16 Oct 2012 Tuesday
Mark 1
Author
Numerous early documents identify Mark as the author of this Gospel, even though he is not identified as such within the book. The Prophet Joseph Smith entitled the book, “The Testimony of St Mark”.
Audience
Mark’s Gospel provides cultural and geographical explanations that would appeal to a gentile (non-Jewish) audience.
Historical Background
Mark is usually thought to have been the first Gospel written and may have formed a basis for much of Matthew and Luke. The exact date it was written is unknown but “both early Christian tradition and internal features of Mark’s record point to an origin of his Gospel in Rome after Peter’s death (A.D. 64) and before the final fall of the Jerusalem Temple (A.D. 70)”.
Unique Features
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels. It is a fast-moving account that emphasizes what the Savior did more than what He said. Mark particularly highlights the Savior’s miracles. Over 90 percent of the material in Mark is also found in the other Gospels. Events and teachings found in Mark but not in the other Gospels include the parable of the seed growing secretly, the fact that Jesus was a carpenter, the healing of a blind man at Bethsaida, and the doctrine that signs follow those who believe.
Theme
Mark’s record testifies that Jesus Christ was the son of God and a being of miraculous power. Mark illustrates this idea by emphasizing the Savior’s actions.
Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark 1–3 does not contain any information about the birth or youth of Jesus. Mark’s account begins with the ministry of Jesus Christ, including His baptism and the calling of His disciples and Apostles.
Jesus Christ has power to heal us both physically and spiritually.
“The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls”. (President Harold B. Lee in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 178; or Ensign, July 1973, 123)
• What do you think President Lee meant?
• Do you believe the Savior has power to heal us from spiritual disabilities?
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
Alma 7:11–13
The Savior has power to heal our physical and spiritual disabilities.
The Sabbath is a day to rest from our earthly labors and grow closer to God.
Mark 2:23–3:5
What did the disciples do that led the Pharisees to accuse them of Sabbathbreaking?
What did the Savior teach in these verses about the purposes of the Sabbath?
Jewish tradition added so many restrictions to keeping the Sabbath day holy that instead of a day of rest it became a great burden. Jesus taught, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath”. In other words, the Lord established the Sabbath for our blessing.
The phrase “the sabbath was made for man” does not mean we can do anything we choose on the Sabbath. That would mean disregarding others of the Lord’s directives given in the scriptures and through His modern prophets and apostles.
Joseph Smith Translation of Mark 2:26–27
These verses give two additional purposes of the Sabbath:
to rest and glorify God.
Since Jesus made the Sabbath day, He has authority over it.
17 Oct 2012 Wednesday
President Gordon B. Hinckley said:
“As we move forward into a wonderful future, there are what some may regard as the lesser commandments but which are also of such tremendous importance.
“I mention the Sabbath day. The Sabbath of the Lord is becoming the play day of the people. It is a day of golf and football on television, of buying and selling in our stores and markets. Are we moving to [the mainstream] as some observers believe? In this I fear we are. . . .
“Our strength for the future, our resolution to grow the Church across the world, will be weakened if we violate the will of the Lord in this important matter. He has so very clearly spoken anciently and again in modern revelation. We cannot disregard with impunity that which He has said”
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 93; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 69).
Elder James E. Faust, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said:
“In this day of increasing access to and preoccupation with materialism, there is a sure protection for ourselves and our children against the plagues of our day. The key to that sure protection surprisingly can be found in Sabbath observance”
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 35)
Elder John H. Groberg, a member of the Seventy, said:
“There is power in keeping the Sabbath day holy—power to help others as well as ourselves. If we would have God’s blessings and protection as individuals, as families, as communities, and as nations, we must keep His Sabbath day holy”
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1984, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1984, 81).
Mark 3
During His Galilean ministry Jesus performed many of His greatest miracles. These demonstrated His power over earthly elements, the forces of evil, sickness of body and spirit, and even death. As you study Mark 4–6, look for what the Savior taught about the power of faith and compassion. Look also for what these chapters teach about handling sorrow and rejection.
