MARK 6:53-56

6 views

Skip to first unread message

R E LANGFORD JR

unread,

Mar 17, 2012, 1:09:10 PM3/17/12

to MARK, Bible Study, Joe Gaudet

Lenten Greetings All!
Here is the next pericope of the bible study of Mark's gospel tale.

This covers MARK 6:53-56, and concludes the chapter. It is my
hope to be able to post a collection of all the chapter in one file.
--

1revd:	MSG Sure! Please begin with prayer, joegabe.
joegabe1:	MSG heavenly father
joegabe1:	MSG we come to you to ask you to bless this study
joegabe1:	MSG and to bless each and everyone that is able to make it
joegabe1:	MSG and to pray also for pk's ailing father
joegabe1:	MSG we ask all of this in the name of jesus
joegabe1:	MSG amen
1revd:	MSG a
1revd:	MSG amen
1revd:	MSG wow the machinery is slow!
1revd:	MSG Broner100 was here @ 1:20 PM but seems to have been dumped out also
1revd:	MSG well
1revd:	MSG MARK 6:53-56 Bible Study for Christian Friendship Chatroom of Joegabe1 done on 27 May 2011 @ Talk City, revised & edited for 16 MCH 2012
1revd:	MSG Would you please post the 'cameo' verses today, joegabe?
joegabe1:	MSG Mark 6:53-56
joegabe1:	MSG New International Version (NIV)
joegabe1:	MSG 53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went???into villages, towns or countryside???they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge
joegabe1:	MSG of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
1revd:	MSG ty
joegabe1:	MSG yw
1revd:	MSG About a year ago, at about 1:30 PM, in the chatroom I wrote: Joegabe, would you lead us in prayer, especially for cookieart? Joegabe1 immediately responded: Dear Lord, hear our prayer as we pray for wisdom to study your word, and the power to inspire our teacher to say the right thing. Also while that is being done one of your followers cookie is in pain; keep her well, Lord, keep her safe, keep her comfortable, and most of all grant her peace and contentment. We ask this of you in Jesus's holy name. Amen. I also wrote my. "Amen." We are all happy that Cookieart is some better.
1revd:	MSG Then, surprise, at that point, Cookieart entered the chatroom and wrote; JOEEEE, and Joegabe1 responded: yipeeee cookie. I wrote, "Hello Cookieart!" and Cookieart responded: revvvv.
1revd:	MSG Cookieartthem wrote, "I'm back with some news, got a min guys?" I asked, "good news?" and Cookieart wrote, "not really." So I wrote, "some news? let's hear it." Cookieart wrote: "I have to start giving myself insulin shots now. No more pills!" So I responded, "Good for you!"
1revd:	MSG Cookieart then ^^^
1revd:	MSG Cookieart wrote, "That's what the problem was. Well, I'm not sure I will like giving myself injections, [that's] kind of scary." I wrote, "[You] don't need to like it, if it keeps you alive, and comfortable, as we just prayed." Joegabe1 joked, It would be scarier if Mrs Berger gave them to you, lol." Cookieart responded, "Yes, at least I can wait til my swelling goes down. I still have to stay off my legs. lmao Joe."
1revd:	MSG I reminded Cookieart, "You can always go back to no shots with plenty of pain." Cookieart wrote, "ugh no ty, rev." Joegabe1 added, "You will be ok, God will guide you and protect you." Cookieart responded, "Thanks for your prayers too, you always come through for me." Cookieart then wrote, "Hugs to you both." I commented, "And you will take the injections as prescribed!" Cookieart then wrote the hugs ikon for each of us.
1revd:	MSG Joegabe1 wrote, "ok, let us continue." and Cookieart agreed writing, "ok, continue." I'd just remarked that today's verses reflect on and "mull over" an obvious fact about people who are ill and know the reputation of Jesus. According to Mark's tale, they want to get to know him better. They want the rescue from pain and illness he brings. They seek a better life walking with him.
joegabe1:	MSG i brb in bout 5 minutes sorry
1revd:	MSG It is good, a year later, to be reminded of how much and how fast things change. It is so easy for us humans to go from pain to pleasure, from pleasure back to pain.
joegabe1:	MSG i brb in bout 5 minutes sorry
1revd:	MSG OK joegabe
1revd:	MSG hb
1revd:	MSG i'll keep posting
1revd:	MSG We quickly go from concern for ourselves to interest and caring for others, and then curve back upon ourselves again. We go from focus on Jesus and his message about the kingdom to a focus on our own concerns, and then do an 'about face.' We are not constant in our affections, gratitude, or loyalty. That is a signal of our confused, sinful condition.
