Astonished

Mark 1:21 ( ESV )

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^21£And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.

     Imagine being either Andrew, Peter, James or John and you are walking with Jesus. This was truly incredible, just four lowly fishermen and they are conversing and walking with the creator of the universe.  There is nothing like walking and talking with someone along a road and getting to know them for who they are. All of the disciples had this privilege in their lives.

     Our passage tells us that they now came upon the fishing village of Capernaum. It was a prosperous town with a major road going through it. The town was also important enough to have a Roman garrison placed there as well. We are also told by this verse that there was also a synagogue located in the village itself.

    Your typical synagogue was known as a place for worship and teaching of the Word. They became important to the Jewish people after they returned from their captivity. Visiting Rabbis were welcomed to speak and open up the Word to the people within the temple area. Jesus Himself would take advantage of this custom on several occasions in His ministry. He entered this synagogue on a Sabbath and began to teach those who were in the building.

Mark 1:22 ( ESV )

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²²And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

     The Bible then goes on to tell us that Jesus teaching literally left them dumbstruck. They had never heard anyone speak like Him before. His teaching amazed them with what He had to say. Now that phrase stands out to me in this passage. How did Jesus teaching differ from the rest of the men that they had heard before?

     I believe that the answer to why Jesus teaching was so different to them is found in the rest of the verse. He did not teach them as the scribes of their day would teach them. You see the scribes as a whole were only reciting what other scribes before them had stated. Thus traditions and a parroting effect had taken over the teaching in the synagogues.

     We see this today behind the pulpit as men only repeat what another pastor has said before them. Pastors or speakers will find their next sermon on the internet as preached by someone else. They will change a few words here and there and then claim it as their own. There is nothing wrong with us learning and getting ideas from other Spirit filled men. The problem is when we no longer study or question or think through the passage ourselves. Men are becoming lazy as they prepare the Word instead of looking for fresh Manna that only the Word and the Spirit of God can give to us.

     Listening to a pastor awhile back I came to find out that he had just copied it from the internet. I could understand a man even using many of the thoughts from the passage or giving credit to the one who wrote it. Instead he claimed it as insights he had gained from the Word of God. This not only happened once but has slowly become a habit in the man’s life.

     If we wish to have any authority in this world with the Word of God let it be through our sweat, pleading, studying and seeking the Holy Spirit of God to teach us what the Word means.

     Jesus spoke with authority from the Word of God for He knew what it said. He spoke and the people listened for they were challenged to live changed and holy lives. We will never have the authority that He had when He used the Word of God. Yet, might we seek to know and share the Word of God through reliance upon Him.

     I do believe that we can learn from other Spirit filled men about what the Word says. We should read the great commentators and glean from them the truths of Scripture. Many men refuse to read today and grow in their walks by listening to the giants of the faith. Yet, once again may we as teachers of the Word of God be known for our diligent study and prayer.

     As we go through this verse as well as verse 27, we find two things the people were astonished at about Jesus authority. One: They were astonished at His Words. Two: They were astonished with His power over the evil spirits. This would imply His actions. His words and actions impacted the people greatly.

Mark 1:23 ( ESV )

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²³And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,

     Just as soon as Jesus showed up in the synagogue so also did a man who was demon possessed. This will not be the first time that we see Jesus encountering men who are possessed by evil spirits. The incredible part of this passage as well as later on in chapter one is where these men choose to approach Jesus at.

     Here in this verse as well as in verse 39 we are told that Jesus would be confronted by these demon possessed men in a synagogue. A house of worship meant for the glory of God. We must realize brothers and sisters that no place is safe or more sacred that Satan does not want to work. Why should we be surprised at this fact? We are told how that Satan will try to sow tares among the wheat. We are told how that wolves will try to enter into the house of God. We need to be those who are not paranoid but cautious about the wiles of the devil.

Mark 1:24 ( ESV )

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²⁴“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”

     Even the demons had a better theology than some of the priest of their day. Note what the verse says: 1) He is aware of a time in which Jesus will bring punishment upon them. 2) The demon or demons knew that Jesus was the Holy One of God. They knew that He was the Messiah and the Perfect one. We also know that even with this knowledge that this knowledge of the facts or their belief in these facts would not save them. James 2:19

     I fear today for those who know all the facts about Jesus and still yet do not know Him. It is possible for a person to quote scripture, know all the right religious terms and pray their prayers at night and still be lost. This was rampant during the time of Christ and is still rampant among us today.

