Imagine that you are one of the Pharisees. What do you see
and hear and feel. What can I learn from this?
·
What kind of signs would I expect God to give to reveal divine
power in the world.?
·
What kind of signs do I want Jesus to give me for my life/my
family/my parish?
·
Enter into the interior feeling of Jesus which causes his deep
sigh? Does Jesus react to us when we are Pharisees looking for signs or testing
Him?
·
How do we walk away from people who look for a sign from us and/or
test us? What signs are they looking for? Why are we able/not able to
give them these signs?
·
Reflect on my relationship with Jesus and this teaching in the
light of this gospel passage. What are my experiences of trusting God for my needs?
·
What are some areas in my life that need further trusting from
God? Make a list of areas in my life that need a change of heart and
develop an action plan on how this change of heart might occur. (e.g. name an
area and name one/two changes that you will implement with God's help.
·
What impact does Jesus’ teaching have on you (8:11-13)?
·
How has this passage spoken to you- what does it say to you?
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