Mark 1

Monday,  Jan 11, 2015


Mark is widely thought to be the earliest gospel to have been written.   Mark doesn't spend any time on the birth of Christ, or the genealogy.   He gets right to the heart of the matter.   Maybe that's why the other authors included it...Mark wrote first and left it out, so they added it in.
John the Baptist spent his time baptizing people (go figure).   In Jerusalem around the temple area there are large holes cut into the bedrock.  They have steps going down into them, sometimes there were two sets of steps.  I was told that these were filled with water so the priests going into the temple could ceremonially cleanse themselves before entering the temple.   They would exit on the clean steps, so they didn't become contaminated again.   It was just ceremony, there wasn't any actual bathing going on there...but it adds some depth to what John was doing.   The idea that everyone needed to be cleaned and prepared for "ministry" was a fresh and welcome idea.


In verse 12 you will notice it was the Spirit that sent Jesus into the desert where he was tempted.   God doesn't ever tempt us, but he does allow us to be tempted.  That's so we can resist, and build our spiritual strength.   I have a theory that Jesus came out of the desert very hungry and probably physically weak, but spiritually very strong.   Oddly enough, that's when the devil shows up to tempt him (we'll get to that on Wednesday).


As I have mentioned before, the word "Gospel" means "good news", and the good news is summarized partly in verse 15.   "The time is now!   if we repent of our sins, God will forgive us and restore us to a right relationship with Him, and we will inherit everything that His children are supposed to".    (again, only part of that message is here, but Mark records the beginning of it)


Did you notice that the disciples left "immediately" when Jesus called.   I think this is a key teaching.  Okay, maybe you didn't obey as soon as you should have...but you can begin immediately NOW.   So, wherever God is prompting you to obey....just do it.   If it means sacrifice on your part, don't be afraid, God is able to make it up to you many times over.


Simon (also called Peter) and Andrew were brothers.   Apparently Peter was married and his mother-in-law lived with them.   Actually that could have been common in biblical times.  Families were much closer together than they are today, here in the U.S.        The Jews today often live in small very close communities called a "kibbutz".   Each one had it's own "home school teachers" and every resident of the kibbutz had a job to support the rest.   The one I saw was very communal, but it worked very well.    The kibbutz is fairly recent (last 150 years) I wonder if they are popular because the Jews are so family oriented.    It sort of reminded me of the Amish in our area.


In verse 40 Jesus heals a man but instructs him not to talk about it.   I think He did that so that He could move around more easily, without crowds slowing Him.  Of course, this kind of good news is going to get out no matter what you say.    On the other hand...why would he have to instruct the demons not to give credit to Him?   I don't think they wanted to, but because of who He is, they were compelled to acknowledge Him!   Jesus tells the man to offer the sacrifices (or to give them to the priests who will receive and offer them) so that the priests will be made aware of his healing.   
This is important, because this guy can't rejoin his family until he is cleared by the priests.   Although he doesn't need the approval to be healed, he is told to obey the Old Testament law as a witness to those who haven't heard yet.


Is it possible that God is asking you to do something that you know you don't have to do in order to be saved (or healed), but that you should do anyway....perhaps as a witness to others?


enjoying the quiet moment and the Word of God,




PR