1. Bible Study for Dummies the Rest of Us I can do this!

2. 2 The Bible as a whole comes to us in the form of narrative, and it is within this large, somewhat sprawling narrative that St. Mark writes his Gospel. “We live mainly by forms and patterns…if the forms are bad, we live badly.”[1] Storytelling creates a world of presuppositions, assumptions, and relations into which we enter. Stories invite us into a world other than ourselves; a world larger than ourselves. Bible stories are good and true stories, and the world that they invite us into is the world of God’s creation and salvation and blessing. The Bible as a whole comes to us in the form of narrative, and it is within this large, somewhat sprawling narrative that St. Mark writes his Gospel. “We live mainly by forms and patterns…if the forms are bad, we live badly.”[1] Storytelling creates a world of presuppositions, assumptions, and relations into which we enter. Stories invite us into a world other than ourselves; a world larger than ourselves. Bible stories are good and true stories, and the world that they invite us into is the world of God’s creation and salvation and blessing.[1] [1] Wallace Stegner, When the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs (New York: Random House, 1992), p. 181. [1] Wallace Stegner, When the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs (New York: Random House, 1992), p. 181. [1] Mark 1:1-13

3. 3 The Beginning of the Gospel Mark 1:1-13 Begin Gospel “Isaiah” Promise Proph #1 John Baptizes & Preaches Jesus Baptized by John Spirit Drives to Wilderness Particulars of “The Beginning” General General: Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God (1:1) 123489111213 Fulfillment #1 Proph #2Fulfillment #2 WildernessJordan Wilderness Wilderness, 3/4, 12, 13 Inclusio

4. 4 General Heading: Beginning of “Gospel” Comparison by Ref. to Isaiah (2) Yahweh - Sends Messenger - Commands Prep John Appears: ( egeneto, 1:4) Response JB’s Garb Diet - JB’s Message (preaching) contrasts Jesus Appears: ( egeneto, 1:9) - Locale (9) - Baptism God’s Voice Appears: ( egeneto, 1:11) PARTICULARSPARTICULARS of the Beginning Mark 1:1-13

5. 5 NOT Remember, these words in 1:1-13 are shared with the reader NOT with participants in the story. Connections are being made scripturally (Isaiah), spatially (wilderness) and relationally (John the Baptist, God, Satan) that people in the story do not know about. We are given the opportunity to view these events from a divine perspective

6. 6 Mark 1:1-13 Reading Keys for rest of Mark 1. OT Prophecy 1. OT Prophecy Ex 23:20a; Mal 3:1; Isaiah 40:3 Elijah figure will be prominent (6:15; 8:24; 9:1-13; 15:35-36) Opening words of Mark are also only direct OT quote by Mark Mark’s entire gospel is a fulfillment of the Father’s will. (3:35; 8:31-38; esp. 38; 14:36)

7. 7 Mark 1:1-13 2. Prophecy Fulfilled (NOW!) 1:2-3Fulfilled in John (1:4-8) 1:7-8Fulfilled in Jesus (1:9-11)

8. 8 Mark 1:1-13 3. Prophecy Fulfilled (NOT YET!) 1:8 1:8 “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit See 13:9-13 (esp. 13:11), note comparison with Jesus’ suffering

9. 9 Mark 1:1-13 4. John the Baptizer (1:4-8) “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Note: Where is temple sacrifice? Mark seems to imply that forgiveness from temple (and its religious leaders) is not necessary (or corrupt?) so it’s no longer efficacious. This hints to the adversarial relationship with religious leaders; his Temple cleansing (11:15-19); his prophecy of the Temple destruction (13), and the charges against him (14:58) Note: Wilderness 1:2,3,4,12,13,35,45; 6:31,32,35.

10. 10 Mark 1:1-13 5. Jesus’ Baptism, God’s Voice (1:9-11) Associated with the sins of man “ preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Associated with the Sonship of God “ You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Connects tearing of heaven ( sci,zw ) 1:9 with the tearing of temple curtain ( sci,zw ) 15:38

11. 11 Mark 1:1-13 6. Jesus’ Temptation (1:12-13) “At once the Spirit sent (drove; evkba,llw ) him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” The text of Mark does not mention Jesus being victorious over temptation. Implying that the rest of Jesus’ life is a cosmic battle with Satan. Ask, Ask, Ask: If this temptation was “real”, failure must have been a “real” possibility (duh!). What are the ramifications of this??? (5:31; 13:32; 14:32-34)

12. 12 Mark 1:1-13 6. Jesus’ Temptation (1:12-13) Keys for reading rest of Mark: Take note of passages where the demonic overtones are explicit and implicit. Explicit Explicit: 1:21ff; 3:23; 5:1ff; 8:31-33; 9:14ff Implicit: Implicit: 3:13-21&31-35 juxtaposed with 3:22-30 14:32-42 Gethsemane; How about the dullness or hardness (darkness?) of the disciples) How about the events leading up to the cross?