You are on the fifth & final Mark 1-5 Study Page of  

  ReadBibleAlive.com

Study No.23 : Confrontation with demons : Mark 5:1-13

       

A. Find Out:

        

1. Where did the man live? v.3a

2. What had people tried to do and what had happened? v.3b,4

3. How did he behave towards himself? v.5

4. How did he react to Jesus? v.6,7

5. How did the demons identify themselves? v.9

6. What did they do in the pigs? v.13

 

B. Think :

1. From this man's behaviour how would you describe the activity

     of demons when they are allowed access?

2. What are we shown about Jesus' relationship to the demonic

     powers?

3. How are verses 1 to 5 in stark contrast to verses 6 to 13?

 

C. Comment :

 

       This passage gives us remarkable insight into some of the horrible characteristics of demons. They do manifest themselves in different ways but these are common. First they create self-destructive tendencies with great inner anguish, preferring to dwell alone in the shadow of death. Second, they try to isolate the individual and make him thoroughly anti-social often through violence and they often give great strength by which to cause harm to others. Finally in respect of Jesus, they recognise his sovereign power and authority, and although there may be initial token resistance, they HAVE to give way to that authority. What He commands, they MUST do.

      Although demonic powers are real we must remember that they are just part of God's created world and that He is the all powerful One who is over all! With His Spirit within we have nothing to fear (1 John 4:4). We need to realise that demons are very real, but should also be careful not to confuse works of the flesh with demonic beings, else we remove individual responsibility for repentance.

 

D. Application?

 

1. Thank and praise the Lord that His power is so much greater than

     demons.

2. Look up and memorise James 4:7 and 1 Peter 5:9 and thank the Lord

     for the truth they reveal.

Study No.24 : The Restored Man : Mark 5:14-20

 

A. Find Out:    

       

1. Who spread the news? v.14

2. What was the man like when they came back? v.15

3. What was their response? v.15c, 17

4. What did the man himself ask of Jesus? v.18

5. What did Jesus instruct him to do? v.19

6. What effect did it have? v.20

 

B. Think :

1. Why do you think the local people wanted Jesus to go away?

2. What was the man like before (see v.2-5) and after he had

     encountered Jesus?

3. Why did Jesus want him to stay on there?

 

C. Comment :

 

     Strange happenings are talked about, and this episode is no exception. The news spreads and people come to see. What they find unnerves them. The man who they had known with fear, who had dominated this area with his violent outbursts and wild appearance is now dressed and perfectly calm, in other words, a different man!

  

     The next response of the people may appear strange at first sight as they beg Jesus to leave, but the key word is "Then" in v.17 which immediately follows their having been told about the death of the large herd of pigs. Suddenly they start thinking about their own welfare. Perhaps their livelihood might be affected by this preacher from across the lake. Many people are very happy to hear about Jesus bringing wholeness but if it means challenging the moral basis of their lives that is different!

 

     The fact is that when Jesus enters a person's life, he completely remakes it (see John 1:12,13) and that involves every area of his life, and for some people that is not acceptable, they prefer to stay as they are relying on their own efforts - without God's blessing!

 

D. Application?

1. Praise and thank the Lord for the incredible change He brought about in

    this man's life.

2. Have you allowed Jesus to touch every area of your life?

 

Study No.25 : Levels of Faith : Mark 5:21-29

A. Find Out:

        

1. How did Jairus approach Jesus? v.22

2. What did he ask of Jesus? v.23

3. What was physically wrong with the woman? v.25

4. What had happened to her over the years? v.26

5. Why did she touch Jesus? v.27,28

6. What immediately happened? v.29

 

B. Think :

1. What does Jairus's request show us of his belief about Jesus?

2. What do the woman's actions tell us about her belief about Jesus?

3. How therefore were Jairus and the woman different?

 

C. Comment :

 

     We first see a desperate father pleading with Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. Although a religious leader, his faith is not such that he can say, "Just say a word and she'll be healed." (see Matthew 8:8) Nevertheless Jesus consents and goes for such is Jesus compassion that he doesn't demand perfect faith!

