WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.870 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.978 --> 00:00:03.728 Day 41. 00:00:04.459 --> 00:00:05.959 immersed in Mark. 00:00:08.269 --> 00:00:13.309 In the mid sixties ad the Roman Emperor Nero began a severe 00:00:13.309 --> 00:00:15.259 persecution of Jesus followers. 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:20.529 During that time, the apostles, Paul and Peter were imprisoned and executed. 00:00:21.409 --> 00:00:25.249 The apostle Peter had been one of Jesus' closest companions. 00:00:26.044 --> 00:00:29.944 According to church tradition, mark had become a close companion 00:00:29.944 --> 00:00:33.544 of Peter, who then passed along to mark his recollections of 00:00:33.544 --> 00:00:35.134 Jesus' life and teachings. 00:00:35.914 --> 00:00:40.294 Mark compiled the story of Jesus in a succinct gospel, which inspired 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:44.554 an already embattled generation of Jesus' followers to remain faithful. 00:00:45.364 --> 00:00:50.884 After all, Jesus himself had said, if any of you wants to be my follower, 00:00:51.274 --> 00:00:52.984 You must give up your own way. 00:00:53.284 --> 00:00:55.324 Take up your cross and follow me. 00:00:55.984 --> 00:01:00.544 If you try to hang onto your life, you will lose it, but if you give up your 00:01:00.544 --> 00:01:04.714 life, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, you will save it. 00:01:06.184 --> 00:01:10.984 Mark's use of Latin terms suggests that his gospel was written primarily for 00:01:10.984 --> 00:01:13.294 Romans and other Gentiles in the empire. 00:01:14.134 --> 00:01:18.094 He also explains Jewish customs and translates Aramaic phrases. 00:01:18.544 --> 00:01:22.114 Indicating that his audience isn't familiar with the culture and language 00:01:22.114 --> 00:01:23.734 of the land where Jesus had lived. 00:01:24.784 --> 00:01:29.554 Mark uses Peter's accounts to shape the traditions about Jesus that were already 00:01:29.554 --> 00:01:31.414 being passed down by word of mouth. 00:01:32.254 --> 00:01:35.884 He announces right at the start of his gospel that Jesus is 00:01:35.914 --> 00:01:38.284 the Messiah, the Son of God. 00:01:39.274 --> 00:01:44.074 Mark's main themes are the identity of Jesus and the surprising way this son of 00:01:44.074 --> 00:01:47.044 God is bringing God's rule into the world. 00:01:48.154 --> 00:01:52.804 Mark shows how various groups, crowds of Jewish people, the teachers of 00:01:52.804 --> 00:01:57.724 religious law, Jesus' family, and even Jesus' own disciples, struggled 00:01:57.724 --> 00:01:59.704 to understand who Jesus was. 00:02:00.604 --> 00:02:03.784 Jesus even told people not to talk to others about him. 00:02:04.984 --> 00:02:10.114 Everyone could see that Jesus had great powers of healing and deliverance, but 00:02:10.114 --> 00:02:14.704 his actions did not fit first century Jewish expectations for the Messiah. 00:02:16.369 --> 00:02:18.949 Mark tells this story with urgency. 00:02:19.369 --> 00:02:20.929 Like a fast-paced drama. 00:02:21.589 --> 00:02:23.839 Jesus moves quickly from village to village. 00:02:24.109 --> 00:02:29.269 Preaching and healing the heart of Jesus' message is the coming of God's kingdom. 00:02:29.839 --> 00:02:33.739 But Rome has its own version of the good news, claiming that Caesar 00:02:33.744 --> 00:02:37.549 is the son of God and that peace and security come through him. 00:02:38.359 --> 00:02:43.039 By contrast, the ministry of Jesus centers on the restoration of God's people. 00:02:43.609 --> 00:02:47.179 Announcing the forgiveness of sins and releasing people from 00:02:47.179 --> 00:02:49.009 illness and spiritual oppression. 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:54.379 As the first half of Mark's gospel progresses, Jesus spends more time 00:02:54.384 --> 00:02:56.089 teaching his disciples in private. 00:02:56.929 --> 00:02:59.869 It is especially important to him that they understand who he 00:02:59.869 --> 00:03:02.269 is and what his message means. 00:03:03.004 --> 00:03:07.684 Right at the midpoint of the book, as Jesus is about to end his ministry in 00:03:07.684 --> 00:03:10.204 Galilee and journey south to Jerusalem. 00:03:10.264 --> 00:03:15.394 Peter finally declares you are the Messiah, but Peter and the other 00:03:15.399 --> 00:03:19.624 disciples still do not recognize what kind of messiah Jesus is. 00:03:20.584 --> 00:03:23.314 Jesus isn't preparing an army to fight the Romans. 00:03:23.854 --> 00:03:28.834 His battle is against evil at a deeper level, and it will be won by following the 00:03:28.834 --> 00:03:32.044 way of the cross from that point onward. 00:03:32.779 --> 00:03:36.769 Jesus repeatedly informs his disciples that he will suffer, be 00:03:36.769 --> 00:03:38.869 killed, and rise from the dead. 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:43.459 Furthermore, he teaches them that this path of suffering and service 00:03:43.459 --> 00:03:45.379 for others will be their path too. 00:03:46.309 --> 00:03:50.089 This is a hard adjustment of expectations for them as evidenced by 00:03:50.089 --> 00:03:51.979 their fleeing when Jesus is arrested. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:57.469 Ironically, the Roman officer in charge of Jesus execution recognizes 00:03:57.469 --> 00:03:59.749 who he is from the way he dies. 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:01.009 Exclaiming. 00:04:01.309 --> 00:04:03.889 This man truly was the son of God. 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:09.049 This officer serves as a model for the Roman believers to whom Mark was writing. 00:04:09.709 --> 00:04:14.509 There are some historical questions about how Mark concluded his story, but 00:04:14.509 --> 00:04:19.159 regardless of the possible endings, the message of Jesus resurrection is clear. 00:04:19.969 --> 00:04:24.529 Jesus really is the Messiah, and God vindicated his unexpected 00:04:24.529 --> 00:04:28.759 path of servanthood and sacrifice by raising him from the dead. 00:04:29.749 --> 00:04:34.219 Knowing this should inspire the believers in Rome to fulfill their roles in sharing 00:04:34.219 --> 00:04:40.849 the story of Jesus for the good News must first be preached to all nations. 00:04:45.979 --> 00:04:47.559 The gospel, according to Mark, 00:04:50.149 --> 00:04:54.529 this is the good news about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God. 00:04:55.549 --> 00:04:57.949 It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written. 00:04:58.594 --> 00:05:03.334 Look, I'm sending my messenger ahead of you and he will prepare your way. 00:05:03.874 --> 00:05:05.914 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness. 00:05:06.184 --> 00:05:08.224 Prepare the way for the Lord's coming. 00:05:08.674 --> 00:05:09.874 Clear the road for him. 00:05:11.164 --> 00:05:13.144 This messenger was John the Baptist. 00:05:13.654 --> 00:05:17.044 He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to 00:05:17.049 --> 00:05:20.794 show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 00:05:21.664 --> 00:05:26.494 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. 00:05:26.944 --> 00:05:30.814 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 00:05:31.624 --> 00:05:35.104 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair and he wore a leather 00:05:35.104 --> 00:05:37.324 belt around his waist for food. 00:05:37.384 --> 00:05:39.454 He ate locusts and wild honey. 00:05:40.384 --> 00:05:44.134 John announced someone is coming soon who is greater than. 00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:49.204 I am so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave 00:05:49.354 --> 00:05:51.364 and untie the straps of his sandals. 00:05:52.054 --> 00:05:53.704 I baptize you with water. 00:05:54.004 --> 00:05:57.004 But he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 00:05:58.504 --> 00:06:02.854 One day, Jesus came from Nazareth, then Galilee and John 00:06:02.854 --> 00:06:04.444 baptized him in the Jordan River. 00:06:05.404 --> 00:06:10.654 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heaven splitting apart and the Holy 00:06:10.654 --> 00:06:17.044 Spirit descending on him like a dove and a voice from Heaven said, you are my dearly 00:06:17.044 --> 00:06:20.134 loved son, and you bring me great joy. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:24.829 The spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness where he 00:06:24.829 --> 00:06:26.959 was tempted by Satan for 40 days. 00:06:27.529 --> 00:06:31.609 He was out among the wild animals and angels took care of him. 00:06:34.309 --> 00:06:38.389 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee where 00:06:38.389 --> 00:06:40.039 he preached God's good news. 