Theories abound!

I have a novel idea!

God the Holy Spirit told Mark what to write! God Himself is the Author of Scripture! Paul thought so too! "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Second Timothy 3:16-17

The "source material" is the Mind of Almighty God Himself. He led Mark to write the specific stories included in those sixteen lovely little chapters.

Yes, we believe in the verbal, plenary, literal inspiration of the Bible!

However, this does not preclude the fact that Mark, or any other author, might not use Old Testament quotations or illustrations in his composition.

This premise will become the basis for our Lessons for the next few days, Lord willing.

The Gospel of Mark, the Holy Spirit Who directed him ... and the lovely story they told!

Come back tomorrow!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, MARK 1:1-3, ELIJAH:

The Gospel of Mark opens with these few verses: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Mark 1:1-3

They are a "hint" as to how Mark plans to "build" his little New Testament Book! He's quoting both Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3.

This will be a Gospel based on the Old Testament Scriptures! On the fact they foretell the coming of God's Son to earth!

But part of the Jewish Bible Mark quotes has reference to Elijah the Prophet! "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Malachi 4:5-6

I think Mark is telling us that his "outline" in relating the Life of Jesus will be Old Testament to the core, perhaps even alluding to some of its Prophets, like Elijah!

We will learn more next Lesson, Lord willing. I am beginning to suspect that the Elijah/Elisha stories of First and Second Kings will help form the storyline for Mark's biography of the greatest Person, the God Man, Who ever lived!

Might Elijah and Elisha be, in some way, "types" of our Lord?

We'll see.

                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, MARK 1, JOHN THE BAPTIST AGAIN:

The author of the Gospel of Mark, in his very first chapter, introduces us to the great John the Baptist. He's a prophet of God, the forerunner of Jesus the Christ!

Easily seen are four characteristics of John the Baptist which "match" those of Elijah, the great Old Testament prophet.

John the Baptist appears, in Mark's Gospel now, from "nowhere!" Mark 1:2-3 says: "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." No "introduction" whatsoever!

Here's Elijah's first appearance. "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." Abrupt, though talking to a King, nonetheless! First Kings 17:1

Number two, both men were associated with the "wilderness." Each spent years there! Loners, hardened to match the times in which they lived. To preach fearlessly!

Thirdly, still focusing on the desert, the wilderness, John the Baptist was there calling men to repentance. Elijah was there because Israel refused to repent! This fact is a "reversal" yet still a parallel truth!

Then next, hear these descriptions of John the Baptist and Elijah respectively. "And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey." (John 1:6) Then, "And they (the crowd) answered him (wicked King Ahaziah), He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite." Second Kings 1:8

Certainly close enough to suggest similarity.

I love the fact that Scripture often builds on familiar patterns. To me it suggests a common Author for all God's Word! That of course would be the Holy Spirit!

Surely we must agree, Mark is telling the story of John the Baptist, introducing him anyway, with the background motif of Elijah the Prophet in mind.

Comparing Scripture with Scripture, how exciting!

More tomorrow, Lord willing.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, MARK 1:12-13:

The Gospel of Mark does seem to parallel the Elijah/Elisha story in many ways. Let me give you another example. I've always enjoyed studying the New Testament accounts of the "temptation" of Jesus.

Matthew and Luke, along with Mark, give us the details. But there may be several identical "markers" in this great historical event, Christ's temptation by Satan, that "hint" at Elijah's greatest moment of trial as well!

Let me be specific. We're looking at Mark 1:12-13. "And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him." Comparing it with First Kings 19, basically the whole chapter, but especially verses 4-9.

First, Jesus and Elijah were both "tempted, tried" in the desert, in the wilderness! Then, both were tested "forty days!" Third, both men were attended, strengthened by angels! Fourthly, our Lord and Elijah were around wild animals, Elijah the "ravens." Then last of all, each man was victorious over his foe or foes!

Bible students, this is too much to be accidental! God the Holy Spirit does not write coincidentally!

Elijah is a type or picture of Jesus in this area. And maybe some other areas too. Truthfully, Mark may have patterned his Gospel after the Old Testament's First and Second Kings narrative concerning Elijah and Elisha. Thus showing us how Scripture truly ties everything together!

