Mark 8:29 Worksheet

Mark 8:29 Worksheet

Name:

Please address each question below with complete sentences and clear, specific explanation. The total word count (including all questions and your answers) should be between 750-1,250 words.

1. Select one teaching of Jesus from one of the following Bible verses (underline passage): Matthew 5:21-24, Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 6:19-24, Matthew 7:15-23, Luke 15:1-32, John 13:1-17, 34-35, John 15:1-11. Answer the following questions:

a. What was Jesus’ point in the teaching?

In John 15:1-11, Jesus’s point in teaching is that abiding him, will lead to spiritual success. Truly counting on this relationship with Jesus allows this pursuit to be the only thing in life that is guaranteed. Jesus achieves these teachings by teaching the disciples the essence of fruit bearing in a spiritual sense.

Jesus led his disciples by torchlight to Gethsemane (14:31) (the garden). As they stood there in the vineyard, Jesus says “I am the true vine” (incidentally the last of Jesus’ 7 “I am statements”. This illustrates to us that there is only 1 “true vine”. This is Jesus’ way of saying you can not choose chose what you true vintage is.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you." (John 15:1-3 RSV)

Jesus is reminded us here that ultimately the Father will prune the vines as discussed further below in answer c.

b. What sort of relevance does this teaching have for other worldviews?

This is a strong verse that deeply impacts other worldviews. Not all worldviews agree that Jesus is the trinity. Not all worldviews believe in a God for that fact. Believing your relationship with Jesus and belief in Jesus would be strong points of contention for many that do not share the same worldview as myself.

Judaism would not necessary agree that Jesus is the key to success, as in Judaism; Jesus is viewed as one of the false messiahs. How would the Jewish people be able to put their own beliefs in Jesus, if they do not believe Jesus is their savor, or died for their sins?

c. What does this teaching reveal about Jesus?

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you." (John 15:1-3 RSV)

Jesus leaves no interpretation for us to be made, rather tells us directly what this is.

“I am true vine”, “My father is the vinedresser”. This was Jesus’ final teaching to his disciples, his final guidance to explain. God being the “vinedresser” and removing the branches that bear no fruit is evidenced by the removal of Judas. To me, this was simply Jesus final warning that God rules all, and has the power to remove anyone at anytime.

The fruit being referred to is referenced in Isaiah 5. It is explained to us that “the prophet says that God came to the nation Israel, the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts, "looking for fruit," for "justice and righteousness.".