Today we start in the wonderful book of Mark. Before we begin discussing the rapid movement through Jesus' life in the first chapter, I would like to point out a few things for you to keep in mind as we trek through this Gospel. The book of Mark starts off from Jesus baptism and ends at His death, burial and resurrection! Keep notice of the use of "Son of Man" and the time frame of which things occur: for instance, the word "immediately" is used quite often. The book of Mark sets to establish the fact that Jesus was the promised Messiah as prophesied in the O.T. (We see this in the first few verses quoted from Isaiah and in John the Baptist proclamations.) The Gospel gives a great view into the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Probably one of the most memorized/quoted verses in Mark is found in 10:45, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many." This is declaring that Jesus is the Son of God and His purpose for coming.
The first verse of today's chapter declares the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. To give further evidence for this, the author Mark, cites Isaiah, who prophesied of Christ's coming in the Old Testament. Next, we are given John the Baptist's testimony to that fact that Christ is coming. (Has already come and is coming again.) One of the interesting things that I noticed when reading through this chapter is that the proclamation of John the Baptist never changed. In verse 4 we read that John was preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Later on in verse 15, we read that John preached the same message of repentance and belief in the Gospel. He noted that the kingdom of God was at hand!
I am constantly amazed at the workings of Jesus all throughout the Gospels. This particular Gospel focuses on recording the ministry of Jesus to show that He is in fact the promised Son of God/the Messiah. I also picked up on the validation of this based on the recording of His miracles. Almost every time when I read that Jesus performs a miracle on healing someone in Scripture, I read, "immediately" the person was healed. Also, we see that even the scribe and Pharisees were astonished at His teaching because He spoke with One who had authority!
I guess I am perplexed as to how so many could doubt that He was the ONE? With so many validations to His ministry and to the person He claimed to be, yet so much disbelief. I think I'd like to wrap up this short tid-bit on the first chapter with that remark. Jesus Christ is the Messiah and the Son of God. Probably one of the most significant aspects described in this Gospel to affirm Christ as the Son of God is His resurrection. Christ has the power to heal, power to save, and the power of death! There is nothing that He does not have power over.
I'm putting the challenge to you today to mediate on the facts of Christ. He is the Son of God. He is the Messiah. He has power over everything. This Gospel lets us see into His life and also teaches practical life lessons as well.
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