What harmony!

What unity!

What beauty!

               --- Dr. Mike BagwelL

LESSON 5, MARK 1:12-20:

In the early ministry of Elijah the Old Testament Prophet three events occur. He has a "wilderness" experience, a time of testing. He has to "anoint" the next King of Israel. Then he "calls" a disciple who will continue his work among the people.

This is the exact order in which Jesus begins His Ministry in Mark 1:12-20, amazing! Read the Scripture now and delight in the orderly construction of our Bible!

Here are the verses. Elijah in the wilderness, First Kings 19:4-14. "But Elijah himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." Elijah, tested but victorious!

Now Jesus in the wilderness, Mark 1:12-13. "And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."

The governmental aspect of Elijah's ministry now begins to come into focus, First Kings 19:15-18. "And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

The parallel aspect of Jesus Ministry, in Mark now. From Mark 1:14-15, word for word. "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." A different kind of Kingdom, yet still a kingdom!

Then Elijah indeed does commission his younger "preacher boy." And Elisha will continue the work God used Elijah to start, First Kings 19:19-21. "So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him."

Then Jesus "calls" His followers, Disciples, some of them anyway, Mark 1:16-20. "Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."

I've said it before in this series of studies. Too many parallels to be accidental. There is a Plan in effect here, one designed by God the Holy Spirit, Author of all Scripture!

Now I'm wondering, does this "similarity pattern" continue in the Gospel of Mark? We shall, Lord willing, see more tomorrow.

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, MARK 1:16-20:

We're currently studying the Gospel of Mark. In one sense anyway. We're looking at some Mark parallels to the Elijah/Elisha accounts of the Old Testament, of First and Second Kings.

Today watch this group, this duet, of Texts, First Kings 19:19-21 and Mark 1:16-20. They seem to "mimic" each other!

"So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him." Again, First Kings 19:19-21

"Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him." Mark 1:16-20

1. Elisha "found" Elisha, "matzsah" in Hebrew. Jesus also found His Disciples. They did not find Him! Jesus "saw" His, "eido" in Greek, "to see, discern, know!"

2. Both new followers were "working" when found! One was plowing, the others fishing! Both "occupations" are compatible with the Gospel Ministry!

3. Both texts present the new servant or servants "leaving" their occupations! To obey a new master.

4. Both situations show the subjects in light of their families too. Elisha "kisses" his father and mother goodbye, and James and John "leave" their father Zebedee!

5. Elijah says, "I will follow thee." And Jesus' Disciples too "will follow Him!" What thrilling similarity!

6. And in both narratives the one or ones who promised to follow ... did so! "Then Elijah arose and went after Elijah and ministered unto him." And all four of Jesus' inductees "went after Him."

Folks, read into this whatever you choose. I am still seeing One Author Who wrote all Scripture, the Holy Spirit!

And His writing style has not changed!

Praise the Lord.

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, MARK 1:40-45:

In Mark 1:40-45 the second Gospel tells us about Jesus healing a leper. "And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; and saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter."

And in Second Kings 5:1-19 the Old Testament tells us about Elisha healing a leper! "Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD. In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing. And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way."

In both these episodes the leper initiates the healing, asks to be delivered! The Markan leper "begs" Jesus to help him! See verses 5 and 9 of the Second Kings account to see Naaman's request.

In both stories a "hand" is mentioned, the hand of the presumed healer! Jesus did touch His leper with His Hand! Naaman merely thought Elisha should have so touched him!

In both situations the lepers are completely healed as well! God's Power is omnipotent, in ancient history as well as now.

Both accounts of these miraculous healing use the same word picture! Mark's leper is "cleansed," and Elisha's leper also was "made clean!"

Then both stories end with some "religious" act in view. The first leper is told by Jesus to go to the priest and offer a sacrifice! The second leper, Naaman, is planning to go to a house of worship as well! Both, we might say, have truly been converted!

Lastly, the experts say that the order of these two narrations are identical! In other words, the writing style is parallel!

All this helps illustrate a fact I've mentioned several times in this little Bible Study series. The Very Same Holy Spirit of God wrote ALL the Bible, Old Testament and New! And His style is the same ... everywhere. That is, when writing the same type literature.

