Modern Reformer
Check us out on Facebook or Email us
  • Home
    • Contact
  • My Blog
    • Helping in Turkana
    • Iceland overview
    • Day 1 in Iceland
    • Photos from the Amsterdam Trip
    • Trip of a Lifetime
    • Our Journey
    • This World Stinks
    • The Elements Shall Melt
    • False Prophets- - AMEN!
    • Death of the Church
    • Who was the last prophet sent by God?
    • Write the Vision
    • Fast Food Christians
    • Jesus Wept
    • The Demise of the Protestant
    • Considering Memorial Day
    • Judas
    • The Downfall of a Civilization
    • Divine Business
    • A Futuristic Short Story
  • Questions
    • Prophecy >
      • What is the point of the "Great Tribulation" if all of the Christians will be raptured?
      • How Do We Prepare for the Great Tribulation?
      • Many preachers say Jesus is coming soon, while there are no clear signs of it. Is it a scare tactic to make people do what they want?
      • Is it true that the Bible says that no one goes to heaven until Jesus comes back?
      • What does the Bible say about Jesus' Second Coming?
      • When does the 2nd Resurrection Take Place?
      • How will Jehovah God save Israel when he brings all nations against it ?
      • When the kingdom of God is established, in what manner ( physically or ?? ) will everybody who obeys Jehovah God will become like Adam ( they will no longer be males and females but all males ) ??
      • Spiritually, What are we on the verge of?
      • When did the 70 years desolation spoken by Jeremiah begin?
      • What is meant by Rome being called the Antichrist?
      • In the book of Daniel 11:21-24, is the despicable man that is mentioned here was Antiochus Epiphanes IV?
      • What is the difference between the Babylonia that were mentioned in the Old Testament and the Babylonia that was mentioned in the book of Revelation?
      • What are the comparison of the verses Ps 83:1-8,Ez 38:7-16, Zech 14:2-3,and Rev 20:8-9--are they the same in meaning?
      • Of that Day and that Hour
      • How Will Jesus' Second Coming Happen?
      • Will the End Times Battle Be Fought With Weapons
      • Biblically speaking what will the world be like after Armageddon?
      • End Times and Sodom and Gomorrah?
      • At which trumpet will Michael and his angels boot Satan and his angels from heaven to earth?
      • When does/did Jesus Christ's reign as King of God's Kingdom start?
      • Is the Beast in Revelation the Antichrist?
      • Jesus Would Return as He Left?
      • What do you think Jesus meant that if God had not shortened those days, no flesh would survive?
      • What are You Looking Forward To?
      • Is This the Beginning of the Apocalypse?
      • What does Jesus Mean When He Says This?
      • Evidence of the Signs of the Times?
      • What will the Kingdom Accomplish?
      • How Will the Scoffers Feel when Jesus Comes?
      • What is the Significance of the Word "Presence."
      • Why Does My Mom Say We are in the Last Day?
      • What Exactly do People Think the Apocalypse is?
    • Doctrine >
      • Can a person worthy of Heaven be OK with others going to Hell?
      • Can the theory of "being born a sinner" and the theory of "age of accountability" exist at the same time? How and why?
      • According to the Bible, why is everyone born a sinner?
      • Do those don't hear about Jesus go to hell?
      • How is Christ the Wisdom of God?
      • Why does the Soul of the Dead Sinner need to be Oppressed?
      • What did Jesus mean when He said: The Way, the Truth, the Life?
      • Is the Fire of Hell Literal? Why?
      • Did Jesus Redeem Everyone? Is Everyone Saved?
      • If a baby or infant died ....he'll become an angel?
      • What is Biblical Faith?
      • Do You Believe in Hell?
      • Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism, which is more important?
      • Question on Death, Sleep, Resurrection?
      • What is the soul?
      • The Rapture
      • Is John the Baptist going to heaven?
    • General Questions >
      • How can the Gospel transform individuals and the society today?
      • Why are dogs not allowed in heaven according to the Bible?
      • Question about Islam and Christianity
      • Is a Person Who Hasn't Heard About Christianity a Sinner...?
      • Are Saints in Heaven Free...?
      • Question on John the Baptist
      • Thief on the Cross Question
      • Does the Bible has a mention about the secret societies like...?
      • Is the Garden of Eden still on earth (hidden from mankind ) ?
      • Does the Bible prove all other religions false?
      • Why do Muslims hate Jews ?
      • What do you think of the Interpretation of Gen. 2:17?
      • Did God Hate Esau from the Womb?
      • What is your opinion of the theological terms kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God?
      • ​Please can you explain Colossians 2:14-17, where it's says "do not let anyone judge you"?
      • What do you mean by Regeneration..?
      • Is it literally mean that Turkey is the seat of Satan?
      • I'm a Christian but I don't like to go to church...I pray and read my bible in the house....what the bible teaches about fellowship?
      • Abraham the father of Isaac and Ismael...he was Jew or Hebrew..?
      • I'm a believer. I pray that I might win in lottery,sweepstakes, casino...I won....is this a sin?
      • Please Explain Romans 10:9,10
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What is the Purpose of Satan?
      • Why would God do this? And then punish Israel for it?
      • Is the Roman Catholic Church a true church established by Jesus Christ?
      • What is Heaven Like?
      • How long (on average) does it take one to join your religion?
      • Is a judge performing his duties in a courtroom violating Jesus' command, "Do not judge"?
      • How is it that even the demons "knew Him to be the Christ." How did they know?
      • Who is Jesus claiming to be in John 8:24 and what does it mean to "die in your sins"?
      • Does the Bride of Christ have to die first?
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What about Holidays?
      • What is a Biblical Family?
      • How do We Treat Family Members Who Say They are Christians but Don't Acts Like It?
      • What is the Second Death?
      • Question on the Parable of the Two Sons
      • Christ came that we would have life abundantly correct?
      • Who is the Son of Perdition?
      • What are your thoughts on Psalm 137:9?
      • What is the difference between the DOOR in Rev 3:8 and the DOOR in Rev 3:20 ?
      • Out of the Seven Churches in Revelation, which would you say is the closet to your church?
      • What is the main message in the book of Amos, what value does it hold for today’s modern society?
      • Gospel of Thomas question:
      • Question on Tithing
      • Are some people never going to be resurrected from the dead?
      • Does God Love Unconditionally?
      • What Percentage of the Bible Do You Have to Know?
      • Do you keep the Sabbath?
      • Why was Man Excluded Because No Wedding Garment?
      • It is the Day of Atonement...Will you offer a prayer & agree in prayer for their salvation?
      • Did Noah Keep Bees in the Ark?
      • As the Pope's 9-letter surname, Bergoglio, has the word GOG bang in the middle of it, I wonder if biblical?
      • Who is Peter talking about in 1 Peter 4:18?
      • What is the purpose of pigs?
      • Please explain how the meek inherit the earth?
      • Do You Know the Names of Jesus' Two Sheepfolds?
      • Is Jesus in His Human Body in Heaven?
  • Meditations of Joy
    • Overcoming Lack of Confidence to Connect and ‘Fit In’ Part 1
    • All Things in the Name of Jesus
    • The Treasured Life
    • Afflicted in Faithfulness
    • Making All Things New
    • Instinctive Trust
    • #721 Extracting the Precious from the Worthless
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism and Conflict Part 2
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism Part 1
    • Facing Change and the Unknown in Confidence
    • Glorify Thy Name in us, O LORD
    • Remembering Who We Are
    • Deliverance through Overwhelm
    • Finding Stability
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited)
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father Part 2
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father
    • The Expanse of Jesus Prayer
    • The Reality of the Joy Set Before Him
    • The Determination To Do His Will
    • Choosing the Will of the Father
    • He Sustains the Weary with a Word
    • I am willing
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40.27-31 my own Part 2
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40:27-31 my own
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 5
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 4
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 3
    • #698 Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1 A Dear Brother wrote out the main things he was learning in the past year. As I read them I realized that that the Lord was teaching me along similar lines. First he shared: 1. “God’s
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times Part 2Blog
    • Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times
    • Thriving in the house of God
    • Living the Divine Dimensions of Their Love
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 2
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 1
    • Dealing with ‘What If’ Part 1
    • Abiding in Their Love
    • Serving by Night
    • Serving By Night
    • Tenacious Love Part 2
    • Tenacious Love Part 1
    • Reverence for God is an Access to Wisdom and Confidence
    • The Practice of Praise
    • Separate the Precious from the Worthless
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 2
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 1
    • #676 Only One Thing is Necessary
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 2
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 1
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 2 In the Care of the Shepherd
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 1 in the Hands of the Potter
    • The Choice to Rejoice
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 3
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 2
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 1
    • Courage to Go Forward
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 3
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 1
    • The Holy Ground of Challenge
    • What We Remember, What We Forget
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 3
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 2
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 1
    • Paul’s focus in Prison: Part 6b Resurrection power Beyond Our Comprehension
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: In Awe of His Resurrection Power Part 6aBlog
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: Part 5a Never give up praying for one another!
    • Paul's focus in Prison: Part 4 Guarded!
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 3 Going forward with Passion
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 2
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison Part 1
    • LIVING Hope and Joy
    • Arms Wide Open
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited from 2017)
    • “Yet Thou art Holy”
    • Resolutely Going Forward
    • Passover Love
    • Praying for a Word to Give the Weary
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 2
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 1Blog
    • A Night Journey to Peace Part 2
    • A Night Journey to Peace
    • Trusting His Choices
    • Peace Amid the Storm
    • Love is Patient
    • Proving His Name to His Glory
    • Watching in Hope
    • Glorifying His Name Begins with the Realm of Thought
    • "Father Glorify Thy Name"--Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 3 (A roadblock to be aware of)
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 2 (Practical application)
    • Father, Glorify Thy Name
    • Finding His Joy
    • The Blessing of Over-and-Over-Testings
    • Redefining Our Perception of Rejection
    • The Source of all Encouragement
    • Casting our Care and Leaving it There
    • Setting our Face Like Flint
    • Accepting God’s Will for our Beloved Brethren
    • Our Home in Every Challenge: Seeing Beyond the Illusion
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Sure Proof of His Divine Provision
    • Some Lessons from David in Absalam's Rebellion and Unresolved Conflict
    • His Glory: Permission to Prune
    • His Glory: A Call to Re-focus
    • Trade in the Old Thinking for a New Song!
    • A Practical Look at the Armor of God
    • Resting in His Provision
    • His Perspective from the Heights, Borne on the Wings of the Eagle
    • What Would Jesus THINK?
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 2
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 1
    • The Joy of His Love Empowering us to Love Part 2
    • The Joy of Overcoming Irritation: Divine Love Empowering us to Love Part 1
    • The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Sending Portions!
    • Finding Joy Part 2b: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Eat and Drink!
    • Finding Joy Part 2a: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength
    • Finding Joy: The Joy Set Before Us Part 1
    • The Refuge of His Wise and Loving Power
    • Facing the Challenge in the Beauty of Holiness
    • Facing the Challenge with Praise, Prayer and Perspective
    • Enthroning Him upon our Praise
    • Yet You Are Holy
    • Yet You are Holy
    • Another Look at “Arise, Let us go hence”
    • “My Peace” When We Feel Alone
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 5
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 4
    • My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 3
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 2
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 1
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze of Love Part 2
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze
    • Trusting Enough to Get Out of the Boat
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting His Provision in the Process Part 2
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting that what He allows is GOOD.
    • He Knows What We Need, a Call to Praise Amid the Unknown!
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • The Creative Deliverance That Surrounds Us
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 4
    • #547 How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 3
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 2
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 1
    • Our Prayerful Song in the Midst of Whatever Happens
    • #543 What Brings Us Peace No Matter What Happens
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking Part 2
    • He Restores my Soul
    • “Look up and Let Go”
    • Nothing Shall Offend
    • Moment by Moment Deliverance from Fear
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance Part 2
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst Every Circumstance
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’ Part 2
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’
    • Run through the Open Door
    • Dwelling in ONE Master
    • Dwelling in His Shadow and Watching from the Wings
    • Dwelling in the Obedience of Christ
    • Overcoming Some Old Habits of Thought
    • Setting our Minds for Surrender Each Morning
    • Some of Peters Advice for Relationships in these Last Days
    • What Helps us to Accept Every Experience
    • His Leading through the Valley
    • Being His Valiant Warrior
    • Our Valiant Warrior
    • Living Deep-rooted Attachment in Christ
    • Keep on Sowing!
    • Surely the LORD is in the place
    • Red Sea Advice Part 4 The Red Sea Response
    • Red Sea Advice Part 3 The Red Sea Reaction
    • Red Sea Advice Part 2
    • Red Sea Advice Part 1
    • A Call to Peace
    • But Then on The Third Day
    • He Endured the Cross Part 3 Psalm 22 NIV
    • He Endured the Cross Psalm 22 Part 2
    • He Endured the Cross Part 1
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 3
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 2
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 1
    • The Yoke that Gives Us Rest
    • Proper Use of limitation, A Call For Balance
    • Another Lesson in Making Room for Their Surpassing Power Through the Proper Use of our Limitations
    • The Posture of Waiting and Trust that Allows Him To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power 2
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • WE will get through this!
    • Delight to do His will
    • I Know the Plans I Have for You
    • But for a Moment
    • Wake me up, Lord
    • We are a Team!
    • When we feel alone
    • The One Next Step
    • Trusting the Love that Stabilizes Us Through Every Storm
    • Triumph Over Appearance
    • The Joy of His Abundance
    • Express Gratitude
    • Numbering our Days
    • Expressions of His Love
    • The Breadth of His Provision
    • His Faithfulness Behind Every Challenge
    • He Stands at the Door of our Hearts
    • Your Tender Mercies Give Me Life
    • The Craftsmanship of His Workmanship in us
    • With You Wherever You Go
    • Listening to His Voice Amid the Physical Challenge of Shingles
    • A Refuge Better than People Pleasing
    • My Prayer in the Morning
    • They Will Not Prevail
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • How To Be a Refuge Like Him
    • A Very Present Help in Trouble
    • How to be a Refuge Like Him
    • Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • On Which Side Will We Dwell?
    • The Light That Shines on Our Challenges
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 6
    • Plow My Thoughts
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 5
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 4
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 3
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 2
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts
    • Stand in Awe in the Midst of Depression
    • Patient Waiting in the Face of Challenge
    • Our Expectation and Refuge in the Face of Fear
    • His Way of Escape
    • Healing the Root of Fear pt 2
    • Healing the Root of Fear
    • Weeding Day
    • Another Aspect of Wash Day!
    • Wash Day!
    • The Cup of Blessing Which We Bless
    • Our Abba Father
