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“Welcome back! This is Part 7 of our 13-part series. We are midway through this series.
We are studying the Book of Mark. We are finishing up 8 and moving through Mark 9 and 10
In these chapters, we learn that discipleship goes beyond being a follower of Jesus. Under the leadership of the Master Teacher, the disciples had an obligation to whom were they obligated?
We, too, are disciples; join us as we learn to whom we are most obligated as disciples of the Master Teacher.
But, before we begin, as always, let’s invite God’s Presence. Inviting God’s Presence.
“Almighty God, humble our hearts and minds so that we may fully comprehend and achieve the purpose you have designed for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 7)
Teaching Disciples: Part 1
Part 1 Introduction
The teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark illuminate our path and empower us to lift others up as we go on the journey.
The Gospel of Mark, particularly the first half, shows us who Jesus is. Jesus’ powerful teaching presents a new way of thinking and doing, and His displays of miracles, in which he heals the sick, raises the dead, causes paralytics to walk, casts out demons, causes the blind to see, the hearing impaired to hear, the non-verbal to speak, and feeds 4000 and 5000 with a few loaves of bread and fish, calms the raging sea, and walks on water, lets us know in a powerful way that Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed one sent from God to redeem the world.
He is the Master Teacher, and when we accept him, we become his disciples.
As disciples, besides learning from his examples, what are they expected to do?
The odd thing is that after Jesus’ powerful teaching and display of miracles, at the beginning of the second half of Mark, Jesus asks His disciples a peculiar question: But, who do you say that I am?
Interestingly, Peter gives a clear, strong, and unmistakable response, from which Jesus, knowing that He will soon be leaving them in a troubling way, immediately begins to teach His disciples the steps He must take as the Messiah, the Anointed One, headed to the cross.
Through the vivid narratives of the last part of Mark Chapter 8 through the end of Chapter 10, Jesus, their Master Teacher, began to pivot his teaching toward the focus on His remaining journey in which he gives predictions about his death on the Cross.
He follows this up with what it means to be one of His disciples. He gives special instructions on discipleship that are relevant to today.
Mark 8:34 captures the essence of discipleship. Here, Jesus invites the people and his disciples, those desiring to follow Him, to not only deny themselves but also to take up their crosses and follow him.
“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34, NKJV).
Of course, this is a metaphor. This metaphor is not just about enduring suffering, nor is it about dragging a cross around with you or wearing one on your neck. It’s a call to embrace a personal transformation of the heart for a greater purpose beyond ourselves.
It is like denying immediate pleasures for a long-term purpose, such as achievement in education or a career.
Jesus’ teachings and miracles in the first half of Mark’s Gospel vividly portray Jesus as the Savior, setting the stage for the deeper revelations in the second half.
As Jesus begins to unveil the magnitude of His mission, He challenges His disciples to reconsider what it means to truly believe in Him and follow Him.
Therefore, as the narrative unfolds, Jesus not only predicts His suffering but also gives crucial lessons on service and sacrifice that are foundational for His followers today.
These instructions urge His disciples today to look beyond their immediate desires toward a good that benefits everyone, especially the less advantaged.
The section of Mark that we are now looking at is from the middle of Mark 8 through the end of Mark 10.
It is marked off by the healing of two different blind men, one at the midpoint of Chapter 8 and another at the end of Chapter 10.
The miracles of the healing of the two blind men are clear markers.
They highlight that being a disciple of Jesus involves obtaining a spiritual understanding of Jesus’ identity and the path He is destined to take. (
These miracles frame or encapsulate the important aspect of discipleship.
They symbolize the clearing of our spiritual vision. Just as these men gained their sight and followed Jesus, we, too, are called to a clearer, deeper understanding of Who Jesus is and take up our cross and follow Him.
When we consider the modern equivalent of ‘taking up your cross,’ What might that mean? Perhaps dedicating time to mentor young people, volunteering for the less fortunate, or making sacrifices that allow others to thrive.
These acts of kindness, commitment, and dedication resonate with Jesus’ call to live for something larger than ourselves.
Each step we take in following these teachings is a step towards a richer, more compassionate life. What cross are you called to bear, and how will you carry it for the betterment of the less advantaged?” Perhaps we need to see more clearly.
