The Joseph Smith Translation changed the title of this Gospel to “The Testimony of St. Mark.” Mark’s most important purpose in writing was to bear testimony that Jesus was the Messiah and that the gospel being taught was His gospel. As we better understand Mark’s purposes in writing and the circumstances in which he lived, we can better understand how his Gospel blesses us in our day. Perhaps nothing illustrates this more than the account, in Mark 4, about the Savior calming the stormy sea.
READ Mark 4:35-41…in Additional Resources
The hymn “Master, the Tempest Is Raging” (# 105) is based on this story.
“READ President Howard W. Hunter: All of us have seen some sudden storms in our lives. A few of them, though temporary like these on the Sea of Galilee, can be violent and frightening and potentially destructive. As individuals, as families, as communities, as nations, even as a church, we have had sudden squalls arise which have made us ask one way or another, ‘Master, carest thou not that we perish?’ And one way or another we always hear in the stillness after the storm, ‘Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?’
“Peace was on the lips and in the heart of the Savior no matter how fiercely the tempest was raging. May it so be with us—in our own hearts, in our own homes, in our nations of the world, and even in the buffetings faced from time to time by the Church. We should not expect to get through life individually or collectively without some opposition” (“Master, the Tempest Is Raging,” Ensign, Nov. 1984, 33, 35).
-What storms have you observed in the lives of others?
-Have you encountered storms in your own life?
NOTE: For a great visual review of last week’s lesson view I Am He about 50 min (last episode of Season 1 of The Chosen) If you have not watched this I would highly recommend it.
Stilling the Storm, by Ted Henninger
10-NT SS Lesson Feb 27- March 5 Matt 8, Mark 2-4, John 7
“Thy Faith Hath Saved Thee”
-How does it comfort you to know the Savior can calm the storms you face? How can you share this comfort with others?
VIEW Calming the Tempest
Jesus Christ has power to bring peace in the midst of life’s storms.
From Fear to Faith, by Howard Lyon
Miracles occur according to God’s will and our faith in Jesus Christ.
VIEW Mark 2:1-11, Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
REVIEW Mark 2:1-5
-What is the story here?
-Why couldn’t the man be brought before Jesus?
-How did his friends help him see the Savior?
-When in verse 5 Jesus “saw their faith,” who was he talking about? (immediate friends, those who prayed for him,...)
READ Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong…in Add’l Res
-How can we work together to bring blessings to others?
REVIEW Mark 2:6-12
-What happened in these verses?
READ What is the lesson learned…..?...in Add’l Res
Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
The Lord is the Lord of the Sabbath
VIEW Mark 2:23-28, Jesus Plucks Grain on the Sabbath
REVIEW Mark 2:23-28
-What is happening in these verses?
-Why do the Pharisees object?
READ Why did the Pharisees view…?...in Add’l Res
-In His answer, whose example did He cite?
READ Why did Jesus cite a story about David…in Add’l Res
-What did He say the Sabbath was made for?
READ What did Jesus mean that the Sabbath…Add’l Res
-What does President Nelson tell us about the purpose of the Sabbath?
-How can the Sabbath bless all of God’s children?
-How do you feel blessed by the Sabbath?
Story: On the way to church one Sunday one of my sisters asked “Is this a fast Sunday or a slow Sunday?”
READ What is meant by the expression “The Son of Man is Lord also of the sabbath”?,,,in Add’l Res
Jesus Heals a Man on the Sabbath Day
REVIEW Mark 3:1-6
VIEW Mark 3:1-6, Jesus Heals a Man with a Withered Hand
-Why were the Pharisees interested in this event?
-What did Jesus ask them? Vs 4
-What were the emotions of the Pharisees? Jesus? Vs 5
READ Why was His answer a good counter…in Add’l Res
-What do you learn from these verses?
-Does this change anything in your view about the Sabbath ?
Mark 2:23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mark 3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
As we are forgiven of our sins, our love for the Savior deepens.
REVIEW Luke 7:36–50
-What is the story about the woman who comes to the Pharisee’s house? (vs 36-38)
-Who was she?
READ Elder Jame E. Talmage…in Add’l Res
READ verses 39-46
-What was Jesus teaching Simon?
-What was the reference to the creditor and debtors?
READ What Principle was Jesus teaching?...in Add’l Res
READ verse 47
-Was she forgiven because of her love, or did she love because she was forgiven?
-Does it matter, can’t it result in either?
READ What role does our faith play…in Add’l Res
-What did Jesus say to the woman?
READ verse 50
-What can we learn from the woman’s example and the Savior’s teachings as we seek forgiveness for our own sins?
-How does repentance help us draw closer to Jesus Christ?
-How does this account influence the way we view those who have sinned?
Mark 4 Jesus teaches with parables of the sower, the candle under a bushel, the mustard seed, and the seed growing secretly.
Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
-Why does Jesus teach in parables?
Mark writes that Jesus taught the multitude by parable but that afterwards, when the multitude were gone, would explain to his disciples what the parable meant.
READ Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, (JST adds: with the twelve and they that believed in him,) they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [JST removes the word ‘these’] things are done in parables:
READ The Savior used parables
READ Elder James E. Talmage explains why some may fail to understand.
In conclusion, let us return to the story that we began with, the Savior, and His disciples on the boat in the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Elder Wirthlin explains what the Savior has promised to we who are faithful and who labor to follow Him.
READ How can we find peace amid Life’s trials? …in Add’l Res
The Savior used parables to hide meaning from those who were spiritually unprepared and to reveal great truths to those who were ready to receive them (see Matthew 13:10–16). “The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence; to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story, ‘seeing they see not,’ while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Thus it is that the parable exhibits the condition of all true knowledge. Only he who seeks finds” (Bible Dictionary, “Parables”). The Savior’s parables therefore included an implied invitation to seek further understanding of the truths they contained, and those who did so were rewarded with greater enlightenment (see Matthew 13:10, 36).
Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provided a simple illustration showing why some people may fail to understand the truths taught in parables: “Two men may hear the same words; one of them listens in indolence and indifference, the other with active mind intent on learning all that the words can possibly convey; and, having heard, the diligent man goes straightway to do the things commended to him, while the careless one neglects and forgets. The one is wise, the other foolish; the one has heard to his eternal profit, the other to his everlasting condemnation” (Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 297).
LISTEN Master the Tempest is Raging BYU Priesthood Choir, 2015 GC
Mary Ann Baker wrote the lyrics for this song. When Baker was 42 she suffered the loss of her only brother – to a disease that had also stolen her mother and father from her. She had grown up in Illinois and lived in Chicago, giving of herself in the temperance (alcohol prohibition) movement. So, it can be assumed that she rated purity, trying to live a ‘right life’ before God, high on her personal to-do list. So, when she was sick and could not go to be with him as his health became critical, one can imagine her heart searching for meaning. Her dear brother, a man she felt was precious and unique in character and potential, was gone.
In her recovery, Baker recalls that her associate, Horatio Palmer, asked her to compose the words for songs that would address the theme of “Christ Stilling the Tempest”, which was the subject of Sunday school lessons being taught in her church. The rest, as they say, is history. Her personal trial, a tempest, did have meaning after all. In fact, this trial added depth and purity to her faith, she declares.
The first two verses depict her sorrow and sense of loss, and then her rebellion in spirit, denying that the God she had obeyed since childhood was compassionate. But, in that period of angst (told in verse 2), she says that He responded, becoming the God of peace.
The third verse acknowledges the peace that follows the biblical storm, or the metaphorical storms in our lives, with the opening lines “Master, the terror is over, the elements sweetly rest.” Following each verse is the fundamental message of the hymns chorus, which is “Peace, be still.”
According to the scriptural account, the Savior, roused by his disciples who asked “Master, carest thou not that we perish? After rebuking the wind, and calming the sea, He said to them, “ Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”
The Lord will bless us beyond all comprehension, but He requires our faith, our love and our obedience. We are His children, we are citizens of His Kingdom. Much is expected of us. We are so fortunate to be His disciples and to receive not just the parables, but the gospel principles underlying these parables.
Have a good week. Stay healthy, cheerful and calm.
Greg
Rembrandt: “The Storm on the
Sea of Galilee”
LAST WORDS::
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong shared the following insight: “May I share with you one more hidden treasure found in this scripture account. It is in verse 5: ‘When Jesus saw their faith’ (emphasis added). I had not noticed this in the past—their faith.
Who were those people that Jesus mentioned? They could well include the four who carried the man with palsy, the man himself, the people who had prayed for him, and all those who were there listening to the preaching of Jesus and cheering quietly in their hearts for the soon-to-come miracle. They could also include a spouse, a parent, a son or a daughter, a missionary, a quorum president, a Relief Society president, a bishop, and a faraway friend. We can all help one another. We should always be anxiously engaged in seeking to rescue those in need” (“Rescue in Unity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 16).
What is the Lesson to be Learned from the Savior’s healing of the paralytic? “By this miraculous physical healing, the Savior confirmed to all of us this infinitely more powerful spiritual truth: the Son of Man forgives sins!
While this truth is readily accepted by all believers, not so easily acknowledged is the essential companion truth: the Savior forgives sins ’upon the earth’ and not just at the Final Judgment. He does not excuse us in our sins….But when we repent and obey His gospel, He forgives us.
