STUDY THEME: ONE SOLITARY LIFE: THE LIFE OF JESUS.  2-25-01
UNIT 3: INTRODUCING JESUS: "FOLLOWING JESUS."
MARK 1: 16-18, 2: 13-17, 3: 13-19

PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO MARK 1. 
The Gospel according to Mark is the briefest of the four. It was the
earliest written. It is the record of the facts concerning Jesus as they
were told by Peter in his preaching and recorded by his friend, Mark. The
method of Mark is characterized by directness and brevity (almost
amounting to bluntness). 

His Jewish name was John, Mark being his Latin surname. His mother,
according to Acts 12:12 was a woman of wealth, living in Jerusalem,
evidently a personal friend of Peter, and hostess of the Christian
disciples in the early days after Pentecost. Mark was a spiritual son of
Peter and a nephew of Barnabas. 

Mark first appears in the N.T. when he journeyed with Paul and Barnabas
from Jerusalem to Antioch. He then went with them on the first missionary
journey, suddenly leaving them at Perga. He then went with Barnabas to
Cyprus, and subsequently was with Paul in Rome as a "fellow laborer."

>From a reference in Peter's first letter we gather that he accompanied
the Apostle to Babylon; and the last glimpse of him is that Paul's last
letter to Timothy, wherein he charged him to bring Mark with him again to
Rome.
                                                       
He wrote the Book of Mark while in Rome and intended it primarily for
Gentile readers. They would be interested in action, not words. Only 24
verses of Mark are not found in Matt. and Luke. The supreme subject of
the Book is "The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." The charm of
Mark's gospel is that through it we shall be following Jesus, walking
with Him, watching His gestures, listening to the very habits of His
speech. The central words of the first paragraph of Mark's Book is found
in the 9th verse. "Jesus came." Mark omits the first 30 years of Jesus
life. 

We noted last Sunday that when Herod Antipas silenced the voice of John,
at that hour, Jesus moved from Judea to Galilee, into the district of
Herod; not escaping the danger, but moving into the danger zone. Men may
silence the voice of a prophet, but they cannot hinder the Word of God.
Before entering Galilee, Jesus ministered in Judea for about a year.
Between Vs. 13 and 14 lies the record of the year of obscurity of the
life of Jesus Christ. John in Ch. 1-4 filled in the record of that year.
The Galilean ministry will extend from the fall of AD 26 to the spring of
AD 29, about 18 months.   

In order to insure that the message of the Gospel would get out to the
world after his death and resurrection, Jesus gathered around Him and
trained a group of men we know as the apostles or the disciples. Today's
lesson describes their call. It is by far the greatest number of cases a
man follows Jesus Christ, not because of anything Jesus said but because
of everything that Jesus is. Jesus called the apostles to a task.
Something in which they could invest their lives. He called them to a
task in which they would have to spend themselves and burn themselves up,
and in the end, die a martyr's death for His sake, and for the sake of
their fellow men. They could only win something for themselves by giving
their all to Him and to others. 

The theme of today's lesson is that when Jesus calls people to follow
Him,
He expects them to do so. We have learned that people who follow Jesus
acknowledge His authority, experience His grace, and enjoy His presence
in their lives. 

In the Gospels we have three times when Jesus called His disciples. John
1:35-51 records what appears to be the earliest encounter of Jesus with
some of those who later became part of the twelve. This was their initial
call to be His disciples. 

The second time was in Mark 1:16-20. Matt. 4:18-22 also records this
event, as well as Luke 5: 1-11, which preserves some details of the
encounter not mentioned in Matthew and Mark. In this second encounter,
Jesus called the four fishermen to leave all, follow Him, and become
fishers of men. They immediately committed to leave all and follow Jesus.


The third call was the call of the twelve to be disciple-apostles. It is
found in Mark 3:13-19 and Luke 6:12-16. 

The word "disciple" means "pupil", "learner", or "adherent." In the N.T.
it is found often in the plural as "disciples," as it is in Mark 2: 15-16
in our focal passage for this lesson. In the N.T. it is used often of
disciples of Jesus, but John the Baptist also had disciples. Often in the
Gospels, "disciples" refers to some or all of the twelve apostles;
however, at times in the 
Gospels, the word is used of Jesus' followers in general. Some so-called
disciples proved by their actions they were not true disciples. Even one
of the twelve disciples proved to be an instrument of the evil. A true
disciple learns from Jesus and of Jesus and seeks to follow Jesus. So
what does it mean to "follow Jesus?"

The Greek word for "follow" describes following Jesus in Christian
discipleship. The word literally means, "to come after." Some of those
who followed Jesus were people who wanted Him to do something for them.
Others followed out of curiosity. Still others follow Him looking for
some reason for rejecting Him. When Jesus used the word follow to summon
people to follow Him, He was inviting them to accept Him as the divine
Teacher, to be with Him, to learn from Him, to become like Him, and to go
forth to do His will. For some who personally heard Jesus' call to follow
Him it included both a literal going after Him as well as a commitment to
be His disciples. We see the word used this way in Mark 2: 14-15, part of
our Focal Passage for this lesson.

