The Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1
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The Mission of John the Baptist.
1 This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You,
who will prepare Your way.”
3 “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for Him.’ ”
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
6 John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he began to proclaim: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. ”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Study Questions to consider: Why do you think God sent John the Baptist to go out before He revealed Jesus? At this one time, we see God present as three persons — Jesus; the Spirit who descended like a dove; and the Father who spoke out, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Why do you think this is important?
If you had been there, what would you have thought and felt?
The Temptation and Preaching of Jesus
12 At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, 13 and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.
Study Questions: Who was it that sent Jesus out into the wilderness? Does this surprise you? Why would God send him out? Jesus did not give in to Satan’s temptations, and was thereafter ministered to by God’s angels. Does God ever allow Satan to tempt you? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
14 After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
Study Questions: The gospel is the good news that God loves the world enough to give His only Son to die for our sin (John 3:16). The gospel is good news because our salvation and eternal life and home in heaven are guaranteed through Jesus Christ (John 14:1–4). Where do you stand with Jesus right now?
The First Disciples
16 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
19 Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets. 20 Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.
Study Questions: What did Jesus tell the men to do? What was his “calling?” What do you think Jesus meant when he told them he would make them fishers of men? Everyone who serves the master is following his calling. How does it make you feel when you think you are following Jesus’ calling too?
Jesus Expels an Unclean Spirit
21 Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22 The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue: 24“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!”
25 But Jesus rebuked the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” 26 At this, the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and came out with a loud shriek.
27 All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!” 28 And the news about Jesus spread quickly through the whole region of Galilee.
Study Questions: What do you think was the basis of Jesus’ authority? Why could he speak with authority, or cast out demons with authority? As you are called by him to “follow me,” does knowing he has such authority give you a new confidence?
Jesus Heals at Peter’s House
29 As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told Jesus about her. 31 So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick and demon-possessed, 33 and the whole town gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
Study Questions: Jesus continues to demonstrate his power and authority over sickness as well as the demons. Who is he? Why would he not allow the demons to speak? Because they knew who He was?
Jesus Prays and Preaches
35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for Him, 37 and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”
38 But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.” 39 So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Study Questions: Jesus got up early to pray. What do you think he might have been praying about to the Father? When we are looking for guidance in our lives, how great it is to talk with God our Father about our concerns and ask for his directions!
The Leper’s Prayer
40 Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.
43 Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
45 But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news.
Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.
Study Questions: What is unique about the disease leprosy, that allowed Jesus to show such compassion in touching this man? The crowds were getting very large, so large that Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view. Name every reason you can think of, why the crowds were coming to see Jesus. What is your reason for coming to him as well?
For Chapter 2 visit https://calledtobefree.com/gospel-of-mark-chapter-2/
LOVE TO ALL,
GRACE
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