The “Kingdom” according to Mark 4-5 (Pt. 2)

This post being a continuation will not have an introduction (if you have not read part 1 please go read the first eight paragraphs). But in short we saw in the previous post how God has a variety of ways in which he explains his kingdom. The variations span across the canon of scripture. As for Mark 4&5 we see the demonstration of the kingdom first in the “kingdom parables” then we see the power of the King demonstrated in his miracles. Today we will focus on this demonstration of power as seen by the King working miracles.

The Kingdom Demonstrated in Miracles (Mark 4:35-5:43)

As previously mentioned, the parables and miracles go together as one unite over the course of two chapters. Mark takes this historical teachings of Jesus and intentionally pairs them with the miraculous works of Jesus. As with any author Mark has a purpose behind what he writes. How an author puts forward information is almost always with a reason. Have you ever wondered why the four gospels speak of different events in Jesus’ life, or the same event in a different way? Each author had his own goal in what he communicated. So for Mark in this portion of his book he wants to emphasize how Jesus demonstrated the kingdom of God both in his parables and his miracles.

Just as there are three parables about the “seed” that is the kingdom, so there are three miraculous demonstrations. Again, as each parable, though different, had the purpose of explaining the kingdom to the disciples, so also each miracle has the purpose of showing the extent of Jesus’ power as King.

Jesus Calms a Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

This is the first display of power that Mark brings to our attention. In it we see:

1. The first of three areas over which Jesus rules with unchallenged power: nature.
2. In that Mark hints to us something of the identity of this Jewish Rabbi. He does this indirectly with a question from the disciples in 4:41, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

The disciples question is more than appropriate, yet Mark records it so that we sit back and consider this as we too experience this miracle through the words of scripture. When we consider the Old Testament books there is only one answer as to WHO commands the wind and waves:

• Psalm 33:7, “He [God] gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;”
• Psalm 65:7, “…he stills the roaring of the seas and the roaring of the waves…”
• Job 28:25, “…he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure…”
• For further reading on this see this article from Ligonier’s Table Talk.

Although the disciples are slow to understand this, nonetheless, Mark is putting this before our mind’s eye. If only the LORD has such ability, and now this Jewish Rabbi is demonstrating such power then we have more than a mere man in the boat with the twelve disciples.

Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon (5:1-20)

As we move into the next portion of the narrative we do not fully step out of the previous story. Because these miracles all go together to show us the power of Christ we must keep the disciples’ question in mind: “Who then is this???”

In short we see Jesus’ authority over the powers of darkness. Before Jesus came into the world this planet was Satan’s stomping grounds. Jesus, the stronger man (3:27), enters into it so as to bind the strong man, Satan. By Mark including an exorcism, and the most dramatic one of all, in this unite, he helps us make sense and appreciate the exorcisms which span from Mark 1-9 (1:25, 34, 39; 2:11; 6:13; 7:29-30; 9:25, 38-39).

The power over and sending away of unclean spirits is thematic in the first half of Mark. When we read of other exorcisms we should remember how it is displayed here and let that guide our understanding of why Jesus cast out demons. It is a demonstration of the King’s power. It is specifically a display of his power and authority over wickedness while also showing the beginning, though small (Mark 4:30-34), of God’s kingdom on earth. Look to the words of Jesus in Matthew’s parallel narrative to Mark 3:22-27.

If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:28

In Matthew (as well as Mark 3 and Luke 11) Jesus makes the argument that he casts of demons either by the power of Satan or the Spirit of God. The question we are left to answer is: Does Jesus operate by the power of Satan or the Spirit of God? Which one? I hope you concluded that he operates by the power of God’s Spirit. Therefore, Jesus teaches us that in this “the kingdom of God has come upon you.” The first and small presence of the kingdom of God on earth is put before us by the exorcism of demons.

