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| Mark 1: 4-13 |
Welcome to Summer 2016 study of the Gospel of Mark.
The first or introduction to this study, is here- "As Written in the Prophet, Mark 1:1-3". Please read it before starting this week's study.
Two things I want to tell you about this study. First, the
more I learn Hebrew, the more I want to find out what the “New Testament” says
in light of the “Old”. I believe that Jesus, whom I call Y’shua (English transliteration
of the Hebrew word for Salvation) has not changed. The Gospel is not new but we who are not Jewish, who call ourselves, "the church," have, for many reasons, moved away from the world view of the Patriarchs and Prophets
of the ancient Hebrew culture. That was the culture Y’shua chose to be born
into. It is also the culture that the Almighty entrusted his prophecies and
promises to. From my perspective, it is important to study and understand this ancient
culture to understand Y’shua – Salvation, whom we know as Jesus.
I love the Word of God. I love what it says and do not want
to slip into twisting it to say something it does not. Because I am sharing my
morning study with you instead of what a professional has written, let me share
a little bit of how I study when I am alone with the Spirit (the Ruach).
First I pray and read the passage. Honestly, some days I read
the passage and then pray. No matter which comes first, these are always
primary to my study time.
Next, I keep a small notebook. I make three columns on a
page (thank you Anne Graham-Lotz)
In the first column I write what the verse says. I try to
not change the wording of the translation I am using but I do not always keep
the verse in the form of the sentence it was translated into.
In the second column I write what the verse means. How
should I respond to the information in the verse? What does the LORD expect of
me because of this verse. This is also the place where I do my language
studies. You do not need to do language studies to know the Word of God, but so
many areas of understanding have sprung open to me just by understanding the
language used.
Finally, in the third column, after thinking through my
Spirit guided response in the second column, I form a question that the
information will answer. I invite you to do the same and would love to hear
what the Almighty speaks to you about what you are studying.
Day 1
Verses to know and
copy into your notebook
Hebrews 13:7-8
Romans 3:1-4
Mark 1:4
|What does the passage say?|
(who) John the Baptist (what) appeared
(where) in the wilderness
(what) preaching a baptism of repentance
(why) for the forgiveness of sins.
Does baptism always
mean what you think it means?
What do you think of
when you hear the word “baptisum” If you have the tools, look up the meaning of baptism.
I have not got very far in my summer study of Mark, yet somehow I have to pick up my jaw from the floor with the things I have been learning.
I have not got very far in my summer study of Mark, yet somehow I have to pick up my jaw from the floor with the things I have been learning.
About baptism: usually
it means "immersed" as in what JohnnyB (John the Baptist) DID in the
wilderness
The numbers I use are
from Strongs Concordance. G is Greek-New Testiment, and H is Hebrew-Old
Testiment.
(G907 baptizoon)—washed
(What JohnnyB DID).
(G908 baptisma) What
he "preached" was a little bit different. It means, overwhelmed, as
in he preached their overwhelming need for repentance and immersed (washed)
them in the Jordan River.... It's the little things that turn me on. (Thanks to
Louw and Nida)
|What does it mean| JohnnyB "overwhelmed the people with their need for repentance. From what he spoke to them, they were overwhelmed with the weight of their sin."
Day 2
Study Notes, Gospel of
Mark chapter 1; DID YOU KNOW: John the Baptist was probably one of only two
baby boys to survive Herod's Rage
Verses to copy into
your notebook
Matthew 2:16
Luke 11:51
I believe that John the Baptist's father was the Zechariah of Luke 11:51. It is said that JohnnyB’s well known,
miraculous birth, had the people and the government believing that he
could be the Messiah. Tradition says that Zechariah sent Elizabeth their baby John to
the wilderness to hide him from Herod. Zechariah refused to reveal where
they were hidden, even under threat of death, which government loyalists
followed through on.
Mark 1:5-8 study notes
|What does the passage say?|5 And
(who) all the country of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem;
...by him (John the Baptist)
(what) was going out to him, ...and they were being baptized ...confessing their sins.
