Chapter Overview
Mark’s gospel is the shortest of the four and packs lots of information in each chapter. For instance, this opening chapter begins with John the Baptist preaching and Jesus coming to him to be baptized. Immediately following this, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness and tempted by Satan. The text moves to Jesus selecting His first four followers: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. The rest of the chapter documents miracles and Jesus’ works in Galilee: casting out a demon, healing Peter’s mother-in-law, moved by compassion to heal a leper, as well as references to other miraculous works. Mark is interested in getting to Jesus’ ministry quickly and spending a great deal of time there. The word “immediately” is used throughout, as the stories move at a rapid pace.
The key to applying fuller chapters is to find the theme or thread. In today’s reading, the words about Jesus tie the events together. John the Baptist said, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I…” The Father said, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.” Even the demon said, “I know who You are – the Holy One of God!” God, men, and even demons know who Jesus is. Do we? Following this testimony, more proofs are seen in His miracles. Jesus, filled with compassion, heals a leper who pleads for help. Though instructed to stay quiet, the leper demonstrates thankfulness by sharing the glory of Jesus with everyone. We should do the same!
Kind Father, who spoke for ages about the coming of Your Son, praise be to You for sending Him to be our Healer and Savior. He came to live in the flesh, subjected Himself to Your will, refused the devil’s temptations, and devoted His life to teaching and helping others. Help us to love Him as He deserves to be loved. May we see His miracles and know who He is and what He can do. Like the leper pleading for help, may Jesus see us and be moved with compassion to make us clean and new in Him.
Thought Questions
- 1If John the Baptist, God from heaven, and even demons confessed the name of Jesus, should you be doing so openly and boldly?
- 2The disciples “immediately” left their nets to follow Jesus. That word connotes urgency. In what ways should your faith involve urgency?
- 3The leper, once healed, was told not to speak of Jesus, but he too proclaimed Him openly. What has Jesus done for you that must be shared?