NBBC TMBS: Mark 1

Mark 1:1–15 “1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way; 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’ ” 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (really like the NLT rendering; Mark 1:4 (NLT) “This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.”). 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 “I baptized 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. Mark 1:10–15 “10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; 11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” 12 Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. 13 And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him. 14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””

John’s attire was a commentary on the message that he proclaimed - the scratchiness associated with the camel’s hair was an irritant that would produce discomfort that could be used in ancient mourning practices. Why would John or anyone else mourn? - mourn over sin.

Why would John promote a baptism that was associated with repentance over sin and almost in the same breath say, this is insufficient - you need the baptism with the Spirit from the greater One Who is coming? - He’s making a connection between our sin and the need for transformation from the Spirit of God Who would be given by the greater One Who is coming; the only way that our sin problem is going to truly be resolved is through the Spirit given by the greater One - identified as the One on Whom the Spirit rested, Jesus, proclaimed as the Son of God, not something that He assumed - a proclamation of His identity!

Mark 1:9, Jesus deliberately came to be baptized in the Jordan; Jordan as the site where the Israelites crossed before undertaking the conquering of the Promised Land

now God Himself had stepped into the water to conquer the sins of His people

NIV comes closer to rendering of the Greek in Mk 1:11 (NIV) And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Why would the Spirit impel Jesus to head to the wilderness where Satan was and then Jesus preach about the Kingdom of God? - it’s about authority! - the move by the Spirit and Jesus was a rather bold move to aggressively challenge the forces of darkness to declare that the Kingdom of God has come in power to the earth in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself! - this is why Jesus can proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near to the people because He is the Kingdom of God! - He is the rule and reign of God!

Matthew 3:2 “2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””

Followed by a reference to Isaiah’s/Malachi’s prophecy.

We can boil the prophecy down to this, “The King is coming!”

If the King is coming, and Jesus says that the Kingdom is near - what is the Kingdom? - it’s Jesus unparalleled, unrivaled authority

Matthew 4:17 “17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” (paralleled with Mark 1:15 “15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””)

Jesus has commissioned His disciples to perform wonders - essentially, He’s given them His authority

Matthew 10:7 “7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Luke 10:9 “9 and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

Luke 10:11 “11 ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’”

Mark 1:14 - phrase translated as “taken into custody” (NASB)/”arrested” (ESV/NLT)/”put in prison” (NIV/NKJV) just simply means to be taken away.

The violence of the activity is emphasized through this statement, that John was taken not by his own free will.

The question is , why was John taken?

The passage context leads us to the answer.

He was proclaiming a message of repentance in preparation for Israel’s true King.

We could come up with a host of answers as to why the administration current to John’s day would be jealous of the true king - wanting to maintain power.

The truth is that the message of repentance will be met with resistance - but that does not stop the need to continue proclaiming that message (as Jesus demonstrates).

We can rest assured that, while we may meet opposition in proclaiming repentance, it’s worth it (John taken away and Jesus takes it up again) and the Lord will carry on that work regardless of the response of others.

Mark 1:16–34 “16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me (call), and I will make you become (transformed into what they were not presently) fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

These verses are all scenes of the same day!

The scene before us is the Sea of Galilee and we can imagine the fisherman nearby through the Spirit’s vivid use of describing Peter and Andrew and James and John in action (casting a new in the sea; in the boat mending the nets).

Notice the emphasis on Jesus’ Words here.

Jesus’ Words posses authority inherently.

Peter and Andrew immediately follow (Mark 1:18).

There is something somewhat tragic about the two references to Peter, Andrew, James and John leaving behind their fishing equipment and their father to follow Jesus.

The term translated, “they left” is also translated in Mark 14:50 where the disciples left Jesus to escape from the soldiers so as to avoid being taken with Jesus.

Essentially, they abandoned Jesus.

They initially left all behind to follow Jesus but then would abandon Him in one of the worst moments in human history - how will we respond when the heat is turned up on us?