Mark 1:25-26 ( ESV )

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²⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

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²⁶And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

     When I read verse 25 I do not believe that Jesus made a huge dramatic statement. I believe that He simply looked and said, “Be silent and come out of him.” This was the type of authority that Jesus had. In just seven simple words the unclean spirit within the man convulsed, cried out loudly and left the man.

     The question among some though would still be why did Jesus tell the demon to be quiet? Jesus will not only do this in this passage but often when dealing with demon possession he would tell them to shut up. Many times the demon would be speaking the truth about who Jesus was. So why would Jesus tell them to, “Be silent?” 

     Later on we will find out that one of the charges that would be brought up against Jesus was that He was in league with the devil. They would even go as far as to say that His miracles were being done by the power of Beelzebub. What blasphemy. I believe that Jesus knowing this would be one of the charges did not want the people to think that the demons were saying these things as if to fool them into following a false prophet. Jesus was aware of how people would wrap words around to satisfy their evil thinking. This is the reason why I believe He told them to be silent.

Mark 1:27-28 ( ESV )

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²⁷And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

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²⁸And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

     What is this? They were astonished once again as they saw the power of God demonstrated before their eyes. When they saw that Jesus had this type of authority they had to spread the word about him far and near. Could this be the Messiah to come had to have been on many of their minds.

     Yes, it was a new teaching and it was one with authority. Why? Because the Word was now made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Obsession

     One of my pastoral friends came over the other day. We had a great time of eating and fellowshipping about our lives and the things of Christ. I cherish those kinds of days where Christ is the focus of our conversation.

     We then got on a topic that is near and dear to my heart. The topic was that of the word” Obsession”. It was brought up as he saw my Chicago Bears stuff that I have on my wall. Then, it really got going when he saw my old movie poster of Vertigo. You might say that I am Obsessed with both of these things. The wild part is that, at the main crux of the movie, Vertigo is Jimmy Stewart’s obsession with Kim Novak. Then again, all the great movies and stories deal with having obsession at their core.

     I believe though, at the heart of every individual, they are obsessed with something or someone in their lives. This becomes their very heart and soul, and in many instances, their god.  We become intertwined with a team, hobby, object or a person.  Some will get to a point where they cannot live without it. They will do anything to obtain that object. They will risk all that they have and who they are to have it as part of their life. They become like Gollum with his Precious.

     This one word alone, I believe, is at the heart of Christianity. We, as followers of the Lamb, are to be obsessed with Christ alone. I look at the parable of the pearl of great price in Matthew 13. Here is a man who is willing to sell all that he has for it so that he can have it as his own. The radical lifestyle of the apostles, as they left all that they had to follow after Him. 

     An obsession with Christ made his follower fearless.  They were willing, like Zacchaeus, to make up for the wrong that he had done. They were willing, like Stephen, to take a stand even though it would cost him his life. They were willing to spread the Gospel, like Paul, to those on distant shores.

     At the heart of this magnificent obsession is the word Love. He first showed us His love by being willing to die for a people who did not love Him. This is a concept which, I truly believe, that I will never understand. He, the perfect one, was willing to give of His life for His enemies.

     It is because of the love of Christ that I am obsessed with Him.  He alone, becomes that cold drink of water in a dry and thirsty land. In Christ alone will I find peace, joy, hope and a myriad of other things.  I can never repay Him for what He has done upon the cross.

     May he become our magnificent obsession. May our eyes see Jesus only, as we travel on this journey.

HIS FATHER WAS WELL PLEASED. MARK 1:9-13

Mark 1:9 ( ESV )

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^9£In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

    Of all the places in the world why would anyone want to come from Nazareth? Even the future apostle Nathanael would ask, “Can anything good come from there?” It was such an obscure little place that the O.T. makes no reference to it as well as the Talmud. One of the things that I cherish the most though about my Jesus, is how He was always willing to take something obscure, and make it great. Many people would call His followers the sect of the Nazarene. Jesus and His followers though would seem to carry their mocking as a badge of honor. Our Lord, was always more concerned, about taking the foolish things of this world and turning them around and using them for His glory.

     His cousin John would have the honor of baptizing Jesus. This was not an easy thing for John to do. We are told of how John felt about baptizing Jesus in the book of Matthew. John would say, “I need to be baptized by you and yet you come to me?” Here was the one that John did not even feel worthy to take his sandals off. This perfect Lamb of God now comes to him to be baptized.

