THE BOOKS OF MARK AND LUKE--Sermon 3
Introduction: In the last lesson we studied the book of Matthew. We found that Christ was presented as the King of Kings in Matthew. In this lesson I want to give an overview of the Second and third Gospels, Mark and Luke.
MARK
I. SURVEY
A. Writer: John Mark, nephew of Barnabas. Mark was his latin surname; John was his Hebrew name. This is he
who failed on his first missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas. This gospel proves that God can use a
failure, even to write his inspired word. John Mark later proved beneficial to the Apostle Paul.
B. Date: Mark is thought to be the first of the gospels written between 60 and 63 A.D.
C. Key Verse: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a
ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
D. Theme: The Gospel of Mark presents Christ as the servant of Jehovah. Mark was written epecially to the
Romans. We find in the Gospel of Mark that he explained many Hebrew customs. Mark 3:17; 5:41; 7:3, 4, 11,
34, 36; 14:12; 15:42.
E. The Gospel of Mark is the best of the four to use with businessmen; it has an appeal which suits men of this
category
F. Matthew dealt mainly with the teachings of Jesus while Mark deals with the works of Jesus.
G. Interesting Passages in Mark
1. The healing of blind Bartimaeus: Mark 10:46; Luke 18:35.
a. Mark said Christ healed him when he “went out of Jericho” and Luke said He did it when He “was come nigh unto Jericho.” Liberals will suggest a contradiction here.
b. Excavations have brought to light that in the time of Jesus, Jericho was a double city. There was the old
Jewish city, and then the newer Roman city. it was while leaving one and entering the other that he healed
Bartimaeus.
2. The Men as Trees Walking: Mark 8:24
a. When the grassy weeds are full grown, women go out into the fields and gather it. They dry it out and use it for firewood or fuel. They form huge bundles (like a bale of hay) and they place it on their heads and carry back to their homes.
b. When Jesus healed the blind man at Bethsaida, and he said that he saw men as trees walking, in the distance
he probably saw a group of women carrying bundles of grassy weeds on their heads and to him it looked like trees walking.
3. The Cursing of the Fig Tree: Mark 11:12-14, 20-21
a. One thing about the Eastern fig tree is that the fruit appears before the leaves. Anyone seeing a fig tree
having leaves would naturally expect to find fruit on it.
b. This is what Jesus and his diciples expected to find. But finding none, Christ cursed or condemned the barren tree
c. This is a picture of the professing Christian, giving the appearance of productiveness, but bearing no fruit.
4. The Casting away of a Garment: Mark 10:50
a. There are two classes of beggars in the East. The true beggar who is poor and physically handicapped and in need. The other class was made up of some who are incurables such as lepers, lame, blind that have been told by their physicians that there only hope is God.
b. There are three places where they could go to be healed
1. The Temple Gate -- Peter healed a lame man there in Acts 3:1-8
2. The Pool of Bethesda -- An impotent man was made whole by the Lord in John 5:2-9
3. The other place was by the roadside.
a. Those sick beggars would wear robes to identify them as beggars. The robes stand for two things
1. The robe could identify them as one in need of Physical help.
2. The robe could stand for family prestige, and wealth. Many times the beggar of a wealthy family would be taken to the roadside in the morning and picked up in the evening.
b. When Jesus came by and called to him the Bible says that he “casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus”
c. In the casting away of his garment, he turned his back on his sickness, but he also turned his back on his family, fortune, prestige, houses and lands.
d. What it is speaking of is Repentance. For a man to ever be healed of the disease called sin, he will have to let go and take Jesus. That is repentance. Forsaking all, I take Jesus.
5. A man bearing a Pitcher of Water: Mark 14:13
a. Whe Jesus had need of an upper room for the feast of the Passover, He told two of His disciples to find a “man bearing a pitcher” and follow him.
b. That doesn’t seem like anything to you and I. If Jesus told me that I would ask the question, “which man carry a pitcher?”
c. In Palestine it is the job of the women to carry water (on the head). A man doing this would be very conspicuous to all passing by.
d. It shows how Christ even in the last days of his life was still in control as God in the flesh. Only God would have known that a man would be carry a pitcher of water.