If Jesus is going around proclaiming that the response to the nearness of the Kingdom of God is repentance and the He chooses several disciples, what is implied about the relationship between Jesus’ message and Jesus’ calling of these disciples?

If Jesus rules with God’s authority and then He calls men to Himself to make them fishers of men - what is Jesus doing? He’s building His kingdom and He’s setting in motion how He’s going to continue to build His kingdom.

If we read the context, what does it mean to be fishers of men? - to follow Jesus

Anyone who follows Jesus, Jesus is the One Who has called them to follow Him!

Additionally, anyone who follows Jesus will also be involved in the same work of fishing for men - that is, adding to the Kingdom

Jesus builds His Kingdom and uses those in the Kingdom to build His Kingdom - we’re simply called to call on others to follow Jesus.

21 They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, 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, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.

In referencing that Jesus taught with authority, the Spirit is calling attention to the fact that Jesus taught like He possessed the authority of God to teach God’s Word.

It was custom at this time to teach what others thought about the Scripture - it was almost as if the teacher studied more what others said than studying God’s Word.

Jesus is teaching like He knows God’s word intimately - ? (Because, He’s God!)

Is this the first time that Jesus has encountered the forces of evil/darkness?

No!

He went into the wilderness and faced down Satan!

Why would this demon-possessed man face down Jesus in the synagogue?

It’s about a confrontation of authority.

The demon is challenging Jesus’ authority on the spot.

However, the demon is no match for Jesus’ authority.

What do we notice about this man?

No name.

He was in the synagogue - probably as was his custom.

He had an unclean spirit.

Unless we had read this, we would likely not have known that he was demon-possessed.

The reality is, this was probably this man’s habit to come to the synagogue, putting on an air of religiosity.

This man possessed of a demon was pitting Jesus’s authority against the people.

“Have you come to destroy us”> not just the demon but also the people.

The demon is mocking Jesus through the use of the phrase “Holy One of God.”

There’s still demonic influence and possession today both overt and subtle.

We need to seek the Spirit of Truth to liberate us from such influences.

Was this a sincere encounter?

No, the demon was not coming to worship Jesus and give a true testimony.

in fact, the demon has interrupted Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue.

oddly enough, the demon is trying to distract the people from Jesus’ teaching by giving a testimony about Jesus’ true identity.

This demon was challenging Jesus’ authority!

So anything that the demon says is meant to undermine Jesus’ authority and mission.

What does this encounter with the forces of darkness end up doing?

Publicly affirming the authority of Jesus’ Words.

The people are utterly bewildered and amazed by what they have seen!

This means that they have not seen many exorcisms.

Or, it means that they have not seen many successful exorcisms.

That is, the power of God displayed before them has prompted them to be in total awe!

When we behold the power of God, it should prompt us to submit our lives to the authority of God’s Word.

What immediately happened after this discussion?

Jesus’ fame grew!

Was it fame for His teaching or His exorcism?

Probably the latter.

What are we drawn to Jesus for?

His compelling teaching undergirded by divine authority?

His wondrous acts?

We ought to be concerned if all we want to see is a good show.

29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. 32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. “34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.”

What is suggested by the imagery of this woman lying sick?

She’s so sick she cannot get up - this is a very sick woman!

what does Jesus do to heal this woman?

simply touch her

no grand displays

in fact, He takes her hand in a motion to help her stand - what confidence on Jesus’ part that she’ll do what He’s intending for her to do! (This doesn’t just happen when you take someone’s hand)

Peter’s mother-in-law evidenced the transformation that Jesus had completed in her life! (Mk 1:31, this is going to factor significantly in the next section)

what a long day! Mk 1:32!

Curiously, Jesus silences the demons “because they know Who He is” Mk 1:34.

If demons are being cast out, the people are seeing God’s power on display.

The demons are calling attention to Jesus’ identity for inappropriate reasons.

if they can’t challenge Jesus’ authority in a confrontation, then they’ll try to get Him some other way.

what better way than to try to use Jesus’ power against Him to perpetuate a message of a wonder worker instead of the message to repent and believe the Gospel.

