Lord of All

Introduction

After several weeks in Mark’s gospel, it is time that we review. Mark wrote his gospel in Rome. While there is debate about the exact time, most believe that the gospel was written sometime in the 60s. It is also believed that Mark’s writing is based on Peter’s memories along with the divine guidance of God’s Spirit. Because the gospel is written from Rome, Mark is appealing to both Jews and Gentiles. Persecution has come or is very near so there is need to encourage those initial readers and there are times that Mark has subtle or direct ways to do that.

From the beginning, Mark leaves no doubt what this writing is about—Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus invites all to follow him. He invites all to be part of God’s kingdom. Mark tells us about some who follow and others who question and still others who oppose Jesus and his message. But in telling Jesus’ story, Mark reminds us that Jesus is Lord of All.

Mark demonstrates the power of Jesus in various miracles. Mark reveals the reaction of people to Jesus both those who believe and those who oppose him. Mark persuades the reader about the kingdom through the teaching of Jesus. Throughout his writing, Mark uses subtle and direct statements to reveal that God’s Kingdom through Jesus is for everyone—both Jews and Gentiles. Mark uses language to capture the attention of his Jewish readers and stories to capture his Gentile readers.

Mark weaves clues throughout his writing to convict his Jewish readers that Jesus is the one they have been waiting for. In 6:30-44, Mark tells the story of Jesus feeding 5000 men along with women and children. All four gospel writers tell this story but only Mark adds a detail that the other gospel writers do not. In 6:39, Jesus has the people sit down in groups on the “green” grass. Only Mark uses “green” to describe the grass. Why? In 6:46, Jesus goes up a mountain to pray. Why? In 6:50, Jesus offers verbal courage to his disciples. Why? In 6:50, Jesus identifies himself as “I am.” Why? Mark is demonstrating that Jesus is the embodiment of all that Israel values. He is King David who has his sheep lying down in green pastures (Ps. 23). He is the Moses who goes on the mountain to meet God. He is the one who gives courage to the present Joshua. He is God.

And in our text, Mark reveals that Jesus reaches out to the Gentiles as well. Jesus is Lord of All. Let’s be reminded of this truth in song.

Faith

In 7:1-23, Jesus has a discussion with a group of Pharisees. As we have seen before, Jesus is questioned about his practices especially in terms of Jewish tradition. This is different from the law. These are the traditions of human beings trying to protect God’s rules. In this case, Jesus is questioned why it is that he doesn’t practice ritual handwashing before eating. Jews serious about honoring God would wash their hands before eating just in case they had done something resulting in making them unclean. While this is foreign to us, the idea of washing hands before eating is not uncommon. In our case we try to avoid germs, in their case they were trying to avoid sin.

Jesus dispels the notion that washing one’s hands makes them spiritually clean. Instead it is what is in the heart that determines if one is spiritually clean. In 7:19, Mark inserts a remark to make sure his readers understand the implication of what Jesus is saying about what makes a person spiritually clean. It isn’t food that matters, it is the heart. “In saying this, Jesus declared all foods ‘clean.’” What does this mean? Jesus is turning Jewish practice and thought upside down. But more than that, he is establishing a principle which will no longer allow Jews to look down on Gentiles and will further allow Gentiles to be welcomed into God’s Kingdom.

Then Mark follows with a story in which Jesus heals a young girl. But this isn’t just any girl. This is the daughter of a Gentile woman. Mark follows Jesus’ proclamation about what it really means to be spiritually connected to God with a story that invites those who are not welcome to be part of the Kingdom.

Jesus leaves Galilee for a vacation. He is looking for a quiet spot to rest. He goes to the region of Tyre. This was not a hot spot for Jewish vacationers. There was bad blood between the Jews and the city of Tyre. No one will bother Jesus in this area. Those from Tyre dislike the Jews and the Jews dislike those in Tyre. A respite. But this woman who has heard of Jesus and trusts what he can do appears to beg Jesus for a favor—heal my daughter.

Jesus and the woman engage in a brief but humorous exchange. As God in a Jewish man’s body, Jesus points out that the children get served first and one doesn’t take the child’s bread and give it to the little dog lying at their feet. And the woman getting the point responds with not only an appropriate response but an insightful one. “But the little dog is allowed to eat the crumbs that fall from the child’s bread.” She isn’t asking for God’s will to be set aside but expresses this truth—God can care for his children and the little dog at the same time. Great faith!

So What?

There are constant reminders in our world that we are undergoing a revolutionary change. This isn’t the first time. Revolutionary changes occurred throughout the twentieth century. Many lamented the industrial revolution. That change meant the loss of some things but it also brought advances that allowed life to be better. Many lamented the revolution of the 1960s and 1970s—civil rights, sexual, and women’s movement. Those changes meant the loss of some things but it also resulted in other advances that today we take for granted. Many are lamenting the digital revolution. The current change means that we are losing some things. But we will not go back to a pre-technology period unless something powerful happens. As part of the current revolution we have seen some changes but none more powerful than the explosion of acceptance of opinion and view. Today everyone’s opinion is equally valid. Little interaction with conflicting evidence. My view has as much validity as the view of another and with that the principle that each has equal authority and weight.

Mark experienced the same principle in his day. There were many who claimed to be God’s man. There were many who claimed to be worthy of being followed. Philosophers, teachers, leaders were plentiful. Watch what Mark does: In 1:1, Mark’s claim is that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah. In 1:7, John’s claim is that Jesus is more powerful than the current prophet of God. In 2:5, Jesus is the one who forgives sin. In 3:11, the evil spirits call him the Son of God. In 4:41, after stilling the storm his disciples ask “Who is this?” In 5:7, the demons beg Jesus not to torture and destroy them. In 5:41, he raises a little girl from the dead. In 6:50, Jesus calls himself God. In 7:37, the people acknowledge that Jesus does everything well just as God in Genesis 1:31—everything God created was very good.

Mark gives us the opportunity to see Jesus. He is greater than any of his rivals. His work is the work of God. His teaching is the teaching of God. His life is the fullness of God. His Kingdom is God’s. He is God. Who is he? He is Jesus, the one God sent and the one who reveals God to us.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.