The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 72

The Gospel Of Mark Bible Study Lesson 72:

This week’s Bible Study of Mark’s Gospel will again include questions for you to answer. Once you finish the lesson on your own. You can look at my answers. Anytime you do Bible study ask yourself these 3 questions:

3 questions:

·        What is this passage about?

·        What do I learn from this passage?

·        How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Scripture to meditate on before you do this week’s Bible study:

Philippians 2:3 NIV 
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:4 NIV 
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others

Matthew 6:21 NIV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

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This Week’s Bible passage from the Gospel of Mark:

Mark 14: 3-9

Read the passage below:  

Mark 14:3-9 NIV     3While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.     4Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? 5It could have been sold for more than a year's wages[a] and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.     6"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." John 12:1-8 NIV Jesus Anointed at Bethany     1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.     4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.[b]" 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.     7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."   Scripture Links:   Matthew 26:6-13  /  Luke 7:37-38  /   John 12:1-8

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Answer the questions below:

1.   Content:  What is this passage about?

·        Who are the people if any?  

  

·        What are they doing?         

                                 

·        Where does this take place? 

·        When does this take place? 

2.   Lesson:   What do I learn from this passage?

·        Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Is there an example to follow or not to follow?

·        What is/are the main truth/truths of this passage?  

·        Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?

·        Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

What does the passage reveal about the character of God?

·        His Attributes/Characteristics (ex. loving, caring, Holy, Merciful etc.):

·        His ways of relating/Communicating to people:

·        His emotions:

·        His views:

·        Reasons for us to love God more:  

3.  Application:  How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Can you think of a current situation in your personal life, home life, 

          Church, or business which is similar to what you are learning?

·        How can I apply what I am learning to my current circumstances?

·        Are there specific things in to which to pray about?

·        Is there a new thought to me? An encouraging thought?  

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Here is my layout for: Mark 14: 3-9

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

·        A woman’s anointing of Jesus at Bethany draws rebuke from some but commendation from Jesus.

Who are the people if any?

·        Jesus, His disciples and a woman

·        From John’s Gospel: Jesus, Martha, Mary, Judas Iscariot.

    What are they doing?

·        From John’s Gospel: a dinner given in Jesus’ honor.

      

Where does this take place?

·        At the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany.

When does this take place?

·         At the point in time close to the Passover. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were plotting to arrest and kill Jesus.

·        From John’s Gospel: 6 days before the Passover.

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2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        No expression of love for Christ is too extravagant.

Note: Along with the Gospel of Mark I am going to use the passage from

         John to get more specific info.

 Is there a warning, command or promise?

·        Jesus rebukes Judas because Judas was complaining that Mary was wasting expensive perfume by pouring it on Jesus.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that He will not be around much longer.

          In fact by pouring the perfume on Jesus, Mary was preparing Jesus for His

          burial. 

·        Jesus explains that what Mary had done will be remembered. What Mary did would become part of God’s written word which would be preached throughout the world.

Note:

·        Judas would eventually betray Jesus which would lead to Jesus’ death on the cross and later resurrection. This was all part of God’s plan. Even when others do evil in this world, God in His power can take a bad situation and still use it for some ultimate good purpose. Jesus fulfilled His ultimate purpose which was to die for our sins.  In this way Jesus’ sacrifice made it possible for us to be saved from the consequence of being separated from God because of our sin.

Genesis 50:20 NIV 
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Is there an example to follow or not to follow?

·        Judas was concerned with money and did not see the spiritual significance for Mary’s anointing (Honor given for a special task consecrated for a special use) of Jesus with expensive perfume.

·        Judas cared more about himself than the people he claimed he wanted to help.  In contrast we are commanded to love God, and love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves.

Mark 12:30-31 NIV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these.

·        Judas was a thief.  He stole from what was collected and designated to help others in need.  We need to consider who is the Lord of our life. We cannot serve two masters.

Matthew 6:24 NIV 
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

·        Mary honored Jesus with expensive perfume.  In the same way we should give to God the best of what we have: our hearts, our gifts, our resources.

·        Mary’s love for Jesus was such a powerful display of reverence for Him that it was recorded in scripture.  We too need to show reverence for Jesus by honoring Him by doing kind and thoughtful acts in His name.