The demons’ strategy is all about perception.

Introduction: Last week we looked at the ministry of John the Baptist and how he prophetically prepared others to receive the Lord Jesus Christ in proclaiming a baptism of repentance. Jesus also submitted Himself to baptism but not because He needed to repent of sin. Instead, Matthew 3:15 reminds us that Jesus undertook this act of humility in obedience to the Lord.

Following this episode, Jesus successfully overcomes temptation from the devil and commences His preaching ministry that brings Him face-to-face with other forces of darkness (demon in the synagogue, vv. 23-6) and the opportunities to heal others, including Simon Peter’s mother-in-law (vv. 29-34).

What do you think would be the effect of such displays of power? It would draw a crowd, Mark 1:33 “33 And the whole city had gathered at the door.” This is going to factor significantly into our passage today as Jesus has another opportunity to heal.

Mark 1:35-39 “35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

Did you notice how descriptive Mark gets here?

He creates for us a mental picture of just how early it was in the morning that this event initially takes place.

We also can see Jesus in our minds’ eye as He arises from His night’s rest (maybe even tiptoeing so as not to awaken anyone else) and leaving the house that He was staying in.

We can even almost imagine the secluded place, a place that would be ideal to avoid distractions.

What was Jesus’ intention of leaving the home so early?

To pray.

What’s fascinating is that there are two other places in Mark that emphasize Jesus’ prayer life, Mark 6 and Mark 14.

In Mark 6, Jesus retreats to a mountain to pray just after feeding the 5,000 and before He walks on water to ultimately calm the storm following His joining them in the boat.

Mark 14 we find Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane after observing the Lord’s Supper with His disciples and prior to His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion.

Particularly, I see a correspondence between Jesus having a busy day and His intent to find a place to pray by Himself in addition to some impending event, even a crisis that would follow.

The question before us is why would Jesus get alone to pray after busy days of ministry?

Jesus demonstrates for us what one needs most following service that one renders to the Lord, time spent with the Lord, seeking Him in prayer.

I can’t help but think of VBS and its colossal undertaking.

It’s such a great week of ministry rendered to the Lord.

It’s also wearying week that compels us to intentionally take time to seek the Lord for His sustaining grace and direction in prayer.

For, when one is weary, it can be difficult to keep one’s attitude in check.

In the weariness of life, we seek the Lord to equip us for the next opportunity to be faithful.

Certainly, Jesus’ example of seeking the Lord early in the day suggests His immense level of devotion to the Lord, especially as we consider that Jesus was likely wearied from the previous day’s events of preaching, healing, and exorcising demons.

Hence, whatever sacrifice we need to make to seek the Lord is worth it.

However, given Jesus’ example of either early, during the day or evening, this encourages us to seek the Lord at anytime.

That is, we can seek the Lord at any point in the day, determining what will help us to be less distracted.

This is the wonder of having God’s Holy Spirit with us and Jesus ever present before the Father as our Advocate.

We always have God with us.

We always have the opportunity to seek the Lord in prayer for equipping and direction in what He would have us do.

However, as Jesus’ example will also demonstrate, we need to be flexible in the amount of time that we set aside as others may have an alternative agenda.

36 Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37 they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”

The phrase translated as “searched for” is used elsewhere to refer to hunting something or someone and suggests for us the intensity of their search for Jesus.

The intensity of their search likely mirrors the enthusiasm of the crowd to find Jesus (v. 37).

Hence, what is it that likely has prompted such and intense search for Jesus by His disciples?

The crowd seeking Jesus.

That is, the disciples are motivated to search for Jesus because they are feeding off of the intensity of the crowd.

Therefore, the disciples are possibly riding the wave of Jesus’ popularity.

Does this happen on occasion?

That is, does it become popular at points to be associated with Jesus?

It does.

But not usually because of Jesus’ message that He preached that we’ll consider momentarily.

What do you think would have prompted the crowds to have searched for Jesus with such intensity?