II. OUTLINE OF MARK
A. The Servant’s Testimony -- Mark 1:11
B. The Servant’s Test -- Mark 1:12-13
C. The Servant’s Teachings -- Mark 1:14 - 9:1
D. The Servant’s Touch -- Mark 1:14 - 9:1
E. The Servant’s Transfiguration -- Mark 9:2-13
F. The Servant’s Temple -- Mark 11:15-18
G. The Servant Taking his Cross -- Mark 15: 1-41
H. The Servant’s Tomb -- Mark 15: 42-47
I. The Servant’s Triumph -- Mark 16:1-14
J. The Servant’s Trust -- Mark 16:15-20
LUKE
I. SURVEY
A. Writer: Luke, the beloved physician, a friend of the Apostle Paul. There is much question about whether or
not Luke was a Jew or a Gentile. I believe that Luke was a Jew and not a Gentile because of Romans 3:2
“Much every way cheifly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”
B. Date: Between 60 and 64 A.D.
C. Key Verse: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
D. Theme: Luke presents Jesus as the Man. Someone has said “The humanity of Jesus in Luke is not the deity of
humanity so much as it is the humanity of deity.”
1. We have stated that Matthew is written primarily to the Jew; Mark is written especially for the Romans; Luke can be said to be written especially for the Greeks.
2. The Greeks were lovers of Art and the beautiful things of the world. In this gospel the most beautiful person
who ever walked on the face of this earth is presented for the admiration and adoration of all men.
E. This Gospel is a sharp tool to use upon those who are lovers of music and fine arts.
F. Interesting Passages in Luke
1. Christ Laid in a Manger: Luke 2:7
a. When we think of the Christmas story we always think of Jesus being in a barn stable but nowhere does the Bible say that. Where did that come from. It does say that there was no room for them in the Inn. And it says that they placed him in a manger.
b. A manger was a feeding trough. The animals were kept in nearby caves while the men slept in the Inn.
Since it says that they laid Jesus in a manger we must assume that Jesus spent his first night in a cave.
c. The Manger is interesting. It was actually rocks that had been layed with some sort of mortar about 1 foot in height and they would place hay in the manger for the animals to eat. That’s how we know that Jesus probably stayed with animals that first Christmas Morning. If the Inn was full probably the cave was also.
2. Washed his feet with tears: Luke 7:37-38
a. An ancient custom during the time of sorrow and heartache was for people to hold their “tear bottles” beneath their eyes to catch their tears of grief.
b. These bottles were kept sealed and put in a noticeable place in the home. At death, these bottles were buried with the owner as their most sacred possession.
c. Made of thin glass, they varied in size, from three to six inches tall.
d. When David said “my sin is ever before me” in Psalm 51:3, he could quite possibly have had in mind his tears of repentance in his tear bottles. His sin of Adultery and murder was heavy on his heart according to II Samuel 12:1-14
e. In Luke 7:38 we have the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. It is possible that she brought tears of remorse for her sins to the feet of Jesus.
f. With those tears that represented her life of sin, she bathed the feet of the Saviour and found forgiveness and peace.
g. It was a disgrace for anyone to break their sacred tear bottles, or to empty them and not have them intact for burial, but she didn’t care for the Jewish custom, just as long as she found grace.
3. “Suffer me to bury my father”: Luke 9:59-60
a. I’ve often thought that what Jesus said right here was harsh not knowing the custom behind this verse of scripture.
b. In the Near East the firstborn son becomes the heir of all of his father’s possessions. It is his duty to stay at home and care for his father until death. He then takes care of his father’s funeral, and inherits all
possessions.
c. Even though he may have other brother and sisters, they have no part in this custom. They are “Dead” to
any part of the inheritance. They are “dead to the relationship that the firstborn son had with his father.
d. Jesus knew this man who had said he would follow him might have to stay at home for years until his
father’s death. That’s why he said, “let the dead (those dead to the firstborn custom) bury the dead: but
go thou and preach.....”
e. There is also a custom whereby other sons and daughters that were “dead” to the inheritance could be brought into the same relationship that the Father and the firstborn son had. The method was adoption.
f. Should a father decide that he would like for the other children to share equally in the inheritance with the firstborn son he can go to the city gate, confer with the elders, and upon agreement, they will make a covenant of salt and the father “adopts” his other children into the relationship of the heir. They are made joint-heirs with the firstborn son.
1. God had an only begotten son in the Lord Jesus, who is the heir of all that the Father possesses. But God had other sons and daughters who are His by spiritual birth, and He loves them and wants them to share in His estate.
2. Within the framework of His government, He, having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Christ Jesus, gives us His spirit of adoption and makes us an heir of His and a Joint-heir with Jesus.
3. What’s mine is His and all that is His is mine!!!
4. Ephesians 1:5 “Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”
5. Romans 8:14-18
4. “Let me first go bid them farewell”: Luke 9:61
a. Family tradition for the Jews is such that an individual does not decide for themselves what they will do.
