The Gospel of Mark - Following the Master 1B
Mark 1:1-20
John Ryan
01/07/2007

"Personally I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." - Winston Churchill

The word "disciple" is used 269 times in the New Testament. The word "Christian" is found only three times - and the first time it introduces the disciples is in Acts 11:26. Augustine said, "The New Testament is a book about disciples, by disciples and for disciples of Jesus Christ."

"For at least several decades the churches of the Western world have not made discipleship a condition of being a Christian. One is not required to be, or to intend to be, a disciple in order to become a Christian, and one may remain a Christian without any signs of progress toward or in discipleship. Contemporary American churches in particular do not require following Christ in his example, spirit and teachings as a condition of membership ... discipleship clearly is optional. Most problems in contemporary churches can be explained by the fact that members have not yet decided to follow Christ." - Dallas Willard

Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone, help

When I was younger so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors
Lennon and McCartney, The Beatles "Help"

Mark 1:1 - The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
"Christ" - Christos - Meshua - the Messiah - the anointed one. Jesus was the Christ, the anointed One of God chosen to be King, Suffering Servant, and Savior (see December 31st message - Centrality of Christ). Long promised, He was now on the scene in Israel. But, he would appear, live, teach, and die much differently than the people thought.
"Son of God - This is a title of divinity and authority. He is not less than God and He is not literally the biological offspring of God. Rather, this title was a picture of his position in the Godhead of the Trinity and of His submission as He came to earth.

Mark 1:2-4 - 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, ...
John appeared - the distant cousin of Jesus (Elizabeth was probably Mary's great aunt - see Luke 1:36) - and began preparing the way for Jesus "the Lord". He would preach repentance that would be demonstrated by baptism and that the Christ (the One) was coming who would bring God's presence (The HS) into our lives (baptism of the HS).

Mark 1:9-15 - In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Jesus' Baptism - Jesus was baptized - literally submerged / completely covered. This is a dye maker's word to describe the process of dying a piece of cloth. Baptism was a part of Judaism for converts. John made it a picture of repentance. Here Jesus is baptized not to symbolize repentance - for He was sinless. Why was Jesus baptized? Submission to the Father, His will, the plan, and a point of identification. It was here that John pointed out to the world who Jesus was as seen in John 1 but more importantly it was here that the Father would point out to the world that Jesus was His Son and His Father would speak of His great pleasure and love for His Son.

Jesus' Temptation - The temptations in the wilderness - Mark condenses this into two sentences but notice the characters and setting.
Setting: the desert, alone, 40 days.
Characters: the Spirit drives Jesus (fills Him Luke says also), Satan tempts Jesus, wild animals surround Jesus, and angels come and minister to Jesus, and finally Jesus. Alone for 40 days in the dessert with no food Jesus is taken through the ultimate test by God. This was not Satan's doing this was God's plan. The Spirit drove him to this. Satan is a tool as in all the actions of Jesus in these gospels. Wild animals - a picture of the temptations at hand but also the calling the Father had for Jesus - it would be wild, not a tame life God was calling him to. Finally angels come to minister to the human Jesus who needed food and rest after this ordeal.

Jesus' Kingdom - "the gospel of God", according to Jesus "repent" and trust your soul to me (Jesus). His Kingdom would be defined by this gospel.
A kingdom has a King - Jesus and He is here to restore the kingdom "at hand". A kingdom has a very structured order of relationships for those who live in the kingdom - King, royal family, servants. Those in Christ will become family but we also are servants. A kingdom has enemies that are of other kingdoms. Satan rules another kingdom and we will learn that we are born into this kingdom. Jesus came to declare God's kingdom, that He was King, and that He came to rescue us to be in His kingdom.

"After John was arrested" - Jesus' public ministry began as John's was ending. John would say "I must decrease". In order for Jesus to be given full glory - all competitors for our affection or following will be removed. John was not an evil master or affection. He was not one that should not be followed. However, he was not Jesus. There can only be one Master.

Mark 1:16-20 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, ...This was not the first time Jesus had met Peter and Andrew (John 1:40-42) or probably John and James. However, at this meeting Jesus makes a formal calling to these mean as talmid or disciples. The words "Come, follow Me" are literally, "Come after Me," a technical expression that meant "Go behind Me as a disciple.".

At five years old [one is fit] for the Scripture, at ten years the Mishnah (oral Torah, inter.) at 13 for the fulfilling of the commandments, at 15 the Talmud (making Rabbinic interpretations), at 18 the bride-chamber, at 20 pursuing a vocation, at 30 for authority (able to teach others) -Aboth 5:21 - Mishna

Home School - all were taught at home by parents according to Deut. 5&6

Beth Sefer - elementary school were about 1/2 of kids went - money, status

Beth Midrash - high school were only the smartest went - tests, money

Talmid – a disciple with a new family who followed a rabbi. One could seek out a rabbi but only the best of the best would be taken by a rabbi/teacher. The disciple was much more than just a student. A student wants to know what the teacher knows for the grade, to complete the class or the degree or even out of respect for the teacher. A talmid wants to be like the teacher that is to become what the teacher is. The disciple left all to follow and learn the ways of his teacher. He wanted to know everything about His teachings and everything about the man. The relationship between rabbi and talmid was one of complete allegiance. Eventually, the talmid would become the rabbi passing on the teachings to other talmidim. They were to be with him Mark 3:13-19; to follow Him Mark 1:16-20; to live by his teaching John 8:31; were to imitate his actions John 13:13-15; were to make everything else secondary to their learning from the rabbi Luke 14:26.

Becoming like our Rabbi Jesus will require complete devotion to His life and teachings. However, in order to become like Jesus – who is holy – we will have to be empowered by Him. This He promised on many occasions (Mark 1:17 – "I will make you become fisher's of men.")

Jesus' call for those who would be his is no different today then it was then. We are called to "Go behind Him as a disciple." We are not called to just believe, attend, study, become a member, or even give and serve a church. We are called to be His talmid.

What does this mean for you today?
To leave your net, your family – what does that mean for you? Most importantly it means there can be no other masters, there can be no other lords. Is your job, your career, your family, your master? Second, whatever keeps you from being able to devote yourself to His teaching and His disciples must be removed. Our biggest issue with following is we are "too busy". So, what is the real issue – are you too busy – or is something more important.