Unfiltered Jesus: Embracing Grace and Relationship
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a journey to explore the life of Jesus through the lens of the Gospel of Mark, aiming to peel back the layers and see Jesus unfiltered. We began by acknowledging the filters that often obscure our understanding of truth in today's world, whether through media or personal biases. Our goal is to look beyond these filters and understand the true essence of Jesus as presented by Mark.
Mark's Gospel starts with a bold headline: "The beginning of the good news about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God." This sets the stage for Mark's intention to prove Jesus as the Messiah, drawing from the Jewish prophets who foretold a messenger preparing the way for the Messiah. John the Baptist is identified as this messenger, paving the way for Jesus, thus affirming Jesus' messianic identity.
Mark's narrative style is direct and action-oriented, skipping genealogies and nativity stories to dive straight into Jesus' ministry. We see Jesus as a headhunter, actively seeking out disciples, a stark contrast to the traditional rabbinic approach where disciples sought out rabbis. Jesus' call to Simon, Andrew, and Levi exemplifies this proactive pursuit, inviting them to follow Him and learn His ways.
Jesus is also portrayed as a party thrower, sharing meals with tax collectors and sinners, which was a radical act of friendship and acceptance in a culture with strict social and religious boundaries. This act of dining with the marginalized was a declaration of grace, offering acceptance and relationship before any demand for repentance or change.
Furthermore, Jesus is introduced as the grace giver, offering unmerited favor and love to those deemed unworthy by societal standards. This grace is scandalous, challenging the moral sensibilities of the time, as it bypasses the conventional prerequisites for acceptance.
Finally, Jesus is the healer of broken people, seeking out those in need of healing and transformation. His mission is not to call the righteous, but sinners, emphasizing that change occurs as a result of experiencing His love and grace, not as a prerequisite.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus actively seeks out individuals, breaking the traditional mold of discipleship. He calls us to follow Him, not based on our qualifications, but on His invitation. This challenges us to consider how we respond to His call in our own lives. [35:46]
- Sharing a meal in Jesus' time was a profound act of friendship. Jesus' willingness to dine with sinners and tax collectors demonstrates His radical acceptance and desire for relationship, inviting us to extend similar grace and friendship to those around us. [42:01]
- Grace is a scandalous gift that defies societal norms and expectations. Jesus offers grace freely, without demanding prior change, inviting us to embrace and extend this grace to others, recognizing its transformative power. [46:09]
- Jesus, the healer, seeks to restore and transform broken lives. He invites us to bring our brokenness to Him, promising healing and wholeness, and challenges us to be agents of His healing in the world. [49:56]
- The unfiltered Jesus is a relentless pursuer of relationships, inviting us to His table and into His mission. We are called to accept His invitation and share it with others, breaking down barriers and extending His love to all. [54:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the Series
- [02:15] - Understanding Filters
- [05:00] - The Gospel of Mark's Headline
- [08:45] - The Role of John the Baptist
- [12:30] - Jesus the Headhunter
- [16:00] - Jesus Calls His Disciples
- [20:15] - Jesus the Party Thrower
- [25:00] - The Scandal of Grace
- [30:00] - Jesus the Grace Giver
- [35:00] - Jesus the Healer
- [40:00] - The Invitation to Follow
- [45:00] - Extending the Invitation
- [50:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflections
- [54:00] - Announcements and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Mark 1:1-4
- Mark 1:16-18
- Mark 2:13-17
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Observation Questions:
1. How does Mark introduce Jesus in the opening of his Gospel, and what significance does this have for understanding Jesus' identity? [30:57]
2. What is unusual about Jesus' approach to calling disciples compared to the traditional rabbinic method? [35:46]
3. Describe the setting and significance of Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners. What message was Jesus conveying through this action? [42:01]
4. How does Jesus respond to the criticism from the Pharisees regarding his association with sinners, and what does this reveal about his mission? [46:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Mark's portrayal of Jesus as a "headhunter" suggest about the nature of discipleship and Jesus' approach to building relationships? [35:46]
2. In what ways does Jesus' act of dining with sinners challenge the social and religious norms of his time, and what implications does this have for modern believers? [42:01]
3. How does the concept of grace, as demonstrated by Jesus, differ from societal expectations, and why might it be considered scandalous? [46:09]
4. What does Jesus' role as a healer of broken people imply about the prerequisites for receiving his love and grace? [49:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of grace. How can Jesus' example of offering grace without prerequisites encourage you to extend grace to others? [46:09]
2. Jesus actively sought out individuals to follow him. How can you be more intentional in seeking out relationships that reflect Jesus' love and mission? [35:46]
3. Consider the social boundaries you encounter in your life. How can you break down these barriers to extend friendship and acceptance to those who are marginalized? [42:01]
4. Jesus' approach to healing was to meet people where they were. Identify an area of brokenness in your life. How can you invite Jesus into that space for healing and transformation? [49:56]
5. Think about someone in your life who might feel excluded or unworthy. What practical steps can you take to invite them into a relationship or community that reflects Jesus' inclusive love? [54:19]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of sharing meals with others as a way to build deeper relationships and demonstrate Jesus' radical acceptance? [42:01]
7. Reflect on the filters that might obscure your understanding of Jesus. What steps can you take to see and share the unfiltered Jesus in your daily life? [54:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Call is an Invitation, Not a Demand
Jesus' approach to discipleship was revolutionary. Unlike the traditional rabbinic model where disciples sought out a teacher, Jesus actively pursued individuals, inviting them to follow Him. This proactive pursuit is a testament to His desire for relationship over qualification. Jesus called Simon, Andrew, and Levi, not because of their status or achievements, but because of His invitation. This challenges us to reflect on how we respond to Jesus' call in our own lives. Are we waiting to feel worthy, or are we willing to accept His invitation as we are? [35:46]
Mark 1:16-18 (ESV): "Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.' And immediately they left their nets and followed him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel unqualified to follow Jesus? How can you embrace His invitation today, trusting in His call rather than your own qualifications?