     Why was Jesus baptized though? We know that by comparing the other Gospel accounts He never confessed any sins. He was the perfect and sinless Son of God. He was a lamb without one blemish or spot.  So while all the others who were baptized, were confessing their sins, this was not done by our Lord. I think the answer is found in Jesus reply to John’s question in Matthew 3:15. “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he (John) consented.” Though Jesus was sinless, He now identified himself with sinners as He would bear our sins upon the cross. His righteousness would be placed upon us. The righteous one would suffer for the unrighteous.

Mark 1:10 ( ESV )

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¹⁰And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

     Isaiah had cried out in Isaiah 64:1 to the Father, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountain might quake at your presence.” When the Father saw that His Son was willing to begin His public ministry, the Heavens burst wide open with the Joy that the Father had.

     In just a few weeks I will be saying goodbye to one of the greatest loves of my life. My oldest girl will be leaving our home to go to Bible College. I have to be honest, I do not want to say goodbye. I know that this is also true of her mother and sister. She has been a joy and a light in our home. She will be missed. Yet, I have also never been prouder of her than I am today. I do not know what is ahead for her. In all likelihood she will be faced with trials and tribulations at times. I will not be there to catch her or to hold her. The reason why I am so proud of her is because, she is now willing to do, whatever the Lord has called her to.  She has always been willing to serve our Lord but now she is ready to do it on her own. I cannot even begin to understand how great the Father’s joy must have been at this moment. The road to Calvary was now just over the horizon. Redemption would now be offered to all of mankind.

     Not only was the Father filled with joy, as we will see in the next verse, but here in verse 10, we see how that the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus, like a dove. I believe that the Spirit’s presence came upon Him as He was well pleased also.  A new world would now be opening up to man. The hope of all time was now upon earth.

     The Spirit descending upon Jesus like a dove was also a sign to John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah as recorded in John 1:31-34. From this point on John would point men to Jesus and call Him the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. John 1:36

Mark 1:11 ( ESV )

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¹¹And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;^£ with you I am well pleased.”

     The voice of the Father now came forth from Heaven. Isaiah would declare in Is. 42:1, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” Jesus was the chosen one who would free His people from their sins. By His willingness to be baptized He acted not only as an obedient Son but as the Servant King. Our Father was delighted in His son at this moment. His official role now began.

     Now this is where it all seems to begin as far as who Jesus was to the world. For right after the Father says, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” Notice what happens in the next verse. The temptation of Christ would begin immediately. The Father would be well pleased, as Jesus would be able to declare to the world, that He was tempted in all matters like we have been tempted, but He on the other hand WOULD NOT FAIL.

Mark 1:12 ( ESV )

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¹²The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.

  

    The incredible part of the story is that it was the Spirit of God who drove Jesus immediately out into the wilderness. Jesus had identified with Israel and their need for a Savior by being baptized. Now through the temptation He would be able to declare that He was the perfect one who could forgive them of their sins.  Another quick lesson to be learned for me from this verse is the reminder that God will not allow any temptations in our lives that He does not believe that through His Spirit’s power that we cannot say no to. I Cor. 10:13 I do not believe that the Spirit of God would allow that to happen. He wants to give us victory over temptations.

     The wilderness was a dry region that was largely uninhibited. It was a place that was known for its desolation and loneliness. It was a place with a lack of a food supply, as we are told  that Jesus was hungry. I like what R.C. Sproul brought up about Jesus temptations as compared to Adam and Eve. Adam had a partner with him. Jesus was alone. Adam was in the beauty of Eden with food all around him.  Jesus was in the desolate wilderness hungry for food. Adam would fail in the temptation. Jesus would prevail.

Mark 1:13 ( ESV )

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¹³And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

     Moses before he would receive the commandments would be upon the mountain for forty days without food. Elijah would not partake of food for forty days in I Kings 19. Now Jesus the greatest of all the prophets, would be faced with a similar but an even greater challenge.  He could make bread for himself but He would not. He could have heard the applause of the world but He would not. He could have fallen into the trap of pride but He would not. He would prevail over the Adversary in his temptations.

     He knew what was ahead of Him and the redemption that He would bring to fallen man. He was tempted and by prevailing, He would one day soon, be able to give to us His righteousness. He proved to the world and to His Adversary, (Satan) that He was the perfect one. He was the one in whom His Father was well pleased.

HANNAH

     Only Mark brings up that Jesus was with wild animals. Like Daniel of old He would be kept safe. He was found blameless just like Daniel before the Father. Daniel 6:22 This hour of darkness would pass for now, but the Adversary would look for an opportune time again as recorded in Luke 4:13. Yet, our Lord would prevail time and time again. He will prevail always for He has come for fallen man.