1revd:	MSG At that, I discovered there was no robot to provide the bible verses. Joegabe1 posted, MARK 6:53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. I wrote, "TY joegabe," and he responded, "yw, lemme know, and I will put them up each time." So I wrote, "OK, TY, TY."
1revd:	MSG Gennesaret is a well known = = at that time = = place. It was thought of as the "garden spot" of the land. It is a tiny vale, or plain, of wonderful soil, fruitful, rich, good for growing things. At that time there were lots of tiny towns, or villages. The best guesses, IMO, put it by the Sea of Galilee, just a tad north of the town of Magdala, the residence of Mary (of the same name). So the disciples, with Jesus among them, arrive and anchor the boat.
1revd:	MSG Anchors at that time were most often merely large rocks tied in a net like bag of ropes at the end of a mooring line. Very very few boats, even naval vessels intended for battles, had what we have come to know of as anchors made of metal.
1revd:	MSG VV 53 could be best thought of as a 'transitional' verse. It might be the closing verse of the prior cameo, or the opening verse of this cameo. (IMO, of course)
1revd:	MSG Then I asked, MARK 6:54, joegabe, if you please; and, joegabe posted: 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. Nothing surprising there; he'd become well known throughout Galilee, on both shores of the Sea of Galilee As Mark reports, his reputation was spreading widely and quickly by word of mouth Somebody, however, among the people by the sea shore must have recognized Jesus, and begun spreading the word "He's here!"
1revd:	MSG Then like a lamp turned on, "people recognized Jesus." I asked, MARK 6:55, joegabe, if you please; and, joegabe posted: 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. How big is this area, this plain or vale of Gennesaret? The answer is about 4 mi long and about 2 mi wide. The word of Jesus' arrival could spread fast in this pleasant, level, garden spot. Joegabe1 commented about 6 or 8 sq miles.
1revd:	MSG That's quite correct! more than 3840 acres, if one counts 640 acres to the square mile. That's farmland anyone in the bread basket states of mid-USA would be pleased to call home.
joegabe1:	MSG bk
1revd:	MSG Now to attend to the behavior, the dynamics of the people's interaction with Jesus.
1revd:	MSG wb joegabe
joegabe1:	MSG ty
1revd:	MSG So, if you cared for someone, you'd put that person on a mat of woven materials, having some strength to it, and talk friends into helping you to carry the loved person to the last known spot where Jesus was reported to be. This should bring to mind something else Mark already told us in his Gospel tale. Remember, if you will, a man let down on a mat through the roof of a house, in order to get close to Jesus? Seem familiar? Joegabe1 responded, "yes."
1revd:	MSG Here the behavior of caring, loving family and friends is the same. The ordinary, common, poor folk see something strange and special wherever Jesus is. They are the ones who, in the simple words of MARK, the written version of Mark's tale accessible to us, know God is at work in this very special person: Jesus.
1revd:	MSG Now comes a summary comment of the story-teller Mark. I asked, MARK 6:56, one last time, joegabe, if you please; and Joegabe1 posted: 56 And wherever he went?into villages, towns or countryside?they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his , and all who touched it were healed. Lots of tiny towns ( these would be villages, much smaller than what we might consider an inhabited cross roads), and even in the countryside - perhaps where two farmers' paths crossed.
1revd:	MSG the edge of his cloak or garment ^^^
1revd:	MSG The ground was so fertile people either lived right on, or in tiny booths next to their plot of fruitful earth. Some of the tales about rich soil producing bountiful harvests, as noted by Jesus, could have had this place in mind. IMO, at least in the minds of people eager to be surprised by God's kindness and generosity. Notice who was healed? Joegabe1 responded, "no, I'm sorry."
1revd:	MSG So I answered quickly, "EVERYONE!" Mark always tells us everything we need to know about his tale in order to understand the point he is making. We need to adopt the attitude of a careful listener. If Mark does not answer a question that 'pops' into our thoughts, then the answer will not advance the tale. Furthermore, knowing the answer will not, let me write it again, WILL NOT lead us to the conclusion Mark wishes us to reach.
