 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The Baptism of Jesus9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Temptation of Jesus12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Jesus Begins His Ministry14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Jesus Calls the First Disciples16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Jesus Heals Many29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Jesus Preaches in Galilee35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. Jesus Cleanses a Leper40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. Meditation Our understanding of Jesus is too small. Jesus is more than an inspiring figure, carpenter, teacher, example, or religious leader. Jesus is King, Savior of the world, and believing His gospel changes everything. To expand our understanding of Jesus, Mark boldly begins his gospel with an echo of Genesis 1:1- “In the Beginning,” as he trash-talks the imperial powers of his day by declaring “the gospel of Jesus, the Son of God” (1). In Mark’s day, emperor Caesar Augustus sent out his own “gospel,” good news, of his ascension to rule Rome, calling himself the “son of god” on coins! Jesus is the fullness of God’s plan and greater than the world’s mightiest rulers. Jesus is the fullness of both Scripture’s ancient promises (2-8) and the longings of humanity (9-13). The teaching of Jesus begins with the announcement of the fulfillment of God’s time and proclamation that the kingdom of God is present in the person of Jesus (14-15). Humanity is invited to respond in repentance and faith, turning from the imposter kings of our culture and trusting Jesus as King over everything. Jesus calls Disciples who celebrate the rule and reign of God (16-20) as He demonstrates His authority over demons (21-28) and diseases (29-45). The King who will conquer death validates the authority of His message and authenticates Himself as God’s messenger through demonstrating His authority over everything. Jesus is King of kings, ruling over all that is seen and unseen, including all powers, rulers, and authorities. Jesus is king preeminent in everything (Colossians 1:14-18). Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you about the introduction of Mark’s gospel, the focus on the Kingship of Jesus? -Where do you not worship Jesus as King, obeying the authority of imposter kings of our culture? -Grace plants us into the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son, through whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:12-14). Where (specifically) do you need to repent from sin and begin again, trusting the rule of King Jesus in your life and love? Key Verse 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Comments are closed.
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