    • Accepting the Gift and Passing it On
    • Accepting the Gift of His Training
    • Open Our Eyes to See
    • The Breath of Forgiveness Part 2
    • The Breath of Forgiveness
    • Living Each Moment for Him
    • Diamonds in the Night
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 7
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 6
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 2
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 1
    • Faithful in the Hour Part 1
    • Delight in His Delight
    • The Beauty of Brokenness Surrendered to Him
    • How to Never Give up Part 2
    • How to Never Give UP part 1
    • Whatever We Do Part 2
    • Whatever We Do
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Tested by the Word of God
    • Waiting on the LORD
    • My Dad Road Sign
    • The Amazing Privilege of Being Coached by the Most High God
    • Casting Both Circles of Care Upon Him
    • The Heart of Deliverance
    • Say Amen!
    • Amen
    • Trusting Where He Leads
    • Made Strong to Listen
    • This is Who I AM
    • The Mindset of Deliverance
    • Strongholds
    • Your Love Has Conquered My Resistance
    • Our Stability Amid These Times and Seasons of Change
    • Precious in the Sight part 2
    • Precious in the Sight of the Lord
    • His Battle
    • Looking to Him
    • Proving Him Holy
    • Rejoice in the Road
    • The Divine Ectetera
    • Waking up to Hope in God in the Present Moment
    • Hiding His Word in Our Heart
    • The Power of Acceptance
    • The Power of Listening From His Love
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight (In Relationships)
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight Part 2
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight
    • The Past and Present Reality of Deliverance
    • Willing To Trust
    • Quieting the Noise So We Can Hear His Knock and Receive Feasting in Place of Empty Snacking
    • An Olive Tree in the House of God
    • Our Choice at Break of Day
    • From Accusation to Acclamation
    • The Pure Joy of What Is
    • Arise and Eat
    • Power Over the Pit
    • His Altar (The Dimensions of Love)
    • Living The Dimensions of Love
    • The Dimensions of Love
    • All My Springs are in You
    • Crucified with Christ--A Prayer
    • Psalm 22 on the Cross to the Ninth Hour
    • The Mind of Christ Revealed on the Cross Part 2
    • The Mind of Christ as Revealed on the Cross Part 1
    • Stop and Savor His View
    • The Final Hymn
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 3
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 2
    • Keeping the Power of the Father and the Son part 1
    • Father Glorify Thy Name
    • She Has Done What She Could
    • The Megaphone of God
    • Teach me to be an influence that honors You
    • Fill Me with Your Willingness and Skill
    • The Greatest Reality Amid any Overwelm
    • Seeing Something New
    • Trusting Him Anew
    • The Power of the Yoke of Jesus
    • How to be Humble
    • Building Faith to Prepare for Any Collision
    • Opening the Door of our Language to God
    • Safe in His Compassions
    • Who He Is in Every Experience
    • Continual Praise
    • Beside Still Waters
    • Faith and Hope in the Midst of Challenge
    • The Beauty of Flaw Wrapped in Perfection Revisited
    • Empowering Love
    • Discovering the Hidden Treasure
    • Thoroughly Known
    • Very Present Help
    • Not by Might
    • Under His Wings I Trust
    • Aiming at Eternity
    • What to Forget, What to Remember
    • Ready to Turn My Life Around for God
    • Triumph Over Circumstances--Don't Kill the Messenger
    • Waterlogged and Triumphant
    • Escape from Stress When We Don't Understand
    • Escape from Stress, Equipped with Hinds Feet
    • Surely the Lord is in the Place
    • Escape from Stress When We Fail part 2
    • Escaping from Stress When We Fail part 1
    • Escape From Stress When We don't Understand
    • From Stress to Peace Part 1
    • Step by Step Escape from Stress
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • Overcoming Illusion
    • The Blessing of Overwelm
    • Jesus is the Door
    • In Perfect Faithfulness
    • The Space to Choose
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • The Voice of our Risen Lord
    • Passover Perspectives: A Night of Watching
    • Passover Perspectives: The Protection of the Father in the Midst of the Cross
    • Passover Perspectives: The Deliverance that will Never Be Forgotten
    • Passover Perspectives: No Fear
    • Passover Perspective: The Far Reaching Power of His Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives: Living Unleavened
    • Passover Perspectives: Eating on the Run
    • Passover Perspectives: The Fires that Proved Him Faithful
    • Passover Perspectives: The Power of his Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives Exodus 12: The Keeping of the Lamb
    • Passover Perspectives: A collective celebration
    • Passover Perspectives: A New Beginning
    • A Prayer for God's Glory
    • Road Sign
    • The Beauty of Perfection
    • Every Hour
    • What will we put in the Relationship Box?
    • Discovering His Everlasting Love
    • His Timing and Strength in Every Phase of Life
    • Trusting Him in Every Valley
    • Trusting the One Who Pours the Cup
    • Smallest Beginning, Greatest Gift
    • Thoroughly Known, Thoroughly Pursued
    • Red Sea Rule #10
    • Red Sea Rule #9
    • Agreeing with God
    • Red Sear Rule #8
    • Red Sea Rule #7
    • Red Sea Rule #6
    • Red Sea Rule #5
    • Red Sea Rule 3 & 4
    • Red Sea Rules #2
    • Red Sea Rules--part 1
    • What Great Honor
    • What do you see?
    • The Power of a Living Faith
    • Awe for God in the Face of Fear
    • No Trial Will Ever Be Too Severe
    • The Work of the Gardener and the Architect
    • Wisdom Out of the Whirlwind
    • Hold On
    • Dwelling in Hope: The power of what we expect and believe
    • Conflict as a Call to Loving Action
    • Trusting His Infinite Wisdom
    • Emotion Management through The Power of Discretion
    • Do Not Delay; The Golden Moments Fly
    • Delight in the Lord
    • Loving New Part 2
    • Loving New
    • To Change the Paradigm
    • My Yoke is Easy, My Burden is Light
    • The Way of Escape
    • Equipped to Face Whatever Comes
    • Time to Trust part 3
    • Time to Trust part 2
    • A Time to Trust
    • Words of Wisdom
    • Wake Up New and See the Bigger Picture
    • Weeping and Finding
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • His Seamless Garment
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • Compelled by Love
    • Test of the Dream Part 3B
    • Test of the Dream --Part 3
    • Test of the Dream --Part 2
    • The Test of the Dream
    • The Love of God in Christ--part 2
    • The Love of God in Christ
    • Shedding Light on Discouragement
    • No More Re-Runs and No more Previews
    • No More Re-Runs
    • Triumph of Trust
    • With You Always, Day by Day
    • Triumph over Temptation
    • Step by Step
    • The Lord, My Confidence --part 2
    • The Lord, My Confidence--part 1
    • Seeking the Face of God and Christ
    • My Always Faithful God
    • The Answer to Overwhelm
    • Every Knee Shall Bow
    • Free to Experience the Intentions of God
    • Finding Bread at Midnight
    • Faithful Wounds
    • Battlefield Strategies
    • Take Time to Be Kind
    • Oh Magnify the Lord with Me by the Power of Thanksgiving
    • What do You Expect?
    • Unlikely Battlefield Strategies Part 2
    • The Miracle of Acceptance
    • Crisis Control
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • The Power of Pure Choice in Christ
    • Let the King of Glory In!
    • Whose Wall Do I Trust?
    • The Power of Thanksgiving
    • The Postures of Possiblities
    • If You Trust Me Let Go
    • Barefoot!
    • Holy Ground: Accepting the Mission
    • Holy ground: Facing the Fire
    • After the Battle
    • Accessable
    • Surrender in Awe and Wait in Joy
    • The Strength of our Spiritual Root System
    • Space to Trust
    • Full of Sap Part 3
    • Full of Sap Part 2
    • Full of Sap
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 3
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 2
    • Mind of Mature Persistance
    • Expect the Unexpected
    • Hearing Through the Ears of Jesus
    • Our Memorial Legacy: Keeping the Feast
    • Our Memorial Legacy
    • The Heart of the Father
    • The Cattle on a Thousand Hills
    • Patient with Process
    • He is Risen! Continue to Seek
    • Never Out-Numbered--Never Give Up!
    • Never Out-Numbered
    • Gathering Forces No Match For the Lord of the Harvest
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice – A Testimony
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice on the Cross
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 8
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 7
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 6
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 5
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 4
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 3
    • Jesus' Last Prayer Part 2
    • Jesus Last Prayer--Part 1
    • The Great Exchange Epilogue
    • The Great Exchange
    • Back to Bethel --I Will Make an Alter There
    • Back to Bethel, Put Away Foreign Gods
    • Surely the Lord is in this place part 4
    • Surely the Lord is in this Place part 3
    • Surely the Lord is in this Place part 2
    • Surely the Lord is in This Place
    • Jesus is Lord part 2
    • Jesus Christ is Lord
    • Hope in the Face of Every Circumstance
    • A Creative Day
    • And It Was Good
    • Trusting the Silence of God
    • When the Stone is too Heavy Part 2
    • Peace When the Stone is Too Heavy
    • The Peace When We are Silent
    • The Path to Peace Part 3
    • Path to Peace Part 2
    • The Path to Peace Part 1
    • What Ever You Do part 2
    • What Ever You Do
    • Welcome Home part 2
    • Unencumbered Vision
    • Training Our Perceptions in the Spiritual Gymnasium of Challenge
    • The Vacuum Cleaner Dreams
    • Restoring the Spark of Life in Life part 2
    • Restoring the Spark of Life in Life part 1
    • Welcome Home
    • Overcoming Satan Overcoming Guilt part 2
    • Overcoming Satan, Overcoming Guilt part 1
    • Dealing with Emotions part 2
    • Dealing with Emotions
    • The Power of We
    • Do Not Delay part 2
    • Do Not Delay part 1
    • Something New
  • Foreign Studies
    • Alur >
      • CIK MAN WORO II GIRACWIA MANYEN --Electing Elders
      • WARAGA PA KRISTO (Epistle of Christ)
      • CIK MU ROMO – CIK MI MOLA--The Royal Law--Alur
    • Laganda >
      • AMAKULU AMALALA AG'OKUTAGANGIRIRA NE SADAKA Y'OKUTANGIRIRA
      • EWEEMA ESSULA EY'OKUNA (Chapter IV Tabernacle Shadows)
      • OKWAWULIBWA KWA BAKABONA--Tabernacle chapter 3
      • ISIRAIRI, AB'ALEEVI N'E BAKABONA--Tabernacle chapter 2
      • EWEEMA EY'OKUSISINKANIRAMU--Tabernacle chapter 1
      • OKUBATIZIBWA KWE KITONDE EKIGYA ( BAPTISM)
      • ENKOLA EY'EKIMU KYEKUMI --The Tithing custom--Luganda
      • ENKOLA NE MPIISA MU KANISA YA BALONDE--E315 Doctrine and Studies
      • EMPISA MU KANISA YA BALONDE--Matthew 18New Page
      • ENKOLA NE MPISA ZE KITONDE EKIGYA--Electing Elders
      • OLUNAKU OLW'OBUSUNGU NE KIRUYI ERI ABABI The Day of Vengeance
      • KIKI EKIRI MUBOWOMBEEFU OBWAMAZIMA What is Embodied in True Humility
      • OKUBIRIZA BANAFFE MU KWAGALA --Provoke One Another
      • EKIRAGIRO EKIKULU GYETULI OMWOYO W’OKWAGALA--The Royal Law--The Golden Rule
      • TUNULIRA OYO EYAKOMERERWA--A Look at the Crucified One
      • EBBALUWA YA KRISTO (The Epistle of Christ)
      • OKUTEEKA OMUTIMA KU NDOGOYI (Putting the Heart Before the Horse)
    • Swahili >
      • "MAJIVU YA NDAMA KUSHINIKIZA KICHAFI "
      • HALI YA SASA YA UKRISTO--Chapter 6
      • USHAURI WA PETRO KWA WAZEE
      • WAKILI DHALIMU --The Unjust Steward
      • AINA NYINGINE YA SADAKA ZA DHAMBI --Tabernacle chapter 5
      • "SIKU KUU YA UPATANISHO"--Tabernacle chapter 4
      • MAJARIBU YA KIPEKEE KWA KIUMBE KIPYA--Temptations Peculiar to the New Creation
      • "BWANA MUNGU WAKO ANAKUTHIBITISHA" --The Lord proveth you
      • MTAZAMO KWA ALIYESULUBISHWA--A Look at the Crucified OneNew Page
      • 1 Wakorintho 6
      • MAANA MKITENDA HAYO MAMBO--If you Do These Things
      • KUTAKASIWA KWA KUHANI--Tabernacle chapter 3 the Priesthood
      • WANYENYEKEVU NDIYO WATAKAO URIDHI UFALME--Only the Humble shall share in the Kingdom
      • BUSARA KAMA NYOKA NA WAPOLE KAMA NJIWA--Wise as serpents, harmless as doves
      • WAISRAELI, WALAWI NA WAKUHANI--Tabernacle chapter 2
      • Mabadiliko Ya Dhambi Za Biashara Zaidi---Tabernacle chapter 1
      • Ubatizo katika kifo cha Kristo--Baptisim into Christ's Death-Swahili
      • MTU WA YEHOVA--Messenger of Jehovah
      • KUCHUKULIA JINA LA MUNGU KWA MZAHA--Taking the Lord's Name in Vain
      • TUMAINI ILIYOBORA KWA KUFUNGUA UBINADAMU.--blessed hope for suffering humanity
      • Tumaini za Uhai Milele na Uhamasishaji uliyodhaminiwa na upatanisho--Everlasting Life and Immortality
      • NENO ZILIZOFANYWA MWILI.--Logos Made Flesh
      • Upendo kwa vitendo.--Love in Action
      • Wana wa MUNGU WA ROHO na MUNGU--Spirit-begotten Sons of God R5582
      • FUNGO LA VI Sehemu ya 4 — Mafundisho na Mikutano--Doctrines and Meetings
      • FUNGO LA VI Sehemu ya 3 - Kanisa na Mikutano--Church Meetings
      • TAFADHALI NA USHAURI KWA UADILIFU Mpya Nidhamu katika Eklesia
      • TAFADHALI NA USHAURI KWA UADILIFU MPYA. WAZEE.--EldersNew Page
      • MUHIMU WA KUJIDHIBITI.
      • GHARAMA WA KIUFUNDI.--Cost of Discipleship
      • CHAGUENI LEO NI NANI MTAKAYE MTUMIKIA Choose Ye This Day Whom You Shall Serve
      • KURUDI KWA BWANA WETU NA HASILI YAKE UREKEBISHO YA KILA KITU --Our Lord's Return
      • KUJIFUNGUZA KABLA--Provoking One Another
      • "HERI WALIO SAFI MOYONI"--Blessed are the Pure in Heart
      • "SIKU YA SHULE"--The Day of Vengence
      • NINI KIHUSISHWA NA UAMINIFU WA KWELI--What is Embodied in True Humility
      • SHERIA YA KIFALME NA SHERIA YA DHAHABU--The Royal Law
      • William Wilberforce--Real Christianity--Swahili >
        • Introductions
        • SURA YA KWANZA--Chapter 1
        • SURA YA PILI--Chapter 2
        • SURA YA TATU KUELEWA UKRISTO WA KIDESTURI--Chapter 3ge
        • Sura ya nne VIGEZO VYA KWELI VYA TABIA ZA KIKRISTO--Chapter 4 (sections 1 and 2)
        • SURA YA TANO--HOJA ZA UKRISTO WA KWELI
      • Kuweka Moyo mbele ya Farasi.--(Putting the Heart before the Horse)
      • WARAKA WA KRISTO--Epistle of Christ
  • Studies
    • Topical Studies >
      • After this Manner Pray Ye
      • How To Live in a Cancel Culture
      • Enjoy Your Mess of Pottage
      • The Importance of Self-Control
      • Blessed are the Pure in Heart
      • Provoking One Another
      • The Royal Law--The Golden Rule
      • A Look at the Crucified One
      • The Epistle of Christ
      • Putting the Heart before the Horse.
      • Forgive Seventy Times Seven
      • Prayer
      • The Heart More Important than the Head
      • Control of the Tongue a Necessity
      • Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
      • Love in Action
      • Deeper Insights into the Resurrection of Lazarus
      • Hindrances to Spiritual Growth
      • John Wycliffe and the Lollards
      • Arius and the Public Debate
      • Peter Waldo and the Waldensians
      • John Huss
      • Day of the Lord
      • Day of Judgment
      • Judgment Its Use and Abuse
      • Zechariah 5 The Woman in the Ephah
      • Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah
      • Messages Given by Church and Great Multitude
      • Joshua and the Battle of Jericho
      • Beauty and Bands--Harmonizing Ezekiel 37 and Zechariah 11
      • To the Glory of God
      • What it means to be a Christian
      • Watch and Pray
      • The Women of Revelation
      • Wise and Foolish Virgins
      • Discourse 2 Peter 3:1-10
      • As the Day is Long
      • Disqualification for the Priesthood
      • Deadly Decisions
      • Doctrine of the Trinity
      • Immortality
      • List of Heresies of the Catholic Church
    • Gospel of Matthew >
      • Matthew Chapter 2
      • Matthew Chapter 3
      • Matthew Chapter 4
      • Matthew Chapter 5
      • Matthew Chapter 7
      • Matthew Chapter 8
      • Matthew Chapter 9
      • Matthew Chapter 10
      • Matthew Chapter 11
      • Matthew Chapter 12
      • Matthew Chapter 13
      • Matthew Chapter 14
      • Matthew Chapter 15
      • Matthew Chapter 16
      • Matthew Chapter 17
      • Matthew Chapter 18
      • Matthew Chapter 19
      • Matthew Chapter 20
      • Matthew Chapter 21
      • Matthew Chapter 22
      • Matthew Chapter 23
      • Matthew Chapter 24
      • Matthew 24
    • Gospel of Mark >
      • Mark Chapter 1
      • Mark Chapter 2
      • Mark Chapter 3
      • Mark Chapter 4
      • Mark Chapter 5
      • Mark Chapter 6
      • Mark Chapter 7
      • Mark Chapter 8
      • Mark Chapter 9
      • Mark Chapter 10
      • Mark Chapter 11
      • Mark Chapter 12
      • Mark Cahpter 13
    • Gospel of John >
      • John Chapter 14
      • John Chapter 15
      • John Chapter 16
      • John Chapter 17
    • Romans 12
    • Timothy >
      • 2 Timothy Chapter 2
      • 2 Timothy Chapter 3
      • 2 Timothy Chapter 4
    • Hebrews >
      • Hebrews Chapter 1
      • Hebrews Chapter 2
      • Hebrews Chapter 3
      • Hebrews Chapter 4
      • Hebrews Chapter 5
      • Hebrews Chapter 6
      • Hebrews Chapter 7
      • Hebrews Chapter 8
      • Hebrews Chapter 9
      • Hebrews Chapter 10
      • Hebrews Chapter 11
      • Hebrews Chapter 12
      • Hebrews Chapter 13
    • Epistles of Peter >
      • 1 Peter Chapter 1
      • 1 Peter Chapter 2
      • 1 Peter Chapter 3
      • 1 Peter Chapter 4
      • 1 Peter Chapter 5
      • 2 Peter Chapter 1
      • 2 Peter Chapter 2
      • 2 Peter Chapter 3
    • Revelation >
      • Introduction to Revelation
      • Revelation Chapter 2
      • Revelation Chapter 3
      • Revelation Chapter 4
      • Revelation Chapter 18
    • Psalms >
      • Psalm 52
      • Psalm 91
      • Psalm 96
      • Psalm 96
      • Psalm 97
      • Psalm 120
    • Proverbs >
      • Proverbs 23
    • Jeremiah >
      • Jeremiah 49
      • Jeremiah 50 Fall of Babylon
      • Jeremiah 51
      • Jeremiah 52
    • Ezekiel >
      • Ezekiel Chapter 1
      • Ezekiel Chapter 2
      • Ezekiel 40:1-5
      • Ezekiel Chapter 40:6-49
    • Malachi >
      • Malachi Chapter 4
  • Our Channel
    • Memorial 2021
    • Bible Time--Creation
  • The Power of our Continual Overwhelming Priority

Mark Chapter 1

Mark 1:1 MKJV  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God:
 
When Bible translators go to a people who have never had the Scriptures in their own language, they usually begin by translating the Gospel of Mark. Mark is the most translated book in all the world. One reason is because it is the shortest Gospel; but the other reason is because this Gospel was written for people unfamiliar with first century Judaism. Mark wrote it for the Romans.
 
He does not begin with a genealogy of our Lord, like St Matthew, or with the history of the Infancy, as St Luke, or with the doctrine of the Word of God, as St John.
 
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God: Every great story has a beginning, and Mark takes us to his beginning of the gospel. The ancient Greek word for gospel means “good news,” so this book is the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is the good news concerning Jesus.
 
Every word in Mark’s description of Jesus is important. First, this is the good news of Jesus, a genuine, historical person who walked this earth like other men. It is the good news of the Christ (which simply means “Messiah”), the promised, anointed Savior of men. And it is the good news of the Son of God.
 
Do you believe that Jesus is the “Son of God”?

What is the “good” in the news?
 
 
Mark 1:2 MKJV  as it is written in the Prophets, "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall prepare Your way before You.
 
As it is written in the Old Testament: The first thing Mark will say about the ministry of John the Baptist is that it was prophesied in the Old Testament (Mal_3:1 and Isa_40:3). Those passages predict this forerunner who would prepare the way of the Lord, this forerunner whom God would call My messenger.
 
My messenger is important, because this is the first authentically prophetic voice to Israel (with the slight exceptions of Anna and Simeon in Luke 2) for 300 years. Some thought that God stopped sending prophets because He had nothing more to say, but John shows this wasn’t the case at all.
 
behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. John the Baptist is here called a messenger, and the message he was sent and came with, was of the greatest moment and importance, and required the closest attention to it; wherefore this passage is introduced with a "behold!" signifying that something momentous, and what should be strictly regarded, was about to be delivered.
 
Just as John was given the task to prepare the way for Jesus’ first Advent, we are likewise given the task to prepare the way for his Second Advent (Mal. 4:5,6)—Do you believe it? Are you doing it?


 
Mark 1:3 MKJV  The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight."
 

Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight: The passage Mark quotes from (Isa_40:3) has in mind building up a great road for the arrival of a majestic king. The idea is to fill in the holes, and knock down the hills that are in the way.

 
The idea of preparing the way of the LORD is a word picture, because the real preparation must take place in our hearts. Building a road is very much like the preparation God must do in our hearts. They are both expensive, they both must deal with many different problems and environments, and they both take an expert engineer.
 
Jesus was the coming Messiah and King, and John the Baptist’s was the one crying in the wilderness, and through his message of repentance, he worked to prepare the way of the LORD. We often fail to appreciate how important the preparing work of the LORD is. Any great work of God begins with great preparation. John wonderfully fulfilled this important ministry. “John was God’s bulldozer to build that highway.” (Steadman)
 
For a triumphal entry to his kingdom upon the earth. "An highway shall be there." (Isa_35:8)

The Church in the flesh, the greater Elijah, will be equally unsuccessful with that of the lesser antitype of Elijah, John the Baptizer.
 
What are you doing to “prepare” the way of the Lord in your own hearts?
 
Are you knocking down hills and filling holes in the road to the Lord, so that others don’t stumble?


 
Mark 1:4 MKJV  John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
 
Mark 1:5 MKJV
  And all the land of Judea, and those of Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

John was six months older than Jesus, so he began his ministry of preaching six months before Jesus’ baptism. John’s mission was pre-eminently that of a reprover and a reformer. His work at Jesus’ first advent foreshadowed the closing work of the Church at Jesus’ second advent.

John’s baptism was for Jews only, who were already in a covenant relationship with God and typically cleansed by their Atonement day sin-offerings. The preaching and baptism of John were a special call to God’s covenanted people to repent of their sins and their failure as a nation, and as individuals to live up to their covenant. The greater John, the Church in the flesh, is to exhort as many as have ears to hear to repent of sin and reform their lives and return to a condition of righteousness of heart as in the day when they were first baptized.

John was a little rough around the edges, he was not well dressed—Are you willing to listen to God’s Word regardless of the looks of the package it is delivered in?

Have you repented of your sins?

Do you confess or own up to your sins, or try to justify wrong behavior?

Are you living up to your covenant with God?

If you answered no to any of the above questions—what are you going to do about it?

 
Mark 1:6 MKJV  And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a leather girdle about his loin. And he ate locusts and wild honey.

Not of camel's hair softened and dressed, which the Talmudists call "camel's wool"; of which wool of camels and of hares which being spun to a thread, and wove, and made a garment of, they call, and we "camlet"; for this would have been too fine and soft for John to wear, which is denied of him, Mat_11:8 but either of a camel's skin with the hair on it, such was the "rough garment", or "garment of hair", the prophets used to wear, Zec_13:4 or of camels hair not softened but undressed; and so was very coarse and rough, and which was suitable to the austerity of his life, and the roughness of his ministry. And it is to be observed he appeared in the same dress as Elijah or Elias did, 2Ki_1:8 in whose spirit and power he came, and whose name he bore, Luk_1:17.
 
leather girdle about his loin; and such an one also Elijah was girt with, 2Ki_1:8 and which added to the roughness of his garment, though it shows he was prepared and in a readiness to do the work he was sent about.
 
locusts and wild honey; by the "locusts" some have thought are meant a sort of fish called "crabs", which John found upon the banks of Jordan, and lived upon; others, that a sort of wild fruit, or the tops of trees and plants he found in the wilderness and fed on, are designed; but the truth is, these were a sort of creatures "called locusts", and which by the ceremonial law were lawful to be eaten, see Lev_11:22.
 
"all that have four feet and four wings, and whose thighs and wings cover the greatest part of their body, and whose name is "a locust."''
 
And wild honey: this was honey of bees, which were not kept at home, but such as were in the woods and fields; of this sort was that which Jonathan found, and eat of, 1Sa_14:25.
 
Again as in the previous verse, John was not well dressed and didn’t have polished manners—he was who you saw and made no pretenses. There is none greater among men (Matt 11:11, Luke 7:28) than John the Baptist, and the least in the Kingdom is greater than John—How do you compare to John’s character?
 
What things in John’s character do you see, that you do not see in your own?
 
What are you doing to fix these character issues?

 
Mark 1:7 MKJV  And he proclaimed, saying, There is One coming after me who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down to loosen.

John was six months older than Jesus and thus started his ministry also when he turned thirty. This was John’s message for six months. He prepared the way for the Messiah.

The office of bearing and unfastening the sandals of great personages fell to the meanest (the lowest) slaves. To stoop down] This expression is peculiar to St Mark. It is the first of those minute details which we shall find in such abundance in his Gospel.

the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose; expressing the great veneration he had for him, and the great sense he had of his own unworthiness, to be concerned in the lowest and meanest service of life for him; and that he was far from being worthy of the high honour done him, to be his messenger and forerunner;
 
Do we have the humility of John (who was the greatest among men)?

Are we preaching Jesus?

Do we truly feel that we are unworthy to bend down and loosen Jesus’ sandals?

Does our lives show that?

 
Mark 1:8 MKJV  I indeed have baptized you in water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
 
This was spoken to the baptized persons, partly to take off their dependence upon him and his baptism; and partly to direct their views to Christ, from whom the gifts and graces of the Spirit are alone to be had.
 
 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit: John recognized his baptism was only a prelude to what Jesus would bring. The Messiah would bring an immersion in the Holy Spirit that was greater than the immersion in water as a demonstration of repentance.
 
 John’s baptism could demonstrate repentance, but it could not truly cleanse one from sin, nor could it impart the Holy Spirit in the way Jesus could after His work on the cross was completed for us.
 
Have you been baptized with John’s baptism or Christ’s?
Was your baptism from devotion in your heart or were you merely getting wet?
 
Mark 1:9 MKJV  And it happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
 
Why was Jesus baptized? It was not because He needed cleansing from sin, because Jesus was sinless, as John himself understood (Mat_3:14). Instead, Jesus was baptized in keeping with His entire mission on earth: to fulfill all righteousness, this typified his entire consecration or devotion to do the will of God even unto death.
 
in those days] i. e. towards the close of the year a. u. c. 781, or a. d. 28, when our Lord was thirty years of age (Luk_3:23), the time appointed for the Levite’s entrance on “the service of the ministry” (Num_4:3).
 
came from Nazareth] where He had grown up in peaceful seclusion, “increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” (Luk_2:52), in a town unknown and unnamed in the Old Testament, situated among the hills which constitute the southern ridges of Lebanon, just before they sink down into the Plain of Esdraelon.
 
baptized by John in Jordan] Either (i) at the ancient ford near Succoth, which some have identified with the Bethabara or rather Bethany of St John (Joh_1:28); or (ii) at a more southern ford not far from Jericho, whither the multitudes that flocked from Judæa and Jerusalem (Mar_1:5) would have found a speedier and more convenient access. From St Matthew we learn that the purport of the Savior’s journey from Galilee was that He might be thus baptized (Mat_3:13); that His Forerunner instantly recognized His superior and stainless nature; that he tried earnestly to prevent Him; that his objections were overruled by the reply that thus it became Him to “fulfil all righteousness,” i. e. every requirement of the Law. St Luke tells us that the Baptism of our Lord did not take place till “all the people had been baptized” (Luk_3:21).
 
Do you understand baptism as a covenant unto death?
 
 
Mark 1:10 MKJV  And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him.

Mark 1:11 MKJV
  And there came a voice from Heaven, saying, You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: When this voice of God the Father spoke from heaven, John knew that Jesus was not just another man being baptized. He knew Jesus was the perfect (in whom I am well pleased) Son of God, identifying with sinful man.

i. What a strange scene! You have the humble beginnings:
• Jesus: A common, unremarkable name.
• From Nazareth: An unremarkable, despised village.
• Of Galilee: The “unspiritual” region, not the “Bible belt” of the area at that time.
• Was baptized: Identifying with sinful man.
• In the Jordan: An unremarkable - often even unpleasant - river. “Early rabbinic tradition explicitly disqualifies the River Jordan for purification, [according to] The Mishnah, Parah VIII. 10.” (Lane)

ii. Then you have the great glory:
• The heavens parting: Heaven opened wide for this. The ancient Greek for this phrase is strong. It has the idea that sky was torn in two, “being rent asunder, a sudden event.” (Bruce)
• The Spirit descending: The Spirit of God was present, and in some way His presence was discernable.
• Like a dove: Luk_3:22 puts it like this: And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him. In some way the Spirit was present, and “flew down” on Jesus like a dove. The emblem of peace and purity, representing the fullness of Jehovah's Spirit of love in Jesus. Not violently like lightning, but gently like a dove.
• A voice came from heaven: It’s rare in the Bible when we read that God speaks audibly from heaven, but this is one of those glorious occasions.
• You are My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased: What could be more glorious than to have God the Father praise and affirm you publicly?

iii. God loves to display His glory in the midst of humble surroundings.
 
 So far in the Gospel of Mark we see four witnesses, each testifying to the identity of Jesus. What more evidence do we need?
• Mark said Jesus is the Son of God (Mar_1:1).
• The prophets said Jesus is LORD (Mar_1:2-3).
• John the Baptist said Jesus was the One after me who is mightier than I (Mar_1:7-8).
• God the Father said Jesus is the Beloved Son of God (Mar_1:10-11).
 
Do we fully grasp who Jesus is?

Do we fully grasp the gift that is offered to us?

 
Mark 1:12 MKJV  And immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.

And immediately,.... As soon as he was baptized, and this testimony had been given of his divine sonship, the very selfsame day,
 
the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness: into a more remote and desolate part of it; for it was in the wilderness John was baptizing and preaching, when Christ came to him, and was by him; and it was the same holy Spirit that descended on Jesus at his baptism, which remained with him; by whose impulse he was moved, though not against his will, to go into, this desert and forlorn place. For this was not the evil spirit Satan, by whom he was tempted; for Matthew expressly says, that he was "led up of the Spirit--to be tempted by the devil", Mat_4:1, where the devil that tempted him, is manifestly distinguished from the holy Spirit by whom he was led, and the same Spirit is meant here, as there. This Spirit was now in Jesus, because of his consecration (dedication) to God expressed by water immersion.
 
Into the wilderness -- Away from every friend and acquaintance and distracting thing. That he might study the divine Word, treasured in a perfect memory, and now fully intelligible by the power of the Spirit. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." (1Co_2:14)

Retirement from the world is an opportunity of more free converse with God, and therefore must sometimes be chosen, for a while, even by those that are called to the greatest business.
 
Do you spend alone time with God?
 
 
Mark 1:13 MKJV  And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan. And He was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to Him.
 
And was with the wild beasts - This is added to show the desolation and danger of his dwelling there. In this place, surrounded by such dangers, the temptations offered by Satan were the stronger. Amid want and perils, Satan might suppose that he would be more easily seduced from God. But he trusted in his Father, and was alike delivered from dangers, from the wild beasts, and from the power of temptation, thus teaching us what to do in the day of danger and trial.

Mark observes this circumstance of his being in the wilderness - that he was with the wild beasts. It was an instance of his Father's care of him, that he was preserved from being torn in pieces by the wild beasts, which encouraged him the more that his Father would provide for him when he was hungry. From Luk_4:2 we learn that in those days he did eat nothing. When Mark says, therefore, that the angels ministered to him, it means after the days of temptation had expired, as is said by Mat_4:11.

Special protections are earnests of seasonable supplies. It was likewise an intimation to him of the inhumanity of the men of that generation, whom he was to live among - no better than wild beasts in the wilderness, nay abundantly worse. In that wilderness, The evil spirits were busy with him; he was tempted of Satan; not by any inward injections (the prince of this world had nothing in him to fasten upon), but by outward solicitations. Thoughtfulness often gives advantages to the tempter, therefore two are better than one. Christ himself was tempted, not only to teach us, that it is no sin to be tempted, but to direct us whither to go for help when we are tempted, even to him,  our advocate, that suffered, being tempted; that he might sympathize with us when we are tempted.
 
From the moment of our positive resistance of temptation and positive standing up for the Lord, we acquire great helps and assistances by unseen powers.
 
There is a saying, “We can’t stop the birds from flying overhead, but we don’t have to let them nest.”
 
When temptations come, do you shoo them away with a “Thus saith the Lord”? or do you let them nest?
 
What are some of the temptations you have allowed to nest?
 
How hard afterward is it to shoo those temptations away once you have allowed them to nest?
 
 
Mark 1:14 MKJV  And after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God,
 
Now -- Estimated at six months to a year after his baptism, John was imprisoned by Herod, Mat_14:3. In the castle of Macherus, by Herod, for reproving him for taking his brother Philip's wife:
 
 
This commences the first subject of the Lord’s ministry, which occupies in Mark only six verses.
 
Galilee was the most northern and the most populous of the three provinces, into which the Romans had divided Palestine (The name Rome gave to Israel in the 2nd century. Judea was renamed Palaestina in an attempt to minimize Jewish identification with the land of Israel).
 
Jesus spent most of His time in the region of Galilee, usually only going up to Jerusalem for the appointed feasts. Galilee was a large, populated area north of Judea and Jerusalem, where Jews and Gentiles lived together, though usually in their own distinct cities.
 
Galilee was not a small, backwater region. According to the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, Galilee was an area of about 60 by 30 miles and had 204 villages, with none less than 15,000 people. This means there were more than 3 million people in the extended region.
 
Jesus came into Galilee. See Mat_4:12. Not from fear of Herod, but on account of the opposition of the Pharisees, and also to reach the Galilean masses who had been impressed by the preaching of John.
 
 
Preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God: the good news and glad tidings of the kingdom of the Messiah, or Gospel dispensation; which lies not in worldly pomp and splendour, in outward observances, in legal rites and ceremonies, but in righteousness, peace, and joy; in peace and pardon by the blood of Christ, in justification by his righteousness, and in free and full salvation by him.
 
In regards to John being imprisoned: The silencing of Christ's ministers shall not be the suppressing of Christ's gospel; if some be laid aside, others shall be raised up, perhaps mightier than they, to carry on the same work.
 
Have you suffered for standing up for what is right?

Do you know of others who have suffered as well? How does that affect you?

Are you carrying on the Lord’s work?
 
 
Mark 1:15 MKJV  and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent, and believe the gospel.
 
Jesus was a preacher, and He brought the message of God’s kingdom on earth, though not in the manner that was popularly expected or desired. Most people wanted a kingdom, but a political kingdom that would replace the oppressive occupation of the Romans.
 
Contrary to the expectations of most people in His day, Jesus brought a kingdom of love, not subjugation; of grace, not law; of humility, not pride; for all men, not only the Jews; to be received voluntarily by man, not imposed by force.
 
The Gospel of Mark - and the rest of this chapter - will stress the work of Jesus, and His wonderful miracles. But with this opening statement, Mark reminds us that the focus of Jesus’ ministry was preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. Jesus was a preacher who did wonderful miracles, not a miracle worker who sometimes preached.
 
Saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand”: When Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, He wanted people to know that it was near - as close as your hand. It wasn’t as distant or as dreamy as they had imagined. Now was the time for them to encounter the kingdom of God.
 
The time is fulfilled: There are two ancient Greek words that can be translated time. One is chronos, meaning simple chronological time. The other is kairos, which means “the strategic opportunity, the decisive time.” Jesus used this second word when He said, “the time is fulfilled.” His idea was, “The strategic time for the kingdom of God is now. Now is your time of opportunity. Don’t let it pass you by.”
 
Saying . . . “Repent”: When Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, He wanted people to know what entering that kingdom was like. They could not enter the kingdom going the same way they had been going. They had to change their direction to experience the kingdom of God.
 
Some people think that repentance is mostly about feelings, especially feeling sorry for your sin. It is wonderful to feel sorry about your sin, but repent isn’t a “feelings” word. It is an action word. Jesus told us to make a change of the mind, not merely to feel sorry for what we have done. Repentance speaks of a change of direction, not a sorrow in the heart.
 
Is repentance something we must do before we can come to God? Yes and no; repentance does not describe something we must do before we come to God, it describes what coming to God is like. If you are in New York, and I tell you to come to Los Angeles, I don’t really need to say “Leave New York and come to Los Angeles.” To come to Los Angeles is to leave New York, and if I haven’t left New York, I certainly haven’t come to Los Angeles. We can’t come to the kingdom of God unless we leave our sin and the self-life.

Saying . . . “Believe”: When Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, He wanted people to know what it was like to live in the kingdom. The kingdom Jesus preached was not just about a moral renewal. It was about trusting God, taking Him at His word, and living a relationship of dependence on Him.
 
The ancient Greek word Jesus used for believe (pisteuo) means much more than knowledge or agreement in the mind. It speaks of a relationship of trust and dependence.

“There are many people who believe the Gospel, but they do not believe in it. It was an appeal not only to accept it as an intellectually accurate statement; but to rest in it, to repose in it. It was a call to let the heart find ease in it.” (Morgan)
 
We must not think either that reforming our lives will save us without trusting in the righteousness and grace of Christ, or that trusting in Christ will save us without the reformation of our hearts and lives. Christ hath joined these two together, and let no man think to put them asunder. They will mutually assist and befriend each other.

Note, God keeps time; when the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, for the vision is for an appointed time, which will be punctually observed, though it tarry past our time.

Thus the preaching of the gospel began, and thus it continues; still the call is, Repent, and believe, and live a life of repentance and a life of faith.
 
Have you repented? Is it an active repentance or passive?
 
Have you been called to be part of the body of Christ? Have you responded to that call?
 
Do you preach the Kingdom of God like Jesus did?
 
Do you know what the Kingdom of God is?
 
 
 
Mark 1:16 MKJV  And walking along beside the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

 
Simon and Andrew -- Though natives of Bethsaida, they evidently settled in Capernaum, perhaps because larger and more favorable to their business.
 
Casting a net -- Our Lord called men who were not idlers. The Lord's invitations have been chiefly to those in the humbler walks of life. However able they were as men, they lacked the polish or education which people were accustomed to expect in religious teachers.  They were common men, without theological credentials or status in the world. Jesus met them as they labored like any common man. These disciples were chosen by Jesus not for who they were, but for what Jesus could do through them.
 
 
Passing by the sea of Galilee, Jesus finds two fishermen at their toil, and bids them follow Him. Both are men of decided and earnest character; one is to become the spokesman and leader of the Apostolic band, and the little which is recorded of the other indicates the same temperament, somewhat less developed. Our Lord now calls upon them to take a decided step. But here again we find traces of the same deliberate progression, the same absence of haste, as in His early preaching. He does not, as unthinking readers fancy, come upon two utter strangers, fascinate and arrest them in a moment, and sweep their lives into the vortex of His own. Andrew had already heard the Baptist proclaim the Lamb of God, had followed Jesus home, and had introduced his brother, to whom Jesus then gave the new name Cephas. Their faith had since been confirmed by miracles. The demands of our Lord may be trying, but they are never unreasonable, and the faith He claims is not a blind credulity. Joh_1:35 to Joh_4:54 describes their previous meeting.
 
Nor does He, even now, finally and entirely call them away from their occupation. Some time is still to elapse, and a sign, especially impressive to fishermen, the miraculous draught of fishes, is to burn into their minds a profound sense of their unworthiness, before the vocation now promised shall arrive. Then He will say, From henceforth ye shall catch men: now He says, I will prepare you for that future, I will make you to become fishers of men. So ungrounded is the suspicion of any confusion between the stories of the three steps by which they rose to their Apostleship.
 
When you spread the Good News, do you discriminate and avoid those who look more humble than you do?
 

Mark 1:17 MKJV
  And Jesus said to them, Come after Me and I will make you fishers of men.

And Jesus said unto them, come ye after me,.... Leave your worldly employments, and become my disciples. With this invitation, Jesus shows what Christianity is all about: following Jesus. At its root, Christianity is not about theological systems, rules, or even helping people - it is about following Jesus.
“Nevertheless it is true, by New Testament times, the phrase ‘to follow’ had added to itself an ethical aspect, for it is always the superior who walks ahead, and the inferior who follows: therefore, at the least, a rabbi-disciple relationship was implied.” (Cole)
 
I will make you become fishers of men: Jesus said He would make them fishers of men. If these men received something wonderful in following Jesus, it was only right - only good manners - for them to give it to others, and to “catch” men into the same kingdom of God. Jesus said, “I will make you become fishers of men.”
 
When Jesus called them to be fishers of men, He called them to do what He did. Was there ever a greater fisher of men than Jesus? But He wanted others to do the work He did. First these four, then twelve, then hundreds, then thousands and thousands upon thousands through the centuries.
Spiritual fishing, like natural fishing, requires energy, tact, proper bait, and that the fisherman keep himself out of sight. Fish are easily alarmed when they find that anyone wishes to take them.
 
Are you following Jesus?

Are you engaged in the spiritual fishing business?

 
Mark 1:18 MKJV  And immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
 
Our Lord now calls upon them to take a decided step. He does not, as unthinking readers fancy, come upon two utter strangers, fascinate and arrest them in a moment, and sweep their lives into the vortex of His own. Andrew had already heard the Baptist proclaim the Lamb of God, had followed Jesus home, and had introduced his brother, to whom Jesus then gave the new name Cephas. Their faith had since been confirmed by miracles. The demands of our Lord may be trying, but they are never unreasonable, and the faith He claims is not a blind credulity.
 
The RESPONSE TO THE CALL is deserving of our observation.
1. There was cheerful compliance. No objection, no hesitation, no condition, not even an inquiry; but willing, contented obedience to a summons felt to be authoritative and binding.
2. This compliance was immediate. So should all respond whom Christ invites to come after him. Not a moment should be lost in choosing a lot so honorable, so desirable, so happy.
3. It was self-sacrificing. They left their nets, their kindred, their occupation, readily giving up all in order that they might follow Jesus. It was a condition which the Master now and again imposed, to prove the sincerity of his people’s love, devotion, and zeal.
 
PRACTICAL LESSONS.
 
  1. Remember what is the vocation with which you are called. Let this be the acknowledged end you set before you—to be fishers of men.
 
2. For hearts of the gospel. Remember that Christ has called you and is calling you. The burden of his appeal is this—"Come ye after me!" And, when saved, seek that you may be the means of saving others.
 
3. For those who, hearing the voice of the Lord Christ, are disposed to obey his call. Bear in mind that he demands a complete surrender, that he will not be satisfied unless the heart is dedicated to him, unless, with the heart, all that we have is yielded to his service. You will, like the fishermen of Galilee, have something to give up in following Christ. Be prepared for this, and count the cost. But, for your own sake and for the sake of your salvation, let nothing hinder you from faith and consecration. "Count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord."
 
Is there something you have not left behind that interferes with your devotion to God?

Are you going to abandon it or let it come between you and your calling?
 
 
Mark 1:19 MKJV
  And when He going farther from there a little, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.

A little further on, He finds the two sons of Zebedee, and calls them also. John had almost certainly been the companion of Andrew when he followed Jesus home, and his brother had become the sharer of his hopes. And if there were any hesitation, the example of their comrades helped them to decide-- so soon, so inevitably does each disciple begin to be a fisher of other men-- and leaving their father, as we are gracefully told, not desolate, but with servants, they also follow Jesus.

Thus He asks, from each group, the sacrifice involved in following Him at an inconvenient time. The first are casting their nets and eager in their quest. The others are mending their nets, perhaps after some large draught had broken them. So Levi was sitting at the receipt of toll. Not one of the Twelve is recorded to have been called when idle.

Not yet are they told anything of thrones on which they are to sit and judge the tribes of Israel, or that their names shall be engraven on the foundations of the heavenly city besides being great on earth while the world stands. For them, the capture of men was less lucrative than that of fish, and less honorable, for they suffered the loss of all things and were made as the filth of the earth. To learn Christ’s art, to be made helpful in drawing souls to Him, following Jesus and catching men, this was enough to attract His first ministers; God grant that a time may never come when ministers for whom this is enough, shall fail. Where the spirit of self-devotion is absent how can the Spirit of Christ exist?
 
What were you doing when you heard the call from God?

Did you leave everything to follow the Lord, or are you still dragging if behind you?
 
 
Mark 1:20 MKJV
  And immediately He called them. And they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went after Him.

But what a surprising call must it have been to those men; how unlooked for; and yet how powerful: instantly to leave all their earthly concerns and connections to follow Jesus. Christian! it is still the same in every instance where the claims of nature would thwart the calls of grace. Painful to flesh and blood, as numberless circumstances are sometimes found, the plucking out an eye, or cutting off an arm, are needful to be done if they stand in the way of CHRIST, See that scripture, Luk_14:26-27.
 
The "spirit of a sound mind" is to govern the Lord's people in all of their affairs, both temporal and spiritual. The important thing decided at the moment and decided positively and permanently was that they accepted the Lord's invitation to enter the Father's service with him--fishing on a higher and grander scale, for men--gathering them into the Gospel net, with a view to their ultimate glorification as New Creatures in Christ and participants with him in the glory, honor, and immortality of his Kingdom soon to be established. Let us each remember the importance of a positive decision respecting our consecration to the Lord, our acceptance of service under him as our Master and Captain. Let us then as wisely as possible arrange life's affairs so as to be without carefulness respecting earthly things that we may the more readily and more completely give all of our time and energy to the most important of all works, the service of God, tidings of great joy for all people. 


However much we have heard of Jesus, however much we have rejoiced in the salvation which he died to secure for us, however much we have trusted in the merit of his sacrifice, we did not become his disciples until we had formally reached the point of giving our hearts, our lives, our wills to him--responding to his invitation, becoming followers of God as dear children under the guidance and instruction of our elder brother, Jesus. The opportunity does not come to all of us in just the same form that it presented itself to the four fishermen of our lesson, and yet there is a similarity. With many of us, as the Apostle explains, it is the Lord's will that we should abide in the vocation in which we were when the message of grace first reached us. (I Cor. 7:20-22.) Not all are called to an open, public ministry, devoting all of time, talent, effort and interest to the Gospel message. The majority of the called the Lord evidently intends to instruct as his disciples while they are about their ordinary business, the duties and responsibilities of life. With these, however, it is necessary that there be a forsaking of boats and fishing tackle, etc., in the heart from the moment that a full consecration is made to the Lord. We cannot serve God and Mammon. We cannot have two objects in life, both equally prominent to our attention. The Lord will not have it so with those who are to be his joint-heirs in the Kingdom. This class must appreciate the privilege of fellowship in his labor, sufferings and hopes of glory to such an extent that their hearts will no longer be in the ordinary affairs of life, their ambitions will no longer be for wealth or name or fame from the world's standpoint. All such ambitions and hopes we must "forsake" if we would be his disciples. He must be first, joint-heirship with him must be our ambition; otherwise our hearts would not be in a condition that would be pleasing to the Lord or that would not be single for his service; we would be of the kind described as double minded, unstable in all our works and ways. (`Jas. 1:8`.) Undoubtedly this is a difficulty with a large number of those who have named the name of Christ and professed consecration to him and his service. 

Are we wise with our time so that we can “give all our time and energy to the most important of all works”?

Have you forsaken all worldly ambitions?

Where is your heart?
 
Mark 1:21 MKJV  And they went into Capernaum. And immediately on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue and taught.

 
JESUS made Capernaum his home and the center of his work in Galilee for a considerable time. It will be remembered that it was here that the Roman centurion, whose servant Jesus healed, lived, of whom the Jews testified that he was a friend of their nation, and had built them a synagogue or house of worship and Bible study. (`Luke 7:5`.) Some ruins in that vicinity have recently been exhumed, which are supposed by scholars to be the remains of this synagogue, because they seem to be on the site of Capernaum, and represent the most substantial synagogue structure in all that region, the walls being ten feet thick, seventy-four feet nine inches long, and fifty-six feet nine inches wide, with a roof supported by four rows of columns.



Immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught: Typically, the synagogue had no set teachers; the custom of “the freedom of the synagogue,” where learned guests were invited to speak on the Scripture reading for that day gave Jesus the opportunity to preach.
 
As indicating our Lord's strict attention to the Father's business, we have the statement that "straightway," at once, on arriving at Capernaum from Nazareth, our Lord went into the synagogue (probably the one built by the centurion) and began his teaching. This reads peculiarly at the present day, when custom has completely barricaded every opportunity for free expression of opinion in almost all places devoted to worship. The Jewish arrangement was certainly a liberal one, and every way favorable to the truth, because whatever errors might creep in, the truth always had an opportunity for challenging them and exposing their weaknesses and referring to the divinely inspired oracles. Who can doubt that if we had just such simplicity or arrangements today, by which truth could challenge the various errors which have crept into all sectarian teaching, the result would be favorable--not favorable to sectarian systems, it is true, but favorable to the establishment of each individual in the truth, as presented in the divine oracles.

Do you have the freedom in your congregation to speak or question?
 
If you do, do you take advantage of that freedom to ask questions or make comments or participate?
 
If your fellowship does not allow such activities, will you be a voice for change? Or start a Bible study group where you can participate?
 
Mark 1:22 MKJV  And they were astonished at His doctrine. For He taught them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.
 
We are not told what Jesus taught, but we are told of the effect the teaching had on His audience. They were astonished. They had never heard anyone teach quite like this before.

For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes: The scribes of Jesus’ day rarely taught boldly. They would often simply quote a variety of Rabbis as interpreters. Jesus taught with boldness.

a. Jesus taught with authority because He really had authority. He brought a divine message, and was confident that it was from God. He wasn’t quoting from man, but from God.
b. Jesus taught with authority because He knew what He was talking about. You can’t teach with authority if you aren’t familiar with your material.
c. Jesus taught with authority because He believed what He taught. When you really believe what you teach, it comes through to your audience with authority.
 
The people who heard our Lord's discourse were astonished. (1) At the things which he taught, and (2) at the manner in which he presented them. He taught with authority, that is to say, our Lord had a clear understanding of the subjects he handled, and his presentations were not vague suppositions and imaginations, and foundationless hopes and speculations; but were clear-cut and distinct, and well proven by the testimonies of the Law and the Prophets, so that they were conclusive in the minds of his hearers, who hitherto had been used to hearing the scribes guess, wonder, suppose, etc. Since the Lord has not seen fit to provide us with even a condensed statement of his discourse, it implies that a full knowledge of it would not be specially advantageous to us. However, a hint or inference respecting a portion of the sermon is furnished in the statement that during its progress a man present, possessed by an unclean spirit, cried out--evidently opposing something Jesus had said, saying, "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us?"

The clear inference is that Jesus had been speaking against sin, and the power which it exercised over humanity, involving all in the death penalty, with its sickness and pain and trouble; and incidentally no doubt he had mentioned demoniacal possession, so common at that time--and more common today than most people suppose (unbelieving professionals attach other labels to the conditions). It is our guess that the gospel preached at Capernaum must have followed somewhat similar lines to the gospel preached at Nazareth, declaring the time at hand in which God would be pleased to receive back into harmony with himself those who had been alienated through sin, and who had thus been brought under the bondage of corruption.
Do you believe in the Authority of the Bible as the Word of God? (All of it Old and New Testaments)
 
Do you study your Bible? Or just read? Or does it collect dust?

 
Mark 1:23 MKJV
  And in their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,

In their synagogue -- The devil went to church then, as he not infrequently does now, and he was as opposed to having the truth preached then as he is now.
 
In describing the man who is demon possessed, Mark uses the same grammar Paul used to describe the Christian’s being “in Christ” (1Co_1:30). This unclean spirit was the evil “lord” of this poor man’s life. The similarity in the wording between the Christian having Jesus and this man having a demon demonstrates that He is in us, we are in Him. We are “Jesus possessed” in the right sense, because His filling and influence is only for good.
 
Even as Jesus can live in us, so one uninhabited by Jesus can be inhabited by a demon if the invitation is extended, either consciously or unconsciously. Exposure to things such as spiritism, astrology, occult practices and drugs are dangerous. They open doors to the demonic which are better left closed.
 
It was an unclean spirit: “The ruling spirit in the man was not only a devil, but an unclean devil. Satan sometimes cleans himself up, and comes out quite bright and shining, like an angel of light; but do not mistake him; he is still a devil, for all his pretended purity. There are glittering sins, and respectable sins, and these will ruin souls, but this poor man had a disreputable demon in him, a spirit of the foulest, coarsest, and most abominable order.” (Spurgeon)
 
I know who You are; the Holy One of God! The demon himself testifies that Jesus is holy and pure. The demons admit that their wilderness temptations failed to corrupt Jesus.
 
Who influences your actions? Jesus or Satan?

Are you in a situation where you are opening the doors to Satan?
 
Mark 1:24 MKJV  saying, What is to us and to You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know You, who You are, the Holy One of God.
 
Let us alone - Though only one impure spirit is mentioned as possessing this man, yet that spirit speaks also in the name of others. They were leagued together in the work of evil, and this one knew that if he was punished, others would also share the same fate.
 
The language of the evil spirit, speaking through the man as its mouthpiece, clearly implies that these fallen spirits had at least a general understanding of the time when their evil course would be run, and that they knew that the just wages of their sinful course is destruction --not eternal torment. They recognized Jesus and his mission and his holiness, and that he was the representative of the Heavenly Father, but they had no hope for themselves--no expectation other than that when the time should come they would be utterly destroyed, annihilated. From various Scriptures, however, we learn that these fallen angels, demons, wicked spirits, will not be destroyed without first being given an opportunity for repentance and reconciliation with God.

I know thee who thou art - Evil spirits seem to have been acquainted at once with the Messiah. They knew him in his preexistence as the Logos of God.

The Holy One of God - The Messiah. See Dan_9:24. Jesus is called “the Holy One of God” because:
1. Jesus was eminently pure.
2. Because Jesus was the Son of God,
3. Because Jesus was anointed (set apart) to the work of the Messiah, the mediator between God and man.


This happened in the synagogue, others were witness to this confession of the fallen angels of who Jesus was—Why was man so slow to accept Jesus as the Messiah?

Do you accept Jesus as the Messiah? What does that mean to you?

 
Mark 1:25 MKJV  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him.

Our Lord did not see fit to hold conversation with these spirit beings, who had fallen under the ban of divine condemnation, and with whom the Heavenly Father could no longer have communication. He did not, therefore, explain to them that his first advent was merely to pay the ransom price, and to start the gospel message which would select the "little flock" to be members of his "body" and joint-heirs with him in the Kingdom, that when complete and glorified should bless and judge the world (those living and all the way back to Adam) and judge the fallen angels also. (1 Cor. 6:3) And our Lord's course in having nothing whatever to do with these fallen spirits, but on the contrary commanding them to hold their peace, should be a lesson to every one of his followers, who should seek in this and in every other matter to walk in his steps. We have known some to get themselves into serious difficulties through curiosity--which led them either to spiritualistic seances or to privately have communication with these fallen ones. Their cunning and deceitfulness is far too deep for humanity, and he who seeks communion with them in any manner or degree does so in violation, not only of the Scriptural command (Lev. 20:6; Isa. 8:19), but in violation also of Jesus' example; and such run great risk of thus being entrapped and falling from their own steadfastness. The Apostle gives us to understand that even unwillingly and unwittingly we frequently wrestle, not with flesh and blood, but with these evil spirits, who inspire and use fallen fellow-creatures.--Eph. 6:12.
 
Jesus rebuked him: Jesus didn’t need to rely on hocus-pocus or ceremonies. He simply demonstrated the authority of God.
 
Be quiet: Jesus often told demons to shut up. Today, many self-styled deliverers from demon possession encourage the demons to speak, or even believe what the demons say. Jesus avoided such theatrics and merely delivered the afflicted man.
 
There were other exorcists in Jesus’ day. He was not the only one who tried to cast out demons. But there was a huge difference between Jesus and other exorcists. They used long, fancy, elaborate, superstitious ceremonies. They often failed. Jesus never failed to cast out a demon, and He never used an elaborate ceremony. Here was Jesus’ ceremony: “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
 
Lane describes an ancient account from Josephus about the work of an ancient exorcist named Eleazar, around the time of Jesus: “He put to the nose of the possessed man a ring which had under its seal one of the roots prescribed by Solomon, and then, as the man smelled it, drew out the demon through his nostrils, and, when the man at once fell down, adjured the demon never to come back into him, speaking Solomon’s name and reciting the incantations which he had composed. Then, wishing to convince the bystanders and prove to them that he had this power, Eleazar placed a cup or foot-basin full of water a little way off and commanded the demon, as it went out of the man, to overturn it and make known to the spectators that he had left the man.” “The people were accustomed to the use of magical formulae by the Jewish exorcists (Mat_12:27; Act_19:13), but here was something utterly different.” (Robertson)
 
What have you learned from this verse?

Have you heard ones say, “I’m going to beat up on the Devil”? What are your thoughts now on that kind of activity?
 
 
Mark 1:26 MKJV  And the unclean spirit, convulsing him, and crying with a loud voice, he came out of him.

 
And when the unclean spirit ... - Still malignant, though doomed to obey - submitting because he was obliged to, not because he chose - he exerted his last power, inflicted all the pain he could, and then bowed to the Son of God and came out.
This is the nature of an evil disposition. Though compelled to obey, though prevented by the command and providence of God from doing what it “would,” yet, in seeming to obey, it does all the ill it can, and makes even the appearance of obedience the occasion for increased crime and mischief.
 
A loud noise or voice - For he was forbidden to speak. Christ would neither suffer those evil spirits to speak in opposition, nor yet in favor of him. He needed not their testimony, nor would encourage it, lest any should infer that he acted in concert with them.
 
Seeing the power of these demons against those they torment, should give us some sympathy for the masses of humanity who are in bondage to Satan—but who in the Kingdom will be freed at last from the hold and deception of Satan—can you have sympathy on those who would mistreat you—understanding that in some cases it may literally be “the Devil making them do it”?

Do you see the danger of messing with the fallen angels? Even watching demonic or spiritist movies can open the door to letting down your guard against them—Do you watch these types of movies?
 
Mark 1:27 MKJV  They all were amazed, so as to question among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? For He even commands the unclean spirits with authority, and they obey Him.

As St. Paul refused to allow a young woman medium to proclaim him and Silas servants of God (Acts 16:16-18), so Jesus refused to allow this demon to give testimony respecting Himself--even though it was complimentary. He commanded the demon to come out of the man. In leaving the man the demon caused him great pain so that he cried aloud. The effect upon the congregation at the synagogue was amazement. Not only the teachings of Jesus captivated them, but also His power to deal with the evil spirits, corroborating His authority as a Teacher sent from God. His fame began to spread throughout all the region of Galilee.

Yet we do not read that any one was converted by this miracle. All were amazed, but wonder is not self-surrender. They were content to let their excitement die out, as every violent emotion must, without any change of life, any permanent devotion to the new Teacher and His doctrine.
 
 When you experience the power of God, how does it affect you?

Do you easily forget the awesomeness of our Lord and go about your daily business?
 
Mark 1:28 MKJV
  And immediately His fame went out into all the Galilean neighborhood.

(WEBA)  The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.
It raised his reputation among all that heard it; Immediately his fame spread abroad into the whole adjacent region of Galilee, which was a third part of the land of Canaan. The story was presently got into every one's mouth, and people wrote it to their friends all the country over, together with the remark made upon it, What new doctrine is this? So that it was universally concluded, that he was a Teacher come from God, and under that character he shone more bright than if he had appeared in all the external pomp and power which the Jews expected their Messiah to appear in; and thus he prepared his own way, now that John, who was his harbinger, was in prison; and the fame of this miracle spread the further, because as yet the Pharisees, who envied his fame, and labored to eclipse it, had not advanced their blasphemous suggestion, that he cast out devils by compact with the prince of the devils.
 
As the fame of Jesus increased, because of his miracles and teaching (Luke 4:14,15,33-37; 5:12-15,19,25,26; 7:16,17; 8:1-4; Matt. 4:23,24; 9:18,26,35; Mark 1:27,28; 3:20), the opposition to him became more and more pronounced, especially from the Chief Priests, Scribes and Pharisees, as they were brought into competition and unfavorable comparison with him as public teachers; and the indications were that all the people would be drawn after him, and that they would soon be left out of their official positions and the accompanying honors and emoluments. For such a change they were not in heart-readiness, although the prophet had foretold that "unto him [the Messiah] shall the gathering of the people be." (Gen. 49:10) They did not have the humble, unselfish spirit of John the Baptist, who meekly said, "There standeth one among you, whom ye know not: he it is who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose:...he must increase, but I must decrease."--John 1:26,27; 3:30.

Instead of manifesting such a spirit, they allowed pride, envy and malice to fill their hearts and actuate their conduct, and sought by every means in their power to obstruct and counteract the Lord's teaching. In this way they shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven against themselves and against all those into whom they infused the same evil spirit. (Matt. 23:13) 
 
When you have determined that something come from God, what do you do with it?

How do you determine that a doctrine come from God or not?
 
Mark 1:29 MKJV  And immediately after they had come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
 
Matthew tells us that on leaving the synagogue they entered into Peter’s house. Mark, with his peculiar sources of information, is aware that Andrew shared the house with his brother at Capernaum, where it seems they were now inhabitants, though their native place was Bethsaida, Joh_1:44,
 
Jesus came into this humble house in Capernaum, and met a sick woman there. Jesus didn’t only “perform for the crowds.” Here, He ministers to one person in a private home. Jesus’ interest was in meeting the needs of individuals not in promoting Himself, and He didn’t need to power of crowd dynamics to help His ministry.
 
It was a home with ordinary associations. There was nothing special or distinctive about it or about others which our Lord frequented, and in which he did some of his mightiest deeds and spoke some of his most weighty words. His presence gave sanctity to domestic associations from the time of his first miracle (Joh_2:2) to the hour when he made himself known in the home of Emmaus (Luk_24:29). We are not to sever ourselves from them—even Peter did not (Mar_1:30; 1Co_9:5)—but should rather seek to recognize and welcome Jesus amidst them. It is a happy thing when there is family peace and love such as seem to have prevailed in this home. A "wife’s mother" would occupy a difficult and delicate position, but such had been her wisdom and gentleness, her sympathy and constancy, that she had now the love of all, and therefore, directly Jesus entered the home, her illness and need of help prompted the urgent and united prayer he so gladly answered.
 
It was a home significant of higher fellowship. The Christian Church sprang rather from the homes of the people than from the temple at Jerusalem. If it had originated in the temple, sacramentalism would have found more justification than it does in the New Testament. But the temple was not frequented by the great Teacher to the extent we might have expected. His Church met in the homes of Capernaum and Bethany. The relations between his disciples were to be those of brothers and sisters, bound together, not by law, but by love. Let us, then, try to make the Church a home, and thence the voice of our gracious Master will speak with effectual power to a weary world, saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."—A.R.
 
Do you allow Jesus into your home?

In what ways can we allow Jesus into our home?
 
 
Mark 1:30 MKJV
  But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and at once they told Him about her.

sick of a fever- "A great fever", Luke says, Luk_4:38; a very violent one, which threatened with death, and must be very dangerous to an old person Evidently the casting out of the demon suggested to the minds of the disciples the power of our Lord to heal diseases.

It is recorded as an instance of Christ's peculiar care of, and kindness to, the families of his disciples. Here we find, (1.) That Peter had a wife, and yet was called to be an apostle of Christ; and Christ countenanced the marriage state, by being thus kind to his wife's relations. The church of Rome, therefore, which forbids ministers to marry, goes contrary to that apostle from whom they pretend to derive an infallibility. (2.) That Peter had a house, though Christ had not, Mat_8:20. Thus was the disciple better provided for than his Lord. (3.) That he had a house at Capernaum, though he was originally of Bethsaida; it is probably, he removed to Capernaum, when Christ removed thither, and made that his principal residence. Note, It is worthwhile to change our quarters, that we may be near to Christ, and have opportunities of converse with him. When the ark removes, Israel must remove and go after it. (4.) That he had his wife's mother with him in his family, which is an example to yoke-fellows to be kind to one another's relations as their own. Probably, this good woman was old, and yet was respected and taken care of, as old people ought to be, with all possible tenderness. (5.) That she lay ill of a fever. Neither the strength of youth, nor the weakness and coldness of age, will be a fence against diseases of this kind. The palsy was a chronical disease, the fever an acute disease, but both were brought to Christ.

Do you bring Christ to your family?

Do you bring him to your mother-in-law?
 
Mark 1:31 MKJV  And He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. And instantly the fever left her, and she served them.

In this healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus shows both simplicity and power. Jesus healed with the same authority that He cast out demons.

“Peter’s mother-in-law was suffering from what the Talmud called ‘a burning fever.’ It was, and still is, very prevalent in that particular part of Galilee. The Talmud actually lays down the methods of dealing with it. A knife made wholly of iron was tied by a braid of hair to a thorn bush. On successive days there was repeated, first, Exo_3:2-3; second Exo_3:4; and finally Exo_3:5. Then a certain magical formula was pronounced, and thus the cure was supposed to be achieved. Jesus completely disregarded all the paraphernalia of popular magic, and with a gesture and a word of unique authority and power, he healed the woman.” (Barclay)
 
And she served them: Peter’s mother-in-law responds the way we should when Jesus blesses us. She immediately served Jesus out of gratitude.
 
How many today, being released from spiritual fevers, arise to do vigorously the Lord's business?
 
How do you respond when the Lord works in your life?
 
 
 
Mark 1:32 MKJV  And at evening, when the sun set, they brought all those who were diseased to Him, and those who had been demon-possessed.

Mark 1:33 MKJV  And all the city had gathered at the door.

 
When the sun had set: Jesus is ministering after sundown, ending the Sabbath day (Mar_1:21). Freed from the Sabbath restrictions on travel and activity, the people come to Him freely to be healed. Then He healed many: It had been a busy day, and now Jesus ministers after nightfall to the whole city that had gathered together at the door. Jesus worked very hard to serve the needs of others, and always put their needs before His.
 
- Let us not seek for the loaves and fishes and physical healing, for after all these things do the Gentiles seek; but let us seek for spiritual health, strength and vigor.
 
How numerous the patients were; All the city was gathered at the door, as beggars for a handout. That one cure in the synagogue occasioned this crowding after him. Others speeding well with Christ should quicken us in our enquiries after him. Now the Sun of righteousness rises with healing under his wings; to him shall the gathering of the people be. Observe, How Christ was flocked after in a private house, as well as in the synagogue; wherever he is, there let his servants, his patients, be. And in the evening of the sabbath, when the public worship is over, we must continue our attendance upon Jesus Christ; he healed, as Paul preached, publicly, and from house to house.
 
Do those in our city know that we are the Lord’s?
 
In what ways can we “heal the broken hearted” and “afflicted” ?

Are we taking the opportunity to do so?
 
Mark 1:34 MKJV  And He healed many who were sick of different diseases, and cast out many demons. And He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
 
As Jesus drove out the demons, He suffered them not to speak because they knew Him. We cannot believe that His rejection of their impure testimony was wise and sensible only, whatever possibility there may have been of that charge of confederacy (or partnership) which was afterwards actually brought (Luke 11:18). Any help which might have come to Jesus from the lips of demons was shocking and revolting to our Lord. And this is a lesson for all religious and political supporters who stop short of doing evil themselves, but reject no advantage which the evil deeds of others may bestow. Not so cold and negative is the morality of Jesus. He regards as contamination whatever help fraud, suppressions of truth, injustice, by whomsoever wrought, can yield. He rejects them by an instinct of abhorrence, and not only because shame and dishonor have always befallen the purest cause which stooped to unholy alliances.
 
Jesus that day showed Himself powerful alike in the congregation, in the home, and in the streets, and over evil spirits and physical disease alike.
 
How powerful the Physician was; he healed all that were brought to him, though ever so many. Nor was it some one particular disease, that Christ set up for the cure of, but he healed those that were sick of divers diseases, for his word was a panpharmacon - a salve for every sore. And that miracle particularly which he wrought in the synagogue, he repeated in the house at night; for he cast out many devils, and suffered not the devils to speak, for he made them know who he was, and that silenced them. Or, He suffered them not to say that they knew him (so it may be read); he would not permit any more of them to say, as they did (Mar. 1:24), I know thee, who thou art.
 
Do you stop short of doing evil yourself, but have no real problem with another doing it for you? Do you think it makes a difference?

Has anyone of questionable character put a good word in for you? How did it make you feel?
 
Mark 1:35 MKJV  And rising up quite early in the night, He went out and went away into a deserted place, and He was praying there.

Now in the morning: After such a long day as the day before, would we not excuse Jesus for “sleeping in”? Yet He, having risen a long while before daylight, made less time for sleep and more time for prayer.
 
“Look no man in the face till thou hast seen the face of God. Speak thou with none till thou hast had speech with the Most High.” (Spurgeon)

b. He prayed: Jesus did not need to pray because He was weak, but because He was strong, and the source of His strength was His relationship with God His Father. Jesus knew that pressure and busyness should drive us towards prayer, not from prayer.

What did Jesus pray for? As much as anything, Jesus used this time of prayer for that close, intimate communion with his heavenly Father that He longed for, which nourished and strengthened his soul. We can also surmise that Jesus prayed for himself. He prayed for his disciples. He prayed for those he met and ministered to the previous night. He prayed for those he would meet and minister to that coming day.
 
A solitary place: Jesus knew the importance of solitary time with God. While it is good and important for us to join with others in the presence of God, there is much in our Christian life that can only be learned and experienced in a solitary place with God.
 
  1. This is more than “I pray all the time” kind of prayer. It is a wonderful thing to commune with God all through the day, and to constantly shoot up prayers to heaven. But don’t you think Jesus did that also? Yet He still thought it was vital to take time out for prayer in a solitary place.
 
b. “Woe unto that man whose devotion is observed by everybody, and who never offers a secret supplication. Secret prayer is the secret of prayer, the soul of prayer, the seal of prayer, the strength of prayer. If you do not pray alone, you do not pray at all. I care not whether you pray in the street, or in the church, or in the barrack-room, or in the cathedral; but your heart must speak with God in secret, or you have not prayed.” (Spurgeon)
 
c. “There is in public and private prayer a more united strength and interest, but in secret prayer an advantage for more free and full communication of our souls unto God. Christ for this chooseth the morning, as the time freest from distractions and company; and a solitary place, as fittest for a secret duty.” (Poole)
 
This passage shows us many things about the prayer life of Jesus.
• For Jesus, fellowship with God was something for more than just the Sabbath.
• Jesus wanted to be alone to pray.
• Jesus wanted to be alone so He could pour out His heart to His Father.
 
 
1. The time when Christ prayed. (1.) It was in the morning, the morning after the sabbath day. Note, When a sabbath day is over and past, we must not think that we may suspend our devotion till the next sabbath: no, though we go not to the synagogue, we must go to the throne of grace, every day in the week; and the morning after the sabbath particularly, that we may preserve the good impressions of the day. This morning was the morning of the first day of the week, which afterward he sanctified, and made remarkable, by another sort of rising early. (2.) It was early, a great while before day. When others were asleep in their beds, he was praying, as a genuine Son of David, who seeks God early, and directs his prayer in the morning; nay, and at midnight will rise to give thanks. When our spirits are most fresh and lively, then we should take time for devout exercises. He that is the first and best, ought to have the first and best.

2. The place where he prayed; He departed into a solitary place, either out of town, or some remote garden or out-building. Though he was in no danger of distraction, or of temptation to vain-glory, yet he retired, to set us an example to his own rule, When thou prayest enter into thy closet. Secret prayer must be made secretly. Those that have the most business in public, and of the best kind, must sometimes be alone with God; must retire into solitude, there to converse with God, and keep up communion with him.

When do you spend alone time with God?

Is private prayer a part of your daily routine?
 
Mark 1:36 MKJV  And Simon, and those with him, searched for Him.

“Simon and his friends almost hunted for Him.”
This is early in Jesus’ relationship with His disciples. As they got to know Him, they learned that whenever they could not find Him, He was probably off in solitary prayer.
 
Do you know where to find the Lord?

Do you go looking for him?
 
 
Mark 1:37 MKJV
  And finding Him, they said to Him, All are seeking You.

What the disciples said in their wondering delight shall one day be literally true. All men will be in search of the Saviour of the world. In the first instance, the Saviour sought all men, and in the second all men will seek the Saviour.
 
Everyone is looking for You: The disciples probably thought Jesus would be pleased at His popularity, and would want to spend more time with the crowd He had just gathered and impressed the day before.
When people seek Christ, what are they looking for? The loaves and fishes? Miracles, cures?
When you seek Christ, what are you looking for?

 
Mark 1:38 MKJV  And He said to them, Let us go into the next towns so that I may proclaim there also. For that reason I came forth.
 
Jesus did not stay in that town and “ride” the crest of His popularity there. He knew His ministry was to preach all across Galilee, His ministry was not being famous or enjoying the fame. The clear emphasis on Jesus’ ministry is preaching: for this purpose I have come forth. Though the healing and miraculous ministry of Jesus was impressive and a glorious blessing, it was never His emphasis or mission.

We read of Christ’s preaching often in the synagogues, on the mountain, in a ship; of his public praying we read not, though of his private and secret prayer often. We read expressly that he baptized none.” (Poole)

Jesus Christ preached, and He called His servants to the same work. Preaching can never fail to be one of the mightiest instruments in stirring the human mind and in moulding human society. Individual preaching may become feeble; even distinguished ministers may cool in the enthusiasm with which they undertook their great work; but preaching as instituted by Jesus Christ, exemplified in His own ministry, can never cease to be one of the most effective agencies in human education and progress.
 
 
Is your mission or emphasis in Christ humanitarian or preaching the Word?
 
  
Mark 1:39 MKJV  And He proclaimed in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons.

 
And he preached - He continued preaching - Ην κηρυσσων: this is the proper meaning of the words: he never slackened his pace - he continued proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation to all - there was no time to be lost - people were perishing for lack of knowledge (Hos. 4:6); and the grand adversary was prowling about, seeking whom he might devour (1 Pet. 5:8). This zealous, affectionate, and persevering diligence of Christ should be copied by all his servants in the ministry; it is not less necessary now than it was then. Thousands, thousands of Christians, so called, are perishing for lack of knowledge. O God, send forth more and more faithful laborers into thy vineyard!—Luke 10:2

Observe, Christ had still an eye to the end wherefore he came forth, and closely pursued that; nor will he be drawn by importunity, or the persuasions of his friends, to decline from that; for (Mar_1:39) he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and, to illustrate and confirm his doctrine, he cast out devils. Note, Christ's doctrine is Satan's destruction.

Are you on the same mission as Christ?

What is your mission?
 
 
Mark 1:40 MKJV  And a leper came to Him, begging Him and kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, If You will, You can make me clean.
 
A leper came to Him: Leprosy was one of the horrific diseases of the ancient world. Today, leprosy afflicts 15 million across the world, mostly in third world nations.

a. It begins as small, red spots on the skin. Before too long the spots get bigger, and start to turn white, with sort of a shiny, or scaly appearance. Pretty soon the spots spread over your whole body and your hair begins to fall out - first from your head, then even from your eyebrows. As things get worse, your finger nails and toenails get sort of loose; they start to rot and eventually fall off. Then the joints of your fingers and toes begin to rot, and they start to fall off, piece by piece. Your gums start shrinking, and they can’t hold your teeth anymore, so you lose each of them. It keeps eating away at your face until literally your nose, your palate, and even your eyes rot - and you waste away until you die.

b. As horrible as the physical suffering was, the worst part of having leprosy might have been the way people treated you. In the Old Testament, God said that when there were lepers among the people of Israel, they should be carefully quarantined and examined (Leviticus 13-14). Lepers had to dress like people who were in mourning for the dead, because they were considered to be the living dead. They had to warn the people around them by crying out, “Unclean! Unclean!” whenever people were near them. This really wasn’t because leprosy is highly contagious; it isn’t. It is because God used this disease as a striking example of sin and its effects on us.

c. But the people of Jesus day went further than the Old Testament told them to. Back then, they thought two things about a leper: you are the walking dead and you deserve this because this is the punishment of God against you. Jewish custom said that you should not even greet a leper. Custom said you had to stay six feet from a leper. One Rabbi bragged that he would not even buy an egg on a street where he saw a leper, and another boasted that he threw rocks at lepers to keep them far from him. Rabbis didn’t even allow a leper to wash his face.
 
Knowing how terrible the disease was, it does not surprise us that the leper was so desperate before Jesus. The leper really believed in the power of Jesus, and had confidence that Jesus could heal him. The leper had no doubt about Jesus’ power. This shows great faith and great awareness because as far as we know, Jesus hadn’t healed a leper yet in His ministry. He kneeled and inclined his face to the ground, in token of deep humiliation and earnest entreaty.
 
 
You can make me clean: The leper knew what he needed from Jesus. He didn’t ask to be healed, but cleansed; the man needed much more than healing.
  1. Whatever you think you need from God, what you most need from Jesus is cleansing - to be cleansed from sin and the life lived for one’s self.
 
Have you asked for Jesus to cleanse you today?
 
Mark 1:41 MKJV  And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I will; be clean!

Jesus, moved with compassion: We are often moved with compassion when we meet sick people, but lepers usually did not arouse compassion. Their whole appearance was too repulsive, and they usually made people feel disgust instead of compassion.
a. Luke says this man was full of leprosy (Luk_5:12), meaning that the disease was in the advanced stages. This man’s whole body and life was rotting, and Jesus changed him.
 
Put out His hand and touched him: Jesus healed many people many different ways, but here He chose to heal this man with a touch. He could have spoken a word or even just thought a thought and the man would have been healed, but Jesus used a touch.
 
  1. Why was a touch so important? Because people were forbidden to touch this man on account of his leprosy. Since his disease was in the advanced stages, he had been a leper a long time, it was a long time since he had felt a loving touch.
 
  1. “In the antiseptic cleanliness of modern hospitals we lose sight of the wonder of the pure Christ stooping to touch the odiosus peccator, the ‘stinking sinner’, to use the strong term beloved by our forefathers.” (Cole)
 
 
d. It was against Jewish ceremonial law to touch a leper. Yet Jesus did not break that law, because as soon as He touched the man, he was no longer a leper!
 
His prayer was answered, not because he was one of Jesus' disciples, nor because he promised to become one of them, but because of his exercise of faith, and in order to make of his case a testimony to the priests that Jesus exercised a power divine.
 
Do you have the faith of this leper?
 
Do you believe that Jesus will make you clean?
 
 
Mark 1:42 MKJV  And He having spoken, the leprosy instantly departed from him and he was cleansed.

 
The charm of this delightful incident is the manner in which our Lord grants the impassioned prayer. We might have expected a shudder, a natural recoil from the loathsome spectacle, and then a wonder-working word. But misery which He could relieve did not repel Jesus; it attracted Him. His impulse was to approach. He not only answered "I will," -- and deep is the will to remove all anguish in the wonderful heart of Jesus, -- but He stretched forth an unshrinking hand, and touched that death in life. It is a parable of all His course, this laying of a clean hand on the sin of the world to cleanse it. At His touch, how was the morbid frame thrilled with delightful pulses of suddenly renovated health. And how was the despairing, joyless heart, incredulous of any real will to help him, soothed and healed by the pure delight of being loved.
 
This is the true lesson of the narrative. St. Mark treats the miraculous cure much more lightly than the tender compassion and the swift movement to relieve suffering. And he is right. The warm and generous nature revealed by this fine narrative is what, as we have seen, most impresses the doubter, and ought most to comfort the Church.
 
The touch of a leper made a Jew unclean. And there is a surprising theory, that when Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, it was because the leper had disobediently published what implied His ceremonial defilement. As if our Lord were one to violate the law by stealth.
 
But is it very remarkable that Christ, Who was born under the law, never betrayed any anxiety about cleanness. The law of impurity was in fact an expression of human frailty. Sin spreads corruption far more easily than virtue diffuses purity. The touch of goodness fails to reproduce goodness. And the prophet Haggai has laid stress upon this contrast, that bread or pottage or wine or oil or any meat will not become holy at the touch of one who bears holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, but if one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, it shall be unclean (Hag_2:12-13). Our hearts know full well how true to nature is the ordinance.
 
But Christ brought among us a virtue more contagious than our vices are, being not only a living soul, but a life-imparting Spirit. And thus He lays His hand upon this leper, upon the bier at Nain, upon the corpse of the daughter of Jairus, and as fire is kindled at the touch of fire, so instead of pollution to Him, the pureness of healthful life is imparted to the defiling and defiled.

And His followers also are to possess a religion that is vitalizing, to be the light of the world, and the salt of the earth.
 
What lessons can we glean from this encounter?
 
How can we apply them to our daily lives?
 
 
Mark 1:43 MKJV  And He strictly charged him and immediately sent him away,

Mark 1:44 MKJV  and He said to him, See that you say nothing to anyone. But go and show yourself to the priest, and offer those things which Moses commanded for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.

 
Show yourself to the priest: Jesus told the former leper go to the priests to carry out the ceremony the law required when a leper was cleansed. Jesus did this first to honor the law of God, but also as a testimony to the priests that an incurable disease had been cured.
 
  1. The elements used in the Levitical ceremony for the cleansing of a leper (cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet) are the same elements used in cleansing someone who has been defiled by a dead body (Num_19:6; Num_19:13; Num_19:18 and Lev_14:4-7).
 
  1. This also shows why David said purge me with hyssop in his great Psalm of repentance (Psalms 51); he saw himself as a spiritual leper, needing cleansing.
 
  1. Since lepers were never healed, these priests had never conducted this ceremony. When they had to look up in Leviticus the procedure for this ceremony, and had to carry it out for the first time, it would be a strong witness that the Messiah was among them.
 
It was of importance that “the priest” should pronounce it to be a genuine cure, that there might be no cavils among the Jews against its being a real miracle. For a testimony unto them - Not to the priest, but to the people, that they may have evidence that it is a real cure. The testimony of the priest on the subject would be decisive.
 
 
Mark 1:45 MKJV  But going out, he began to proclaim it very much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was outside in deserted places. And they came to Him from every quarter.

 
Say nothing to anyone . . . But he went out and began to proclaim it freely: The former leper shows a “well-intentioned disobedience” to Jesus. “Yes, I know Jesus told me not to tell anyone, but what could be wrong with doing it?”
i. The man may have meant well, and might have thought he was helping Jesus, but his disobedience hindered the ministry of Jesus: Jesus could no longer openly enter the city. It’s best to always just obey Jesus, and we should never think that we have a better plan than He does.
 
If we are thus to further His cause, we must not only be zealous but obedient. Jesus strictly charged the leper not to fan the flame of an excitement which already impeded His work. But there was an invaluable service which he might render: the formal registration of his cure, the securing its official recognition by the priests, and their consent to offer the commanded sacrifices. In many a subsequent controversy, that "testimony unto them" might have been embarrassing indeed. But the leper lost his opportunity, and put them upon their guard. And as through his impulsive clamor Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but even in desert places was beset by excited crowds, so is He deprived today of many a tranquil ministration and lowly service, by the zeal which despises order and quiet methods, by the undisciplined and ill-judged demonstrations of men and women whom He has blessed.
 
Began to publish it much - That is, he made known his own cure. He was so deeply affected with it, and so much rejoiced, that he followed the natural dictates of his own feelings rather than the command of the Saviour.
 
Do we strive to be obedient to the commands of our Lord?

Or do we allow our emotions to dictate our actions?
 
 
 
Commentaries used: Guzik, Gill, Clarke, Barnes, Henry, Russell, Expositor’s Bible and more
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.