Mark Chapter 1. (How to Study the Bible)
Mark 1: 1-8
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him.
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
OBSERVATION - ( What is the text about? Who, What, How, Why, When & Where) -
This tells the story of John the Baptist, whose purpose was to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. He is described as a messenger and was a fulfillment of a prophecy that is written in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. It describes John as a wild-looking man who lived in the wilderness and who preached of the need for repentance for the forgiveness os sins. He was a man who baptised people in the Jordan River. It says the whole Judean countryside and all of the people of Jerusalem went out to him, so that sounds like a lot of people! He preached a humble message that he was not of much worth, and that after him would come One more powerful and who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.
INTERPRETATION - (What is the message of the text? What is the context?) - John's location and appearance echo the prophet Elijah. He is described as the 'new Elijah'. John's ministry was prophesied in the book of Isaiah as the forerunner who would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. This also connects the arrival of Jesus to the Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah.
APPLICATION - (What does it mean for me personally? What needs to change in me?) - This means I can be thankful that this prophecy came to pass and that I have access to Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I am reminded that being a disciple of Jesus is a humble walk, and no matter what Jesus calls me to, it is always to bring glory to Him and to what He can do for those He has called me to minister to.
Mark 1:9-13
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
OBSERVATION - ( What is the text about? Who, What, How, Why, When & Where) - This is about Jesus and his baptism by John in the river Jordan and the experience he had during his baptism. The second part describes Jesus being led into the wilderness, where he endured 40 days of testing and temptation.
INTERPRETATION - (What is the message of the text? What is the context?) - Jesus came to John; he didn't need to be baptised for repentance, but came to fulfill all righteousness. His baptism is described as a trinitarian event - *the heavens are torn open, *the Spirit rests on him like a dove, *he is identified as the Son of God.
After this, Jesus is "driven by the Spirit" - this refers to the power of the Spirit in Jesus' life from the beginning of his ministry. 40 days in the wilderness mirrors the Israelites' journey through the wilderness; however, Jesus succeeds, whereas they often failed. 40 days of temptation highlight Jesus' human struggle and the spiritual power that empowers him.
APPLICATION - (What does it mean for me personally? What needs to change in me?) - For me personally, I can be assured that Jesus understands all that I go through because he personally suffered much temptation and testing. I am challenged to be led more by the Spirit rather than my own mindset, even if that means times of being in wilderness situations.
Mark 1:14-15
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,”he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
OBSERVATION - ( What is the text about? Who, What, How, Why, When & Where) - This text is about the time Jesus started to proclaim the good news.
INTERPRETATION - (What is the message of the text? What is the context?) - Jesus starts to share the gospel message and the importance of believing and repentance.
APPLICATION - (What does it mean for me personally? What needs to change in me?) - Repentance is a lifelong necessity. Lord, I have sinned and I need to turn from that sin and follow you more closely today.... to live what I believe. I believe you are the way, the truth, and the life, yet so often I go back to living with mindsets that have not come from you. Please forgive me, Lord. I repent, and I turn from my own thoughts to follow you more closely today. Amen
Mark 1:16-20
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once, they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
OBSERVATION - ( What is the text about? Who, What, How, Why, When & Where) - This is Jesus gathering his first disciples. In each of these instances, the men he called were working in their trade, ie, they were fishermen. While they worked and lived their lives, they were waiting for the promised Messiah to come. This took place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus called them, there was a sense of urgency in his call. Their response was immediate. and signifies their willingness to leave behind old ways, including the customs they had been brought up in. Jesus called them to follow him for a purpose, and that purpose was to become fishers of men.
INTERPRETATION - (What is the message of the text? What is the context?) - The message is that Jesus needed to call them before they could follow him, and that following him came at a cost. In both these situations, the men were asked to leave their jobs to follow him. Jesus called them A: To follow him, B: to become fishers of men. They understood fishing, they were fishermen, and now those same concepts would be used in a supernatural way... ie, to fish for men. They were also called to leave behind their old way of life, the mindsets and customs they were brought up in. Once called, the decision needs to be one of urgency, as the old way of life and the comforts and security in those ways are what will cause one to hesitate and fear.