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:43.399 The time promised by God has come at last. 00:06:43.429 --> 00:06:47.089 He announced The kingdom of God is near repent of your 00:06:47.089 --> 00:06:48.889 sins and believe the good news. 00:06:50.599 --> 00:06:53.869 One day, as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, 00:06:54.139 --> 00:06:57.709 he saw Simon and his brother Andrew, throwing a net into the 00:06:57.709 --> 00:06:59.779 water for they fished for a living. 00:07:00.619 --> 00:07:04.009 Jesus called out to them, come follow me and I will show 00:07:04.009 --> 00:07:05.239 you how to fish for people. 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:09.979 And they left their nets at once and followed him a 00:07:09.979 --> 00:07:11.179 little farther up the shore. 00:07:11.179 --> 00:07:15.619 Jesus saw Zebedee's sons, James and John in a boat repairing their nets. 00:07:16.219 --> 00:07:19.039 He called them at once and they also followed him. 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:22.369 Leaving their father's Zedi in the boat with the hired men. 00:07:23.749 --> 00:07:26.449 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:30.769 When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 00:07:31.489 --> 00:07:36.499 The people were amazed at his teaching for he taught with real authority, quite 00:07:36.499 --> 00:07:37.969 unlike the teachers of religious law. 00:07:39.724 --> 00:07:44.134 Suddenly a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried 00:07:44.134 --> 00:07:46.474 out, why are you interfering with us? 00:07:46.564 --> 00:07:49.414 Jesus of Nazareth, have you come to destroy us? 00:07:49.744 --> 00:07:51.994 I know who you are, the holy one of God. 00:07:52.924 --> 00:07:54.394 But Jesus reprimanded him. 00:07:54.874 --> 00:07:55.624 Be quiet. 00:07:56.284 --> 00:07:57.274 Come out of the man. 00:07:57.394 --> 00:08:02.254 He ordered at that the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a 00:08:02.254 --> 00:08:04.294 convulsion and then came out of him. 00:08:05.239 --> 00:08:09.259 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. 00:08:09.799 --> 00:08:11.569 What sort of new teaching is this? 00:08:11.689 --> 00:08:12.919 They asked excitedly. 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:14.569 It has such authority. 00:08:15.109 --> 00:08:17.269 Even evil spirits obey his orders. 00:08:18.349 --> 00:08:22.369 The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:27.409 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went 00:08:27.409 --> 00:08:28.849 to Simon and Andrew's home. 00:08:29.299 --> 00:08:32.569 Now, Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. 00:08:33.154 --> 00:08:35.044 They told Jesus about her right away. 00:08:35.434 --> 00:08:39.124 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand and helped her sit up. 00:08:39.754 --> 00:08:42.754 Then the fever left her and she prepared a meal for them. 00:08:43.894 --> 00:08:47.044 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon possessed 00:08:47.044 --> 00:08:48.424 people were brought to Jesus. 00:08:48.874 --> 00:08:51.244 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 00:08:51.934 --> 00:08:55.534 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, 00:08:55.894 --> 00:08:57.514 and he cast out many demons. 00:08:58.294 --> 00:09:02.614 But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. 00:09:04.264 --> 00:09:05.164 Before daybreak. 00:09:05.164 --> 00:09:09.124 The next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 00:09:09.844 --> 00:09:12.274 Later, Simon and the others went out to find him. 00:09:12.694 --> 00:09:15.634 When they found him, they said, everyone is looking for you. 00:09:16.324 --> 00:09:19.864 But Jesus replied, we must go on to other towns as well, 00:09:20.194 --> 00:09:21.694 and I will preach to them too. 00:09:22.384 --> 00:09:23.434 That is why I came. 00:09:24.514 --> 00:09:27.904 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the 00:09:27.909 --> 00:09:30.274 synagogues and casting out demons. 00:09:31.654 --> 00:09:35.674 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus begging to be healed. 00:09:36.304 --> 00:09:39.484 If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean. 00:09:39.489 --> 00:09:42.334 He said, moved with compassion. 00:09:42.514 --> 00:09:44.194 Jesus reached out and touched him. 00:09:44.824 --> 00:09:45.604 I am willing. 00:09:45.664 --> 00:09:47.194 He said, be heed. 00:09:47.664 --> 00:09:48.874 He instantly. 00:09:48.964 --> 00:09:51.874 The leprosy disappeared and the man was healed. 