Discussion Questions – December 4, 2024

The following questions were shared during our discussion time on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. I took some time to look up these questions:

Stories of Jesus Calming the Stormy Sea and Walking on Water

The stories of Jesus calming the stormy sea in Mark 4:35-41 and Jesus walking on the water in Mark 6:45-52 are two separate incidents in the Gospel of Mark. Here’s how they differ and connect:

1. Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

• Setting: This occurs as Jesus and the disciples cross the Sea of Galilee after a long day of teaching (including the parables in Mark 4).
• Event: A great storm arises while Jesus is asleep in the boat. The disciples wake Him in fear, and He rebukes the wind and the sea, bringing immediate calm.
• Focus: Jesus demonstrates His authority over nature, questioning the disciples’ faith after they express fear.

2. Jesus Walks on the Water (Mark 6:45-52)

• Setting: After the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while He stays to pray on a mountain.
• Event: The disciples struggle against strong winds as they row. In the early morning, Jesus walks on the water toward them. When they see Him, they are terrified, thinking He is a ghost, but He reassures them and calms the wind.
• Focus: This incident emphasizes Jesus’ divine nature and ability to defy natural laws. It also highlights the disciples’ ongoing struggle to fully grasp who He is.

Key Differences and Continuity

• Timeline: The two events are separated by time, with Mark 5 (healing miracles and teachings) occurring between them.
• Context: In Mark 4, Jesus is present with the disciples in the boat. In Mark 6, He approaches them from a distance.
• Lessons: Both events reveal Jesus’ divine power but focus on different aspects of faith and trust. Mark 4 addresses fear in immediate danger, while Mark 6 highlights faith amidst confusion and awe of Jesus’ identity.

These distinct incidents together underscore the growing revelation of Jesus’ divine authority and the disciples’ journey toward understanding Him.

The Significance of Demons Entering the Swine (Mark 5)

• Demonstration of Authority Over Demons:
  By casting the demons into the swine, Jesus demonstrates His supreme authority over spiritual forces of evil. This act visibly shows His power to the onlookers, as the demons’ presence and their destructive intent are made manifest when they drive the pigs to their deaths.
• Value of Human Life:
  The man’s deliverance from the demons highlights the immense value Jesus places on human life and freedom. While 2,000 pigs are lost, Jesus prioritizes the healing and restoration of one person.
• Judgment on Demons:
  Allowing the demons to enter the swine could also be interpreted as a form of judgment. They beg not to be sent out of the area or into the abyss (a place of ultimate confinement and punishment for evil spirits, as referenced in Luke 8:31), and Jesus grants their request—but their newfound “home” is destroyed almost immediately.
• A Testimony to the Community:
  The destruction of the swine served as a dramatic event that drew the attention of the community, forcing them to confront Jesus’ authority and the reality of spiritual forces. However, instead of marveling at the man’s deliverance, they respond with fear and ask Jesus to leave.

What Happens to the Demons After the Swine’s Death?

The Bible does not explicitly state what happens to the demons after the swine rush into the sea and drown. However, a few possibilities can be inferred based on biblical theology:

• Release Back into the Spiritual Realm:
  Since the demons are spiritual beings, they may not “die” in the sense that the swine do. They could have been released back into the spiritual realm, free to roam and seek another host (as implied in Matthew 12:43-45, where Jesus describes unclean spirits wandering).
• Symbolic Judgment:
  The drowning of the swine might symbolize the eventual destruction and defeat of evil powers. While the demons might continue to operate in the interim, their ultimate fate is the judgment of God, as described in Revelation 20:10.
• Binding or Limitation:
  In allowing the demons to destroy the swine, Jesus might have limited their activity temporarily, demonstrating His control over their plans without revealing the exact outcome.

Who Touched Me? – Mark 5

When Jesus asks, “Who touched me?” in Mark 5:30, it is not because He lacks knowledge. Instead, His question serves a greater purpose, aligning with His teaching and relational style. Here’s a breakdown of why He might have asked this question:

1. To Invite the Woman to Publicly Acknowledge Her Faith

• Jesus likely knew who touched Him (consistent with His divine nature), but by asking the question, He gave the woman an opportunity to come forward and share her story.
• This public declaration of her faith and healing would:
  • Affirm her boldness and trust in Him.
  • Encourage others to believe in Jesus’ power.
  • Restore her dignity, as her condition had rendered her socially and religiously unclean for years.

2. To Highlight the Personal Nature of His Ministry

Jesus’ question emphasizes that His power is not impersonal or mechanical. The woman’s healing wasn’t just the result of touching His garment—it was her faith in Him as the source of healing. By asking, “Who touched me?” Jesus underscores that He is aware and involved in every act of faith directed toward Him.

3. To Teach the Disciples and the Crowd

• The disciples react incredulously because many people were pressing against Jesus in the crowd.
• However, Jesus distinguishes this touch of faith from the casual jostling of the crowd.
• This moment teaches that proximity to Jesus is not enough—faith is the key to experiencing His power.

Did Jesus Know the Answer?

Yes, Jesus likely knew the answer. His question was not for His own knowledge but for the benefit of the woman, the disciples, and the crowd. It was an intentional act to:

• Bring the woman into the light.
• Affirm her faith publicly.
• Highlight His power and compassion.

In this way, Jesus’ question was both rhetorical and relational, inviting deeper understanding and connection.