Mark 4
Those who live according to the gospel knowledge they receive will be given more.
• What does this type of workout do for your muscles?
• How could the way knowledge of the gospel grows be compared to the way our muscles grow?
Mark 4:2–9
What does the seed represent in this parable? (“The word”; see v. 15.)
Mark 4:15–20
• Who or what do the birds represent? (Satan; see vv. 4, 15.)
• The stony ground? (see vv. 16–17).
• The thorns? (see vv. 18–19).
• The good ground? (see v. 20).
• The fruit?
This could represent our knowledge of the gospel and the blessings and
good works that come from applying that knowledge; (see v. 20).
What happens to people’s gospel knowledge and understanding after baptism if their soil is good and they remain active in the Church?
Mark 4:24–25
What do these verses teach about those who allow the soil of their hearts to become hard or stony or thorny.
Alma 12:9–11
Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
“Gospel light does not burst upon men in full noonday splendor, but . . . it arises in their hearts gradually, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. Eventually the faithful, having continued to grow in light and truth, shall have all things revealed to them and shall know all things.
“‘No parable, no teaching, no mystery, no hidden thing, is to be kept from the knowledge of the faithful; eventually all things shall be revealed, and the righteous shall know them.’”
(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:291)
Mark 5
• What is the relationship between Jesus Christ’s power to heal and a person’s faith in Him?
• Why do you think there are so many people today who do not believe in miracles?
How strong is your faith?
What can you do to develop greater faith?
“Faith is both a principle and a process. It defines the path by which we build a relationship of trust with the Savior. In order for faith to develop, we must begin with a humble heart and contrite spirit, have a strong desire to know the Lord, and then be obedient to gospel principles. In return, the Savior rewards the obedient with spiritual confirmations of their actions. As faith grows, our vision of eternity expands, which increases our capacity to meet life’s challenges”.
(Elder Merrill J. Bateman, a member of the Seventy “Faith That Preserves and Strengthens,” in Brigham Young University 1996–97 Speeches [1997], 141).
• How can we acquire faith?
• How does obedience affect faith?
• How does faith affect our ability to obey?
• What, then, can we do to increase our faith?
18 Oct 2012 Thursday
Mark 6
“I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74)
How does this song makes you feel toward the Savior?
And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:34
And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them. And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy. 3 Nephi 17:5–7
The Savior has compassion and love for everyone.
Everything He does is motivated by His love.
• Why does the Father sometimes seemingly withhold blessings, even though He loves us?
• How can withholding blessings be an act of love?
Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a member of the Seventy, said:
“The compassion of the divine Jesus for us is not the abstract compassion of a sinless individual who would never so suffer; rather, it is the compassion and empathy of One who has suffered exquisitely, though innocent, for all our sins” (All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience [1979], 35)
• How can the knowledge of the Savior’s compassion and love toward us encourage and bless our lives?
• How does that knowledge affect how we feel about Him and about what He asks us to do?
Mark 7–16 covers approximately the last year of the Savior’s life, including His final ministries to Galilee, Perea, and Judea. Most of this block, however, deals with the momentous events of the Savior’s last week, including His Atonement, death, and Resurrection.
Mark 7 & 8
Miracles the Savior performed, (Mark 6 & 7):
… they laid the sick in the streets, … and as many as touched him were made whole. Mark 6:56
And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; … and put his fingers into his ears, … and touched his tongue; … And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. Mark 7:32–35
… they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. … and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought [anything]. And he [the blind man] looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. Mark 8:22–25
• How was this healing different from the others?
• What lesson can we learn from the fact that this man was not completely healed at first?
“This miracle is unique; it is the only recorded instance in which Jesus healed a person by stages. It may be that our Lord followed this course to strengthen the weak but growing faith of the blind man. It would appear that the successive instances of physical contact with Jesus had the effect of adding hope, assurance, and faith to the sightless one. . . .
