Today’s Devotional: Mark 3

You can download this week’s entire Daily Devotional in booklet form here.

Here Mark continues his account of Jesus’ ministry in the region of Galilee, especially noting how the Jewish religious establishment hated and opposed him.

When Jesus healed a man with a severely handicapped hand in a synagogue, the Pharisees (traditionalist Jewish leaders who did not like Rome) joined forces with the Herodians (Jews who aligned with Rome’s leader, Herod) to destroy Jesus (vv. 1-6).

When Jesus moved to the Sea of Galilee multitudes from throughout Israel sought him out (7-12). Jesus healed many and cast out demons, and though demon-possessed individuals knew and said who Jesus really was, Jesus would not allow them to give such testimony (cf. Psalm 50:16-17).

Jesus then chose from among all who followed him twelve men as his disciples. He trained and sent these out to proclaim throughout Israel that Jesus was Israel’s promised King and Messiah. Jesus gave them the ability to do miracles proving he was the Messiah (vv. 13-19).

As Jesus continued to do miracles—especially casting out demons—the religious leaders said that Jesus was able to cast out demons because he was controlled by Satan (vv. 22, 30). Jesus rebuked their foolish thinking (vv. 23-27) and judged them for their unbelief (vv. 28-30).

Only those who hear, believe, and obey Jesus will be blessed (vv. 31-35).

Truths to Nail Down and Apply

1. God’s enemies may not like each other for any number of practical reasons, but they are united in their hatred of and opposition to the Lord.
2. The “unpardonable sin” the “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” was when the Jewish religious leaders believed that Jesus was controlled by Satan, not the Holy Spirit (vv. 22, 29-30).
3. Family is important, but they are not as important as hearing, believing, and obeying God’s will (vv. 31-35). Jesus did not let family keep him from doing God’s will.

Today’s Devotional: Mark 2

You can download this week’s entire Daily Devotional in booklet form here.

Mark focuses the readers’ attention on Jesus’ ministry in regions that included both Jews as well as Gentiles. In addition to Jesus’ ministry, Mark here also shows the Jewish leaders’ growing opposition to Jesus.  

Jesus entered Capernaum, a significant city in the region of Galilee and in Jesus’ ministry. While preaching in a packed home that he was Israel’s promised Messiah (vv. 1-2), Jesus told a paralytic that his sins were forgiven because the man believed that Jesus was the Messiah (vv. 3-5). Religious leaders present viewed Jesus as blaspheming, saying he was equal with God (vv. 6-7). Jesus rebuked them and proved he had the authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic (vv. 8-12).  

Jesus then went to the Sea of Galilee to continue teaching (v. 13). On the way there he called a Jewish tax-collector, Levi (Matthew), to follow him as one of his disciples (v. 14). Matthew had a big dinner for Jesus and invited many other tax collectors and those who did not obey the Mosaic Law to join them (v. 15). This greatly offended the religious leaders (v. 16) but Jesus rebuked them and explained his purpose (v. 17).  

Some of John the Baptist’s disciples came to Jesus and asked why Jesus’ disciples did not fast like they and the Pharisees did (v. 18). Jesus answered in verses 19-20 by referring to how weddings were done then. The wedding party did not eat (“fasted”) until the bridegroom came, then they ate. Jesus used the Baptist’s own words to explain that he, Jesus, was the Bridegroom (cf. John 3:29), and so there was no need to pray and fast for the Messiah to come—he was here! Jesus then said (vv. 21-22) that he came to establish a new order (the Law of Christ, 1 Cor 9:21) that would replace—not be superimposed on—the old order (the Law of Moses).  

As Jesus and his disciples passed through a grain field on the Sabbath the disciples ate some of the grain (v. 23). The Pharisees had previously interpreted that as “harvesting” and thus breaking the command not to work on the Sabbath (v. 24). However, because Jesus is God he has the authority to say how the Sabbath command should be correctly interpreted and applied (vv. 25-28).    

