Mark 1
Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit
1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John baptized in the wilderness, and preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 And all the land of Judea went out to him, and those of Jerusalem, and all were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
- This Jesus is the one God promised to send to undo the works of the devil in Genesis 3:15.
- Baptizing, confessing their sins was a change from bringing the animals, placing the hand on it’s head, confessing your sins.
- This announced that God’s Son was here on earth now to pay the debt that we owe God for us by His grace.
- I John 3:8 … the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey; 7 And preached, saying, After me, one comes who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen his sandals. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in Jordan. 10 And immediately coming up out of the water, he saw all the heavens opened to Him, and the Spirit like a dove descending on him: 11 And a voice came from heaven, saying, You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- Jesus is so mighty that He spoke creation into being.
- In times past the Holy Spirit came and went upon people.
- Each sin would cause Him to depart.
- After Jesus totally paid for sin, the Holy Spirit stays and seals us to God forever.
- He is grieved and quenched inside us when we sin, and waits for us to turn back to God to restored to His place of fellowship, but He never leaves (Hebrews 13:5).
- Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 9 For he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
Jesus was tested like us—in all points
12 And immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and was with the wild animals; and the angels ministered to him. 14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, believe the gospel.
- Exactly 4,000 years of Biblically recorded history passed between the creation and God’s sending the Savior.
- God offers heaven for free.
- This is better than a million acres in Montana or California or Hawaii for free.
- The value of this gift can’t be calculated. How much is eternal life worth?
- God gives it as a gift through Jesus Christ.
- Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law
- Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tested like we are, yet without sin.
Jesus still astonishes
16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. 18 And immediately they left their nets, and followed him. 19 And when he had gone a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And immediately he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. 21 And they went into Capernaum; and immediately, on the Sabbath day, he entered into the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
- What did He teach them?
- The same words that we have recorded in the Bible. They are His words.
- His creation still astonishes us if we will see.
- His power astonishes us if we will submit.
- His love astonishes us if we will seek.
- His truth astonishes us if we will hear.
- Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
- Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man will not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, Let us alone; what do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold your peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region around Galilee.
- The demons recognized their Maker even when He was clothed in human flesh.
29 And immediately, when they came out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them. 32 And at evening, after the sun had set, they brought to him all that were diseased, and those that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many that were sick of various diseases, and cast out many devils; and did not allow the devils to speak, because they knew him.
- Psalm 103:3 He forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases
He came for all
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a secluded place, and prayed. 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. 37 And when they had found him, they said to him, All men seek you. 38 And he said to them, Let’s go into the next towns, so that I may preach there also: for that is why I came. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. 40 And a leper came to him, kneeling down and begging, and saying to him, If you will, you can make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, reached out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, I will; be clean.
- It was forbidden by the law to touch lepers.
- This was a stunning moment when the leper approached his Creator. But Jesus touch healed Him.
- John 15:3 Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you. (His truth cleanses us from the leprosy of sin).
42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43 And he sternly warned him, and sent him away; 44 And said to him, Say nothing to any man: but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. 45 But he went out, and began to proclaim it freely, and to blaze abroad the matter, so much that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but stayed out in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
- The best news in history, the best news in the universe can’t be kept quiet.
- Revelation 5:9-10 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God: and we will reign on the earth.
Mark 2
The Son of Man has power to forgive and heal
1 And again, after some days he entered Capernaum; and it was heard that he was at home. 2 And at once many assembled together, so much that there was no room to receive them, no even at the door: and he preached the word to them. 3 And they came to him bringing one sick of the palsy who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed on which the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the one sick of the palsy, son, your sins are forgiven you.
- “No one could forgive sin except the one against whom all have sinned.” Lewis S. Chafer
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why does this man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins except God? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they reasoned this within themselves, he said to them, Why do you reason these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Your sins are forgiven you; or to say, Rise, and take your bed, and walk? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he said to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say to you, Rise, and take your bed, and go your way into your house. 12 And immediately he rose, took the bed, and went out before them all; and they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We have never seen anything like this.
- The Lords questions bring us to right conclusions.
- If they answer these questions they will conclude that He IS God.