Day 2: Radical Acceptance Through Shared Meals
In Jesus' time, sharing a meal was a profound act of friendship and acceptance. Jesus' willingness to dine with tax collectors and sinners was a radical declaration of grace and relationship. This act broke down societal and religious barriers, offering acceptance before any demand for change. It invites us to extend similar grace and friendship to those around us, challenging us to see beyond societal labels and embrace others as Jesus did. [42:01]
Luke 5:29-32 (ESV): "And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?' And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'"
Reflection: Who in your life might feel marginalized or excluded? How can you extend an invitation of friendship and acceptance to them this week, perhaps through a shared meal or a simple act of kindness?
Day 3: The Scandalous Gift of Grace
Grace, as offered by Jesus, defies societal norms and expectations. It is a gift given freely, without prerequisites or demands for prior change. This scandalous grace challenges us to embrace and extend it to others, recognizing its transformative power. Jesus' grace invites us to see beyond the conventional standards of worthiness and to offer love and acceptance to all, just as He does. [46:09]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to extend grace to. What steps can you take today to offer them the same grace that Jesus has freely given you?
Day 4: Healing and Transformation Through Jesus
Jesus' mission was to seek out and heal the broken, offering transformation and wholeness. His call was not to the righteous, but to sinners, emphasizing that change occurs through experiencing His love and grace. This invites us to bring our own brokenness to Him, trusting in His promise of healing, and challenges us to be agents of His healing in the world. [49:56]
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Reflection: What area of brokenness in your life do you need to bring to Jesus for healing? How can you also be an agent of His healing to someone else in need?
Day 5: Relentless Pursuit of Relationship
The unfiltered Jesus is a relentless pursuer of relationships, inviting us to His table and into His mission. He breaks down barriers and extends His love to all, calling us to do the same. This invitation challenges us to accept His call and share it with others, becoming active participants in His mission of love and grace. [54:19]
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in Jesus' mission of love and grace today? Who is someone you can reach out to and invite into a relationship with Jesus?
Quotes
"Mark is telling his readers and us, remember, you're looking for the one who will announce the Messiah. And they were. So he says, remember, you're looking for this person. And then the very next verse, here's what he says. Mark 1, 4. So John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness. In other words, you're looking for the one who's coming before. John the Baptist showed up preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." [00:31:42] (30 seconds)
"As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake for they were fishermen. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people. And at once they left their nets and followed him. Now, this is so important because in the first century Jewish world, rabbis didn't go out recruiting apprentices or disciples." [00:33:06] (25 seconds)
"And this is the guy that Jesus handpicked. He said, I want you to come and follow me. Now, what did Levi do to deserve that kind of honor? Not one thing. Not one thing. He was dishonest. He was greedy. He betrayed his own people. He sucked up to the oppressors. And Jesus didn't just recruit him though." [00:37:31] (30 seconds)
"Jesus is not just the Messiah and the head hunter. He's a party thrower. So in case you're not up to speed on ancient customs, I'm not assuming everybody is, to share a meal with someone in this era was to declare your friendship with them. You didn't just like have coffee with strangers. Like if you had a meal with someone, that was a strong signal that this person was a friend of yours." [00:38:30] (24 seconds)
"To associate with those kind of people who weren't like repentant could cause a righteous person to be unclean, to be unacceptable, to be considered someone who's ignoring the laws of the Torah, which was the basis and the foundation of their very life. First, like a sinner would have to repent and like figure out how they're like, okay, I see how wrong I've been." [00:42:51] (28 seconds)
"Change and transformation occur because, not before someone experiences the healing power of Jesus. Let me say that again. Change and transformation occur because we experience the love of Jesus, not before we experience the love of Jesus. This is Jesus, the grace giver. But Mark introduces us to yet one more unfiltered view of Jesus." [00:47:13] (37 seconds)
"The healer of broken people. Have you met that Jesus? There's some obvious irony here in this account that Mark shares with us, which is some of the people who most desperately needed Jesus' healing couldn't see that. They couldn't realize that they too were broken and in need of healing. But beyond that, this puts an end to that silly notion that Jesus doesn't care what you do with your life." [00:48:03] (34 seconds)
"But the doctor isn't asking us to heal ourselves first and then come to visit him. No, he's saying, I see where you are. I see you need help. I see there are broken places in your life. And I'm here to offer healing. Jesus, the healer of broken lives. Have you met that Jesus? Jesus." [00:48:57] (29 seconds)
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