Mark the Power Gospel!

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Jesus Announces the Good News

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Today we begin the gospel of Mark, which is unique for several reasons.  First, it is the shortest gospel at 16 chapters.  Mark is action packed and focuses on Jesus' deeds of power.  Mark uses the word "immediately" over 40 times in his gospel.  Mark is like an action packed thrilled.  Mark takes most of his material from the apostle Peter.  The writer is most likely John Mark, who Paul decided not to take on his second mission trip because he had deserted him before.  Peter might have identified with John Mark in light of his own failure.  Mark is probably the earliest gospel written. Some say it may be written as early as 50 A.D. (only 20 years after Jesus' death and resurrection), though most people date the gospel at 60-70 A.D.  
Mark doesn't start with the birth story of Jesus like Matthew and Luke do.  Mark starts with John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River, where Jesus was affirmed by His Father.  As John the Baptist is put in prison by evil King Herod, Jesus begins his public ministry full of the Holy Spirit.  And his message is, "The kingdom of God has come near, turn around and believe in the Good News."  And the Good News came in the form of God's Son, Jesus.  
So what does God's kingdom look like?  Mark's gospel doesn't waste any time.  In this chapter we see Jesus:
1. Taught in the synagogue with such power that the people were amazed by his authority and teaching.  
2. As he was teaching, a man possessed with an evil spirit recognized him as a holy man of God.  He rebuked the evil spirit which shrieked and came out of the man.  The people said not only does he teach with authority, but he commands evil spirits to come out with authority. His power is in word and deed.
3. Jesus healed Peter's mother in law of a severe fever.
4. Later that evening Jesus healed many people who have many different types of diseases and cast out many demons, but he would not let them tell anyone who he was.
Not bad for a day of work.  Then the next morning Jesus tries to get to a solitary place but soon more people are brought to him so he goes on to the next town preaches in their synagogue, casts out demons and heals a man with leprosy.
Like I said Mark is an action packed thriller.  All this in chapter 1.  You can see why people call Mark's gospel the "power gospel".  The Good News was that God's kingdom had broken into the world through Jesus.  God's kingdom is where God rules or reigns.  Jesus showed that this kingdom power had now come in and through him.  Remember this theme as we journey through Mark, it may just have something to do with how God wants to use you to bring in His kingdom today in your town.  

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