Jesus showed His authority in calling Simon and Andrew to leave all
behind and to follow Him. He showed His grace by calling Levi to follow
Him, and by befriending sinners, many of them followed Jesus. He called
the twelve to be with Him as a basis for going forth on His mission. In
the first passage we read about this call in Mark 1: 16-18.

1. PLEASE READ MARK 1: 16-18. 

On His way into the city of Capernaum, passing by the seashore, He called
four men to Him self; Simon and Andrew, James and John. They knew Him,
they had met Him at least a year before, and for some weeks, if not
months, they had traveled with Him; until at Samaria He had dismissed
them to their own folks, and had gone back alone to Jerusalem. Now He
called them and said this significant thing to them: "Come ye after Me,
and I will make you become fishers of men." Thus He came to Capernaum. 

One of the marks of true disciples is that they "become fishers of men."
This is an analogy that these fishermen could understand. Jesus was
asking them to leave their fishing for fish to others; He would make them
into disciples who would win other people to repent and believe the good
news. 

Without an excuse or attempt at delay they walked away from their fishing
business that day. The call to the sons of Zebedee, James and John is
recorded in Mark 1: 19-20. They had been in fellowship with Christ in
John 1: 35-42. In Vs. 29 all four of the disciples are with Jesus in the
home of Peter and Andrew. Note that James and John were called from their
boat and nets. When called they left these with their father and the
servants. 

They left their nets means they left their way of living and their means
of earning an income. Many people continually become Jesus disciples
without leaving their homes and jobs. However, these four men abandoned
everything to follow Jesus. They had no idea where they were going, and
that did not seem to matter to them. They only knew Jesus had called them
to come and follow Him. They acknowledged and obeyed His authority as
Lord. Always there is a leaving of something when men respond to Jesus'
call to follow Him. These men left everything. 

Following a tour of teaching and healing in Galilee Jesus called Levi to
follow Him. PLEASE TURN TO MARK 2. 

2.PLEASE READ MARK 2: 13-17. 

On His way to Capernaum Jesus observed Levi sitting at the tax
collector's booth. Levi also is known as Matthew, the author of the
Gospel of Matthew. In general, tax collectors were dishonest, used
intimidation or force, and had contact with Gentiles. They were despised
by the Jewish people. When Jesus saw Levi, He again said: "Follow Me."
Levi responded immediately and obediently. 

On that same day Matthew gathered together a number of people of his own
order, and made a feast that they might have the opportunity of meeting
with Jesus. Jesus becomes a veritable Host in the midst of the men; the
gathered publicans, and sinners; old friends of Levi.

Jesus and His disciples were present along with Levi's fellow tax
collectors and others labeled "sinners." The term "sinners" in this
context refers to a class of people whom the Pharisees regarded as
inferior because they failed to keep the scribal tradition. The Pharisees
were present in Galilee to find fault with Jesus as they had agreed in
Jerusalem that He must die. 
 
The "Separated Ones" were extremely scrupulous about keeping the law.
They criticized Jesus because He refused to observe their distinction
between "the righteous" and "the sinners." The question "Why does he eat
with tax collectors?" reflects the Pharisees' self-righteousness. They
charged Jesus with entering upon a fellowship with sinners, which was
defiling. 

Jesus responded: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
 Just as a doctor's work involves association with the sick, Jesus' work
involved association with sinners. Jesus stated: "I have not come to call
the righteous but sinners." By the term righteous, Jesus referred to the
self-righteous, to those who considered themselves so right with God that
they needed no help. We used to sing in our church: 
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you. Full of pity, love and pow'r.
Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream; 
All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him. 

Jesus was not implying that the Pharisees were righteous. He was simply
starting with their assumption that these were sinners. Jesus emphasized
that sinners need the moral and spiritual healing of the Great physician.
At the same time, Jesus was not letting the self-righteous scribes and
Pharisees off the hook. They only thought they were righteous, but judged
by God's standards they too were among the sick whom He had come to save.
In contrast, sinners were those aware of their need and thus open to
God's grace that reaches out to all. 
  
Many of the tax collectors and sinners had accepted His grace. Many
others-then and now-think they can trust in their own efforts to be
righteous enough to be accepted by God. This is impossible in light of
God's standards. No sin keeps more people from salvation than the sin of
self-righteousness.  

Following Jesus does mean accepting His grace. We accept His grace
individually for ourselves. We also realize that His grace reaches out to
all. Following Jesus also means including in our fellowship those whom
others view as outcasts. Being Jesus' disciple means demonstrating
compassion toward others.

PLEASE TURN TO MARK 3. 

We don't know how many disciples Jesus had when we come to Ch. 3.

2. PLEASE READ MARK 3: 13-19.

          The names of the twelve apostles are given in Mark 3: 16-19,
Matt. 10: 2-4; Luke 6: 13-16, and Acts 1:l3. Let' look at those.

Luke 6: 12-13 sheds light on these verses in Mark. He says "He went out
into a mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God. And
when it was day, he called unto him His disciples: and of them he chose
twelve, whom also He named apostles." From among many disciples, Jesus
chose twelve to be apostles. "He calleth unto Him whom he wanted"
emphasizes that Jesus took the initiative in calling the twelve. They
came unto Him shows that they accepted His call. The verb "called"
stresses that Jesus acted n his own sovereign interest, after conferring
all night with His Father, when He chose the twelve.  