00:09:52.744 --> 00:09:55.384 Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning. 00:09:55.894 --> 00:09:57.454 Don't tell anyone about this. 00:09:58.189 --> 00:10:01.369 Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. 00:10:02.089 --> 00:10:05.389 Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those 00:10:05.389 --> 00:10:06.649 who have been healed of leprosy. 00:10:07.459 --> 00:10:11.929 This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed, but the man 00:10:11.929 --> 00:10:15.409 went and spread the word proclaiming to everyone what had happened. 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:20.599 As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't 00:10:20.629 --> 00:10:22.489 publicly enter a town anywhere. 00:10:23.149 --> 00:10:25.339 He had to stay out in the secluded places. 00:10:26.044 --> 00:10:28.234 But people from everywhere kept coming to him. 00:10:29.884 --> 00:10:33.664 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread 00:10:33.664 --> 00:10:36.094 quickly that he was back home soon. 00:10:36.094 --> 00:10:39.424 The house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no 00:10:39.424 --> 00:10:44.764 more room even outside the door while he was preaching God's word to them. 00:10:45.094 --> 00:10:47.974 Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 00:10:48.664 --> 00:10:51.904 They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a 00:10:51.904 --> 00:10:53.824 hole through the roof above his head. 00:10:54.529 --> 00:10:57.649 Then they lowered the man on his mat right down in front 00:10:57.649 --> 00:11:00.169 of Jesus, seeing their faith. 00:11:00.649 --> 00:11:05.209 Jesus said to the paralyzed, man, my child, your sins are forgiven. 00:11:06.499 --> 00:11:09.949 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought 00:11:09.954 --> 00:11:11.869 to themselves, what is he saying? 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.219 This is blasphemy. 00:11:13.309 --> 00:11:14.899 Only God can forgive sins. 00:11:15.979 --> 00:11:20.599 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, why do 00:11:20.599 --> 00:11:22.159 you question this in your hearts? 00:11:22.864 --> 00:11:28.444 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, your sins are forgiven, or, stand up. 00:11:28.564 --> 00:11:30.004 Pick up your mat and walk. 00:11:31.024 --> 00:11:34.924 So I will prove to you that the son of man has the authority 00:11:34.929 --> 00:11:36.814 on earth to forgive sins. 00:11:37.774 --> 00:11:41.104 Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, stand up. 00:11:41.404 --> 00:11:43.354 Pick up your mat, and go home. 00:11:44.224 --> 00:11:48.304 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out 00:11:48.309 --> 00:11:49.414 through the stunned onlookers. 00:11:50.359 --> 00:11:53.899 They were all amazed and praised, God exclaiming. 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:56.509 We've never seen anything like this before. 00:11:58.579 --> 00:12:01.399 Then Jesus went out to the lake shore again and taught the 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:02.749 crowds that were coming to him. 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:07.999 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Al Feas sitting at his tax collector's 00:12:07.999 --> 00:12:11.389 booth, follow me and be my disciple. 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:15.229 Jesus said to him, so Levi got up and followed him. 00:12:16.189 --> 00:12:16.699 Later. 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:20.629 Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, 00:12:20.959 --> 00:12:24.709 along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 00:12:25.609 --> 00:12:30.259 There were many people of this kind among Jesus followers, but when the teachers 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:34.699 of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and 00:12:34.699 --> 00:12:39.169 other sinners, they asked his disciples, why does he eat with such scum? 00:12:40.009 --> 00:12:44.209 When Jesus heard this, he told them, healthy people don't need a doctor. 00:12:44.719 --> 00:12:45.709 Sick people do. 00:12:46.549 --> 00:12:49.729 I have come to call, not those who think they are righteous, but 00:12:49.729 --> 00:12:51.619 those who know they are sinners. 00:12:53.089 --> 00:12:56.959 Once, when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some 00:12:56.964 --> 00:13:00.769 people came to Jesus and asked, why don't your disciples fast? 00:13:00.889 --> 00:13:03.109 Like John's disciples and the Pharisees do? 00:13:04.099 --> 00:13:08.869 Jesus replied, do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? 