“Certainly the manner in which this healing took place teaches that men should seek the Lord’s healing grace with all their strength and faith, though such is sufficient for a partial cure only, following the receipt of which, however, they may then gain the added assurance and faith to be made whole and well every whit. Men also are often healed of their spiritual maladies by degrees, step by step as they get their lives in harmony with the plans and purposes of Deity”.
(Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:379–80)
22 Oct 2012 Monday
Mark 9
Bible Dictionary: “faith”
Mark 9:14–29 (son with a dumb spirit)
• What did the disciples lack at the time that made it so they could not cast out the “dumb spirit”? (see vv. 18, 28–29).
This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (v 29)
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9: 24
• What do you think the father meant by his statement?
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:
“By faith all things are possible; nothing is too hard for the Lord. No sickness is too severe, no disease too disabling, no plague too destructive to be cured by the power that is faith. Whether in life or in death nothing is withheld from those who abide the law of faith which entitles them to receive it. But in practice, even among the most righteous mortals, faith or power is enjoyed in varying degrees, and some maladies require the exercise of greater healing power than others” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:409).
Elder James E. Talmage said:
“Fasting, when practiced in prudence, and genuine prayer are conducive to the development of faith with its accompanying power for good. Individual application of this principle may be made with profit. Have you some besetting weakness, some sinful indulgence that you have vainly tried to overcome? Like the malignant demon that Christ rebuked in the boy, your sin may be of a kind that goeth out only through prayer and fasting”
(Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 395).
Are we really supposed to cut off a hand or a foot because of sin?
• How difficult would it be to get along without it?
• Is there anything worth losing your hand for?
Mark 9:43–48
• If you had to lose a hand in this life in order to gain eternal life, would it be worth it?
• Would it be worth it if you had to lose a foot? an eye?
• Would it be worth it if it cost you your earthly life?
• Even though the kingdom of God is worth any sacrifice, do you think God really wants us to cut off our hand if we commit some sin with that hand?
Joseph Smith Translation of Mark 9:40–48 (Bible appendix)
• What additional meaning does the Joseph Smith Translation give to these verses in Mark?
• Who does our offending hand represent?
• Who does our offending foot represent?
• In verse 42, who might “he that is thy standard” refer to?
• Who does our offending eye represent?
• Who is appointed to “watch over thee to show thee light”?
• What happens to some people when family members they admire or Church leaders they look to for guidance fall into sin?
Joseph Smith Translation of Mark 9:44–45
• What do you think it means to “stand or fall” by yourself?
• In whom should we put our trust?
A statement by President Heber C. Kimball:
“To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand. . . .
“The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself.
“If you don’t have it you will not stand; therefore seek for the testimony of Jesus and cleave to it, that when the trying time comes you may not stumble and fall” (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, 3rd ed. [1967], 450).
23 Oct 2012 Tuesday
Mark 10
What we desire reveals what is in our heart and affects what we receive.
Imagine you are granted a personal interview with the Savior and that they could ask for one blessing.
In a way some people have had that opportunity.
What seemed most important to the people listed below:
• Verses 17–22: the rich young man
• Verses 25–30: Peter
• Verses 35–41: James and John
• Verses 46–52: Bartimaeus
• Verses 32–34: Jesus
• What happened to each of these five people?
• Which desires are more eternally rewarding than others?
• What do these stories teach us about the effect our desires have on our lives?
What is most important to You?
Think about what might happen if your desires are good or if they are bad.
Consider what might happen if your desires do not change.
What can we do to make our desires more eternal and Christlike?
Mark 11
Have you ever experienced anything like what is depicted in these photographs?
• How does it make you feel to see others suffer as much or more than you have?
• Would you feel the same if you had never suffered at all?
• Why do we tend to feel compassion for others if we have experienced some suffering ourselves?
In chapter 11 Mark begins his record of the last week of the Savior’s life.
Christ Suffered …
hungry Mark 11:12
thirst John 19:28
temptations, pain of body, hunger, thirst, fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; blood cometh from every pore Mosiah 3:7
Pains, afflictions, temptations of every kind; sicknesses; death, infirmities, Alma 7:11–13
Sore sufferings—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. tremble because of pain, bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit D&C 19:15–19
• Why did Jesus have to suffer more than we suffer?
