The Gospels aren’t just stories for you to read, but blueprints for you to follow. The Gospel of Mark has its own flavor that leads us into the understanding of the Son of God, Jesus the Anointed, promised Messiah.
Mark gives us a picture of the servant-hood of Jesus, doing the acts that were destined for Him from His Father who sent Him.
Throughout this first chapter, we see characteristics of what a servant should be, the importance of being obedient to God, the significance of walking in the authority of the One who sent you. A servant loves their master and the masters wish is their command although in a true and healthy master to servant relationship, the servant has free will.
The Wonderful News
Mark doesn’t start his gospel off with a lengthy introduction but rather goes straight to the heart of what Jesus came to do: bring salvation. This is the wonderful news about Jesus! Mark speaks immediately of John the Baptist who was prophesied to come by Isaiah. John was dressed very simply. He didn’t look like “a prophet,” dressed in the prestigious garb of the day. We can’t determine if someone is qualified by the way they look, and those who came to him to be baptized didn’t judge him as such, but listened with intention to his message and repented of their sins.
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
Jesus was baptized by John, although not to remove sins, as He was sinless, but as a testament to the death of the flesh, to rely completely on the “Spirit-dove,” that fell upon Him. The Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness to fast for 40 days to be tested by Satan and He was met by wild beasts but Angels attended to Him. Its a reminder that we will endure trials just as the Son of God did. As soon as we get on the right path to God, Satan rears his head. Yet, God will surround us, even with angelic activity, to protect us.
Satan thought that the Son of God, perceived as a mere human, could easily have been tempted by human, fleshly weaknesses. The desperation of hunger and the desire for power Satan thought he could tempt Jesus on, but Jesus overcame by the Word of God.
Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him
Jesus, immediately after His testing, went and taught about the Gospel in the region of Galilee, preaching repentance as access to the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught with authority. Think of a subject you’ve heard taught by two different people. One may have compelled you in a different way the other teacher did not, simply because of the authority and authenticity they carried.
Jesus also immediately called His disciples, Andrew, Simon, James and John. Immediately, they left their fishing endeavors and followed Jesus. How amazing that Jesus, unknown to them, by His very presence and authority would compel these perfect strangers to follow Him.
Jesus Casts out a Demon
Jesus authority was apparent when He taught. His words held such authority that as he spoke, unclean spirits within people listening to Him manifested in fear! It is sad because those who were suppose to fear Him didn’t, but those who you wouldn’t think to fear Him actually do. Jesus simply and shortly silenced these demons. There was no yelling or tarrying when He cast the demons out. They came out quickly. The people were astonished and instead of embracing this truth from Jesus, they constantly questioned it. They didn’t realize to what degree of a false reality they lived in.
Jesus Heals Many
Jesus healing Simon’s mother was very simple. He just touched her and she was healed. His fame spread because of His miracles, casting out demons and healing others. We need to see Jesus and take tips from Him. He was tempted, tried by Satan, over came, and was ministering to others with simple faith in His identity.
Jesus values the secret place of prayer with His Father, for he went away before the sun was even up to be alone. Jesus is always going against the grain of societal norms, having touched an untouchable leper. He had great compassion on his condition that He physically touched him to heal him. Jesus was discreet by telling the leaper not to tell anyone, but His ministry was nothing but discreet because many people flocked around Him.
Sickness is a part of the human condition which entered into our humanity because of the curse of sin. Jesus has come to break the curse of sin by healing everyone who was sick and oppressed by demons.
Jesus preached and healed and performed miracles in tandem. He didn’t do one without the other.
Summary
- The Holy Ghost will lead through the wilderness
- Preach and heal wherever you go
- Jesus is the blueprint
- Let Christ rewrite your life
- The light in you will uncover darkness
- Be alone with God in prayer
- Always be available to be used by God
- Walk in Holy Ghost authority
- Know where to get your healing
- Holy Ghost in you will always profess the truth
- Key characteristics of a servant
- Importance of obedience to God
- Walk in the authority you’ve been given
- Jesus as supreme authority over all things
- Apostleship and servant-hood go hand in hand
- Servitude carries not attitude
- Follow Christ without delay
- Servants must have compassion