Thank God today for a Bible that is inspired and inerrant and profitable for every area of spiritual life!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, MARK 2:1-12:

Today our Texts, one from Mark and another from Second Kings, are not as much similar, or parallel, but uniformly antithetical. Meaning they are in several ways "opposite" to each other.

Let me show you what I mean. We are noticing Mark 2:1-12 alongside Second Kings 1:1-17. In Mark a paralyzed man is confined to his bed. In Second Kings a King is confined to his bed. The Markan paralytic is helped to Jesus by four friends, men who carry him to the Lord. The Second Kings monarch seeks, rather than the Lord's help, the aid of false gods! The New Testament man is lowered through the roof of a home, right in front of Jesus! The Old Testament king is sick precisely because he has fallen through a roof! So ... the Mark man meets Jesus! While the king's men, messengers to the gods, meet Elijah!

Jesus next sees faith in the paralyzed man. While Elijah recognizes no faith in the king or his helpers! Jesus gives his paralytic healing, strength physically and spiritually! Eternal Life really! While the Old Testament man hears of his soon-coming death!

Wow!

I am NOT saying Mark "copied" or "edited" anything! I am saying, once more, that God the holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture. And that He Who wrote Second Kings ... also wrote the Gospel of Mark!

Hence we can expect to see, not only here but everywhere in the Bible, many "hints" of linkage.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 119:96 is right. It addresses the Lord Himself, talking about His Word. "Thy commandment is exceeding broad."

Amen!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, FEEDING THE MULTITUDES:

The Lord Jesus on two separate occasions worked miracles which involved feeding multitudes of people, from very limited sources. His "feeding of the 5,000" and His "feeding of the 4,000" are both well known to readers of Scripture.

Would it surprise you to learn that Elisha, the great Old Testament Prophet and Type of Christ did the same thing? Just on a smaller scale!

Let me show you.

"And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men." Mark 6:30-44, the 5,000 miracle!

Also: "In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha." Mark 8:1-10, the 4,000 miracle!

Now to Elisha. "And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD." Second Kings 4:42-44, plenty to eat again!

The major difference? Mark intensifies the Old Testament account! In other words, Jesus is more powerful than Elisha!

Our Lord used less food and fed more people!

And Jesus does twice what Elisha only did once!

Are we being told that Jesus had a "double portion" of power when compared to Elisha? The Elisha who also had a "double portion" of Elijah's power!

Wow, the Lord here is surely being glorified!

I'm telling you again, the same Holy Spirit Who empowered the Prophets of by-gone days also empowered the Son of God!

If you examine the Bible Paragraphs above you will see several similarities. Things like servants doubting the possibility of the miracle soon to be performed! Things like plenty of leftovers! Others exist also. You Bible students look for them!

What a Book!

God's dear Word!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, MARK 7:24-30, A GENTILE WOMAN:

During my ministry I've probably preached Mark 7:24-30 a dozen times, if not more. "And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed."

This is the farthest Jesus ever traveled from home. And He is enacting a miracle for a gentile too! It's a beautiful story! A literal occurrence as well.

But the great Prophet Elijah also helped a gentile woman. One whose greatest need, at one time anyway, concerned her child. Just like the lady here in Mark chapter seven.

In fact there are several points of identity or similarity between Elijah's miracle and our Lord's.

Both events happen north of Israel,  in present day Syria!

Both involve a gentile mother and distress in a child's life!

And both accounts are parts of a one/two miracle sequence! Elijah supernaturally provides the widow food then later raises her dead son from the grave! Jesus heals this lady's daughter then soon heals a deaf and mute man!

And in both the Old Testament and New Testament stories here the characters "banter" with each other, nearly arguing in a kind way!

In both narratives the wording is structured so that one person or group of persons is to receive bread "first," before the others! Elijah in First Kings 17:13. "Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son." Jesus in Mark 7:27. "But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."

Wow!

Too many parallels to be accidental!

The Bible is a miraculously planned Volume!