(where) in the Jordan River,
|What does it mean|
"and" says that what ever is happening in verse 5 is connected to verse 4 where people were overwhelmed by their sin.I really do not know how people found out about the ministry of John the Baptist without modern communication. It had to be a movement of YHVH (the LORD)
Doesn't the Jordan flow near Jerusalem? If Baptism in the Jordan was as special travelers to Israel say it is, then why does it matter where in the Jordan a person goes to be baptized? Personally I do not think the water is as important as the anointed ministry of John, son of Zechariah.
Weren't there adequate preachers in the city? All I know is that those who were something in their religion came under conviction of sin when they came to John's presence.
What was different about JohnnyB that brought all of Judea and Jerusalem to the wilderness? It has to be the anointing of John.
|Ask the question|
What would it take to get you out of the comfort and ease of city life to an un-plumbed, unsettled, no hotels wilderness to hear a minister of YHVH? Have you ever known the overwhelming desire to be right before the Almighty?
[what does it say?] (verse 6)
(what) was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.
[what does it mean?]
John wore what we would call, homemade, what was locally available to the poorest of people. He was a hunter-gather in an area where even hunting was difficult.
[the question]
Has the Almighty blessed someone who must dress in what is available, or who has to eat what is easiest to catch while still staying Torah observant? Most of us deny that wealth is a sign of God’s blessing, but do we respond to God’s people as if health and wealth are symbolic of the blessing of God?
John wore what we would call, homemade, what was locally available to the poorest of people. He was a hunter-gather in an area where even hunting was difficult.
[the question]
Has the Almighty blessed someone who must dress in what is available, or who has to eat what is easiest to catch while still staying Torah observant? Most of us deny that wealth is a sign of God’s blessing, but do we respond to God’s people as if health and wealth are symbolic of the blessing of God?
Who is more likely to draw you as a follower? Joel Osteen, John MacAuthor, Kay Author?
All good people with mega ministries, big properties, fantastic wardrobes, best selling books to help fund their ministries, comfortable worship centers, big donors.
All good people with mega ministries, big properties, fantastic wardrobes, best selling books to help fund their ministries, comfortable worship centers, big donors.
Who would you go out of your way to see as a destination ministry? Have you been deceived by the power of wealth?
|What does it say (verse 7)
And (who) he (John the Baptist)
(what) was preaching, and saying, (when)"After me (who) One is coming who is (what) mightier than (who)I (John the Baptist), and I (what) am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.
|What does it mean?|
One is coming (verse 7)
Is this significant to JohnnyB’s message?
Deuteronomy 6:4
H259 'ECHAD (what do you learn about this Hebrew word in this context?)
|The Question|
In the context of Deut. 6:4 Who is it that John says is coming?
|What does it say?| verse 8
(who) I (John)
(what) baptized (who) you Judeans)
(how) with water;
but
(who) He (one-ECHAD who is coming)
(what) will baptize (who) you
(how) with the Holy Spirit."
|What does it mean?|
JohnnyB is preparing people for the one who is coming
The importance of
baptism (verse 8)
Look at yesterday's
notes on baptism. What do you think JohnnyB is saying?
|The Question|
Are you ready for the return of Y'shua haMashiach (Jesus who is the Christ)?
|The Question|
Are you ready for the return of Y'shua haMashiach (Jesus who is the Christ)?
Day 3
(Review) JohnnyB had a
message: You have an overwhelming need to repent for remission of sin. People
left their comfortable homes to hear him preach in the wilderness because nothing
on earth could make them forget the discomfort of sin. They were willing to go
a long way for remission of sin; but what is remission? Is remission of sin
enough to achieve eternal life?
When we talk about cancer being in remission we are saying that the horrible radiation treatment has done its job and the doctor cannot find evidence of cancer in the body or blood of the victim. It does not mean the person is cured, but that for this season (which may last to the end of a person's life or may be a matter of years) there is no evidence of cancer, the treatment can be stopped.
Remission of sin is similar. When there is no evidence of sin the treatment (repentance) can be stopped.... until there is again evidence. Repentance is about turning away from your sin and facing Y'shua-Jesus.
Remission (G859) is
release, liberation, being set free.
Mark tells us that all
of Judea wanted to be set free and went to great lengths to be free from
the cancer that is sin. THIS is how JohnnyB was to "prepare the people for
"the one" coming after him.
Yesterday I hinted that the Hebrew word for "one" was important. I hope you had the time and the tools to look it up for yourself. In Deuteronomy 6:4 it is written
...YHVH (the LORD) is one.It does not say, 'the only one' but "is one" One is 'ECHED (H259) and while it is correct to use 'ECHED as a number or as first in place, it also means "united".
So if I am reading this right, John the Baptist's message was, Get ready, 'ECHED, the Almighty, is coming after me.
Mark 1:9-11
10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;
11 and a voice came out of the heavens: " You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
NASU
|What does the passage say?| |What does it mean?| |Ask
the question|
Verse 9
|What does the passage say|
(when?) In those days
(who?) Jesus (what?) came (where?) from Nazareth in Galilee
and
(what?) was baptized by (who?) John (where?) in the Jordan.
|What does it mean?|
The New American Standard Update skips over the phrase, "it came to pass" from the Greek word ghin'-om-ahee G1096. It adds the idea of there being a result to John's baptism, a pinnacle or a point. As I understand this, the day Y'shua-Jesus came to John for baptism was the whole reason for John's ministry of baptism.
Look back at verse 8; What does the name “Jesus” mean?
|What does the passage say|
(when?) In those days
(who?) Jesus (what?) came (where?) from Nazareth in Galilee
and
(what?) was baptized by (who?) John (where?) in the Jordan.
|What does it mean?|
The New American Standard Update skips over the phrase, "it came to pass" from the Greek word ghin'-om-ahee G1096. It adds the idea of there being a result to John's baptism, a pinnacle or a point. As I understand this, the day Y'shua-Jesus came to John for baptism was the whole reason for John's ministry of baptism.
Look back at verse 8; What does the name “Jesus” mean?
If you have the word study tools, you should be able to follow the word back to Greek and then the Hebrew word H3091. Y'shua which means "salvation". Salvation came from Nazareth in Galilee
Is there a logical
reason for Y'shua-Jesus to be baptized by JohnnyB?
Logically, no, Y'shua-Jesus did not need to be washed (baptized) from his sin. Christians find it confusing to understand. For myself, I could not understand why the sinless son of God needed to submit to Christian baptism. I am pretty sure that I was trying to answer the wrong question.
Logically, no, Y'shua-Jesus did not need to be washed (baptized) from his sin. Christians find it confusing to understand. For myself, I could not understand why the sinless son of God needed to submit to Christian baptism. I am pretty sure that I was trying to answer the wrong question.
What is the significance to the word Jordan?
You should be able to
follow the English word Jordan to the Greek word "ee-or-dan'-ace" G2446 back to the Hebrew word "yar-dane'" H3383 and the letters yod-resh-dalet-nun. Every Hebrew letter tells a story. They are pictographs.
For me, the river we call Jordan in English and Yar-dane in Hebrew is more then a label. The sad thing about speaking English is our words are labels. The reason I get excited about Hebrew is that the letters do not simply represent sounds, they tell a story. What is the story of the Jordan in Hebrew?
yod pictures a hand
resh pictures a man
dalet is a picture of a gate or door.
nun is said to be a seed or sperm and that fits, but it has also been suggested to me that it is a path with a destination.
For me, the river we call Jordan in English and Yar-dane in Hebrew is more then a label. The sad thing about speaking English is our words are labels. The reason I get excited about Hebrew is that the letters do not simply represent sounds, they tell a story. What is the story of the Jordan in Hebrew?
Man's hand on the gait of the righteous path.
