Mark

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ arrival.  We must make room for Jesus in our own lives to join Him in His Kingdom work. Mark 1:1-8 1:1 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 before your…

Jesus pleased His Father in what He did and in what He didn’t do. As followers of Jesus, we should seek to imitate His obedient lifestyle. Mark 1:9-13 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the…

Jesus called ordinary men to follow Him into an extraordinary work. As disciples of Jesus, we must also redefine our purpose to become fishers of men and join Him in His work to reach others. Mark 1:14-20 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time…

Jesus ministered at religious gatherings and at relational gatherings. If we understand the power of God, we will live in such a way that acknowledges that ministry cannot be hindered by a time, place, or situation. Mark 1:21-34 21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching….

Jesus prioritized time with His Father early in the morning to prepare for the day’s assignments.  If we are to follow His example, we must carve out intentional time for spiritual growth. Mark 1:35-39 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place,…

Moved with pity, Jesus touched and cleansed a leper who lived on the fringes of society. With the needs around us, we must be willing to place ourselves into messy situations in order to see redemption in others. Mark 1:40-45 40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you…

When Jesus forgave a man who came looking for healing, He revealed our need and His authority.  As we attempt to bring people to Jesus, we must seek to address their greatest need – their need for forgiveness. Mark 2:1-2:12 2:1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was…

As Jesus gathered disciples, He befriended sinners in home settings.  Acknowledging the needs of those around us, we should open our homes and open our hearts to minister to those in close proximity to us. Mark 2:13-17 13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he…

The religious leaders of the day became increasingly frustrated because Jesus didn’t minister in the way they deemed appropriate. We must stop trying to fit Jesus into our religious boxes and realize that He came to do something new. Mark 2:18-22 18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to…

Religious leaders opposed Jesus while He was doing good on the Sabbath day because it broke their manmade rules. The follower of Jesus must realize that it’s always the right time to do the right thing. Mark 2:23-3:6 23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began…

As the crowds increased around Jesus, He intentionally drew closer to fewer people as He appointed twelve disciples to be His apostles. As Jesus called the original Twelve to specific tasks, He calls us to follow Him in the same way today. Mark 3:7-21 7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd…

Jesus taught that there is a specific sin that is unforgivable by God. What is that sin and how do we avoid it? Mark 3:22-30 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”23 And he called them to…

As Jesus’ influence increased, His family attempted to hinder His ministry.  Jesus taught that sometimes doing the will of God will incur the opposition of your physical family and secure the support of your spiritual family. Mark 3:31-35 31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him….

Jesus told a parable of a sower which taught how different people will respond to the gospel message. As we share the gospel with others, we must be mindful of the reasons why some people don’t get it. Mark 4:1-20 4 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about…

Jesus taught parables to His disciples regarding how the Kingdom of God would grow. As His disciples, we should continue to do our part and watch God cause the growth. Mark 4:21-34 21 And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not…

Jesus slept through the storms that terrified the disciples. No situation is so great that Jesus can’t handle it. Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just…

When Jesus delivered a man from demonic possession, the people had less acceptance of the deliverer than they had for the demoniac. When Jesus threatens our comfort and affluence, we can seek to rid ourselves from His influence as well.  Mark 5:1-20 5:1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of…

As Jesus journeyed to help a life and death situation, He was interrupted by a smaller problem and yet was able to address both of them. Regardless of the size of our circumstances, Jesus is willing and able to come to our aid. Mark 5:21-43 21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to…

When John the Baptist spoke out against King Herod’s personal life, it cost him his life. Speaking the truth rarely guarantees receiving the culture’s acceptance or approval. Mark 6:14-29 14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these…

As ministry needs increased, Jesus sought solitude but was unable to obtain it due to His prioritizing of others’ needs ahead of His own. When Jesus fed the five thousand, He demonstrated the powerful principle that compassion can never clock out. Mark 6:30-44 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had…

Separated by chaotic elements, Jesus actually walked on water to reach the fearful in the boat and the needy on the shore. There is nothing so powerful that can hinder Jesus from meeting us in our most significant needs. Mark 6:45-56 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other…

The religious leaders valued their preferential traditions over God’s doctrinal truth.  As followers of Jesus, we must ensure that we hold the Word of God as superior to the traditions of man. Mark 7:1-13 7 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw…

The legalists of Jesus’ day appeared godly on the outside but were actually ungodly on the inside. Jesus taught the importance of addressing one’s heart which is the root cause for all of our actions. Mark 7:14-23 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and…

Jesus broke the status quo as He ministered to those who were on the fringes of society. Through His example, Jesus reminds us that no one is beyond deliverance. Mark 7:24-37 24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want…

For a second time, Jesus leads a faithless group of disciples to help feed a great crowd of hungry people. Failing to remember Jesus’ power in the past can cause us to question His ability in the present for our physical and spiritual needs. Mark 8:1-26 8 In those days, when again a great crowd had…

