Narrative Lectionary Bible Study for 03 24 20, Mark 13:1-23

Emmanuel UCC Narrative Lectionary Bible Study
Rev. George Miller

March 24, 2020
Mark 13:1-23

Greetings and welcome to our 1st Narrative Lectionary Bible Study during this era of uncertainty. If you haven’t attended one of our classes, here are some basic things to know-

1) All opinions/views are welcome; no one knows it all. If you wish to engage in conversation about what’s discussed, you can say anything as long as it is prefaced with an “I” statement- “This is what I believe,” “This is what I heard,” “This is what I was taught,”, etc.

It is in my opinion that I-statements allow us to hear one another much clearer. (See what I did right there?)

2) Pay attention to what Bible you’re using. Is it a translation, like the NRSV, NIV, KJV, The Good News? Or is it an interpretation/paraphrase, like The Message or The Living Bible? Translations try to stay true to the text, interpretations try to make the text more readable.

In my opinion, all Bibles have a bias and particular voice due to who their editor/translator/interpreters is, and when they get it right, they get it right, when they get it wrong….it can be way off base. (See what I did again?)

3) When reading the Bible, there is fact and there is truth. Fact is something that can be witnessed, measured and recorded. Truth is something that’s more poetic and filled with imagery that is used to convey an idea.

For example, I could tell you “Last night it rained 5 inches” and that would be a fact. Or, I could say “Last night it rained cats and dogs” and that would be a truth.

You know that it did not literally rain cats and dogs, and you’d understand that in American vernacular “cats and dogs” is a fun way to say “a lot.” A truth is not a lie, but it is not necessarily a fact.

Ancient people living in ancient times often told their stories using truth, but modern day Americans raised in a technological, industrial era often take everything as fact.

If this all makes your head hurt- welcome to the club. Don’t give up- we are all on our way to becoming wizened theologians.

So…..Let’s get started.

Today’s lesson is Mark 13:1-23

Take a moment to read it to yourself.
Now, read it out loud.

What are your “a-has!!”?
What are your “huhs???”/ Questions?
What things caused you to wrestle or feel uncomfortable?

What do you think Jesus is trying to say?
What do you think the author of Mark is trying to say?

For some historical info- the Gospel of Mark takes place around 30 or 33 CE, but it was most likely written around the year 70 CE (which means the Christian Era. CE is now used instead of the familiar AD).

Mark was most likely a Jew writing for other Jews.

Do you know what was going on in Mark’s hometown when Mark was writing this Gospel?

The Romans were attacking Jerusalem from 67-70 CE. In the year 70 the Romans sets fire to the Temple and then tore every last stone to the ground. (Some of the stones were 40 feet in length and weighed up to 100 tons.)

So…..there is a good chance that as Mark was reporting Jesus’ words in 13:1-23, that the Temple was either about to be attacked, was under attack, or the attack has just taken place.

Which leads us to wonder-

Did Jesus actually say what Mark reported (which would be a fact)?

Or did Mark put words into Jesus’ mouth to reflect Mark’s own experience (which would make it a truth)?

Or could it be a bit of both? Did Mark see the Temple being set aflame and torn down, and Mark recalled that Jesus had talked about that very thing?

Do you think Jesus, in the year 30-33 was speaking about the destruction of the Temple in 70, or do you think Jesus was talking about the end of the world as we know it?

Or… do you think Jesus (or/and Mark) are trying to tell us something else?

Also, here are some things to ponder-
1) This story features three of the disciples who went up the mountain with Jesus during the Transfiguration in Mark 9:2-8. See any similarities in these two texts?

2) This scripture takes place right after Jesus condemns the scribes inside the Temple and sees the widow give her last 2 coins. Do you think there is a connection to between12 and 13?

3) Do you see any parallels with this week’s reading and what we are going through at this moment?

4) Where do you see the hope? Is there Good News that can be gleaned from the reading?

5) In addition to today’s reading, you may want to check out Psalm 102, which was written during the Babylonian Exile, dealing with the 1st time the Temple was destroyed and not available as a place of worship.

This is enough, for now.

May you be blessed, and safe, and find comfort in the Lord.

Peace, Pastor George