In Mark 8:22-30, Jesus touches the blind man two times to heal him. Why was it necessary for Him to touch him twice? Read Mark 8:22-30, then Continue to Part 2: Seeing Clearly.
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 7)
Teaching Disciples: Part 1
Part 2: Seeing Clearly
In addition to the miracles In the Gospel of Mark that help us understand who Jesus is, the stories in Mark are also designed to help us grow and develop spiritually and emotionally.
In Mark 8:22-30, we encounter a unique miracle where Jesus heals a blind man touching him not once, but twice.
At His first touch, Jesus partially restored the man’s vision. But it is only after His second touch that the man is completely healed.
Why was it necessary for Jesus to touch this man two times?
The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, all recount several instances of Jesus healing the blind.
Besides the healing of the blind man in Mark 8,
Mark 10:46-52 reports the healing of a man called blind Bartimaeus.
Matthew 20:29-34 describes Jesus healing two blind men.
John 9 tells the story of Jesus healing a man born blind, whom He instructs to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
But unlike the accounts in the other three gospels, Mark 8 tale of Jesus healing a blind man is unique.
It appears only in the Gospel of Mark, and it is the only miracle of Jesus that requires two actions to bring about perfect healing.
Showing deep compassion and care for the man’s disability, Jesus takes the man by the hand and leads him out of the village.
He heals this blind man in two stages. He touches the man twice. Why does Jesus touch this man two times?
As in other cases with His disciples, Jesus used this incident as a teachable moment for his followers.
It is believed that the healing of the blind man serves as a living parable.
It is a powerful metaphor for gaining a deeper insight into the process of becoming a disciple of Christ.
It shows that spiritual understanding and vision take time, sometimes requiring Jesus to lead us away from the crowd touching us, not once but twice.
Mark 8:22-10:52 begins and ends with stories on the healing of a blind man.
In between this section of Mark, Jesus focuses on taking his disciples by the hand and educating them about His coming death.
But, just like the blind man, they need to be touched not once but twice to comprehend fully what is about to happen.
Like any good teacher who asks questions to grab their students’ attention and help them understand an important point, Jesus, the Master Teacher, in
Mark 8:29 asks His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?”
This question is the turning point in the Gospel of Mark.
This becomes evident in Peters’ response in this same verse, “You are the Christ.”
This moment is pivotal because, up to this point, Jesus had not directly asked them this question.
Three key factors support this idea.
First, Jesus asks His disciples to identify who they think He is, a question He hadn’t posed until this moment.
Second, Peter becomes the first non-demon-possessed person to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.
Third, after this revelation in which Peter declares who Jesus is, Jesus proceeds to explain His path to the cross.
After Peter declares who Jesus is, Jesus instructs His disciples to keep this revelation quiet.
Why does Jesus silence His disciples about Him being the Messiah?
This is odd since telling others would be a great way of spreading His message of hope.
But back then, the title “Messiah” had political overtones. A Messiah was thought of as someone appointed to overthrow the Roman government.
Jesus didn’t want to be seen as that kind of leader, so He asked His disciples not to reveal his identity.
Jesus’s stages of healing the blind man teach us about the gradual nature of growth. As we follow Jesus, we must be willing to let him lead us, be open to his touch, and be patient in our spiritual healing.
It is important to know that discipleship comes at a cost. Mark 8:31-38 talks about that cost. What is the cost of discipleship, and how are we expected to pay for it? Read Mark 8:1-38.
Then, View the next segment of this video, Part 3: The Cost of Discipleship.
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 7)
Teaching Disciples: Part 1
Part 3: The Cost of Discipleship
Jesus, in Mark 8:34–38, outlines what it truly means to follow Him.
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:34–38)
This isn’t just about not walking a path of comfort and ease but also about embracing challenges and sacrifices for the good of others.
In the Gospel of Mark, unlike His first disciples, who gradually realized who Jesus was, we are made aware of who Jesus is from the very onset. This early insight helps us better understand His teachings.
The disciples have reached a critical turning point in their relationship with Jesus. They now know that He is the Messiah.
As readers who are told who Jesus is from the beginning in Mark 1:1, we have an advantage over the sometimes-confused disciples, who, at times, acted awkwardly or made mistakes in their understanding and actions regarding Jesus.
When Jesus initially called His disciples, he promised them in Mark 1:17 that He would make them “fishers of men.”
