Mark 1 - Jesus is Baptized and Announces the Good News About the Kingdom of God!

Click Here to Read or Listen to Mark 1

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Today we start the gospel of Mark, the shortest gospel at only 16 chapters. Mark's gospel moves along quickly from scene to scene from Jesus' life. Mark is often called the "secret gospel", because some of the meaning of the parables is concealed from the audience but revealed to the disciples. Mark usually is considered the earliest gospel written, probably some time between 60 and 70 A.D. Both Mathew and Luke's gospels take many of the stories from Mark and then add their own emphases. Whereas Matthew uses the phrase "the kingdom of heaven", Mark uses the phrase "the kingdom of God. Most commentators say that Matthew omits the term "God" because of the strict prohibition in Mosaic law of using the Divine Name. 

John the Baptist comes from a long line of Old Testament prophets who spent time in the desert fasting in silence and solitude. John had also taken the Nazirite vow, which meant he would not cut his hair and he abstained from alcohol. John's message was one of repentance to prepare the way for Jesus. He baptized with water as a sign of cleansing, but he pointed to the baptism of Jesus which brought salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

Jesus was baptized by John not to forgive him of his sin, but to show the Father's approval and the sending of the Holy Spirit.  Once Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, his public ministry began. Importantly we hear the words from His Father, "You are my Son with whom I am well pleased." When we are baptized, we also hear the same words spoken over us. In Holy Baptism God chooses us as his sons and daughters.  God is pleased with us and delights in us because He made us and we are the crown of His creation. Ephesians says, "We are God's handiwork!" 

This is why I don't like decision theology where "I make a decision to choose Jesus". No, Jesus chose me and I accept his offer of grace by faith. We often get the order mixed up and put the emphasis on our own personal choice.  Faith is a gift from God's we don't earn it. 

Jesus' ministry started with God's approval and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Our own ministry starts with God's saving us and baptizing us with His Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that calls us into ministry and gives us the gifts to operate in the power of the kingdom. 

It is interesting right after Jesus is claimed by God, he is LED by the same Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. The Spirit allowed Jesus to be tempted but also provided for him as it says he was attended to by angels. Many of us go through periods of testing before we are sent into ministry. 

Jesus Announces the Good News

Notice what is the content of the Good News that Jesus preaches. His sermon is "the kingdom of God has come near." The time had come for God's kingdom to come to earth in the form of His Son. Everything Jesus did and everything He said showed the disicples what God's kingdom looks like. Jesus revealed God's kingdom, which is where God rules or reigns. Jesus made the kingdom and its power available to his disciples and to us today as his disciples as well. 

Notice the focus of the gospel is on the kingdom. Jesus doesn't promise success or riches, or even necessarily salvation in this instance. God's invitation to enter the Kingdom through His Son is still available today. This is the Good News, the Gospel that we need to preach every Sunday in our pulpits. God's kingdom is right here right now. It is available to those who come to Jesus.

Here is a great short prayer for you to memorize and say.

"In His Kingdom, By His Power, For His Glory!" 

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

Jesus called his disciples to come and follow him. As they followed him, they would see the kingdom lived out in front of them and get to participate in it. Jesus transforms their earthly job (catching fish) into a heavenly one (catching people). Note the decisiveness of the disciples as they answered his call. Simon and Andrew at once left their nets to follow him. Without delay Jesus called James and John, and at once they left their father's boat to follow Jesus. Jesus calls us to lay down our nets and jump out of our boats metaphorically to follow him. 

This doesn't mean you have to leave your job to follow Jesus. But Jesus is calling you from something (an old way of life) to something (a new way of living in His kingdom). 

Jesus Announces the Good News

Mark's gospel is also called the "power gospel", because right away we see Jesus acting in kingdom power. Though demons had some power over people in an earthly sense, when God is reigning they are cast out easily. In fact, this evil spirit realizes the power and authority right away and says, " “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Notice how easy it is for Jesus to cast out these demons in the power of the Holy Spirit. "Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek."

The people had never seen this kind of power. This was Good News in action. The people not only realized the authority in Jesus' teaching but also in his powerful works. Jesus' kingdom came both through his WORDS and WORKS!

Jesus Heals Many

Next, we see the healing ministry of Jesus done in kingdom power. First, he visits the home of one of his disciples' mother in law. She is sick with a fever, which often meant death in Jesus' day. Jesus merely took her hand and she got up and was healed. We will see Jesus heal in many kinds of ways. In this instance the kingdom power was flowing through him so purely he just had to touch this sick woman and she was instantly healed. 

Once the Good News about Jesus and the availiblity of the kingdom got out, the people started coming out to Jesus and were delivered from demons and healed from various sicknesses and diseases. Jesus public ministry had begun. 

Jesus Prays

We Jesus' secret to living and ministering in the power of the kingdom was silence, solititude, and prayer. The more people came to Jesus for healing and deliverance, the more time he needed to spend with his heavenly Father. If this is the case for Jesus how much more is it for us!

How much time do you spend with your heavenly Father? Do you have time for silence and solitude in your life? Silence and solitude help us to cease striving and to have time to rest. We don't rest from our work, but work from our rest! 

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

Lepers were outcasts in Jesus' day and not only endured physical pain but also the emotional pain of being rejected and abandoned. Lepers had to call out their condition in public so everybody could stay away from them, because they were considered unclean. 

The leper showed great faith by saying to Jesus, "If you are willing you can make me clean!" Jesus showed his deep compassion and told the man he was willing. Jesus touched him and "immediately" his was healed! 

What impresses you most about the first chapter of Mark? In Mark's "power gospel" Jesus announces the Good News of God's kingdomm which has now been made available through him. As Jesus' disciples do you think you have the authority and power to do what he did? Why or why not?