Truths to Nail Down and Apply

1. Jesus forgives the sins of those who truly trust in him. Do you? Are your sins forgiven?
2. Verse 16 is sometimes used to justify Christians going to bars, etc. Jesus was in Matthew’s home and the “sinners” were invited by Matthew. The whole point of the get-together was to introduce Matthew’s unbelieving contacts to Jesus—a great pattern to follow!
3. The law of Christ is Christ’s demands and expectations of his followers (the NT; cf. John 15:12; Rom 8:2; 1 Cor 9:21; Gal 6:2; Jam 1:25; 2:12; 2 Pet 3:2).

Today’s Devotional: Mark 1

You can download this week’s entire Daily Devotional in booklet form here.

Mark’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus the God-man (“Son of God, v. 1) began with the work of John the Baptist, who called Israel to repent of their sins and watch for the Messiah who would soon come (vv. 2-8). When Jesus the Messiah appeared he identified himself with the Baptizer’s message by being immersed himself (vv. 9-11). Jesus was then tempted by Satan in the wilderness (vv. 12-13).

From 1:14-8:26 Mark centers on Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, primarily focusing on his works and the growing opposition to him.

John the Baptist was imprisoned, his ministry completed, and Jesus began preaching in Galilee that he, the Messiah, Israel’s King, had come and all must believe in him (vv. 14-15). Jesus then called four Galileans to leave everything, follow and learn from him, and serve in the work (vv. 16-20). The legitimacy of Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah was proven when he cast out demons in Capernaum (vv. 21-28), healed Peter’s mother-in-law of sickness (vv. 29-31), and did many other similar miracles (vv. 32-34).

Jesus did not stay in Capernaum but went throughout Galilee praying, preaching, casting out demons, and healing the sick, all of which were part of his ministry as Israel’s King and Messiah (vv. 35-45).

Truths to Nail Down and Apply

1. John the Baptist’s baptism (Mark 1:4) was for Jews to publicly announce their repentance and belief in the coming Messiah. Christian baptism (Mark 16:15) publicly announces a believer’s repentance and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.
2. Miracles are supernatural acts of God that infrequently occurred in biblical history. Miracles served as supporting signs of God’s messengers and their message, verifying such were truly from him.
3. Praise the Lord that Jesus is infinitely greater than any power or effect of sin!

Today’s Devotional: Introduction to Mark

You can download this week’s entire Daily Devotional in booklet form here.

Those whom Mark wrote this gospel to had a Roman background. In this gospel Mark shows that Jesus is the Son of God and suffering Servant.

Mark’s account of Jesus’ life and ministry focuses more on what Jesus did than on what he taught (“immediately” is used 42 times). Mark particularly emphasizes Jesus’ suffering. His gospel gives a summary of the basic points of who Jesus is and what he did, providing a thorough grasp of Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection.

Mark’s gospel helps Christians grow in their faith, follow Christ faithfully, and equip them to effectively point sinners to Jesus, the Son of God, who came to seek and save the lost (10:45).

From 1:14 to 8:26 Mark focuses on Jesus’ miracles, leading up to Peter’s confession of who Jesus is in 8:27-30. At that point, Mark’s Gospel turns abruptly, focusing on Jesus’ suffering and death (8:31-16:20). Jesus is thus shown as the all-powerful Son of God (1:14-8:26) and the suffering Son of Man who died for sinners (8:31-16:20).

Here’s a basic outline of the Gospel according to Mark—  

1. Jesus’ miracles, 1:1-8:26
2. Jesus’ suffering and death, 8:27-16:20

Truths to Nail Down and Apply

1. The English word Gospel comes from the Anglo-Saxon word godspell which is composed of god (God) and spell (a story). This may then mean either God-story or good story.
2. “Gospel” always refers to the message, the good news of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. Only here in Mark 1:1 is it used in connection with the record of that message (a book).
3. When used with a book—“the gospel of Mark”—it refers to “the good news about Jesus Christ.”
4. God gives the meaning and content of the gospel message in the Bible. All that God says about it must be taught and believed for one to be saved from his sins. God curses anyone who changes this message (Gal 1:8-9; Rev 22:18-19). Remember this when reading the Gospels!