1. The Father decides the vocation of his children.
2. The Father decides the spouse of his children.
3. He makes the decision and in turn influences all of his relatives to side with him in his decision.
b. For an individual such as this young man here to go home say good by and say that he’s is going to follow Christ would be the end of him.
c. Every relative would persuade him to stay home and fulfill his father’s wish. There would be a time of festivities with mirth and song to kill any desires of leaving. He would more than likely forfeit his own desires and never would follow Christ.
d. This is one reason Jacob “stole away unawares” from his uncle Laban in Genesis 31:25-28.
1. God had told Jacob to go back to Bethel, the place of blessings.
2. Had he tarried to tell his loved ones goodby or permitted Laban to give a going away party, he may never have fulfilled God’s command.
e. Jesus being God in the flesh knew that the boy would probably not be willing to go with him if he returned home.
6. “Whom say the People that I am?”: Luke 9:18. Jesus is a lot of things to a lot of different people.
To the:
Architect, He is the Cheif Cornerstone
Artist, He is All-together Lovely One
Astronomer, The Bright and Morning Star and the Sun of Righteousness
Baker, The Bread of Life
Banker, The Supplier of every Need
Biologist, The Life
Builder, The Foundation
Carpenter, The Door and Nail
Cheif, The Chiefest of Ten Thousand
Defendant, The Righteous Judge
Doctor, The Great Physician
Educator, The Teacher
Electrician, The Light of the World
Executive, He’s the Head of the Church
Executor, The Heir of All things
Farmer, The Sower and the Lord of the Harvest
Fireman, The Water of Life
Fisherman, He’s the Calmer of the Seas
Florist, The Lily of the Valleys and the Rose of Sharon
Geologist, The Rock of Ages
Herbalist, A Cluster of Camphire
Historian, The Ancient of Day
Horticulturist, The Tender Plant
Host, The Perfect Guest
Industrialist, The Faithful Worker
Jeweler, The precious stone
Juror, The Faithful and True Witness
King, The Crown and Scepter
Lawmaker, The Law Giver
Lawyer, The Advocate
Lost, The Way
Machinist, The Polished Shaft
Merchant, The Pearl of Great Price
Mortician, The Resurrection and the Life
Musician, The Horn of Salvation
News Reporter, He’s the Gospel, He’s the Good Tidings of Great Joy
Oculist, The Light of the Eyes
Pharmacist, The Balm of Gilead
Philosopher, The Wisdom of God
Photographer, He’s the Express Image of God
Policeman, The Peacemaker
Printer, The Word of God
Publisher, The Author
Rancher, The Owner of Cattle on a thousand hills
Royalty, The King of Kings
Sailor, The Haven of Rest
Scholar, The Alpha and Omega
Scientist, the Creator of All things
Shipman, He’s the Anchor in the time of Storm
Servant, He’s the Good Master
Shepherd, The Lamb of God
Soldier, The Captain of our Salvation
Student, The Truth
Theologian, The Author and Finisher of our faith
Toiler, The Giver of Rest
Traveler, The Narrow Way
Warrior, A Shield
Zoologist, The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Christian, He’s Our Redeemer
7. The Prodigal Son: Luke 15 There is a wonderful comparison between the Prodigal son and the Perfect son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE PRODIGAL SON THE PERFECT SON
1. He was one of two sons 1. He was the only begotten son
2. He took everything that was his 2. He left everything that was his and went
and went into a far country into a far country
3. He went out for what he thought 3. He went out to what he knew meant to die
meant to live
4. He now was on his own 4. He came unto his own
5. He made friends with sinners in order 5. He made friends with sinners in order
to sin with them. to save them.
6. He became the partaker of sins. 6. He was tempted in all points, yet without sin.
7. His Father was not with him while 7. his Father was not with him when he became sin
he sinned “My God why hast thou forsaken me?”
8. After he had spent all a mighty famine 8. After he had spent all a mighty harvest
arose in the land. arose in the world.
9. He was rejected by his friends 9. He was rejected by his friends
10. He became sorrowful 10. He became the man of sorrows
11. He came to himself 11. He emptied himself
12. He returned in his rags 12. He returned in his Glorified Body
13. He was received with joy 13. He was received with joy
14. He went away as a son and came 14. He went away as a Servant and came
back as a servant back as a Son!!!
II. OUTLINE OF LUKE
A. Revelation of the Son: Luke 1 - 3
B. Rejection of the Serpent: Luke 4:1-13
C. Realization of Service: Luke 4:14-21:38
1. In Galilee: Luke 4:14-9:50
2. In Judea: Luke 9:51-18:30
3. In Jerusalem: Luke 18:31 - 21:38
D. Redemption of the Sinners: Luke 22 - 23
1. He Observes the Feast of God: Luke 22:1-38
2. He Accepts the Favor of God: Luke 22:39-53
3. He Fulfills the Foreknowledge of God: Luke 22:54 - 23:56
E. Reception of the Saviour: Luke 24:49-53
