Mark Chapter 1 - Day 1

The Messiah’s Herald

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:[a]

Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You,
who will prepare Your way.[b]
3 A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make His paths straight![c]

4 John came baptizing[d] in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance[e] for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were flocking to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He was preaching: “Someone more powerful than I will come after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals. 8 I have baptized you with[f] water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven:

You are My beloved Son;
I take delight in You![g]

The Temptation of Jesus

12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels began to serve Him.

Ministry in Galilee

14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news[h][i] of God:[j] 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!”

The First Disciples

16 As He was passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen.

17 “Follow Me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for[k] people!” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in their boat mending their nets. 20 Immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.

Driving Out an Unclean Spirit

21 Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22 They were astonishedat His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.

23 Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out,[l] 24 “What do You have to do with us,[m] Jesus—Nazarene?  Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

25 But Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet,[n] and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.

27 Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority![o] He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 News about Him then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.

Healings at Capernaum

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her,[p] and she began to serve them.

32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.33 The whole town was assembled at the door, 34 and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons.But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Preaching in Galilee

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there.36 Simon and his companions went searching for Him. 37 They found Him and said, “Everyone’s looking for You!”

38 And He said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.” 39 So He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

A Man Cleansed

40 Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees,[q] begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the disease left him, and he was healed.[r] 43 Then He sternly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But He was out in deserted places, and they would come to Him from everywhere.

Jeremy's Commentary

The Gospel of Mark, which as we learn today in our key verse is the Gospel of Jesus, starts off with a jolt.  For me, its like the author (Mark) has so much to say, and his message is so urgent, he wants to put it all out there.  (I get like this too.  When I am sharing the gospel with someone, there is so much I want to share, and so much I have to say, I just want to get it out there.  I want to tell the world!!!)  

Lets slow it down for a second, and circle back to the main points...

• Before Jesus, a man named John the Baptist came preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  
• Jesus observed the ritual of Baptism (though uneeded for Forgiveness of Sins) and His Father, was pleased.
• Trials and Temptations - Immediately after His public confession of faith.  
• His first sermon was - "Repent and Believe the Good News"
• He called disciples (Fishers of men)
• He drove out unclean spirits (at house of worship)
• He healed the sick (At friends house)
• His ministry was on the move (this is why I have come)
• He healed those with skin conditions (flesh)
• His ministry grew so much, that people had to come to him in deserted places.  

Question of the Day

Should every Christian model their ministry after that of Jesus's?  Why or Why Not?  

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you have captured our heart, the same as you captured those before us.  You cast out our unclean spirits, you heal our sickness just as you did before.  Empower us to proclaim the Gospel just as you did, and to make disciples day in and day out Lord.  Give us a heart to do your will.  

- Bible Text thanks to minsitry of BibleGateway.com and HCSB 

- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1&version=HCSB&interface=print

-Key verse in BOLD

- Published by Jeremy Tramell - Oct 14th, 2014

Day 49 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Luke 1

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Dedication to Theophilus

1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him:

Do not be afraid, Zechariah,

because your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you will name him John.

14 There will be joy and delight for you,

and many will rejoice at his birth.

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord

and will never drink wine or beer.

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit

while still in his mother’s womb.

16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel

to the Lord their God.

17 And he will go before Him

in the spirit and power of Elijah,

to turn the hearts of fathers

to their children,

and the disobedient

to the understanding of the righteous,

to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.

18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’ Birth

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her:

Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

31 Now listen:

You will conceive and give birth to a son,

and you will call His name Jesus.

32 He will be great

and will be called the Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give Him

the throne of His father David.

33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

and His kingdom will have no end.

34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?”

35 The angel replied to her:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore, the holy One to be born

will be called the Son of God.

36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

38 “I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry:

“You are the most blessed of women,

and your child will be blessed!

43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! 45 She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”

Mary’s Praise

46 And Mary said:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,

48 because He has looked with favor

on the humble condition of His slave.

Surely, from now on all generations

will call me blessed,

49 because the Mighty One

has done great things for me,

and His name is holy.

50 His mercy is from generation to generation

on those who fear Him.

51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm;

He has scattered the proud

because of the thoughts of their hearts;

52 He has toppled the mighty from their thrones

and exalted the lowly.

53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

mindful of His mercy,

55 just as He spoke to our ancestors,

to Abraham and his descendants forever.

56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

The Birth and Naming of John

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No! He will be called John.”

61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote:

HIS NAME IS JOHN.

And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

because He has visited

and provided redemption for His people.

69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of His servant David,

70 just as He spoke by the mouth

of His holy prophets in ancient times;

71 salvation from our enemies

and from the clutches of those who hate us.

72 He has dealt mercifully with our fathers

and remembered His holy covenant—

73 the oath that He swore to our father Abraham.

He has given us the privilege,

74 since we have been rescued

from our enemies’ clutches,

to serve Him without fear

75 in holiness and righteousness

in His presence all our days.

76 And child, you will be called

a prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord

to prepare His ways,

77 to give His people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins.

78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion,

the Dawn from on high will visit us

79 to shine on those who live in darkness

and the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day 

Reflection:  Our journey is coming to a familiar end.  Think about the joy felt by both Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.  One too old to conceive, one a virgin, God's hand on both.  As we prepare for Christmas morning, think of the miracles that you have witnessed within the last week, and how your heart received them.  

Discussion Topic:  Tonight, step away from the computer and spend the time normally spent discussing things to be present with your family as eagerly celebrate the arrival. 

Prayer:  Father, thank You for making the impossible, possible.  We take this time to focus our eyes on the marvel of the story of Life.  Lord God, You made a way for our hearts to return to You.   We are forever grateful.  Bless our time tonight as we gather with friends and family to share in Your joy.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

Acknowledgements:  Scripture - BibleGateway.com, Image - http://www.irishpage.com/bible/marysong.htm