1revd:	MSG Yes, yes, their faith needed to be bolstered by physical contact with Jesus, even just the hem, the edge of his cloak would suffice. We've heard this theme before (in the prior chapter 5, as the story is recorded in MARK). Intimate close contact with Jesus heals people of all sorts of ills and diseases. I put it to you! That is yet true today. No question in my mind.
1revd:	MSG I have seen it happen. No great whoop-de-do, no TV cameras, nobody making a fuss, nor a pile of cash. Simple confidence that Jesus can make a diff! Then the contact. For me, it's always got an element of the Word in preaching, or bible study in it, or perhaps a sacrament of the church - such as baptism or the Lord's supper. The issue is contact! I've even been a witness, I've seen it happen when forgiveness is offered in God's name for Jesus sake! I pray I am a faithful witness. People yet today are healed.
1revd:	MSG [ASIDE] It's important to realize just how strict the prohibitions were in that time frame. Sick people, people with an illness, especially a deforming illness, or a "blood" illness, were totally excluded from any public life. They were not welcome in worship @ the temple in Jerusalem.
1revd:	MSG People considered 'unclean' for whatever reason were thrust out of society.
1revd:	MSG They were not not welcome in prayer, or bible study, nor in praise in any synagogue. They were not welcome in any marketplace where they might make contact with a healthy person. They were excluded! everywhere excluded! [ASIDE ENDS]
1revd:	MSG This reminds us just how amazingly generous and kind (merciful) Jesus' behavior was. Let us take note, and resolve very firmly to behave as Jesus did, never turning aside from a sick person. Let us pray: O LORD Messiah Jesus, you have promised in the Holy Gospel that your disciples shall know the truth, and that the truth shall make them free. GIVE to us, we pray you, the promised Spirit of truth, sent at your request from the Father, and leading us to you. SO THAT we may find the truth to be nothing less than finding you, who proclaim yourself to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We ask it in your name and for your sake as we study the Gospel according to Mark. Amen.
1revd:	MSG Cookieart added, "amen," and Joegabe1 added, "amen." Cookieart immediately wrote, "I have a ?" And I responded, "sure, cookieart." Cookieart asked, "Well, when all those people carried the ill, and family with sickneses, what did Jesus do, heal them all? Or not? If so, did those he healed become followers?" I responded, "In this 'cameo' in MARK, Jesus healed EVERYONE." That is item #1.
1revd:	MSG It's important to note that no specific healing event is recorded in this cameo.
1revd:	MSG It's important to note that no specific 'word' of the Lord is recorded in this cameo.
1revd:	MSG Cookieart asked again, "All of them?" So I responded, "Even if they needed to be touched by the hem of his robe, EVERYONE." Cookieart then asked, "OK, my question is this: what did they do in return for him? Did they show praise or what?" I take that to mean the annoyed family members who had to help carry Great-grandad Jones?
1revd:	MSG Cookieart wrote, "If Jesus healed my ears, I would have followed him." They, the family members or friends who carried the "ill" persons on mats got healed also. In this story, none of them become "followers." Mark is telling us something quite in character with Jesus' lovingkindness [hesed] toward people. Cookieart remarked again, "So they just accepted the healing just like that?" I wrote, "In this tale, none of them even say, 'TY'." Cookieart wrote, "wow." None of them praise God. The story is a "summary," IMO, a comment by Mark woven in as a "bracket" around one part of his tale.
1revd:	MSG We're familiar with this story teller's device from earlier cameos in Mark's tale.
1revd:	MSG Joegabe1 then wrote, "May I say something of my understanding?" And I wrote, "Sure, joegabe."
1revd:	MSG Joegabe1 wrote, "Jesus heals us, and he does not desire so much as a thank you, but, what he does want or like, is for everyone to spread the good news, and to tell everyone that with 'him' everything is possible. The biggest word that is said in the bible is 'grattitude' for what is seen and not seen."