Being baptized was not about being washed from sin. It was about entering the righteous path. The people who came to John repented of their sin. That was a separate act from Baptism. They were also baptized by John, they also entered the gate of the righteous path. Y'shua-Jesus did not need to repent, but he, like those of us who choose to follow Him, made a point of purposefully entering the gate of the path of righteousness.
|Ask the question|
Have you entered the righteous way?
You may never get to Israel, but you can be baptized. First you repent of your sin, then you enter the gait to the path by baptism. There is nothing magic about baptism, it is simply an act of obedience, step 1 to follow The Way or the path of Salvation (whom we call Jesus).
Verse 10
|what does it say?|
(how?) Immediately (where?) coming up out of the water, (who?) He (Y'shua-Jesus) (what?) saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;
|what does it say?|
(how?) Immediately (where?) coming up out of the water, (who?) He (Y'shua-Jesus) (what?) saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;
Was there a purpose to
Y'shua-Jesus being washed-baptized in water?
|what does it mean?|
Note: If you are using
KJ from the Greek Textus Receptus (TR), then the English word, straightway or will
be from G2112 which is a simple time word. In light of Mark 1:3 I believe this may be a mistake. If you are using just about any
English Bible that came after the KJ then "immediately" will be
translated from G2117 which is more of a straight path (it can be used to
indicate quickly as an adjective). I am using the idea presented in verses 2
and 3 of chapter 1, that Mark is about what the prophets communicated with the Hebrew word YASHAR (H3477) or yoo-thoos G2117 in the Septuagint. Straight, upright
before the Almighty. Therefore, Y'shua was upright in his relationship with the
Father when he came out of the water.
If you have the tools,
look up the Greek for "he saw"
G1492 eido (i'-do) is not simply looking at something, but includes the idea of perception, an understanding of what you are looking at.
Y'shua was upright in His relationship with the Almighty when he came up from the water. He saw and was aware of the significance of the Heavens opening as the Spirit like a dove descended upon Him.
By the way, in Hebrew, Dove and wine are related words. Both of them represent the Spirit of the Almighty.
|the question|
Have you submitted to the simple things you are asked to do for the kingdom of God? Often they open the flood gate of amazing experiences.
Verse 11
|what does it say?|
and (who-what?) a voice (where?) came out of the heavens: "(who?) You (Y'shua) (what?)are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
|What does it mean?|
The word "and" connects this verse to what just happened, "the heavens opened and the Spirit descended" AND a voice came out of the heavens. It was directed to Y'shua telling him he was beloved and that he pleased Abba (his pappa).
I used to say that before Y'shua-Jesus ever did anything good or bad, his father was pleased with him. But understanding that "immediately" is not a good translation for the Hebrew word YASHAR, which communicates "upright in relationship" to the Almighty, I now know that he kept The Way of righteousness by being baptized
This is such an amazing sentence that I hesitate to attempt to make simple what is says.
All of heaven celebrated the righteousness of Y'shua walking The Way of righteousness as he came up from the water, YHVH declared him to be His own beloved Son, proclaiming that He was very pleased with him.
|The question|
Heaven may not open for you or I because we choose baptism as a testimony of our Salvation, but if we stay the course and walk The Way, our hope is that we will get to hear, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master." Are you living a life that is pleasing to the Almighty for this goal?
|what does it say?|
and (who-what?) a voice (where?) came out of the heavens: "(who?) You (Y'shua) (what?)are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
|What does it mean?|
The word "and" connects this verse to what just happened, "the heavens opened and the Spirit descended" AND a voice came out of the heavens. It was directed to Y'shua telling him he was beloved and that he pleased Abba (his pappa).
I used to say that before Y'shua-Jesus ever did anything good or bad, his father was pleased with him. But understanding that "immediately" is not a good translation for the Hebrew word YASHAR, which communicates "upright in relationship" to the Almighty, I now know that he kept The Way of righteousness by being baptized
This is such an amazing sentence that I hesitate to attempt to make simple what is says.