 

     Then comes this lady who, over the years, would have felt thoroughly run down by her affliction and depressed by the constant failure of doctors who had been unable to do anything. Perhaps feeling embarrassed, as a Jewish woman speaking to a man about her affliction, and also perhaps thinking so little of herself after all she had been through, the thought of openly speaking to Jesus was too much for her. As low as she feels she has faith which believes a mere touch would be sufficient.

 

     Jairus and the woman are complete contrasts. He is a religious leader. She is an afflicted nobody. He has faith that says come and heal. She has faith that says a simple touch will be enough. We all have different levels of faith but Jesus will meet us where we are, whichever level we are at!

 

D. Application?

1. Even if you feel quite unworthy of Jesus' love, He still loves you!  

2. Have you the faith just to reach out for the slightest touch? He will meet

     you. Jesus will meet you whatever your faith level.

 

Study No.26 : A Pause : Mark 5:3-36

A. Find Out:

        

1. What happened when the woman was healed? v.30a

2. Why were the disciples surprised? v.31

3. How did the woman respond? v.33

4. How did Jesus speak to her? v.34

5. What message was brought to Jairus? v.35

6. What 2 things did Jesus instruct him? v.36

 

B. Think :

1. What do you think Jairus felt like when Jesus stopped?

2. What do you think he felt like when the news of his daughter was

     brought to him?

3. What does this passage tell us about Jesus?

 

C. Comment :

 

     Jesus is, in the eyes of most people, on a "mercy dash" to save Jairus's daughter. Probably as far as Jairus is concerned the faster they go the better. Suddenly Jesus stops and starts questioning the crowd. Jairus's heart must have also almost stopped!

      Observe first of all, Jesus who is in total control of the situation. He knows he has power to raise the dead (Jairus's daughter) if necessary and so he knows he doesn't have to rush to reach her. He also knows someone in need has reached out in faith to receive healing from him, and he wants them to identify themselves. He probably knew who it was, but perhaps he wants her to receive full assurance about her healing. When she responds he simply confirms her healing and sends her off with his blessing. Very often when we have been prayed for, it is good to have a clear confirmation that it has truly happened.

     While this was happening, the news about his daughter comes to Jairus. Jesus knowing the truth says to resist fear BY believing. That is how to deal with fear - by believing in Jesus. When we know Jesus as the one who is sovereign control, we can rest secure and at peace!

 

D. Application?

 

1. Thank the Lord that He is in full control of all events and has the power

     to deal with every emergency.

2. Are you open about your faith?

Study No.27 : The Girl Restored  : Mark 5:37-43

A. Find Out:

           

1. Who only, did Jesus allow to go with him? v.37

2. What did they find when they arrived? v.38

3. What did Jesus say the girl was doing? v.39

4. How did the people respond? v.40a

5. So what did Jesus do with them? v.40b

6. How did Jesus restore the girl? v.41

 

B. Think :

1. Why do you think Jesus only let his closest disciples come with

    him?

2. Why do you think he put all the mourners out?

3. Why do you think he told them not to tell anyone?

 

C. Comment :

 

      Continuing on to Jairus's house, Jesus stops the crowd following. Easy to say, more difficult to do but Jesus had the authority so manages it, and so just the closest disciples went on with him. At the home the mourners there are fully convinced the worst has happened. When Jesus tries to tell them that it hasn't they laugh at him. They are clearly in faith for death! To remove their unbelief from the scene, Jesus sends them all out of the house.

 

      It is an important lesson: unbelief is contagious! When we are seeking to move in faith, if there are doubters around, it is well to separate from them! Have only those full of faith with you.

      For Jesus sleep and death are the same thing and so with quiet authority he commands the girl to get up - so she does! Such is the authority of Jesus. If it is in God's purposes, there is NOTHING that Jesus cannot do (beyond going against His own character).

 

     Jesus only taking a few with him to witness this miracle may be linked with his instruction not to tell anyone. Jesus came to reveal the truth to people but people were often more concerned with personal blessing rather than the truth, and so can crowding to Him to be blessed only. Sadly that is still often true today.