In this forgiveness we see the enabling and the redeeming power of the Atonement, harmoniously and graciously applied.”(Cardon, “The Savior wants to Forgive,” 15)
Part of the stained glass depiction of the acts of Christ displayed in the Rome Temple Visitors Center
Why did the Pharisees view the disciples’ Sabbath-day activity as a violation of the law of Moses? The disciples’ actions on the Sabbath day were a principal reason for hostility among the Pharisees. “Pharisaic laws regulating Sabbath observance were meticulously divided into 39 categories, with additional subcategories. Strict guidelines …to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath controlled sowing, plowing, reading , binding sheaves, threshing, winnowing, sifting, grading, baking, weaving two threads, separating two threads, making a knot, undoing a knot,...and so on.” (Black, 400 Questions and Answers, 84-85)
Why did Jesus cite a story about David’s… “The disciples actions may have violated the Pharisees’ restrictions against travel as well as harvesting on the Sabbath, meant to implement the fourth commandment (Es 20:8-10). Jesus’ reply summarizes a story about David commandeering food for his soldiers in 1 Sam. 21:1-6….The point of the story: David’s men were hungry, adetail not found in 1 Sam. 21” (New Oxford Annotated Bible, 1414). In other words, the Savior pointed out that in the case of serious need, even sacred temple shewbread could be used for food. (Valletta, NT Study Guide, 139).
What did Jesus mean that the Sabbath was made for man? (27-28) “I believe He wanted us to understand that the Sabbath was His gift to us, granting real respite from the rigors of daily life and an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal. God gave us this special day, not for amusement or daily labor but for a rest fro duty, with a physical and spiritual relief” (Nelson, “Sabbath is a Delight,” 129).
What is meant by the expression “The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath”? The JST clarifies these verse with the following change. “Wherefore the Sabbath was given unto man for a day of rest and also that man should glorify God, and not that man should not eat; for the Son of man made the Sabbath day, therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabah (JST, Mark 2:26-27).
Why was His answer a good counter to their doctrine and practice? (3:1-5) As the Pharisees “watched” Him with malicious intent, the SAvior questioned them: ”Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath?”....True orthodoxy consists of keeping the doctrines, ordinances, covenants, and programs of the Church and Christian service in proper balance. In this daily balancing process, we are not excused from exercising good judgment” (Maxwell, “Answer Me,” 31).
Elder James E. Talmage wrote: “The name of the woman who thus came to Christ, and whose repentance was so sincere as to bring her grateful and contrite soul the assurance of remission, is not recorded. There is no evidence that she figures in any other incident recorded in scripture….”
Talmage quotes several disparate theories of who this person was, but rejects each as unfounded. He then continues:
“Equally wrong is the attempt made by others to identify this repentant and forgiven sinner with Mary Magdalene, no period of whose life was marked by the sin of unchastity so far as the scriptures aver” (Jesus the Christ, 263-4)
What Principle was Jesus teaching?Perceiving Simon’s thoughts regarding the woman, the Savior pointed out that “Simon had given Jesus no water to wash his feet, ha offered no kiss of greeting, and had not anointed His head with oil. By purposely withholding these customary acts of kindness for a guest, Simon had demonstrated a lack of respect for the Savior.” In stark contrast, the woman demonstrated the deepest reverence and devotion to the Savior by performing these ordinary acts of kindness in extraordinary ways. The Savior used these differences as the basis for His parable of forgiveness. (Valletta, The NT Study Guide, 242)
What role does our faith play in having our sins forgiven? “At the base of this account lies the woman’s faith that, if she seeks the Savior’s forgiveness, she will receive it. That sense of trust apparently moves her forcefully enough to break social conventions….She is not cowed by what others think of her. Her focus is on Jesus and the gift that, she knows, He offers. Further, it is he faith that moves her to action, an action that makes her faith refreshingly visible” (Brown, Testimony of Luke, 386-87)
Mark 4:26–29. The Parable of the Seed Growing by Itself This parable of the seed growing by itself, found only in the Gospel of Mark, teaches about the partnership between God and man. The man plants seeds in an environment where growth can occur, but then he must wait for that growth to happen (see Mark 4:26–27). As time passes, the earth that God created gradually brings “forth fruit of herself” (Mark 4:28). As Paul wrote, men may plant and water, but it is God who miraculously “giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). Only God can make things grow. This principle applies to spiritual growth in individuals and to the growth of the Church throughout the world. (Institute Manual, Mark 4:26–29. The Parable of the Seed Growing by Itself)
How can we find peace amid Life’s trials? It seemed as though the boat would capsize, yet the Savior slept. At last, they could wait no longer an they awakened Jesus…..Many today feel troubled and distressed, many feel that, at any moment, the ships of their lives could capsize or sink….You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Your Heavenly Father--who know when even a sparrow falls--knows of your heartache and suffering….He does not always intervene in the course of events. He has promised the faithful peace even in their trials and tribulations” (Wirthlin, “Finding a Safe Harbor,” 59).