Written by the same God, via His Holy Spirit, all the way through, all sixty-six Books! And His writing style is discernable wherever you go, Genesis to Revelation!

Praise the Lord.

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, THE PASSION PREDICTIONS IN MARK:

I'm not positively sure this is a "parallel" between Mark's Gospel and the Elijah/Elisha story or not. Each of you, our readers, may decide.

Three times in Mark Jesus predicts His vicarious "Death!" In Mark 8:31. Then again in Mark 9:31. Followed by a third time in Mark 10:33-34.

And three times Elijah's "Departure" from this life, miraculously, is predicted in Second Kings, In 2:3 and 2:5 and 2:9.

Each time Jesus tells of His impending Death, His followers the Disciples fail to understand what He is saying!

But each time Elijah's Disciple, Elisha, hears of his Master's Departure, he clearly and fully understands!

Additionally, in the final cycle of each dialogue there are even further parallels. Here's Mark 10:32-40 alongside Second Kings 2:9-11, with the New Testament Text first: "And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him. Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles. And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared." With its Old Testament counterpart: "And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."

Notice the "going up" and "gone over," both geographical descriptors. Jerusalem for Jesus and the Jordan Rover for Elijah!

Notice again both paragraphs contain the clear predictions we've been discussing! Jesus' Death and Elijah's translation!

See next the requests for power! Both James and John, our Lord's Disciples, and Elisha, another Disciple, have an intense desire. The two long for positions of power at Jesus' Side while the one wishes for a "double portion" of strength!

In both cases the requests are described as "hard" or "nearly impossible" to grant! Jesus said such a thing was "not His to give." While Elijah called Elisha's prayer "a hard thing!"

And in both situations only God is said to be able to fulfill the request! What faith and trust Jesus and Elijah possess!

Again, likely we see the "handwriting" of the very same Author. Not a human being, either. None could have lived such a long life span, from Elisha to Jesus! The Author is undoubtedly God the Holy Spirit, Who is weaving a tapestry of Beauty in these two biographies!

The Bible, an inspired Book, all the way through!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, MARK 12:1-12, A PARABLE:

Mark 12:1-12 is an interesting parable. Jesus shared it with us all. "And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way."

Most Old Testament scholars believe Mark "modeled" this portion of His Gospel after Isaiah 5:-1-7. "Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill. And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down. And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry."

But in keeping with our recent studies, perhaps Second Kings 9:14-26 may be an equally viable candidate. Let me show you what I mean. "So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. Now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria. But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel. So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram. And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace? So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? Turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again. Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously. And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah. And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot. Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him. Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD."

Both the Mark and Kings stories involve sending messengers that fail, in fact multiple messengers. Both involve Israel's corrupt leadership. Each speaks, directly or indirectly, of a vineyard. And both portray bad leadership being replaced some day with great leadership!

That's enough to eliminate anything accidental or trivial. God the Holy Spirit here may be describing one of Jesus' Stories in a similar fashion to one of the Old Testament historians accounts.

In both situations, Jesus and Jehu are literal characters. We are reading truth, not fiction.

It just thrills me to see patterns of similarity that God used in conveying to us His Word.

Wow!

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, MARK 14:66-72:

I enjoy seeing the various "patterns" in Scripture! Some are patterns of similarity and others of antithesis. Such paragraphs suggest, to me, common Authorship of the Word of God. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible, through and through, Genesis to Revelation!

We'll notice yet another example today, simple but significant. I speak of Peter's denial of our Lord Jesus. We are now nearing the end of Mark's Gospel of course. Peter negatively speaks of Jesus three times during those dark hours! But Elisha, Elijah's most famous follower, speaks positively of His mentor!

"And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept." Mark 14:66-72

Now its counterpart, possibly. "And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on." Second Kings 2:-1-6

As I hinted, both accounts involve a prominent leader and a significant follower. Each is set in the context of its older man's impending departure from this life. Both talk about the disciples being willing to follow their masters, even unto death! Peter did so prior to our printed text above, Mark 14:31, while Elisha does so repeatedly in the Kings episode.  In both narratives "outsiders" pose questions to the followers. Each text has a three-fold response by its disciple!