00:13:09.499 --> 00:13:10.189 Of course not. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:12.769 They can't fast while the groom is with them. 00:13:13.459 --> 00:13:18.289 But someday the groom will be taken away from them and then they will fast. 00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:24.829 Besides who would patch old clothing with new cloth for the new patch would shrink 00:13:24.829 --> 00:13:30.019 and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before, and no 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:35.779 one puts new wine into old wine skins for the wine would burst the wine skins and 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:38.119 the wine and the skins would both be lost. 00:13:38.809 --> 00:13:41.359 New wine calls for new wine skins. 00:13:43.204 --> 00:13:47.314 One Sabbath day, as Jesus was walking through some grain fields, his disciples 00:13:47.314 --> 00:13:49.324 began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 00:13:50.014 --> 00:13:54.244 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, look, why are they breaking the law 00:13:54.334 --> 00:13:56.224 by harvesting grain on the Sabbath? 00:13:57.244 --> 00:14:01.384 Jesus said to them, haven't you ever read in the scriptures what David did 00:14:01.684 --> 00:14:03.604 when he and his companions were hungry? 00:14:04.084 --> 00:14:05.884 He went into the house of God. 00:14:06.619 --> 00:14:11.149 During the days when Abiathar was high priest and broke the law by eating 00:14:11.149 --> 00:14:15.529 the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat, he 00:14:15.529 --> 00:14:17.329 also gave some to his companions. 00:14:18.409 --> 00:14:21.649 Then Jesus said to them, the Sabbath was made to meet the needs 00:14:21.649 --> 00:14:25.339 of people and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 00:14:26.119 --> 00:14:27.709 So the son of man is Lord. 00:14:28.339 --> 00:14:33.379 Even over the Sabbath, Jesus went into the synagogue again and 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:35.329 noticed a man with a deformed hand. 00:14:36.094 --> 00:14:39.634 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. 00:14:39.934 --> 00:14:44.284 If he healed the man's hand, they plan to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. 00:14:45.394 --> 00:14:49.594 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand come and stand in front of everyone. 00:14:50.344 --> 00:14:53.644 Then he turned to his critics and asked, does the law permit 00:14:53.649 --> 00:14:54.994 good deeds on the Sabbath? 00:14:55.594 --> 00:14:57.454 Or is it a day for doing evil? 00:14:58.354 --> 00:15:00.964 Is this a day to save life or to destroy it? 00:15:02.254 --> 00:15:03.394 But they wouldn't answer him. 00:15:04.429 --> 00:15:08.929 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. 00:15:09.589 --> 00:15:11.899 Then he said to the man, hold out your hand. 00:15:12.589 --> 00:15:18.259 So the man held out his hand and it was restored at once. 00:15:18.469 --> 00:15:21.859 The Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod 00:15:22.189 --> 00:15:24.139 to plot how to kill Jesus. 00:15:25.699 --> 00:15:29.539 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples and a large crowd followed him. 00:15:30.184 --> 00:15:35.464 They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, iia from east 00:15:35.464 --> 00:15:39.214 of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tire and Saan. 00:15:40.114 --> 00:15:44.494 The news about his miracles had spread far and wide and vast numbers of people 00:15:44.494 --> 00:15:48.994 came to see him Jesus, and instructed his disciples to have a boat ready 00:15:49.324 --> 00:15:50.794 so the crowd would not crush him. 00:15:51.634 --> 00:15:55.864 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed 00:15:55.864 --> 00:15:59.824 forward to touch him, and whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught 00:15:59.824 --> 00:16:03.304 sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him. 00:16:03.304 --> 00:16:07.984 Shrieking, you are the son of God, but Jesus sternly commanded the 00:16:07.984 --> 00:16:10.354 spirits not to reveal who he was. 00:16:11.704 --> 00:16:14.554 This concludes today's Immer reading experience. 00:16:14.704 --> 00:16:15.904 Thank you for joining us.