Mark - A Solitary Place

A Solitary Place

Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Jesus was always busy, morning to night, but not too busy to spend time with his Father. It appears that he had little sleep, yet his time was always well spent. Do you have a place to be alone to pray, without distractions?

Mark 1:36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

He wasn't completely alone, for his close disciples followed him.

John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Mark 1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

Never alone for long, his disciples come to him with the needs of the people. All men sought him now, for he spoke the true word of God and healed the afflicted. He was greater than John the Baptist who also had many followers. John pointed all to Jesus and so should we.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

Mark - The Great Physician

The Great Physician

Mark 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

In the darkness, those overcome by the dark things were brought to him. The diseased, those with things that afflicted the health of the body. Jesus can heal all diseases, from a headache, to aids or leprosy. Even worse then physical ailments, were those afflicted by devils, the spirits of darkness that tormented the mind and caused mental illness or strange behavior.

Mark 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

Imagine this, at night all the city gathered at the door where Jesus was staying, at the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother in law may have been serving them refreshments and comforting them while Dr. Jesus met with each patient, heart to heart. He also could forgive their sins.

Mark 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

This was better than a free health clinic, for all were healed and loved by Jesus. Every need was met, for in Jesus are all things good. In him are all our needs met.

Mark - Take His Hand

Take His Hand

Mark 1:29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

After the casting out of the demon from the man in the synagogue, they visited the home of Simon (Peter) and Andrew, with the son's of Zebedee.

Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

Simon had a wife, or was widowed, but his wife's mother lived in his parents home and was sick of the fever. This is important; none told him of her condition, but he knew she was ill.

Mark 1:31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Without being asked, he came to her and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; the fever left her at once, and she served him. Are you ill? Are you sick of your life of sin? Jesus knows and is reaching his hand out to you. Will you serve him.

I was in a hospital bed with cancer when Jesus spoke to me. Soon I was promising him that I would serve him. He took my hand. The road of life can be hard, It is very hard if we serve him by our own efforts. But when we make him master, taking his hand, being yoked with Jesus while serving him, he does most of the work for us.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mark - Testimony of the unclean spirit

Testimony of the unclean spirit

Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

Jesus and those he had chosen as disciples were with him as he journeyed to Capernaum, Jesus had just begun his ministry. The law required that to be a priest one had to be thirty years of age. The disciples were to learn from Jesus. They followed him because of the testimony of the prophet, John the Baptist.

Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

What was Jesus like when he preached? Like no other, they were astonished at his teachings. He spoke the word of God with authority, being himself the Son of God, come in the flesh. No one really knew this was God speaking; but the spirit world knew who Jesus was.

Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

A man in the synagogue, it could be a man in a church, but when Jesus was in his presence he cried out! What spirit is this? It is a fallen spirit, probably angels that had fallen with Lucifer, the angel of light, the devil. These know the spiritual powers. They saw the Holy one of God, God the Word, the Son of God, in the man Jesus. They also knew that this Word of God would judge them and cast them into the lake of fire. They were afraid that their time was up. They would be judged by his word and cast into the lake of fire after his second coming. Still he had power and authority even over the angels and demons.

Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

The unclean spirit had to come out at the command of Jesus. He tore him. Often to cast out a devil, in my experience, there is discomfort, headache, or nausea, it is the unclean spirit trying to cause the person to turn from the spiritual to the needs of the body.

So the disciples themselves witnessed the power of the word and the authority of Jesus. The unclean spirit was the first to see Jesus as he was, the first was the witness of the prophet John. Also the witness of the Father and the Holy Spirit at his baptism.

Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

The people were amazed as well and he became famous. This would make their religious leaders envious. With every victory, the enemy sends in more of his dark ones to interfere with the moving of God. Expect it, success will be followed by attacks, but in the name of Jesus is power and authority over all things.

Disciples and servants

Disciples and servants    

We are called as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ to be disciples and servants. In a world that is turning from God and Jesus, there is no truth, no discipline and no hope. As disciples of Jesus, we learn to be as He is, showed us by teaching God's word and by example. Our life is to be as His servants, bringing His message to people without hope. Our work here will bring eternal rewards. We shall be with Jesus as will those who we help come to him. This is the purpose of our life.  