All of heaven celebrated the righteousness of Y'shua walking The Way of righteousness as he came up from the water, YHVH declared him to be His own beloved Son, proclaiming that He was very pleased with him.
|The question|
Heaven may not open for you or I because we choose baptism as a testimony of our Salvation, but if we stay the course and walk The Way, our hope is that we will get to hear, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master." Are you living a life that is pleasing to the Almighty for this goal?
Day 4
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; Mark 1:2
All of Judea and her
capital city of Jerusalem came to the wilderness because of their overwhelming
sin problem. They came to John the Baptist (JohnnyB) to confess what the
Almighty already knew and to be washed in the Jordan. The hearts and minds of
the people were ready to walk The Way of the LORD. But from Galilee, a man came
from Nazareth to be baptized by John. Was he "The One" who would wash
(baptize) them with fire?
Mark 1:12-13
|What does the
passage say?|
Mark 1:12(How? NOT when) Immediately (who?) the Spirit (what?) impelled Him (Y'shua-Jesus) to go out (where?) into the wilderness.
|What does it mean|
"Immediately" is a word that has been lost in translation. This comes up again and again in the book of Mark. The original word, based on a prophecy given in Mark 1:3 is YASHAR, a Hebrew word that has the idea of "upright in relationship with YHVH- the LORD" Go back and read my introduction to the Gospel of Mark for my premise. As Y'shua-Jesus came up from the water of the Jordan, he was in an "upright relationship with YHVH". At that moment, the RUWACH-the Spirit of the Almighty, sent him, not to Jerusalem and the Temple, but into the wilderness.
|Ask the question|
The Spirit impelled
Him (verse 12)
Have you been called
by the Almighty to ministry of any kind? If so, are you where you thought you
would be?
If you knew nothing about what happened in the
wilderness from the other Gospels, wouldn't you wonder if His being
"impelled" (G1544: shot like a bullet... or you might say as a dart
from a blow gun since the word for Spirit in both Greek and Hebrew means
"wind" or "breath") into the wilderness, wasn't some kind of
mistake? Shouldn't He have gone to some central location where all those people
were "prepared" to hear Him?
This is the 2nd use of "immediately" or straightway" in Mark.
This time there is no
difference between the word used by the TR and the other Greek Manuscripts.
They are both G2117 which goes back to the Hebrew word YASHAR: (see my introductionto the Gospel of Mark). In righteousness, seeking the face of YHVH (as both
Adam and Eve were created to do). How (if at all) does YASHAR fit in this passage?
|What does the passage say?|
verse 13
And (who?) He (Y'shua) was (where?) in the wilderness forty days (what?) being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.
We have read the whole
story and know that Y'shua did not die in the wilderness. When Israel came from
Egypt under Moses, all but two (Joshua and Caleb) of the people died in the
wilderness. Every one of them are buried in unmarked graves in the Saudi Arabian Desert,
discovered by Jim and Penny Caldwell (You can read the fantastic story of their
discoveries in Penny's book, "The God of the Mountain").
Y'shua faced Satan's temptations, wild beasts (he understood what the Roman believers, cast unarmed into the coliseums to fight wild beasts for the amusement of unbelievers, were going through) And to be ministered to by angels.
Y'shua faced Satan's temptations, wild beasts (he understood what the Roman believers, cast unarmed into the coliseums to fight wild beasts for the amusement of unbelievers, were going through) And to be ministered to by angels.
Ephesians 6:12
Why was Satan allowed to tempt (test) Y'shua?
Were the wild beasts
all animals?
Read Revelation 13 before you respond to
this question.
Angels are messengers.
Even if they can do more than speak encouraging words, is that enough? It seems
that they are outnumbered two (Satan and wild beasts) to one.
2 Kings 6:16-17;
Matthew 26:53;
1 John 4:3-5
|Ask the question|
When you are sent to your wilderness, will you remain YASHAR or will you be another unmarked grave who did not even get off the starting block?
You can click here for Part 1 of Mark 1:4-13 One (Echad) is coming