They had heard/witnessed of His exorcisms.

They had heard/witnessed of His healings.

They’re "seeking” for another miracle.

The term translated “looking” can also be translated as “seeking.”

It’s used elsewhere across Mark to refer to either seeking a miracle from Jesus or seeking to find an occasion by the religious authorities to put Jesus to death.

Hence, many were seeking for Jesus not strictly on account of His teaching but what they could see in terms of the fantastic.

What a contrast that we have here between Jesus, and His disciples and the crowd.

Jesus sought His Father in prayer on account of His relationship with Him.

The disciples and the crowds have sought Jesus on account of His miracles.

While we can and should seek the Lord for physical needs, we have more need of cultivating our relationship with Him through prayer above all.

This will factor significantly in Jesus’ next statement.

38 He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”

Jesus’ statement here suggests a contrast between the intent of the crowd and Jesus’ purpose.

What does Jesus identify is His purpose?

To preach.

What is it that Jesus is to preach?

Mark 1:15 “15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””

In Jesus, the kingdom of God (His rule) had came near to the Lord’s people.

The response of the people was to repent of sin and believe the gospel message, that Jesus, the Son of God, had come to save from sin.

39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.”

This is actually one of four references to Jesus casting out demons in this passage.

Hence, this becomes an important theme in this first chapter.

It’s fascinating that Jesus’ preaching ministry coincides with the presence of demons.

What would this suggest about Jesus’ preaching ministry?

It suggests that the forces of evil are aware of Jesus’ ministry and are attempting to challenge it.

It also gives authority to Jesus’ message that, the authority of Jesus’ words is confirmed by His exercise of authority over the demons.

This won’t be the only demonstration of Jesus’ authority in this passage as the next several verses will demonstrate.

Mark 1:40-42 “40 And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

I’m sure that we’re all familiar with the fact that the Bible reference leprosy in terms of avoidance on account of its contagious nature.

Leprosy with all of its grotesque consequences was painted in the Scripture as a kind of living death (I won’t go into much more detail as I do not want to ruin our appetite for today’s fellowship; cf. Lv 13:45-46).

Additionally, an infected person use wear torn clothes, similar to clothes that one would wear when in mourning.

They would live alone and have to cry “unclean” warning others to stay away.

To be unclean meant that you were isolated from the life of the community in participating in everything to include Temple life.

It’s a visible reminder of the internal reality of how our sin introduced corruption into this world.

This not to suggest that this man sinned and was punished with leprosy, though leprosy could be a punishment, 2 Ki 5 and Elisha’s servant.

Instead, leprosy is a deadly condition that is the result of the corruption of sin, reminding us of sin’s reality and our guilt.

Do we have some experience with this?

Sure so do, with Covid.

However, think about that experience of physical distancing and quarantining multiplied over years!

Consider what it was that this man was risking by coming to Jesus.

He had met Jesus in the open in contradiction to the Mosaic Law.

The man also met Jesus without any indication that Jesus would heal the man.

By his humble posture of kneeling before Jesus, this man was throwing his entire hope on Jesus.

What does this man’s humble response toward Jesus concerning his personal circumstances correlate to in our own lives?

Our sin.

This man’s reaction to Jesus serves to remind us of how hopeless our sin renders us and that Jesus is worth all of our hope.

41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

What does it mean to be moved with compassion?

This is a deeply emotional response by the Lord.

What does it suggest about the Lord’s character?

He is acutely aware of human suffering and grieved by it.

Jesus is acquainted with suffering because He too suffered as a man.

While the Lord’s plan for our suffering may not look like removing an illness such as with the man in our passage, we can be comforted that the Lord has comfort for us and is with us, acutely aware of what our suffering looks like.

Notice the phrase “stretched out His hand.”

This phrase is employed across the Old Testament specifically in reference to the Lord and the judgment that He brings (Egypt in the Exodus, Ex 7:5; Judah for not seeking the Lord in the face of the Assyrian threat in Isaiah 31:3).

It calls attention to the Lord’s power to judge and no one’s ability to stop Him.

