The gospel of Mark introduces the Kingdom of God, Jesus, and God’s will.
Prepare the Way
Mk 1:1–8
Preparing the way of the Lord continues to be one aspect of our Christian walk. We are often the voice preparing people to receive salvation. And, when they receive Him, they receive the Holy Spirit. It is important for us to be attentive to these opportunities, and I might even say, that we should create these opportunities as John did.
The Sinless Man – The Kingdom of God
Mk 1:9–20
This account in the gospel of Mark is very short but covers two main points:
Mark 1:9-12
Jesus was baptized in water but anointed from heaven by the Holy Spirit confirmed with the voice of the Father. Jesus was also tempted and withstood temptation, the sinless man, and the angels attended him.
Mark 1: 13-20
Jesus took on His work of ministry as He proclaimed “believe in the gospel”, “the Kingdom of God has come near”. He called four fishermen to follow Him and not Levites, scribes, pharisees, …
Speak with Authority
Mk 1:21–28
Jesus taught in the synagogue. He was welcome as a speaker and they were willing to hear him. But Jesus spoke with authority, not speculating or giving opinions of others. And when He did, the demon responded and was cast out. There is power in God’s word.
God’s Power – God’s Will
Mk 1:29–39
Mark 1:29-34
This gospel shows the power and will of God by example.
– He healed Simon’s mother-in-law.
– He healed many sick (likely all that came).
– He cast out demons (I define demons as fallen angels seeking to inhabit human host bodies.
God’s Direction
Mark 1:35-39
Jesus prayed in the morning and then set a course of action that carried Him forward for much of the time of his ministry. It is good for us to pray in the morning and we should also expect God’s direction.
– Preaching in the synagogues
– Driving out demons (*study why this was important, it is mentioned several times here).
I Am Willing
Mk 1:40–45
What a great prayer example this is. The man said, If you are willing, you can. And the answer, of course was, “I am willing”. God is always willing to do good, to bless those that call on Him.
– Luke 11:13 (ASV) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
– Exodus 33:18–19 (LEB) And he said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I myself will cause all my goodness to pass over before you, and I will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you, and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show compassion to whom I will show compassion.”
There was no cure for leprosy in their time, but there was a priestly method of declaring a leper clean. God is the healer.
Your Sins Are Forgiven
Mk 2:1–12
The people pressed in to get the healing that others had received, and so much so that this man’s friends made a hole in the roof of the building to lower him in.
It was unexpected that Jesus would say “your sins are forgiven”. This is the realm of God’s authority. This caused the religious to challenge Him. He reiterated His authority by saying “take up your bed and walk”.
The people were amazed. They had the custom of animal sacrifice for sin and there were offerings for cleansing from disease (*study the offerings). Here though, Jesus spoke the word and sins were forgiven, He spoke the word and sickness was gone.
But Sinners
Mk 2:13–17
Jesus continued to teach the people and among them found Levi, another of His disciples. But Levi was a tax collector, a sinner in the eyes of the religious.
There are many people in the world that believe they have it all together. Jesus called them the righteous. These are those that are righteous in themselves. They don’t need God, and, they have no room for Him.
“but sinners”, know they have a need and some are willing to hear the truth of God’s Kingdom, forgiveness through Christ’s death and resurrection, and eternal life with God.
Study Verses
- Mark 1:1-25
Daily Reading
- Mark 1:1-45
- Mark 2:1-17