Wow, a lot of similarities, yet blended with an outstanding difference. Elisha remained faithful and Peter did not.

This phenomenon is often called "literary dependence." I see no harm in it if one is clearly indicting Holy Spirit composition of both sets of material. After all, God does everything decently and in order!

In one way, a thorough study of Scripture reveals a God Who indirectly teaches wring style, literary composition! And He does so in a beautiful manner as well.

The Bible, the greatest Book the world has ever seen!

Amen.

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, MARK 11-15:

Today we look at yet another possible similarity between Mark's Gospel and the Old Testament Elijah/Elisha stories. Though, admittedly, this one seems more vague.

Eleven times, I counted, Mark mentions the "temple" in his last few chapters, from 11:15 to 15:38 precisely. Eleven times!

In like fashion the story of Elisha ends with a great emphasis on the temple in Israel.

In Mark Jesus cleanses the Temple in 11:15-19. In Second Kings, especially chapters 9 through 12, one temple is destroyed and another is restored! The temple of Baal is ruined under the oversight of Jehu. And the Temple of God is repaired as well!

Both the New Testament and Old Testament blocks of Scripture we have in focus here emphasize the corruption that has seeped into temple worship. And its explusion!

In Kings the temple of Baal and its false prophets are annihilated! While in Mark the coming destruction of Jerusalem's Temple is prophesied, and fulfilled just a few years later, 70 AD, by an advancing Roman army.

Both our writers are obviously concerned with purity of worship!

With exalting God in Heaven!

In the foregoing lessons I have become more convinced than ever ... not that Mark "copied" the Old Testament historian, no! But that the same Author, God the Holy Spirit, gave us both sets of information!

And He maintains the same writing style throughout all Scripture, genre for genre.

Wow!

What a wonderful Book we have to study and enjoy!

Here's Mark's last mention of the Temple. "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God." Mark 15:37-39

Praise the Lord!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, MARK 16:2-6, RESURRECTION:

The Gospel of Mark ends, much like the story of Elisha, with another miracle! But this time it's almost a "miracle of miracles!" The Old Testament prophet has died. Has been buried. And has become the agent of resurrection!

Here are the verses: "And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet." Second Kings 13:20-21

Jesus died too! And Resurrection followed! Not the resurrection of another person, not at first. But the Lord Himself, back from the grave, victorious over death! And because of His Resurrection, all believers in Him will be raised some day!

"And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him." Mark 16:2-6

Of course I am not saying Mark "copied" the Old Testament historian here. Jesus DID rise again from the dead, literally! I am saying Elisha is an amazing "picture" of Christ, "type" of Christ, in many ways.

And I am saying that the writing style of the Holy Spirit of God, the True Author of Scripture, is the same everywhere. Especially when one compares biography with biography. Or poetry with poetry. Or prophecy with prophecy.

We study an amazing Bible, a unified Book! It's the very Word of an Almighty God!

Enjoy it today.

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16, MARK'S CONCLUSION:

The Old Testament story of Elisha the great Man of God ends almost, well, almost abruptly!

The Elisha narrative concludes with a "resurrection" account ... and that's it! "And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet." Second Kings 13:20-21

The Gospel of Mark ends similarly!

Scholars who have a liberal concept of Scripture suggest that a portion of Mark's last chapter is "missing!" That his conclusion to the story of Jesus is too abrupt!

I disagree.

Mark ends just like the Holy Spirit intended.

Mark does not include the many post-resurrection appearances of our Lord which the other Gospels provide, only one.

Mark has no Emmaus Road encounter.

And even Mark's record of Jesus' Ascension is quickly written, "After the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." Mark 16:20

Here's what I'm thinking. The Same Holy Spirit Who ceased the Elisha biography quickly, without a gradual conclusion, is the Same Author Who ended the Gospel of Mark that way in reference to Jesus.

Wow!

Let's thank God today for such an interesting Book to study, the Bible itself. No one will ever master its scintillating contents! It is alive forevermore. It is to be our milk and meat and bread and honey, a spiritual diet, for the maintenance of our spiritual health!

Amen!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

We hope you've enjoyed these thoughts about Mark, how the Holy Spirit built this precious Gospel, structurally!