Jesus in Mark’s GospelJesus in Mark’s Gospel

The Authority of Jesus

Jesus

Peter

Mark

Jesus MissionJesus MissionTwo mission statements:

1.Jesus has come to preach:“Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – to I can preach there also. That is why I have come” (1.38-39).

2.Jesus has come to give his life as a ransom for many:“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a raonsom for many” (10.45).

Jesus in Mark/PeterJesus in Mark/Peter

1. Action (little teaching)

2. The kingdom of God = God’s rule with authority

3. An assault on the powers of darkness

4. Announcement and demonstration (preach & exercise authority)

5. Authority demonstrated in conflict:

Demonic powers

Human bondage

The religious authorities

Basic OutlineBasic Outline

Preparation for ministry (1.1-13)

The Galilean ministry (1.14-8.26) First phase (1.16-3.6) Second phase (3.7-5.43) Third phase (6.7-8.26)

The Journey to Jerusalem (8.27-10.52)

Ministry in Jerusalem (11.1-13.37)

The cross and empty tomb (15.1-16.8)

Authority stories: Galilee first Authority stories: Galilee first phasephase

Teaching “with authority” and giving orders to demons (1.21-28).

Calling the disciples, who follow “without delay” (1.20).

The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins (2.5-10).

Authority over the fever (1.30-31).

Authority over the sicknesses and demons of the whole village (1.32-34).

Authority stories: Galilee first Authority stories: Galilee first phasephase

Authority throughout Galilee (1.39).

Speaking to leprosy (1.41-42).

Summoning Levi, who leaves his business right away (2.14).

Authority stories: Galilee first Authority stories: Galilee first phasephase

Religious authorities questioning Jesus authority:

Jesus eats with sinners (2.13-17).

Jesus disciples do not fast (2.18-19).

Jesus disciples “work” on the Sabbath (2.21-27).

Jesus “breaks” the Sabbath by healing (3.1-6).

Authority stories: Galilee Authority stories: Galilee second phasesecond phase

Delegated authority to the 12 (3.7, 14-15).

Works of authority: Authority over nature (4.41). Authority over demons (5.1-20). Authority over sickness and death

(5.21-34; 5.35-43).

Authority stories: Galilee third Authority stories: Galilee third phasephase

The mission of the 12: preached, drove out demons and healed (6.12-13).

They reported back on what they had done and taught (6.30).

Two conflict stories embedded in 8 miracle (authority) stories:

1. Jesus feeds the 5000 (6.30-44).

2. Jesus walks on the lake (6.45-53).

3. Genessaret: People healed from the whole region (6.53-56).

Authority stories: Galilee third Authority stories: Galilee third phasephase

4. A conflict story: Jesus contradicts the Pharisees on ritual cleanness (7.1-22).

5. A daughter delivered of a demon (7.24-30).

6. A deaf and dumb man healed (7.31-36).

7. Jesus feeds the 4000 (8.1-10).

8. A conflict story: The Pharisees ask for a sign (8.11-13).

9. Jesus teaches his disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees (8.14-21).

10.Jesus heals a blind man (8.22-26).

The irony of the request for a sign!

Authority stories: Journey to Authority stories: Journey to JerusalemJerusalem

1. The climax: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (10.45).

2. The previous statement: Gentile rulers, whose "high officials exercise authority" over the people (10.42).

3. The point: Jesus has servant authority!

Wimber quote: Authority is a gift given to those you serve by the ones who are served, as a result of service rendered.

Conflict stories: ministry in Conflict stories: ministry in JerusalemJerusalem

Two acts of judgment Judgment on the fig tree (11.12-14) Judgment on the temple (11.15-19) Judgment on the fig tree (11.20-25)

Seven confrontations in the temple area

1. Jesus authority questioned by chief priests, scribes and elders (11.27-33)

2. A parable against the priests and scribes (12.1-12)

3. The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus (12.13-17)

4. The Sadducees try to trap Jesus (12.18-27)

5. A scribal theological question (12.28-34)

6. The Messiah: David's Lord (12.35-40)

7. The temple treasury: who really gives? (12.41-42)

Authority stories: ministry in Authority stories: ministry in JerusalemJerusalem

They ask:

"By what authority do you do these things?"

"Who gave you this authority?"

Jesus replies:

"Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

When they cannot answer his question, he says:

“Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

The whole religious system The whole religious system unitesunites

When Judas offered to hand Jesus over to the chief priests, "They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money" (14.10-11).

Those who came to arrest Jesus, with swords and clubs, were "sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders" (14.43).

Jesus trial is mentioned with these words, again showing the total system of religious authority: "They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together" (14.53). "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death" (14.55).

Authority stories: ministry in Authority stories: ministry in JerusalemJerusalem

The decision to hand him over to Pilate is stated as follows: "Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision" (15.1).

The chief priests accused him of many things before Pilate (15.3).

When Pilate wanted to release Jesus, the chief priests stirred up the crown to ask for Barabbas instead (15.11).

The chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him as he hung on the cross (15.31).

Conclusion about Conclusion about authorityauthority

1. The kingdom of God is God’s rule/government on earth executed with authority.

2.God’s kingdom authority, present in/through Jesus, confronts and replaces the entire religious system!

Our calling todayOur calling today1. A gospel that only speaks of the second half

of Jesus mission is less than the whole gospel!

2. God’s mission is to bring the whole of his creation back under his sovereign rule, and put right everything that is wrong.

3. Our calling, following the 12, is to exercise authority under Jesus authority. That is what “in the name of Jesus” means.

4. That is why we do the ministry of Jesus today: We speak to sickness and tell it to go We command demons to leave We call sinners to reconciliation with God We confront injustice with the justice of God (the poor)

The challenge: 7 The challenge: 7 QuestionsQuestions

1. What kind of authority are we/you operating in?

2. Do you have kingdom authority?

3. How do we get kingdom authority?

4. Have you witnessed ministries that operate in kingdom authority? What are they like?

5. Have you ever had a conflict with what you saw as a religious system, rather than kingdom authority?

6. What are the signs of authentic kingdom authority and ministry?

7. Does the message of Mark, about Jesus’ authority, still speak today?