What are the main points in this passage?

·        While Jesus was at a dinner given in His honor, Mary anoints Him with expensive perfume.

·        Judas Iscariot rebukes Her for 2 reasons:

1.     He did not understand the significance of why Mary poured the perfume on Jesus.

2.     He felt the perfume could be sold and the money used for the poor. He really was thinking more in terms of His own benefit since Judas was a thief and used to steal money from the money bag.

·        Jesus rebukes Judas for Judas’ lack of understanding of the significance of Mary’s anointing.  Judas was only thinking about himself and did not realize that Jesus was soon to die on the cross. Jesus had even told His disciples about His death and resurrection.

Mark 8:31 NIV
[ Jesus Predicts His Death ] He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.

Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth?

• People who sit at the feet of Jesus and acknowledge their love for Him will be remembered and acknowledged before God.
• What we do in this life will be judged by Jesus after we die.
• God will not forget what we did in His name. In fact, part of our reward in Heaven will be based on what we do here on earth.

Matthew 10:32 NIV 
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

   Why did God put this passage in the Bible?

·        To remind us that the amount of love we have for Jesus will impact our lives now and into eternity. 

·        To show the difference in the attitudes of Mary and Judas and to make us aware that Judas’ attitude will bring about rebuke while Mary’s attitude will bring about praise.  

·        To remind us that what we do in this life will be judged by Jesus when we die.

·        To remind us that our good deeds done in His name will be remembered by God.

What does the passage reveal about the character of : God/Jesus?

A.   His attributes: 

·         The Messiah, The Lamb of God.

     B. His ways of relating/communicating to people:     

·        Jesus knew about His purpose to carry out God’s plan of salvation. He told His disciples many times what was going to happen.  

     C. His emotions:

·        Jesus rebukes Judas for His evil intentions.

D. His views:

·        Those who honor Jesus will be remembered and acknowledged before God.

      E. Reasons for us to love Him more:  

·       Jesus will remember the good as well as the bad things we do in this life. Fortunately when we give our lives to Him the sin in our life will no longer condemn us to be held under God’s wrath.

·       Jesus died to save us from our sins.

3.  Application:  How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        How am I critical of the ways others express their love to Christ when it is different from my ways?

·        What expression of my love for Jesus will I joyfully, perhaps sacrificially, present to Him today?

·        Do I use this woman’s example of giving to the Lord as a standard for myself and a lesson to others?

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My prayer for you:

I pray you will take God’s Word to heart and ask God to help you apply what you have learned. I hope and pray that this Bible Study helps you grow spiritually by deepening your faith, trust and love for God.

Jesus declared that if we seek God, he will provide everything we need to live the abundant life, providing for us physically and spiritually:

Matthew 6:32-33  Living Bible (TLB)

 “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.

John 10:10 English Standard Version (ESV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Philippians 4:19 New Living Translation (NLT)

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

John 14:26 (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Also, remember the importance and impact of embracing of God’s Word in light of how we are to be God’s Ambassadors and Teachers, as well as to live abundantly in a fallen world:

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)   

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

John 8:31-32  (NIV)

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Daily Application ideas:

·        Pray! Ask God to help you understand the passage of scripture you are

          reading.

·        Pray! Ask God to help you apply what you are learning.

·        Write down your thoughts and prayers. Seek to understand what God is

          trying to teach you.

·        Begin to make changes in your patterns of behavior in accordance to 

          God’s teaching.

·        Act on God’s answer to prayer.

·        Put God first in your life in every area of your life 

         (Marriage, Parenting, Ministry, Work etc.).

·        Be determined to make quality & quantity time for God in your life

           (ex. Quiet time, prayer time, Bible reading/study).

Helpful Hints for this Bible Study:

·        Not everything we read will contain enough info to answer all the questions.

·        Other questions may come to mind as you read.

·        The questions are just helpful guidelines.

·        Following the reading of the passage of scripture take a moment to write

          down your thoughts.

·        After you have asked yourself the above Template questions, answer the

          questions specifically. 

·        Refer back to above questions when you need to.

·        Then concentrate on a couple of things that are meaningful to you

          personally. 

·        Then go to the application section.

·        Think through the application questions and journal your thoughts and

          prayers.

Just Sayin……………..Dave