One of the first things the President of the USA does after his election
is to pick a cabinet to help him govern the nation. Jesus chose His
twelve. These men were to preach the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven
and to win people to the Kingdom. These men had little wealth, little
formal education, position or prestige. Yet, no other group of this size
ever made such a profound impact upon the world. Winston Churchill's
famous words have been aptly applied, "Never....was so much owed by so
many to so few." 

Ordained or appointed means "to make" or "to do." It has the idea of
creating. Jews immediately would associate the twelve representatives
with the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus created the nucleus of a new
Israel by choosing twelve and designating them apostles. The appointment
of the twelve was the first step in the establishment of a new people of
God, the church.

Apostle means those sent on a mission. In the N.T. it usually refers to
those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ, who were with Him during His
earthly ministry; who saw the risen Lord, and who were commissioned as
His witnesses. A few times the word refers to missionaries in general.

Jesus called the twelve to do two major things. First of all, they were
to be with Him. Second, He intended to send them forth to preach. "They
were to live with Jesus, travel with him, converse with him, and learn
from him. This training and experience would qualify them to go forth on
missions while, Jesus was still on earth, and would enable them to be
witnesses of Him after His ascension.  "The twelve" becomes an official
designation or title for those appointed by Jesus on this occasion. They
were the nucleus of a coming new community, the church.

When Jesus sent them forth to preach, He also gave them power to heal all
kinds of sickness and to cast out demons or unclean spirits. This and
other miracles testified to the power of the One in whose name they went
out. With out His power they would have been powerless.

After His ascension, the disciples had to learn to be with Jesus in a
different way-the same way we can be with Him now. We commune with Him in
prayer. We listen as He speaks through His Word. We follow where His
Spirit leads. We must abide in Him and He in us in order to bear fruit
for Him.

          In Vs. 16-19 we have a list of the names of the apostles. One
of the remarkable things about the twelve is how little we know about
most of them. We know much about Peter, or Cephas which means stone or
rock, and considerable about James, John and Judas Iscariot; however,
except for a few references in the Gospels(especially in John), we would
have only the names for Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew.
We know nothing except for what is in the lists about James the son of
Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite.

         Only the so-called inner circle of Peter, James and John is
mentioned by name after Acts 1, although references to the Apostles occur
as far as Acts 16. Peter and John emerged as the most important of the
apostles in Acts and the rest of the N.T.   And a name not even in any of
the lists---Paul---had the greatest influence in shaping Christianity.
The inner circle of apostles: Peter, James, and John were present at the
raising of the daughter of Jairus; at the transfiguration; and in the
Garden of Gethsemane. 

We hear much of Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew and Judas. The other
six began and end in complete obscurity. Yet these 12 were the best; they
were the sole followers whom Jesus could call to be with Him, to announce
Him, to cast out demons; and of them He makes His church. 

After the day of Pentecost, Peter and John bore bold witness to the
crucified and risen Lord. Their enemies tried to silence them with
threats. The apostles refused to stop preaching Jesus. Luke wrote in Acts
4:13 "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they
were unschooled ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note
that these men had been with Jesus." Others were able to see that these
men had done what Jesus called and appointed them for in Mark 3:14----to
be with Jesus.

For us, as for the apostles, being with the Lord and serving the Lord are
inseparable. A young man was serving as a counselor at a Christian summer
camp. With enthusiasm the counselor said, "I've been so busy serving the
Lord that I haven't had time to pray." A friend asked the young man two
questions: "How do you know that you are doing what the Lord wants you to
be doing if you haven't been in close communication with Him? What is the
source of power if you are trusting in your own strength? As followers of
the Lord, we must spend time with Him through regular prayer and Bible
study. The Lord gives direction and power for service to those who spend
time with Him. 

As followers of the Lord, we must spend time with Him through regular
prayer and Bible study. The Lord gives direction and power for service to
those who spend time with Him. 

You probably noted that of the men Jesus called all were humble men. In
the 17th century the Episcopal Clergyman Jan Taylor attacked the early
Baptists because they were humble men. He declared it inconceivable that
God would confer the gift of preaching on cobblers, tinkers, peddlers,
weavers, chimney sweeps, basket makers. But one of the great missionary
minds among all evangelical Christians is that of William Carey, the
Baptist shoemaker whom God called to India, thereby launching the modern
missionary movement.

 If we are ever embarrassed by the fact that uncultured, unlettered,
untrained men are called to preach the gospel, we should remember Dwight
Moody, the shoe clerk, and Billy Sunday, the baseball player. Indeed, we
should remember our belief in "the Priesthood of the Believer." The
essential position of every true minister or prophet of God should be "My
conscience is captive to the Word of God." God does not call idle men
into his vineyard." 

NEXT SUNDAY'S LESSON FROM MARK 2 IS "BRINGIN OTHERS TO JESUS."           
                               A.V. DAUGHERTY  2-25-01