 

D. Application?

1. Do we communicate faith or unbelief to others by our lives?

2. Do we seek to know Him or simply to get blessing from Him?

 

RECAP No.5  "Dynamic Action"  Mark 5

SUMMARY :  

       

In these 5 studies we have seen Jesus :

  - crossing to the region of the Gerasenes

  - releasing a demon possessed man

  - sending the demons into a herd of pigs

  - being rejected by the people there

  - crossing back to his home area again

  - going with Jairus to heal his daughter

  - being stopped by a woman touching him to be healed

  - raising Jairus's daughter from the dead

 

Comment :

  

     First we saw the authority of Jesus over demons and then his authority over death. In between we saw the power that was within him to heal the woman who came. In contrast to these miracles we saw the rejection of Jesus by the people on the other side of the lake and the mourners outside Jairus's house.

   A miraculous ministry does not guarantee approval, such is the foolishness of sin. The life and works of Jesus show up our weaknesses and failures and that exposure so often causes people to rise up against Jesus, refuse his words and works and write him off as simply another “religious leader” He actually hasn't left us that option! He is the living Son of God who claims our allegiance.

 

LESSONS :

  

1. Jesus has authority over the enemy. So do we!

2. Jesus comes to bring life changes. So do we as we obey him.

3. Jesus' acceptance of us does not depend on our worthiness or our

     achievements

4. Jesus is in complete control of every event where he is, therefore we can

     rest in that knowledge

5. We can communicate faith or unbelief to others.

 

PRAY :

 

1. Thank the Lord for what you have seen of him in these studies.

2. Praise Him that he has authority over demons and death.

3. Ask him to remind you of the truths you have seen as you have read these chapters.

SUMMARY

In these first five chapters of Mark's Gospel we have clearly seen :

Jesus portrayed as :

- God's approved Son

- the one who teaches with authority

- the one who has authority to heal

- the one who has authority to cast out demons

- the one who has authority over the elements

- the one who brings God's rule to earth

The religious people who were:

- powerless

- more concerned with details of the law rather than

   with the concerns of God or needs of people

- deeply disturbed by Jesus who showed up their

   traditional religion for what it was: a lifeless belief in

   ritual and rules

Specific Events:

Healings:  

Generally     1:33,34

Man with leprosy   1:40-42

Paralytic through roof   2:1-12

Man with shrivelled hand   3:1-5

Generally     3:10

Woman with bleeding   5:25-29

Jairus's daughter     5:40-43

Deliverance:  

In synagogue   1:23-26

Generally     1:34 & 3:11

Man in tombs     5:1-13

Teaching:   

About fasting     2:19-22

About Sabbath   2:25-28

About deliverance   3:23-30

Parables     4:1-34

Misc. Events:

Coming of John the Baptist   1:2-8

Jesus baptism & temptation   1:9-12

Calling of 1st four disciples   1:14-20

Jesus praying     1:35-39

Calling of Levi     2:13-16

Appointing 12 apostles   3:13-19

Calming the storm   4:35-41

CONCLUSIONS

As we have observed Jesus ministry developing in these early chapters of Mark's Gospel we should note:

 

1. The Basis of Christianity

  - is a person not religious ritual

  - is revealed in these chapters in the life of Jesus

  - Jesus life constantly showed his relationship with his Father in

     heaven

  - all our "doing" flows out of our "knowing Him"

  - therefore it is all important that we learn of Jesus

 

2. Jesus the Person is shown to be

  - the Christ, meaning anointed one (anointed meant

     prepared by God for a task)

  - proclaimed by God as His Son

  - seen to have a human mother, brothers and sisters.

 

3. Jesus : His Teaching

 

  - came calling men to repent

  - came saying that God's kingdom was soon coming

  - spoke truth & forgave sinners with authority

  - taught on the characteristics of God's kingdom

  - taught often in memorable parable form

  - provoked the religious leaders with it

 

4. Jesus : His Power and Authority

  - called sinners to follow him

  - had authority to drive out demons and heal the sick

  - had power to raise the dead & still the elements

  

Conclusions?

  

      This Jesus was no mere man but was God's anointed Son who, if he had only done what we have seen in these chapters, is worthy of our worship and adoration. He came displaying the power and love of God on earth and left us no room to doubt either! Each chapter of this Gospel gives us fuel for praise and worship. May we respond accordingly to what we have read.