Who is Jesus? Mark 4:35-6:29 10/07/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

Who is Jesus? Introduction Albert Einstein Who would have imagined that such a person might possess on of the greatest intellects of the 20 th century? Introduction Albert Einstein Who would have imagined that such a person might possess on of the greatest intellects of the 20 th century?

Who is Jesus? He had neither credentials nor background nor position. All he had was the sheer power of his genius and the ideas which flowed from it. Something similar happened with Jesus. He had neither credentials nor background nor position. All he had was the sheer power of his genius and the ideas which flowed from it. Something similar happened with Jesus.

Who is Jesus?  Who is Jesus? Jesus the nobody.  Mark gives the reader no background on Jesus.  Mark gives us no indication that there was anything special about Jesus.  Who is Jesus? Jesus the nobody.  Mark gives the reader no background on Jesus.  Mark gives us no indication that there was anything special about Jesus.

Who is Jesus? Mark presents no credentials for Jesus.  Mark does not use the O.T.  The other gospels are full of OT quotes.  Mark offers no “witnesses” to Jesus.  We know nothing of Jesus’ religious or secular education. Mark presents no credentials for Jesus.  Mark does not use the O.T.  The other gospels are full of OT quotes.  Mark offers no “witnesses” to Jesus.  We know nothing of Jesus’ religious or secular education.

Who is Jesus? The accomplishments of this nobody  He taught with power and authority.  He possessed miraculous powers. The accomplishments of this nobody  He taught with power and authority.  He possessed miraculous powers.

Who is Jesus?  The Powerful Jesus. Jesus has power to calm a storm - Mk 4:35-41 [NATURE].  A furious storm on the Sea of Galilee.  The Powerful Jesus. Jesus has power to calm a storm - Mk 4:35-41 [NATURE].  A furious storm on the Sea of Galilee.

Who is Jesus? Jesus has power to cast out demons - Mk 5:1-20 [SATAN].  This is the quintessential case of demon possession. Jesus has power to cast out demons - Mk 5:1-20 [SATAN].  This is the quintessential case of demon possession.

Who is Jesus? Jesus has power to heal the sick - Mk 5:24b-34 [DISEASE].  This was no ordinary illness. Jesus has power to heal the sick - Mk 5:24b-34 [DISEASE].  This was no ordinary illness.

Who is Jesus? Jesus has power over death - Mk 5:21- 24a, [DEATH].  The girl really is dead.  Jesus is so powerful, he can treat death as sleep. Jesus has power over death - Mk 5:21- 24a, [DEATH].  The girl really is dead.  Jesus is so powerful, he can treat death as sleep.

Who is Jesus?  “What do you think of this Jesus?” Note people's responses to these deeds of Jesus  4:41 - the disciples are terrified.  5:15 - the townsfolk are afraid (see also vs. 30).  5:33 - the woman trembles with fear  5:42 - parents and disciples are “completely astonished.”  “What do you think of this Jesus?” Note people's responses to these deeds of Jesus  4:41 - the disciples are terrified.  5:15 - the townsfolk are afraid (see also vs. 30).  5:33 - the woman trembles with fear  5:42 - parents and disciples are “completely astonished.”

Who is Jesus? This powerful Jesus provokes an identity crisis.  The disciples struggle with the identity of Jesus. 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41, NIV) This powerful Jesus provokes an identity crisis.  The disciples struggle with the identity of Jesus. 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41, NIV)

Who is Jesus?  His neighbors question his identity. 1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.  His neighbors question his identity. 1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.

Who is Jesus? 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! (Mark 6:2, NIV)

Who is Jesus? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” (Mark 6:3-4, NIV) 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” (Mark 6:3-4, NIV)

Who is Jesus? 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mark 6:5-6, NIV) 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mark 6:5-6, NIV)

Who is Jesus?  His identity is the pressing issue. 14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,” John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” (Mark 6:14, NIV)  His identity is the pressing issue. 14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,” John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” (Mark 6:14, NIV)

Who is Jesus? 15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” 16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” (Mark 6:15-16, NIV) 15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” 16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” (Mark 6:15-16, NIV)

Who is Jesus?  Mark is making a Point about Faith and Discipleship. Jesus leads disciples to faith by showing his power.  Calms the storm.  Casts out a demon.  Heals a sick woman.  Raises a dead girl  Mark is making a Point about Faith and Discipleship. Jesus leads disciples to faith by showing his power.  Calms the storm.  Casts out a demon.  Heals a sick woman.  Raises a dead girl

Who is Jesus? Jesus leads disciples to faith by showing them other people.  Examples of Faith: The sick woman and Jairus.  Example of unbelief: The people of Nazareth. Jesus leads disciples to faith by showing them other people.  Examples of Faith: The sick woman and Jairus.  Example of unbelief: The people of Nazareth.

Who is Jesus? Conclusion 1.Faith is not the acknowledgement of something special about Jesus. 2.Faith is not the intellectual acceptance of Christ’s claims. 3.Faith is the willingness to trust yourself to Jesus, to put your life in his hands, to risk yourself to his care and lordship. Conclusion 1.Faith is not the acknowledgement of something special about Jesus. 2.Faith is not the intellectual acceptance of Christ’s claims. 3.Faith is the willingness to trust yourself to Jesus, to put your life in his hands, to risk yourself to his care and lordship.

Who is Jesus? Mark 4:35-6:29 10/07/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles