Mark 1:21-22 - Teaching With Authority

Mark 1:21-22
21 They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Message: Teaching With Authority

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

I have already discovered that Jesus didn't stay in Judea because of Herod. John the Baptist had been taken into prison by Herod. So instead, Jesus headed up north, near and beyond the Sea of Galilee, and here he is at Capernaum. Capernaum was located on the main trade route between Damascus and the Mediterranean coastal plain. Jesus could teach local Jews as well as those passing through on their way elsewhere.

In the synagogue, the scribes were experts in the Old Testament law and held high honor in the synagogues and sat in the prestigious seats. The scribes cites opinions from various rabbis, appealing not on their own authority but the authority of others.

Mark, as I have seen, is brief in his summation of what Jesus is doing. He doesn't record the words of Jesus, but so far, his deeds. Here, he emphasizes that Jesus, upon entering Capernaum immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. He arrived to the synagogue on the most popular day. He didn't walk in to listen, but went in to teach. And they were amazed at His teaching. It is interesting that Mark focuses on what Jesus did and the people's response and what was said is not mentioned.

For He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Again, I think Mark wants the reader to think about the impression that must have been felt by those there. Jesus taught as one having authority, thus he taught as a rabbi. He didn't simply re-tell what someone else said. Jesus was very different from the others.

Promise: Jesus was not merely a teacher, re-telling what others had said. He brought a message of authority. His Words are truth itself; he spoke with divine authority.

Prayer: Lord, again, I thank you for the words of Mark that speak of your deeds, and continue to share about you and your work here on earth. Thank you for Mark's approach. Thank you for the brilliance of your message and your authority. Help me, as your child, to always take your words seriously and heed them. I don't simply want to be knowledgeable of you, but I want my life to reflect your words.

Mark 1:16-20 - Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Mark 1:16-20
16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

Message: Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mark begins with the fulfillment of prophecy and John preparing the way of the Lord. John proclaimed repentance, forgiveness of sin, and baptism. Jesus would come though and baptize with the Holy Spirit. At Jesus' baptism is the union of Jesus, the Spirit, and the Father. Jesus is tempted for 40 days by Satan, but he is not alone; the Spirit ministers to him. Jesus message is the gospel of God - repent and believe. And now he introduces the next step - following Him with the purpose of becoming fishers of men.

Life to me is always about being together, about community, about fellowship. I think the world often thinks we need to be independent and is focused on protecting individual freedoms and rights. Here, Jesus is not setting out to minister on his own. He is calling disciples to come alongside. He knows he is not alone as the Spirit is ministering to him in the wilderness, the Father expressing to him at the baptism he is beloved -- it is clear that our faith is about being together.

Here, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting nets and John and James mending nets. To each pair he called them to come follow him. Thus far, Mark has been brief in his descriptions so I would guess this one is brief as well. It's hard to fathom that it was a simple request and response that occurred here. It makes a little more sense that there might have been some discussion. The outcome was the same, they left and followed. They left probably their business as fishermen, providing a staple food at this time, so what they did was in high demand. And it is hard to think they really understood what the future held. I tend to also think that the gospel message is something they had already heard because following is our response to repenting and believing in Jesus. And our desire to follow is stronger because we have repented and believed.

I think too often the message on earth is simply to believe. And what is lost is the bookend of that belief - to repent and then to follow. Mark shows that James and his brother John left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants. I don't know if the father was working or just there, if the father was older or younger and able to lead the charge still. What we do know is two brothers left to follow Jesus. Perhaps the father encouraged them. That is a possibility but what is key is that they followed.

At this point, I am also thinking about that Jesus is asking them to become fishers of men. Jesus will be preaching the gospel and many will follow, but disciples will be fishers of men. Some commentators think there are distinctive roles. Rather than being full-time laborers, like fishermen, these men are now going to follow Jesus and see what that is about. I imagine they are not really sure, but Jesus is someone they want to know more.

Promise: The disciple was necessary in Jesus' ministry life. He knew his time was short and he wanted men with him to learn from him so that they could pass on what he taught them.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this message. I must admit, I struggle a little now in understanding all of its ramifications and what it means, but that is fine. I am following you, like these disciples and I am waiting to discover all that you want to teach me through that process. As I follow you, help me to continue to preach the message of the gospel in my life, calling people to repentance and to believe. Give me your strength each day and remind me that my life is not just about me, but its about others and having life together.

Mark 1:14-15 - Jesus Preaches the Gospel

Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Message: Jesus Preaches the Gospel

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Well, Mark is progressing, rather quickly. His accounts so far are rather brief, starting with John - the preparing the way for the One coming (v.7), Jesus' baptism (v.9), Jesus being tempted by Satan (v. 13) in the wilderness and now -- Jesus is preaching the gospel of God. Interesting because verse 1 it says, "the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ." now Jesus says he is preaching the gospel of God (v.14). Is there a difference or are they the same? - the gospel of Jesus and the gospel of God. Mark begins with Jesus at age 30. John said it was a baptism of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. 

Verse 14 - "Now after John had been taken into custody." Herod imprisoned John. That is kind of startling. Is preparing the way over?

"Jesus came into Galilee." Thus far, Jesus has left Nazareth, where he had grown up, and then gone to Judea and is now heading into the retired country of Galilee. Obviously, John's conviction must have occurred in Judea, so he was on his way out. But the region he headed were populous areas, full of activity. He is preaching the gospel of God. This is his mission - to preach the gospel of God -- the good news. In thinking about the message of faith from God up to this point, for me, it seems like a message of repentance for forgiveness, for belief in the Gospel. We clearly need good news, so each of us, me, can begin a new life, believing, repenting, being baptized, and going forward.

"The time is fulfilled." This moment is not by accident, but on purpose. The time of the appearance of the Messiah has been prophesied thousands of years and Jesus now concludes that prophecy by stating that it has been fulfilled. Time of preparation is complete. Again John is in custody so preparation is no more. Jesus is here. 

"And the kingdom of God is at hand." This is it. All that God has wanted in history is to be with his people, to walk with them, and to be in right relationship with them. God has so much to provide and he is simply looking for people repent and believe.

"Repent and believe in the gospel." Thus, here is our response. Repentance is turning from our sin. It is an about face to go in the opposite way of that sin. If sin is lying it is going in the opposite way and instead always desiring truth from our tongue. Wherever you are headed in life, turn to God; believe in the gospel or believe in the good news. What is this good news? We must keep reading. one thing we know is it is turning from sin. John mentioned it is forgiveness of sins. What is clear is repentance and forgiveness of sins (v. 4). Thus, there is already faith or believe that is being asked. What is clear is that our current paths, our man-made roads and not the way and we must repent.

Often, this is what people are doing in life - seeking all the answers first, then they will change. But, the Lord is asking us to change first and then the answers will come.

Promise: The gospel is not a message that "you can have your best life now" or that "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." The gospel is Jesus Christ - repent and believe and follow him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Mark and thank you for the simplicity of the Gospel. Thank you for a new day and to begin again. I turn from my sin, from my paths, from my understanding and I believe in you now. I believe in you. Bring repentance to people everywhere. I think of Derek outside of London, Lord, and his ambition to have every question answered first, Lord, show him that it's about believing, it's about repenting first, giving up his direction and turning to You. Help him and people to trust in this path. Thank you for working and living in me.

Mark 1:12-13 - Tempted in the Wilderness

Mark 1:12-13
12 Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness.13 And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.

Message: Tempted in the Wilderness

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Immediately after being baptized the Spirit impelled or drove Him to go out in the wilderness. It wasn't that Jesus didn't want to go there, but he was led by the Spirit. This expresses to me the work of the Spirit not only in Jesus' life, but also in my life. Mark uses a stronger word than Matthew and Luke. But, the idea is the Spirit led Him. I think it could probably be described many times in my own life that the Spirit has led me. In the mall there were times when the Spirit did indeed led my friend and to specific people. As I looked previously in verse 8 about being baptized by the Spirit, I saw that the Spirit convicts people of sin, enlightens and teaches, comforts in the absence of Jesus, and changes hearts. The Spirit is present in my life. As I train myself daily for Godliness (I Timothy 4:7), the Spirit leads me and directs me to paths I need to take.

Here, Jesus is taken into the wilderness And He was in the wilderness for forty days being tempted by Satan. 

• Israel was tempted for 40 years in the same wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:1-2)
• Moses, the representative of Israel, spent 40 days on Mount Sinai at a critical point in his ministry (Exodus 24:15-18)
• Elijah, a representative old covenant prophet, stayed 40 days in the wilderness (I Kings 19:1-8)

Thus, Jesus' time in the wilderness, 40 days, is a parallel to the history of Israel.

Jesus was tempted by Satan. It is interesting that Mark is brief in his description of this temptation. Matthew gives us much more detail. While Mark is brief, he must have been intentional. He mentions that Jesus was with the wild beasts and the angels were ministering to him. Thus, it was Satan tempting with wild beasts and the angels were present. It could be that he had left Nazareth for the first time when he came to be baptized and now he was being tempted with wild beasts. He was in an unfamiliar place. His senses were being assaulted from every dimension. Yet, he was not alone. God provided angels to minister to him.

These verses, in a simple manner, are a reminder that even in the midst of temptation, God is there and we don't go it alone. We have help. There is a temptation to provide all of the details of the other gospels, but I somewhat want to understand Mark's telling, almost as if I don't have the other descriptions from the other gospels. Just looking at this from Mark, the Spirit led, Satan tempted, the angels ministered. To me, it is a great reminder that despite the temptations and wild beasts, the angels ministered to Jesus. It could have been that the temptation period lasted for a period, with wild beasts present, and afterwards, recovery occurred by the angels ministering to him.

Promise: In this description there is no mention of sin. There is no mention of failure. The specifics, maybe are not necessary. It was clearly difficult, but I think Mark wants to show that Jesus is not alone. He is led and the angels minister to him. God provides everything he needed in this difficult circumstance.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the brief description that Mark provides that actually still has an abundance of information. You Lord are present. You provide me what I need in difficult circumstances as you provided Jesus' what he needs. Remind me more of this. Always remind me that I am not alone through life's difficulties. Please remind my children of this as well. More and more I hear of people needing substances, such as drugs of different types, to deal with the anxieties present in this world. But, Lord you are there. Help them to surrender to you, and may the Spirit of God be present in their lives and the angels be active in ministering to them, helping them stay afoot.

Mark 1:9-11 - Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan

Mark 1:9-11
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Message: Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Thus far, the first 8 verses has been about John, his message and ministry, leading up to Jesus. Now, here is the first visibility of Jesus in Mark's Gospel. John prepared the way, even baptizing some, but now Jesus comes to be baptized by John. If Mark preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, then why did Jesus need to be baptized when the idea of him being sinless is central to His purpose and history? John called people to be baptized and Jesus was simply being obedient to that which every other person was called to do. Jesus was different, but he also wanted to identify with His people and be the same. Thus, he is not being baptized for repentance for the remission of sins, but with the baptism of consecration to the work that lay before him.

This baptism occurred in AD 28, as Jesus was 30 years of age, coming from Nazareth, a town of about 3,000 population. This is where Jesus had lived for the past 30 years and now he was embarking on his ministry. I believe the phrase coming out of the water means that his baptism was by immersion, but other gospels are less clear. I think the act of baptism is what is important, not the form, so sprinkle and immersion don't really matter to me, but to me the immersion provides a better picture of the transformation that happens in the believer' life. I always heard these words when someone was being baptized, "Buried with Christ, raised to walk in newness of life." I even heard a pastor say that we don't immerse a person and then hold them under and send them to glory - as we could, but we are meant to be raised to walk a life in yielded service to our Savior and Lord. Mark's account does not clearly denote prayer having occurred at the baptism. Following baptism, as he came up out of the water He saw and I believe John seeing from above the heavens opening. With Jesus there was a special view into heaven, beyond what the natural vision could see. So Jesus' baptism was different for sure. 

The Spirit like a dove descending upon Him. To me, the Spirit is coming from heaven, flying down as a dove to fall upon him, thus commissioning and ordaining him for his ministry.

A voice came out of the heavens, thus heard by all. God speaks forth the title gave to Jesus, You are my beloved Son. It expresses the nearness of God to Jesus. His obedience is recognized by in You I am well-pleased which implies not just a momentary pleasing, but constantly being well pleased of Him.

The baptism of Jesus shows three persons in divine nature:

1. The person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, baptized in Jordan
2. The Holy Spirit descending in a form upon the Savior.
3. The Father, addressing the Son, and declaring that he was well pleased with him. 

Promise: As Jesus begins his life of ministry, so my life in Christ began with being baptized in the 1983, after trusting in Christ in the summer of 1982. My only regret of this was not alerting my mom of the baptism (one of many regrets I have that often include my mom, unfortunately).

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for commissioning Jesus and reminding me of the important of obedience and following you. Thank you for the unity of Spirit, Jesus, and the Father. Continue to bring meaning to the message of Jesus and his life.

Mark 1:7-8 - The Forerunner's Message

Mark 1:7-8
7 And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Message: The Forerunner's Message

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Mark's Gospel begins with the address that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist will prepare the way for the Lord. John was dressed as a prophet and started with the subject of water baptism, confessing sin, and forgiveness. His purpose in speaking was not to elevate himself, but instead to elevate the One who is coming. 

The One Coming
He begins to describe the One who is coming after him. He says he is mightier - in nature, in his office, in mission, in works, in deeds and in words. Mark speaks of the magnitude of this man by stating how unworthy he is to even untie his sandals. To stoop down and loosen the sandals was commonly the act of the servant who afterwards carried them. In essence, John is saying that he is not even worthy to be this man's servant. Mark I believe wants us to understand the greatness of this One coming. He has been baptizing people, but this One will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Again, he is so much more. 

The Holy Spirit
I picked up a book recently by Francis Chan called Forgotten God. It is about the Holy Spirit and his concern that the church today and Christians today, at least in the circles he is involved in, don't have a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit. And as I look at this verse from Mark, I wonder the same thing as he points out the baptism or the picture of renewal is brought forth by the Holy Spirit. 

These verses speak of the significance of the pouring out of the Spirit: 

• Isaiah 44:3 - I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants; 

• Joel 2:28 - It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; 

• Acts 1:5 - for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now; 

• Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit;  

• Acts 2:17 - ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind;  

• Acts 10:45  - All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also;  

• I Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit

1. The Spirit of God is promised by the Savior to convict the world of sin: John 16:8 - And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. 
2. The Spirit of God will enlighten or teach: John 14:26 - But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 16:13 - But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
3. He will comfort in the absence of the Savior: John 14:18: I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 16:7 - But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
4. He will change hearts: Titus 3:5 - He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Promise: That John in the wilderness foresaw the Spirit coming again also points to Jesus as the leader of a new exodus, one that will accomplish an even greater work of salvation on behalf of His chosen servants. 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the way in which you orchestrated the coming of Your Son and the sending forth of Your Spirit. Help me Lord to further embrace and understand the work of the Spirit in my life. Thank you that the Spirit works continually, convicting the world of sin, enlightening and teaching, comforting, and changing hearts, my heart. Thank you for being active and that you aren't waiting on me to be receptive. But, help me to acknowledge and praise You in the way you are meant to be praised. Keep me humble and deeply in Love with you each day. 

Study Question: Do you think your understanding of the Spirit of God or the Holy Spirit has changed over the years since you trusted in Christ as Savior? That he comes to convict the world of sin, enlighten or teach, comfort us, and change hearts. Have you thought about the fact that right now, today, the Holy Spirit is speaking to you and teaching you in your life?

Mark 1:4-6 - The Wilderness Preacher

Mark 1:4-6
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.

Message: The Wilderness Preacher

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Overview
As I look at these verses, which speak of a time before Christ has shed his blood, I am reminded that the Gospel message is central to the entire Bible. This was really a revolutionary idea that John was preaching. To repent is to turn from one's sins. It is to acknowledge sin in your life and then to turn from it. Up to this point baptism or the cleaning of oneself was at times done for Gentiles as they converted to Judaism. Cleanliness and being unclean are very common principles in Judaism and so the washing signified that the person was now clean. But, Jewish belief overall focuses on the advantage of simply being a Jew, not necessarily a changed heart which anyone can exhibit.

My take
I wonder if this is a preamble to Christ's coming and the baptism of the Holy Spirit that will come. Up to this point sins were dealt with through the blood of the lamb on the altar of the Temple. In some ways, I think this is a difficult passage to read, understand, in light of the message that is yet to come. In the next verses, Mark will speak of Jesus and his coming. So, is John preparing a way for Jesus and helping people to understand the message that is to come? Does this mean these acts are practice or are they salvation?

Again, the message here is repentance or confession of sins, baptism, forgiveness of sins. The key here seems to be a changed mind. In these verses, Christ, Jesus, is not mentioned, yet. Does that matter? Is that important? I am not sure.

So, I take a moment to look at what John MacArthur is saying about these verses. He mentions that John is proclaiming himself as a prophet by his dress recorded in verse 6. he leather belt around his waist and the robe of camel's hair signified clearly that he declared himself to be a prophet.

Here John is preparing for the arrival of a king. Anytime we prepare for an arrival, we get things in the best shape that they have been in thus far. We clean the house, clean the surroundings, in anticipation of someone. Here, people are being cleaned. John's message is to Roman Christians. It is to Jews and it is to Gentile. As mentioned, some Gentiles may have been baptized in the past, to show they were being cleaned of their old life and could now enter into a new life of Judaism. But, John brings this message to everyone - Jews and Gentiles. So, he remarks that even the Jew should be baptized, which I'm sure was a surprising message. Thus, the Jews are being called no better than the Gentiles. All need this same act of baptism.

This is not baptism in Jesus' name. It is getting oneself ready for baptism in Jesus' name. Baptism is not salvation. It is a picture of salvation. Thus, I think this is a preparation message, but not the final message. I don't think full salvation is occurring, but rather preparing people for the inner change that is going to come. The gospel message as spoken of in verse 1 is confession, believing and accepting the substitution of Christ. John is preparing the people for this message by first putting for the idea that all people, regardless of race or religion or tradition need to confess their sins and seek a change for forgiveness.

Promise: We cannot rely on membership, family affiliation, lineage, our history of Christian service, our birth into a religious family in order to be saved. Salvation comes through individual confession and cleansing by God.

Prayer: Lord, continue to give me wisdom, divine wisdom as I read these words and study them. Help me to have your understanding of these texts. Continue to teach me. I am not saying I have arrived. I want to be taught by the Spirit of God. Keep teaching me.

Study Question: Often in life, traditions can affect how we live and our surroundings affect us as well. Sometimes naturally we are the same religion as our parents. Yet, Jesus came to save sinners and did not give the idea that you can be saved only by family affiliation. For each person, there needs to be an individual and internal change in that person that occurs or each person saying they believe in Jesus. In your life, when did you realize you were a sinner and you needed God’s forgiveness for your sins?