1revd:	MSG Joegabe1 continued, "Let me give an example." I wrote, "This is a good insight, joegabe, do so, please." Joegabe1 wrote, "If you fall down and hurt your leg, be grateful that you never fell down and broke it." It says that in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks, for that is the will of the lord." I further say that all your problems can be a blessing to witness as a disciple for Jesus."
1revd:	MSG I wrote, "Notice the Thessalonians passage does not say, "for everything," but "in everything." Joegabe has a good insight. Then I asked, "Cookieart? are U there?" Cookieart wrote, "Yep, I'm watching." I asked, "May I lay a homework assignment on you?" Cookieart responded, "Sure."
1revd:	MSG Maybe this year I ought to lay the homework assignment on everyone who reads this bible study. :)
1revd:	MSG "OK, now this year, everyone (me included) ponder just how God is working on your behalf through the words of this bible study, because it is truly Jesus striving to speak to you, and me, and joegabe," I wrote. Cookieart answered, "ok."
1revd:	MSG I claim everyone who reads the bible verses and ponders them ought face this task of pondering what God wills and is working. Jesus wants EVERYONE = all God's people = to be healthy and well. Neither God, the Father in heaven, nor Jesus, nor the Holy Spirit want people to be diseased, sick, ill, deformed, etc., etc. Cookieart wrote, "I understand that part." The will of God, the will of Jesus is for everyone to be whole and at peace = "shalom" from God. I claimed health and wellness from God is coming to you, Cookieart. I believe it.
1revd:	MSG Cookieart then wrote, "Me too, rev, i do feel it more." The doc who watches over your diabetes regimen is God's agent, for Jesus' sake. Cookieart responded, "All in good time." And I agreed.
1revd:	MSG Joegabe1 asked, "Did you know that God gave us a text book, cookieart?" Cookieart wrote, "He did?" Then Cookieart responded, "Yes, I think your prayers were heard." I commented, "So don't you get uppity, and ignore your goc's prescription!"
1revd:	MSG doc's ^^^
1revd:	MSG Joegabe1 then quoted, 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." I wrote,"It's a good one." Joegabe1 remarked that the bible should be used as a text book for daily living. I added, everything in the Hebrew bible = Tanakh, everythings in there, and, everything in the Greek = New Testament, all of it, is for our forgiveness, health, and healing.
1revd:	MSG Cookieart then added, "And praying." with a chuckle. I commented that I agreed, praying with gratitude! Then Cookieart wrote, "Good sermon, rev." Remember what joegabe shared, it's a good insight. Cookieart commented, "Yep, I agree. Yes, rev, thanks."
1revd:	MSG For next time? Chapter 7 of the Good News according to Mark. The distinction will be 'clean and unclean.' Maybe there will be a new insight for someone who has read Torah?
1revd:	MSG Joegabe1 wrote, "A question for Cookieart: do you know what God looks like, and does it say so in the bible? You answer that Cookie, not you, rev. He knows. LOL." I wrote a "chuckle mark, :)"
1revd:	MSG Joegabe that will be the end of Chapter 6. Would you gather up together all of this chapter as you have the prior ones in a "pdf" file attachment so we can have them grouped in one bunch?
1revd:	MSG Please?
joegabe1:	MSG yes
joegabe1:	MSG Dear God
1revd:	MSG TY TY, Joegabe will you kindly close this session with prayer?
joegabe1:	MSG Dear God
joegabe1:	MSG As we go through to begin our week
joegabe1:	MSG unitil next week
joegabe1:	MSG please help us
joegabe1:	MSG to be grateful for all e recieve from you
joegabe1:	MSG we aRE not worthy lord
joegabe1:	MSG and he only ay we can show our gratitude
joegabe1:	MSG is to spead your good news
joegabe1:	MSG we ask all this in jesus holy name
joegabe1:	MSG amen

Next Friday, 23 MCH 2012 @ 1:30 PM, edt, in "Royal Family Coffee Room"
at "Talk City," we plan to begin chapter 7.

The Rev'd R E LANGFORD JR, FAPC, ELCA pastor  ! retired !
       39.58°N by 75.98°W

My clarity of conscience and my purity of heart are undisputed

evidence that my memory is failing me.

`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸..·´¯`·...¸ ><(((((º> `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((º> `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.· ><((º>