Introduction to Mark:
The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man. The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as King. And the Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as Servant. This Gospel was written before the other three and was most likely used by the other three writers. It was written to encourage believers and to prove beyond a doubt that Jesus is Messiah.
Wow – A LOT in this chapter! Where to begin…..
Preparation: John the Baptizer’s coming was a fulfillment of what Isaiah spoke. He came to ”prepare the way for the Lord.” He himself wasn’t God & he knew it (7). He came to get people ready for Jesus, and then his baptism OF Jesus prepared Jesus for His earthly ministry. Another preparation involved Jesus calling of two sets of brothers to something greater than their careers - to follow Him and HE would make them “fishers of men.”
Ministry - 3 Specific Miracles & Prayer: Ok, so this didn’t describe my ministry last week, but then, I’m not Jesus! The first miracle happens at a “church service.” Jesus is teaching “as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law” (slam on the religious peeps) and the demon in this dude is scared that Jesus is gonna’ do something with him and he’s right! Evil is always fearful in the presence of holiness!
The second miracle involves Peter’s mother-in-law. She is sick with a fever and all Jesus does is grab her hand & help her up…….healed! Her reply? “Thanks Jesus, can I get you anything?” And then He does quite a few more miracles as well.
The third miracle was healing a man of leprosy. People would stay away from lepers so as to not catch their disease – not Jesus! His love & compassion for people overruled, so He “reached out His hand and touched the man.” And yep, you know what happened – healed!
What catches my attention in this chapter is verse 35: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” WOW, if Jesus felt the need to go to His Father in heaven often, how much more should I?!~! Want to know the key to His earthly ministry? He relied on strength from above. So should we!
SO WHAT?!
*How are you & I preparing to be with Jesus? If Jesus gave you the choice today of either staying here on earth or leaving to be with Him, which would you choose? Jean, Drew, Jessica – I LOVE Y’ALL, but I’d be out of here! If this life is preparation for eternity, let’s use it to drag as many others with us to heaven!
*Where in your life are you in need of a miracle? Is there a relationship that needs restoring & seems impossible? Are you having financial problems like never before? Physical problems? Regardless, our God is a God of miracles and still does them. Take your impossibilities to Him today and watch Him work!
*How’s your prayer life? Would others be so impressed that they would ask you to pray? That is exactly what Jesus’ disciples asked Him. Oh Lord. please let my prayer life reflect that I need you and I am trusting in YOUR strength for my daily living!
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