In this we see the kingdom of God not merely present but active. In Mark 5:1-20 we see Jesus’ power not only over the demons by casting them out, but also in that they can do nothing without his “permission” (5:13). Jesus’ coming into the world brought about the breaking down of the demonic forces which had enjoyed so much freedom until this point. The breaking down of the Kingdom of Darkness is hand in hand with the liberating of their captives (Luke 4:17-21). Jesus’ coming was not to break Rome but to break down the roaming demonic forces, along with the idolatry that had infiltrated Judaism (but that is a blog for another time). Rome was indeed a serious and cruel enemy, but there was a bigger issue at hand which Jesus effectively and purposefully met head on in triumph.

Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus’ Daughter (5:21-43)

The two healings we read of next are one event in Mark’s writing. Look at Mark 3:20-35 & 6:7-32; there you will see how Mark groups events in pairs. He starts one, hits pause, tells another, then returns to the first so as to complete it. This is a mini-unite in the bigger unit of Mark 4&5.

If the divinity of Jesus is put forward to us in the calming of the storm, followed by the ongoing defeat of The Adversary, the Devil; then it concludes here with a display of Jesus’ kingly power over humanity’s other great enemy: death. In this narrative we see the harsh effects of humanity’s fall into sin back in Genesis 3: a father facing the potential death of his little girl, a woman’s body eaten up by disease, and the temporary, yet painful, death of a daughter. Jesus displays in a small way that which will be the future reality: healing and resurrection. The ailments and impending death we all deal with are effects of sin and the curse which came upon nature.

Jesus’ work here shows that he came to begin The New Beginning. Death is powerful, yet he is stronger. Disease is debilitating, yet Jesus dominates it by overturning it. We find our hope against that great and last enemy death (1 Cor. 15:26) in the presence and power of God’s kingdom come to earth in the presence and power of King Jesus on earth. Is his kingdom in its fullness? No. But nonetheless, that mustard seed has been sown.

Conclusion

The kingdom has been demonstrated both by parables and with Jesus’ kingly power as he worked the miraculous. He is the Creator who has perfect authority of the creation. He is the conqueror who dispels the forces of darkness and destroys death by his death. In this the scriptures give us hope today by what God displayed in Christ in the past so that we may move forward with confidence as we endure to the end.

The mustard seed took root in the middle east and now has put out branches in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Is his kingdom in its fullness? No. But nonetheless, that mustard seed has been sown and it grows.

Two Applications

1. At this time of year we are surrounded by the familiar: Christmas decor, songs, presents, food, and Bible verses. It is, as has been said “the most wonderful time of the year.” However, too much familiarity can leave us in a bad place. Familiarity can be confused with expertise: “I know the Christmas story in Luke 2” or “I can quote the verses about ‘unto us a child is born’.” Do we know what these passages are about or just know what words make up the verse? It was such familiarity that Mark wanted to shake up in his question: “Who then is this that even the wind and the waves obey him?” We need to take the opportunity from time to time and ask: What of my Savior do I merely know about compared to how much I really know him? I encourage you to give time this Christmas season to evaluate that relationship. Open a gospel and slowly reflect on the life of Jesus. Ask God to weigh on your mind with the realities put before you on paper. May he enflame your heart with true wonder.
2. To be enraptured with the good news is a worthy pursuit, even a needed one. It is needed because of what we learn from the second miracle. Jesus sends the man formally possessed by the legion of demons to go and “tell his friends how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.” What mercies of God can you share with others. how has the love of God weighed in on your life, and how will you use that to impact others. The joy of salvation is a true blessing to the redeemed, yet also a launch pad to tell others of the joys and pleasures of God. What ways has God shown mercy, and will you share this news?
3. Yes…this makes more than two, yet there are three clear implications from our passage. Toward the end of Mark 5 we read these words form Jesus to Jarius: “Do not fear, only believe.” Now most years we run into with great expectation for change and a better year. Maybe its just me, or maybe you relate, but I do not have the highest expectations for 2021 in light of the current year (as a friend of mine said: 2020 was bad enough, just wait til it turns 21 and can start drinking lol). As we go into the new year with the heavy and daunting realities of 2020 lingering on let us not fear but believe. Let us remain faithful to Savior and Lord. Let us trust him as the King of kings. Let us be faithful to obey our Lord’s commands. Let us be faithful in our relationship to him, and in his presence enjoy hope, peace, and comfort. Let us not fear but believe.