Jesus' Early Galilean Ministry

Question 1

What are the five conflict stories in Mark and what is the main point in each one?

Answer 1

Mark then tells five stories - Mark 2:1-3:6

“Conflict stories” - Presents two questions:

1. Why do they want to kill Jesus?
2. Who does He think he is?

First story - Heals the man of his sin

• The first reason they hated him - Jesus claims to forgive sins “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
• Main point: Jesus has authority to forgive sins

Second story - He calls Matthew Levi to follow Him

• Matthew follows Jesus A dinner party with other sinners
• The second reason they hated him “Why is he eating with tax collectors and sinners?” (v. 16)
• Main point: He’s a physician for those who recognize they are sick

Third story - He showed a disregard for fasting

• Pharisees set aside Mondays and Thursdays for fasting
• The third reason why they hated him “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast but your disciples don’t?”
• Main point: Now is not the time for fasting

Fourth story - The grain field on the sabbath day

• “Why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?”
  
  • The Jews had 39 rules about the sabbath
  • Jesus responds “If what David’s disciples did was appropriate then even more so for my disciples.”
• Main point: Jesus is greater than David and the Lord of the sabbath

Fifth story - He heals a man’s hand on the sabbath

• This time He asks them a question
  
  • “Is it to do what is lawful to do good or harm on the sabbath?”
  • He heals a man’s hand
  • You could only heal someone if their life was in danger
    
    • Which this man was not in danger
• Main point:

Question 2

Four sections of the Sermon on the Plane

Answer 2

• 1) vv. 20-26 - Blessings and Woes
  
  • Jesus divided into those who are blessed and those who are cursed
    
    • Blessed: Poor, hungry, weeping, and hated
      
      • Rewards in heaven
    • Cursed: Rich, well-fed, happy, and popular
      
      • The best of what this world has to offer
        
        • Forgo future rewards
• 2) vv. 27-36 - Love of enemies
  
  • Counter intuitive
  • Actions of love
    
    • Do good
    • Bless
    • Pray
    • Lend
  • Nature of Love
    
    • Non-retaliatory
    • Generous
  • Quality of Love
    
    • Higher quality than the world
    • God-like quality
    • A different kind of people
• 3) vv. 37-45 - We should not judge others
  
  • Not hyper-critical
  • Not hypocritical
  • Not condescending
• 4) vv. 46ff - A call to obedience
  
  • Only two responses
    
    • Wisdom in obedience
      
      • Hears the Word of God and obeys it
      • Not destroyed by the winds of trials
    • Foolishness in disobedience
      
      • Hears but doesn’t obey it
      • Devastation and their house will be destroyed