• How would those sufferings make Him a better judge of our lives?
Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and temptation, and so knows how to comfort and help us.
Mark 12
• Which gift would impress you most?
$20 bill or a toy worth $2
• Would it make a difference if the person who gave you $20 was so wealthy that $20 was no sacrifice at all?
• Would it make a difference if the person who gave you the $2 present was so poor that this person had to skip lunches and save for weeks to be able to afford it?
• Which friend really gave the most?
Mark 12:41–44
“In the accounts kept by the recording angels, figured out according to the arithmetic of heaven, entries are made in terms of quality rather than of quantity, and values are determined on the basis of capability and intent. The rich gave much yet kept back more; the widow’s gift was her all. It was not the smallness of her offering that made it especially acceptable, but the spirit of sacrifice and devout intent with which she gave. On the books of the heavenly accountants that widow’s contribution was entered as a munificent gift, surpassing in worth the largess of kings. ‘For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not’
[2 Corinthians 8:12]” (Elder James E. Talmage: Jesus the Christ, 561–62).
What about the gifts we give to the Lord?
• The Lord could certainly accomplish His purposes without the money we give in offerings. Why does He require us to sacrifice to help build the kingdom?
• How does your sacrifice help the kingdom?
• What does your sacrifice do for you?
• What does sacrifice have to do with faith in the Lord?
“A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life”.
(Lectures on Faith, 69; compiled under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith)
24 Oct 2012 Wednesday
Mark 13 & 14
36 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane, which was a garden; and the disciples began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy, and to complain in their hearts, wondering if this be the Messiah.
37 And Jesus knowing their hearts, said to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
38 And he taketh with him, Peter, and James, and John, and rebuked them, and said unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here and watch. Joseph Smith Translation of Mark 14:36–38
• What were the disciples thinking and feeling as they went to Gethsemane?
• What did the Savior do about their complaints and questions?
• Why do you think He took Peter, James, and John apart from the others
and rebuked only them?
Only Mark mentions the young man who followed after Jesus was arrested. Mark does not tell us who the young man is, but the Joseph Smith Translation tells us that the young man was a disciple. JST, Mark 14:51
The other disciples “all forsook him, and fled” (v. 50)
“And there followed him a certain young man, a disciple” (v.51 JST)
Since Mark knows of this event, who might that young man have been?
(It is likely that it was Mark himself.)
Mark 14 also contains a clarification of what happened when Jesus was tried before Caiaphas.
Compare Mark 14:55–64 with Matthew 26:59–66
• With all the false witnesses brought to testify against Jesus, why were the chief priests unable to find any “that could accuse him”?
(see Matthew 26:60–61; Mark 14:57–59)
Compare the Savior’s answer to the high priest in each account.
(… tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.)
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Matthew 26:64
And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mark 14:62
How does Mark’s version help you better understand what Jesus testified about Himself?
Because of Jesus’ testimony, the Jews accused Him of blasphemy, which is claiming for oneself godlike powers or attributes.
• Why do you think they did not even consider that Jesus was telling the truth?
• Why was Jesus the only person in the room who could not be guilty of blasphemy?
Mark 15
Mark’s account gives additional Insight into Christ’s suffering at the hands of Pilate and on the cross.
25 Oct 2012 Thursday
Jesus’ death and burial fulfilled prophecy:
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:8–9
Mark 16
• Why do most churches consider the cross the symbol of Christianity?
• Why don’t we?
“I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian brethren who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels. . . . But for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the living Christ”
(Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 136; or Ensign, May 1975, 92).
Mark 16:1–11
• Why do you think the disciples found it so hard to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead?
• How does the fact that Jesus was the first person ever to be resurrected make their doubts more understandable?
• What difference would it make if Jesus had not been resurrected?
• Would you live any differently if you believed that this life was the only existence you would have? Why or why not?
Answers: 2 Nephi 9:5–10