There was no mention of the hardships or sacrifices this new calling would involve, and there was no talk of trouble.
But Now! Now that they know who Jesus is, His mission begins to unfold. Jesus tells them that He must suffer many things, be rejected and killed, and then rise again after three days. Here, Jesus unveils the true cost of discipleship.
So, after Peter’s revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus shares the grim reality of His mission: He must suffer, be rejected, and ultimately be killed to rise again after three days.
This revelation shocks Peter, leading him to rebuke Jesus.
Jesus, in turn, responds sharply, calling Peter ‘Satan’ and telling him to get out of His way. The thoughts coming from Peter’s lips were not in accord with the will of God.
It says in the Book The Desire of Ages,
“Peter’s words were not such as would be a help and solace to Jesus in the great trial before Him. They were not in harmony with God’s purpose of grace toward a lost world, nor with the lesson of self-sacrifice that Jesus had come to teach by His own example.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 415.
Followers of Jesus are called to share His mission by taking up their own crosses and following Him. Crucifixion was an extremely brutal, degrading, and fearsome form of execution used by the Romans, and everyone sought to avoid it.
So, why would anyone embrace the cross as a symbol of their commitment to Jesus?
Jesus explains that following Him means taking up the cross. The cross symbolizes the most severe punishment and humiliation administered by the Romans. This command does not insist on us dragging a cross from place to place or a challenge to wear one around our necks.
Jesus challenges every follower to embrace the reality that a fundamental part of their faith involves daily sacrifices. Choosing the path of the cross means prioritizing eternal life over fleeting earthly pleasures.
Jesus does not stop at the cost of discipleship but also points out its great value. In other words, when we put our faith in Jesus, the Messiah, losing our lives becomes the way to an even better life.
On the other hand, gaining the whole world involves forfeiting that better life. Which makes more sense: temporary pleasure here or spending eternity with your Creator in a land far better than the one that now exists?
As missionary Jim Elliott put it in his journal of October 28, 1949: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
In other words, Jesus calls us to set aside present personal desires to gain future eternal rewards.
In reflecting on John 12:25,
25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25)
We learn that loving life leads to losing life. In contrast, hating life in this world prepares us for eternity.
What are you holding onto that might be keeping you from fully embracing the life Jesus calls you to?
Knowing the eternal rewards far outweigh the temporary losses why not commit to living a life that echoes the teachings of Jesus.
When we decide to follow Jesus, even in this life, we experience some amazing things. This is what Peter, James, and John experienced when Jesus took them up on a high mountain by themselves away from the crowd. What did they see on this mountain?
Read Mark 9:1-13.
Then, Continue to the next segment of this video, Part 4: The Mountain and the Multitude.
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 7)
Teaching Disciples: Part 1
Part 4: The Mountain and the Multitude
In Mark 9:1, Jesus predicts that some of the people standing with Him will not die before they see the kingdom of God come with power.
This prediction is fulfilled six days later when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain alone. There, Jesus is transfigured before them, shining with bright glory.
Mark 9:3 describes this glorious event saying
3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. (Mark 9: 3)
Thus, Jesus’ appearance is transformed, and His clothes become dazzling white, symbolizing the glory of God’s kingdom coming in power.
Elijah and Moses appeared from heaven and talked with Jesus about His departure that was about to take place shortly in Jerusalem. (Split)
Luke 9:30-31 tells of this incident describing it as follows:
30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31)
The conversation about His upcoming departure highlights the connection between Jesus’ glory and His impending death on the cross, as explained in Mark 9:9
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (Mark 9:9)
After descending the mountain the next morning, the three disciples asked Jesus about Elijah, who they thought was supposed to appear before the Messiah, as the scriptures say in Malachi 4:5-6
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6)
Jesus tells them that Elijah has already come, referring to John the Baptist.
He wanted them to understand that just like John was killed, He would also be killed. But He would come back to life three days later.
Why did Jesus allow these three disciples to experience His transfiguration on the mountain?
The vision of Jesus’ transfiguration was meant to strengthen Peter, James, and John so that when they later witnessed Jesus’ suffering and death, they could remember their experience on the mountain and find hope, be strengthened, and also give hope and strengthen the others
Their experience on the mountain was glorious, but on their trip down the mountain the next day, they encountered a sad, chaotic scene: a boy possessed by a demon, which the other nine disciples were unable to cast out.