The Story now begins. Mark 1:1

Mark 1:1 ( ESV )

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¹The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.^£

     The author’s name is not given to this book. We believe from external evidence and internal evidence that it is the same Mark that is spoken of in I Peter 5:13. So much of what we read about in this Gospel account may largely be influenced by what Peter saw.  With this in mind, right from the very start, we begin to see that Mark wants us to understand that Jesus came into this world as a servant. Like his Savior, Mark comes quietly into the room and does the work he is called to do. So, Jesus would come into this world and do the work, which His Father had called Him to do.

     Instead of addressing the book as the Gospel of Mark, the author begins the story by saying,” This is the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus is brought up front and center in this Gospel reading. He may have come into this world the first time as a servant but He is the very Son of God.

    What an incredible opening statement to one of the Gospels. The author wants us to know this is just the Beginning of the Good News. This story of Jesus does not end at the end of this book, but will continue on throughout all of eternity. It’s almost like he is saying, “Hey, I am just getting started.”

    In a world that is filled with so much sorrow, grief and pain isn’t it a blessing to hear some Good News? If you are like me, quite often I just don’t even want to hear the local, state, national or let alone the worldwide news. Wars, famines, mass murders, and the like fill the media machine constantly. We should not try to become hermits and try to hide ourselves from these realities. They exist, and we cannot change that truth. Hell exists, even though we have men who try to say that it does not, or that it is not eternal. We have to acknowledge the truth. Yet, as believers we have hope, in that there is Good News to be had.

    The Good News that Mark writes about in this book deals with the account of Jesus life, teachings, miracles, His death and also His glorious resurrection. Basically, Mark’s gospel is going to deal with the facts of who Jesus was while He was here on earth.

     Jesus would later on read the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring GOOD NEWS to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives..” This Good News is available to all of mankind and offers us hope when we do not deserve hope at all.

     The beauty of this Good News is given to us just in the names and titles of Jesus in this opening verse.

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                    His name is Jesus. This is the name that means Yahweh is Salvation or Jehovah Saves. It is in Him alone that the Good News is fulfilled. He alone is the one, who can save man from his greatest dilemma which is, because we are sinners, we cannot save ourselves. We must come to the one alone who can save us. He is the way, the truth and the life and no man can find any other entrance to Heaven’s doors than through Him alone.

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                   He is the Christ. He is the anointed one or the deliverer of Israel. I love reading the words of Jesus when He asks who do you think I am? Peter replied to Him without any hesitation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” They were caught up in their Messiah being the one who would deliver them from the Roman’s hands that many of them missed out on the greater issue about His first coming which was they needed deliverance from their sin and from Hell. Here, now stood their Christ, who alone could offer them the spiritual deliverance that they so desperately needed.  Jesus would testify to this fact when at His trial He would be asked, “Are you the Christ?” Jesus simple reply was, “I am and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Jesus told them clearly that He was Messiah. He also made it clear that He would come again a second time as the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy.

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                    He is the Son of God-Why can He deliver us? Why can He declare Himself to be the one who saves? He can do these things because no mortal man can do them, but He as the very Son of God, CAN. He is God in flesh and yet He has come as the Good News into this world. He is the very best of news that this world has or ever will see again.

The Name of Jesus

Something that I have told teens, young adults and older ones through the years is how it amazes me how that we can talk with the majority of people all day long about God. When I do this I am always reminded of how easy the conversation can be and how non-threating. Yet, the moment I start to use the name of Jesus, when I talk about the God man, note how quickly the conversation changes.

For the believer I sense an ease, or even a joy that seems to come at that moment. It's like introducing an old friend into the conversation. For the unbeliever though it's something entirely different. Often a change in conversation seems to be soon at hand. Nerves are sometimes set on edge. Sometimes the talk now changes to even anger.

God is one issue but Jesus that is an entirely different subject. I believe that Jesus is the God man that we read about in John 1:1 and John 1:14. He is not the Father but He is God by His very own words. That name though Jesus offends and I believe that the reason it offends is found in Philippians 2:9-11 "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." When that name is used there will always be this truth, at this name every knee will one day bow. It does not matter whether saved or not.

No other name has or ever will bring more controversy, more passionate arguments and more emotions.This is the name that will divide families apart This is the name though that alone can bring peace and hope to a dying world.  This is the name that the angels will sing forth through out all of eternity. This is the name that I will forever be more then happy to speak of at all times. This is the name above all names and the name Jesus will always be the sweetest name I know.