2. Thus far in our study through the Mark’s Gospel, we’ve looked at The Credentials of Jesus- His Preparation, 1:2-13 The Authority of Jesus- Demonstrated, 1:14 - 5:43 The Conflict of Jesus- 6:1 - 8:26 -from His own people’s disbelief -from the political danger of Herod -from popularity itself -from traditional sectarianism

3. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 Title is a misnomer if we think about work, But is intended to refer to the public / private aspects of Jesus’ life. This section emphasizes much more the time Jesus attempted to spend alone with His disciples… Teaching them what they needed to know and what would shortly come to pass.

4. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 This retired work of Jesus section is very important to our understanding of Mark. It is essentially the final preparation time for the 12. After this, He begins His final journey to Jerusalem to be crucified. So this section contains crucial events and discourses for the understanding of the 12…. and us.

5. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 Let’s look at five of these crucial events and discourses: - “But who do you say that I am?” 8:27-38 -The Transfiguration, 9:1-13 -The Son of Man is to be Killed & will Rise Again, 9:30-32 -The Greatest in the Kingdom, 9:33-50 -The Nature of the Kingdom, 10:1-45

6. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 1. “But who do you say that I am?” 8:27-38 -Jesus first asked who the people said that He was, v.27. -The 12 replied, “Elijah” and “John the Baptist” or “one of the prophets”, v.28 -Then He asked who they said He was. v.29a -Impetuous Peter stated firmly, “Thou art the Christ.” v.29b -But, they were to tell no one, v.30.

7. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 2. The Transfiguration 9:1-13 -Jesus took only Peter, James, & John with Him up on the mountain, v.2. -There they saw Him transfigured, vv.2b-3. -They also saw Moses & Elijah, v.4. -They represented the Law and the Prophets. -Peter suggested memorial tabernacles (sacred tents), one for each of them, vv.5-6. -But God said, “Listen to Him!” v.7

8. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 3. The Son of Man is to be Killed & will Rise Again, 9:30-32 -He is again retiring from the crowds to concentrate on the Twelve, v.30. -He tells them again (see 8:31-32b) plainly of His betrayal, death, and resurrection, v.31. -But they did not fully understand and were afraid to ask, v.32. (see also 10:32-34)

9. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 4. The Greatest in the Kingdom, 9:33-50 -The 12 had been discussing this questionamong themselves, vv.33-34. -The greatest will be last & servant of all, v.35. -And one who receives even children, vv.36-37. A lesson yet to be learned, > 10:13. -And one who is more concerned with “the Cause” than with “me/us”, vv.38-41. -And one who does not cause others to stumble, v.42. -And one who is dedicated to one purpose, vv.43-50.

10. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 5. The Nature of the Kingdom, 10:1-45 -It is moral, vv.2-12. -It is compassionate and caring, vv.13-16. -It is motivated by love, not possessions, vv.17-22. -It is dependant upon God’s love, grace, and power, vv.23-27. -It is the purpose of life, vv.28-31. -It is not about being served, but serving, vv.35-45.

11. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 Now, what does all of this mean? What was Jesus telling the Twelve (and us) …. 1. with His questions about His identity? (Who?) That He is not a prophet- He is the Messiah! 2. with the Transfiguration? (What?) That His authority as the Son of God supercedes that of Moses’ Law and the OT Prophets! 3. with His predictions of death? (What will become of Him?) That He will Rise & Ascend!

12. Mark #4 The Retirement of Jesus, 8:27 - 10:45 Now, what does all of this mean? What was Jesus telling the Twelve (and us) …. 4. with His teaching of them privately? (What must you become?) Humble. Selfless. Compassionate. Cause-oriented. 5. with His teaching on the Nature of the Kingdom? (What must entrants become?) MoralCaring/CompassionateSpiritual HumblePurposedServing

13. This section of Mark gives us a glimpse inside…. of things Jesus considered to be of most importance to those who would take His message to the World! Have you learned it? Have you become it? Have you shared it?