Read Mark 9:14-29 to get a complete picture of the scene.
This incident leads to another teachable moment for the disciples and everyone present.
When Jesus gets down to the bottom of the mountain, everyone rushes over to him. As they start telling Him about the demon’s power over the child, Jesus asks for more details about what’s going on.
This goes on for a while, and it gets to be too much for the boy’s father, who suddenly blurts out. “ ‘If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us’ ” (Mark 9:22, NKJV).
The father’s request reveals his doubt, which is a barrier to his son’s healing.
Jesus picks up on his statement: “If you can?” and responds in Mark 9:23 saying:
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
Recognizing that he, too, has a problem with unbelief, the desperate father humbles himself, pleading for God’s mercy; in Mark 9:24 he cries out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ ” (Mark 9:24, NKJV).
This plea illustrates the struggle many of us face in balancing faith and doubt.
Notice what it says in Desire of Ages:
How many a sin-burdened soul has echoed that prayer. And to all, the pitying Saviour’s answer is, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” It is faith that connects us with heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong. But many feel that they lack faith, and therefore they remain away from Christ.
Let these souls, in their helpless unworthiness, cast themselves upon the mercy of their compassionate Saviour. …Cast yourself at His feet with the cry, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.” You can never perish while you do this—never.—The Desire of Ages, p. 429.
Just as the father had to overcome his doubt to see his son healed, we must not doubt God’s ability to answer our request.
The story of Jesus’ transfiguration and the healing of the demon-possessed boy teaches us about the power of faith and the importance of prayer supporting the least favored among us.
Jesus prepares his disciples, foretelling his coming death in Mark 8:31 and again in Mark 9:30-41 what is the difference between the two? Read Mark 8:31 and Mark 9:30-41
Then, continue to the next segment of this video: Part 5: Who is the Greatest?
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 7)
Teaching Disciples: Part 1
Part 5: Who is the Greatest
In Mark 9:30-41Jesus delivers His second teaching about His death and resurrection. How is it different from Mark 8:31, where Jesus speaks about being rejected, killed, and rising from the dead after three days?
Mark 8:31 is Jesus’s first prediction; there, he talks about those who will reject Him and kill Him.
Mark 9:30-31 is Jesus’ second prediction, here, He adds that He will be betrayed into the hands of men. This new detail introduces the betrayal that will lead to His crucifixion.
Although the betrayal is not identified here, we know that it is Judas based on Mark 3:19, which Identifies Judas Iscariot as the one who betrayed Jesus.
Thus, again, Jesus talks of being killed and then rising from the dead after three days.
But the disciples seem even less interested in the details of this prediction than in the first. It’s as if what Jesus is saying goes clearly over their heads. They were in denial.
When Jesus asked the question, “Who do men say that I am?” in Mark 8:27, they were nearing the village of Caesarea Philippi, north of the Sea of Galilee. Then, in Mark 9:30, they go through Galilee to Capernaum, and we find in Mark 9:33 that they finally entered Capernaum.
Meanwhile, as they are traveling, his disciples, lagging behind Jesus, are in an intense discussion, arguing about who among them is the greatest.
Jesus asks them what they were talking about on the way. No one answers, showing they are uneasy with His question, like kids who know they’ve been caught doing something wrong.
This argument about who is the greatest among them reflects their misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission and the nature of His kingdom.
Their topic is one most don’t like to admit but think about.
However, in the kingdom of God, the whole idea of who is the greatest is in reverse.
So when Jesus asks them about their argument. They remain silent, embarrassed about their discussion.
Thus, in Mark 9:35, we see Jesus using this as a teachable moment.
First, He clearly states that to be first (the greatest), you have to become a servant.
Then, like the great teacher that He is, He provides an illustration for more clarity.
In Mark 9:36-37 Jesus takes a little child and sets him in the middle of them and then takes him in His arms.
He teaches that if you receive the child, you receive Him. And if you receive Him, you receive His Father.
His point was that even the lowest child is linked to God Himself. This act shows that even those considered least important are precious in God’s sight.
In Mark 9:38, like a good student, John asks a question saying:
38 Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” (Mark 9:38)
John wants to know about a group of outsiders casting out demons in Jesus’ name. In response, Jesus teaches an important lesson saying:
39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
40 For he who is not against us is on our side.
41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. (Mark 9:39-41)
Jesus answers by teaching that anyone not against them is for them.