Disciples  

A disciple, mathetes, is one who learns from a teacher. One who follows one's teaching. We are disciples of Jesus, learning the Word of God and the way he was when he lived among people. The Jews who believed in him, especially the 12 who were with him, were called disciples. We get the word discipline from disciple.  

What is required to be a disciple of Jesus?  

Luke 6:40  The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.                                                                          Luke 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:28  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Luke 14:29  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Luke 14:30  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Luke 14:31  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Luke 14:32  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Luke 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.  

There must be trust  

He trusted his disciple John with the care of his mother, while hanging on the cross.

John 19:26  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
John 19:27  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

 Servants  

 Servant, douolos, someone who is bondage to another. Before Jesus came into our lives were were servants, in bondage to sin. A bondslave is one who chooses to be a servant of another.   A disciple of Jesus is required to be a servant, not a master.  

The servant woman  

Luke 7:44  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luke 7:45  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luke 7:46  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 7:47  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:48  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
 

One Master  

Luke 16:13  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  

Not as the world  

Mark 10:42  But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
Mark 10:43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mark 10:44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mark 10:45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many  

Greatest, shall be servant of all

Mat 23:8  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Mat 23:9  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Mat 23:10  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Mat 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Mat 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.  

Hated by many  

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Mat 10:24  The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Mat 10:25  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Mat 10:26  Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Mat 10:27  What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Always faithful   

Mat 24:45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Mat 24:48  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49  And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

Ten virgins, five were disciples

Mat 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.  

As a child

Mark 9:35  And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mark 9:36  And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Mark 9:37  Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Serving is a duty 

Luke 17:7  But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
Luke 17:8  And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Luke 17:9  Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
Luke 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.  

Serve Jesus, receive God's honor and blessings  

John 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.  

We please God, by speaking His word 
 

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? forif I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.  

Do not be critical of another 

 Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.  

The mind of Christ, our goal

 Phil 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Phil 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Phil 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phil 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phil 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   His Spirit

No strife

2 Tim 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2 Tim 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2 Tim 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
 

 Jesus gave us great honor and opportunities toserve him  

Greater things

John 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Ask and receive

John 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Friends of God

 John 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
John 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Tolerance?

In our world today it is the fashion for people to make up their own truth. Your truth is truth for you and my truth is truth for me. They teach this in our schools calling this "tolerance." But? At the same time they oppose God, who is the author of truth, they do not allow Jesus in Christmas, even saying Xmas. They are careful even not to say Merry Christmas, instead it is seasons greetings, for in it is a reference to the Christ. The schools no longer take time off for Christmas. They take time off from school and call it winter break. The same for Easter, no mention of the risen savior, but it is spring break. Lots of tales of Easter bunnies and snowmen, but no mention of Jesus Christ. The Christmas music that all sang when I was young has been filtered to avoid reference to the name of Jesus and his love and redemption. Tolerance? Truth? No, it is the antichrist spirit, which must come before the coming of the Lord. As Jesus said, will he find faith when he comes? Only in those who believe in him and the Bible. For all will be turned to fables called "truth." Along with teach no truth, their are no absolutes. To those taught in schools this day, they are told that truth is up to them, so they do not allow someone to say there is one truth. Clever is the devil to put this in those who will not come to Jesus. They fight truth and destroy education. Without truth without absolutes there is no wisdom. In math still there is truth. 2 plus 2 is 4, but what if they do to math what they do to truth about God?  2 plus 2 is 4 for you, but 6 for me? It is all foolishness.   Prov 15:2  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Prov 15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Mark - Fishers of Men

Fishers of Men

Mark 1:16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Two fisherman, brothers about their business.

Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
Mark 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

A miraculous calling, for they immediately left their nets and their way of life behind and followed Jesus, the master teacher, the Son of God.

Mark 1:19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

Two more disciples were called; James the elder son and heir of Zebedee and John his brother, who were mending their nets. John the Baptist was the son of the priest, Zacharius.

Mark 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

They too immediately followed Jesus. James had been a disciple of John the Baptist. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus, we should always point people to Jesus. Perhaps they remembered John's words concerning Jesus?

John 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
John 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
John 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Jesus is the one for all people to follow.