However, our passage is not about judgment but about healing.

What it more broadly suggests is that the same power employed in the OT to judge is now employed to heal.

Hence, Jesus is demonstrating the power of God.

In other words, Jesus is demonstrating that He is God.

Notice also that Jesus touched the man!

This is unheard of during this time for fear of contamination of the disease and making someone ceremonially unclean.

Jesus can do this because He can make clean anything He touches on account of His holiness.

Consider also what a comfort it would have been for the man to receive such a touch.

Depending on the length of the man’s disease, he may not have felt the comforting touch of another for a long time.

Do we not also appreciate a hand on our shoulder or a good firm handshake men in greeting someone? We sure do.

42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”

Mark employs his characteristic “immediately” to call attention to the new activity that has occurred.

This is like the Holy Spirit saying, “Look at this!”

In the Greek, the next phrase that follows is the reference to the disease having left or departed from the man.

Here, the leprosy is treated almost as if it was a person, an unwanted guest who’s finally kicked out!

It’s almost as if we can see with our own eyes the man’s flesh return to wholeness and soundness.

All of this occurring as fast as we’re able to see it.

Think about it, an undetermined amount of time of suffering is resolved in a moment with the Lord.

Mark 1:43-45 “43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44 and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Here, Jesus sends out the healed man to follow the Law concerning leprosy (Lv 14:2-31).

The first part involved an inspection from the priest according to the prescription in Leviticus that could take 8 days (NIGTC).

The second part required an offering to be made (lambs, oil, and flour).

However, Jesus gives the man an instruction to avoid public discussion of the man’s experience.

Have you ever wondered why?

I mean, if any one of us experienced something like this, would we not also be broadcasting it?

If someone receives a cure like this, what do they naturally want to draw attention to?

The miraculous event.

However, what did Jesus say He came for?

To preach.

With this man’s testimony, the emphasis would be on Jesus’ abilities and not His message calling repentance and belief in the Gospel.

Brothers and sisters, this still happens to this day.

I’ve received evangelism training that emphasized one’s personal experience as the basis for encouraging someone to receive Christ.

However, we’re called upon to repent of sin and believe the Gospel message because of the authority of the One Who has made the call and proclaimed the message.

This is not to say that one’s testimony has no place when sharing the Gospel.

Instead, when we proclaim the Gospel message of repentance of sin because sin destroys and Jesus saves, we do not want our experience to eclipse the Gospel.

Instead, Jesus calls the man to obey God’s Word by following the prescribed Mosaic Law method for addressing leprosy.

Hence, the best way to demonstrate how Jesus transformed this guy was through observing God’s Word!

This is no different from us today.

We don’t obey in order to be transformed.

We obey because Jesus has transformed us.

45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.”

While there’s no reference to the man heading to the Temple, I don’t believe there’s any reason for us to conclude that he did not, because the passage only focuses on the message he proclaimed out in the open that suggests he reentrance into society (EBC).

What was the result of this man’s disregard for Jesus’ instruction to keep quiet?

Jesus had to move His ministry.

What I find really fascinating is that the phrase translated as “unpopulated areas” is the same phrase translated earlier in v. 35 as “a secluded place.”

Hence, the passage under consideration began with Jesus in a secluded place and remaining there in order to continue His preaching ministry.

Though the place of preaching ministry changed, the preaching ministry of Jesus continued unabated.

Conclusion: With the beginning of Jesus’ preaching ministry, these exorcisms and healings demonstrate the authority of Jesus’ words. We also see that withe the increase in performing exorcisms, Jesus has caught the attention of the forces of evil who want to interrupt His efforts.

Jesus’ example of solitary prayer time encourages us to take the time we need to seek the Lord in prayer for sustaining grace and direction to serve the Lord, albeit flexibly.

We must ask ourselves our we proclaiming Jesus’ message calling on others to repent and believe the Gospel? Or, are we merely drawing attention to Jesus as a wonder worker as the basis for any kind of attraction to Jesus?