- Only God can forgive sins.
- Only God can cause this man to rise up and walk.
13 And he went out again beside the sea; and all the multitude came to him, and he taught them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. 15 And as Jesus sat eating in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with tax collectors and sinners, they said to his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners? 17 When Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those that are whole do not need the physician, but those that are sick: I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and said to him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? 19 And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.
- Matthew 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who made a marriage for his son
- Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Jesus brought us into a new contract with God, a contract of grace
21 No man sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: or the new piece that filled it takes away from the old and the tear is made worse. 22 And no man puts new wine into old bottles: or the new wine bursts the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be ruined: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
- The word ‘testament’ means contract.
- The Old Testament was the old contract with God by the law.
- The New Testament is the new contract with God.
- Jesus fulfilled the old contract for us.
- Now we have a contract with God of grace.
- esus was there bringing in the new way of life.
- Galatians 3:24 the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, so that no man can boast.
Jesus straightened out misconceptions and misapplications
23 And as he went through the grain fields on the Sabbath day his disciples began to pluck the ears of corn as they went. 24 And the Pharisees said to him, Behold, why do they do what is unlawful on the Sabbath day? 25 And he said to them, Have you never read what David did, when he had need and was hungry, he, and those that were with him? 26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread that is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave to those that were with him? 27 And he said to them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.
- He gave us His word and His Holy Spirit so that we could discern rightly.
- Everything God has given us is for our benefit.
- He is not a cruel taskmaster by a loving, righteous Father who wants only what is best for us.
- Rest is a necessity to health.
- Rest of mind is a necessity to peace.
- John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
- Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess to God.
Mark 3
The Lord does great things
1 And he entered into the synagogue again and a man was there that had a withered hand. 2 And they watched him to see if he would heal him on the sabbath day so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, Stand up in the middle. 4 And he said to them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life or to kill? But they held their peace. 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, Stretch out your hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 6 And the Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. 7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea, 8 from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, from beyond Jordan, and those around Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came to him.
- The Lord is angry at hard hearts that put rules above suffering.
- He withdrew from those plotting to kill him.
- John 7:24 Do not judge according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
- Job 5:9 Who does great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number
9 And told his disciples that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, so they not throng him. 10 For he had healed many; so much that they pressed upon him to touch him, as many as had plagues. 11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him and cried out, saying, You are the Son of God. 12 And he warned them not to make him known.
The Lord’s priority is healing man’s heart
13 And he went up into a mountain, and called whom he desired and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve to be with him, and that he might send them out to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 16 And to Simon he added the name Peter; 17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John, the brother of James; and he added to their name Boanerges, which means, the sons of thunder: 18 And Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him: and they went into a house.
- Naming is a function or privilege of Lordship or ownership.
- Revelation 2:17 To him that overcomes I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he that receives it.
20 And the multitude came together again, so that they could not even eat food. 21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to seize him: for they said, He is beside himself. 22 And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casts he out devils. 23 And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan rises up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end and is not able. 27 No man can enter into a strong man's house to seize his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.
- He reasoned with those that lied about Him.
God forgives all sins and blasphemies except those against the Holy Spirit
28 Truthfully I say to you, All sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and blasphemies with which they blaspheme: 29 But he that blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30 Because they said, He has an unclean spirit.
- Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:10).
- All that He did was empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit is the one that strives with us to believe in Jesus.
31 Then his brothers and his mother came, and standing outside sent to him, calling him. 32 And the multitude sat around him and they said to him, Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside seeking you. 33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brothers? 34 And he looked about on those that sat around him, and said, Behold my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, my sister, and mother.
- There is no royalty on earth to compare to the royalty that Jesus has made us.
- He has made us the family of the eternal King of Kings.
- Revelation 1:6 And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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SUMMARY: Mark 1-3
- Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit
- Jesus was tested like us—in all points
- Jesus still astonishes
- He came for all
- The Son of Man has power to forgive and heal
- Jesus brought us into a new contract with God, a contract of grace
- Jesus straightened out misconceptions and misapplications
- The Lord does great things
- The Lord’s priority is healing man’s heart
- God forgives all sins and blasphemies except those against the Holy Spirit