APPLICATION - (What does it mean for me personally? What needs to change in me?) In the past, I have made decisions under the belief that I was following Jesus. But what if what I was actually doing was my will, running ahead of him instead? I can see times in my life when that was the case. Jesus knows my heart, just as he knew the heart of these disciples.... they were waiting for the promised Messiah too! Yet in the waiting, they were working, providing for their families, just living their lives. That all changed when Jesus called them to follow him. That's when they entered another realm, another way of living, based on faith, knowing that somehow, all would be ok for them and their families. They only needed to decide and obey. When Jesus calls, there is a sense of urgency to make a decision. This is because giving up ways of life that I have become comfortable with and secure in can cause me to fear the new life that is waiting in response to his call. This is an example to me of how I want to live my life. I want to follow Jesus, but I need to wait till he calls me. In the meantime, it is a matter of getting on with life, working, making a home, reaching out with a heart of love, and waiting for HIM. In the waiting, it is so important not to get too comfortable and secure in whatever I have or am doing, or to set goals that become my focus instead of my heart's cry to serve him. Better to live a simple life in an expectancy of hope and waiting for the call to follow him. Better to live a life of praise and prayer and in loving my fellow man.
Mark 1: 21-28
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then, a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “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!”
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits, and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
OBSERVATION - ( What is the text about? Who, What, How, Why, When & Where) - This is about the time Jesus began to teach in the synagogue and delivered a man from a demonic spirit. The people declared his way of teaching new and with authority, and it amazed them.
INTERPRETATION - (What is the message of the text? What is the context?) - Jesus was teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum. The core theme is in his authority, both in the way he spoke and in the way he handled the demon. It shows that Jesus' authority extends over the spiritual realm. Unclean spirits are forces that oppose God, and the demon recognised Jesus for who is truly was, the Holy One of God. Jesus's authority over the demon was swift and effective, and demonstrated His power being far superior to the demon. The event established Jesus as a powerful healer and leader, and this reputation quickly spread throughout Galilee. Jesus establishes a new spiritual order and challenges the forces of evil in the world.
APPLICATION - (What does it mean for me personally? What needs to change in me?) Personally, I can see that ministry is more about power and authority over the spiritual realm, authority that can only come by the Holy Spirit. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12. For further study, I am interested in knowing more about Jesus' role as a teacher compared to a pastor's role - who looks after his sheep. But then again, Jesus was also the good shepherd.... There is a lot more to study on this....
Mark 1:29-45
Jesus Heals Many
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,”he said. “Be clean!”Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
OBSERVATION - ( What is the text about? Who, What, How, Why, When & Where) - The last verses in Mark 1 are about Jesus' ministry, a ministry full of miracles, healings, and deliverance. A ministry that became widespread as he traveled through Galilee, stating, "This is why I have come". Despite the crowds to minister to, his disciples to teach, and travel, Jesus also took time to withdraw by himself and pray.
INTERPRETATION - (What is the message of the text? What is the context?) - The context of Mark 1 is the calling of his earliest disciples, his early teachings, and his early miracles. The message is about Jesus and the beginning of his ministry on earth.
APPLICATION - (What does it mean for me personally? What needs to change in me?) - Jesus' ministry was personal. He went to the homes of his disciples and while there he ministered, as was the case with Simon's mother-in-law. This teaches me to be a disciple wherever I find myself at the time. When Jesus calls me to minister, it will involve times of pressure, and the only way to minister effectively is by frequent times of withdrawal and prayer. If Jesus needed to withdraw and pray, how can I think that I don't? This resonates deeply with me from past experiences where busyness has overtaken everything else, causing me to stop following Jesus in order to meet the demands before me. The disciples searched for Jesus when he withdrew himself and were anxious because "everyone was looking for him".... but Jesus knew that the next step wasn't to stay in that one place. Jesus was not a people pleaser. He came to do the will of God.
It's great that the leper was healed, but even after such a miracle, he did not obey the command Jesus gave him. As a result, Jesus had to stay outside in lonely places and could no longer freely enter a town. I think this is perhaps why he forbade the demons to say who he was - because of the crowds it would incur. and the effect it would have on his ministry. The lesson for me here is to listen, obey, and not get so caught up in the miracles that I forget to do the will of the one who performed the miracle.