While opinions of Jesus were rampant and varied, He desired to know whom His disciples believed Him to be.  Peter’s initial response and subsequent reaction reveal our own desire to edit God when He doesn’t meet our expectations. Mark 8:27-33 27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on…

Jesus taught His disciples regarding the incompatible nature of following Him halfway. As He still calls us today, He is expecting us to abandon all this world has to offer for the greater treasure of knowing Him. Mark 8:34-9:1 34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would…

When a man brought his son to Jesus for deliverance, he uttered three words that should never be used to address the Christ.  When we approach Jesus in our need, He deserves complete faith in His ability. Mark 9:14-29 14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes…

As Jesus proceeded towards the cross, the disciples argued about who was the greatest and about who should be included.  Until we address our pride, we will always see everyone else as the problem. Mark 9:30-41 30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he…

Jesus never categorized any sins as acceptable in the life of His followers. Playing with sin has severe repercussions for our lives and great consequences for those closest to us. Mark 9:42-50 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone…

Jesus was questioned regarding the nature of marriage and the opportunity for divorce. When an eternal God puts something together, it should last forever. Let Nothing Separate By determining what issues are worthy of divorce, many people attempt to discover a way out of their marriage. Due to the stubborn nature of people, God provided…

In a time when people viewed children as distracting annoyances, Jesus intentionally prioritized them. Not only should we prioritize children, but we should start acting like them when it comes to the Kingdom of God. Mark 10:13-16 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.14 But when…

A rich young man wanted to follow Jesus, but he loved his possessions too much. We must be careful that our riches don’t rob us of following Jesus.   Mark 10:17-31 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what…

As Jesus attempted to prepare His disciples for His death, their priorities were severely misaligned with His. Jesus came to serve, and we should seek to give our lives away as well. Mark 10:32-52 “And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and…

As soon as Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He intentionally targeted the religious community. Followers of Jesus must continually evaluate if we are fulfilling the call He has placed upon us. Mark 11:1-25 11 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of…

Trying to trap Jesus in His words, His enemies collaborated in an attempt to force Him to choose a side between God and government. Jesus’ response teaches us what our commitment to both should be. Mark 12:13-17 13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in…

People wanted to know what Jesus believed about the status of marriage in heaven. Jesus emphasized that what we receive in heaven will be greater than what we take with us to heaven. Mark 12:18-27 18 And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying,19 “Teacher, Moses…

Out of the 613 commandments in the Old Testament, some religious leaders wanted to know which one that Jesus thought was the most important. Not only did Jesus provide His top two commandments, but He summarized them all and gave His followers a simple direction for all of life. Mark 12:28-34 28 And one of the…

The rich and distinguished people in Jesus’ day believed that their worldly affluence provided them with divine acceptance. When Jesus praised a poor widow’s offering, He revealed that the heart of giving is more important than the amount of giving. Mark 12:35-44 35 And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say…

Providing the people with signs of the times, Jesus prepared them for coming persecution. Jesus taught on the coming end times, not to increase our anxiety in the future, but to increase our activity in the present. Mark 13:1-23 13 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look,…

People have attempted to predict the end times, but Jesus assured that no one will know the precise time. While we don’t have the exact details of Christ’s return, we can hold the certain reality of His return by faith. Mark 13:24-37 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and…

As Jesus prepares for His sacrificial offering on the cross, Mary prepared a sacrificial offering for Him through an alabaster jar. As followers of Jesus, there is no gift too extravagant to lay before our Savior. Mark 14:1-11 14:1 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief…

Jesus gathered His disciples to celebrate the Passover and to institute the Lord’s Supper. The head of the table not only recalled the Passover sacrifice, but He showed them that He was the true Passover sacrifice. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my…

Judas betrayed, the disciples fled, the people accused, and Peter denied. After all Jesus had done for this world, the world abandoned Him. Mark 14:43-72 43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and…

Intending to rid himself of the responsibility of Jesus’ death, Pilate assumed the people would choose Jesus over Barabbas to be the one prisoner released at that year’s Passover. Instead, the people chose to free a sinful criminal and condemn the sinless Messiah. Mark 15:1-20 15 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests…

As Jesus hung upon the sinner’s cross, people ridiculed His inability to perform one more miracle and escape His death. The greatest miracle of Jesus’ ministry was His commitment to forsake salvation from the cross so that we could experience salvation by the cross. Mark 15:21-39 21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who…

When followers of Jesus sought to care for the body of Jesus, Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus died so early in the process.  Scripture teaches us not only why He died so early but also why He died so willingly. Mark 15:40-47 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom…

As the women came on Sunday morning to anoint the deceased body of Jesus, they were shocked to realize that the tomb was empty. All of our faith and purpose in life is wrapped up in the belief that the tomb is still empty today. Our lives will be determined based upon what we believe…

In the concluding comments of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus commissioned the disciples to take the gospel into all the world. If we continue to follow Jesus, He will lead us to people and places that need to hear the gospel. Options for Mark’s Ending Why is the ending of Mark so uncommon from the rest of…