He emphasizes that even the smallest act of kindness, like giving a cup of water, given to those belonging to Christ does not go unnoticed in heaven.
Jesus’ teachings in Mark 9 challenge us to rethink our notions of greatness and service.
True greatness in God’s kingdom is found in humility and serving others, especially the least favored.
Showing the seriousness of harming the less advantaged suggests that for those who cause them to stumble, it is better for them to pluck out their eye or cut off their arm or leg.
Is Jesus advocating that we mutilate ourselves for the less advantaged? And who are the little ones Jesus is referring to? To find out, read Mark 9:42-50.
Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 6: The Healthy Man in Hell.
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 7)
Teaching Disciples: Part 1
Part 6: The Healthy Man in Hell
We now explore a challenging but deeply meaningful passage from Mark 9:42-50.
These verses contain some of Jesus’ most intense teachings about sin, responsibility, and the consequences of our actions.
Mark 9:42-50 might seem like a collection of disconnected teachings at first glance, but a closer look reveals three key terms “causes to sin,” “fire,” and “salt.”
Here, we address the first two, “cause to sin” and “fire”
The first teaching is about causing “little ones.” In Mark 9:42, Jesus warns about causing “little ones” to sin. This is a metaphor related to new believers.
Here Jesus emphasizes the grave responsibility of teachers and leaders in caring for and guiding new believers.
Special care should be given to new converts, like the Old Testament principle of caring for those weakest in society, such as widows, orphans, and foreigners.
Using hyperbole, Jesus says it would be better for someone to be drowned in the sea than to cause one of these little ones to sin.
A hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used deliberately for emphasis or effect.
It’s not meant to be taken literally but is used to create a strong impression or to express strong feelings.
The phrase “cause to sin” leads to the longest teaching in this passage. Two puzzling questions are present here.
First, is Jesus really teaching people to cut off a hand or foot or pluck out an eye?
The Second is, is He teaching that there is an eternally burning hell.
The answer to the first question is no. Jesus is not teaching mutilation. Mutilation is a direct rejection of the Laws of Moses. For clarification, compare Deuteronomy 14:1 and 1 Kings 18:27, 28.
Therefore, Jesus is using hyperbole to make his point. If losing a hand, foot, or eye is bad, how much more of a disaster should it be for those following Christ to sin and lose out on eternal life?
In other words, this is not a literal action but a vivid illustration of how serious sin is. It underscores that avoiding sin is more crucial than preserving physical well-being. Why? because sin will cause us to lose out on eternal life.
The answer to the second question is also no. Jesus is not teaching an eternally burning hell.
The lesson study explains this point by saying that the first passage contains a certain degree of satire or sarcasm. It asks us to consider people entering the heavenly city with one eye, one foot, or one hand. Then consider people who are whole going to hell. Should it not be the other way around?
A healthy man in hell and A lame man in heaven could be nothing more than sarcastic. Having a sense of humor over a serious topic leads one to consider that Jesus is illustrating a point using hyperbole, an exaggerated figure of speech.
In other words, Jesus is saying Sin should be taken so seriously that it would be better to lose a hand, foot, or eye than to sin. (Split)
Now as to Hell’s flames being eternal. The consequences of sin are eternal, but not hellfire itself.
Jesus uses these vivid images to stress the seriousness of sin and the importance of living a righteous life.
It is God’s desire for everyone who wants it, to have eternal life. John 3:16 makes this very clear, saying:
“‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’ ” (John 3:16, ESV; emphasis supplied).
Thus, those who are lost do not burn forever; instead, they perish forever, that’s a very big difference!
Jesus’ teachings in Mark 9:42-50 challenge us to take sin seriously and care for new believers, who are at a disadvantage.
The Book Desire of Ages points out that we have a responsibility to the less advantaged, saying:
“By all that has given us advantage over another,—be it education and refinement, nobility of character, Christian training, religious experience,—we are in debt to those less favored; and, so far as lies in our power, we are to minister unto them. If we are strong, we are to stay up the hands of the weak. (The Desire of Ages, p. 440)
Let’s commit to living out these principles, using our education, wealth, and advantages to uplift the less advantaged.
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