Mark - Lesson 1E

• Last week, we discussed Jesus’ arrival on the scene in His Galilean ministry after the arrest of John the Baptist.

  • John’s arrest, although beget by the disapproval of Herod Antipas, was ordained by the Father for Jesus’ rise to center stage.

    • It is here where Jesus announces that “the time was fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

    • Meaning that this event would begin a historic moment as the redemptive plan of God unfolds before the world.

  • Jesus then begins to preach the message of repentance, and for men and women to believe in the gospel

    • From that point on, Jesus began his recruitment of men who would participate in this gospel mission.

  • These men would not be of noble stature nor philosophical pontificators, but rather these disciples would be ordinary men called to an extraordinary task.

    • This summons to follow Jesus would not be easy.

    • These men would leave their occupations as fishermen to follow the path of the Way, Jesus Christ.

    • And in following Christ, they too would embark upon a journey that would eventually lead to suffering for the sake of Christ.

    • So that’s our summary from last week’s teaching.

  • Tonight, we will explore more of Jesus’ demonstration of His power over the demonic realm, sickness, and disease.

    • We will see Jesus demonstrate the power and authority of God by humbly submitting to the will of the Father.

  • With that being said, pick me up in Mark 1:21-34.

Mark 1:21 They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 
Mark 1:22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 
Mark 1:23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 
Mark 1:24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 
Mark 1:26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 
Mark 1:27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 
Mark 1:28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.
Mark 1:29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 
Mark 1:30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her. 
Mark 1:31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.
Mark 1:32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 
Mark 1:33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 
Mark 1:34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

• Let’s Pray

• If you have a LinkedIn account or some type of professional profile for business networking, you may notice a consistent theme with all users.

  • Behind their names will be some type of letters signifying credentials of some sort.

    • These credentials range in length and carry much weight and value to a person’s career.

    • It ultimately signifies those individuals have achieved something great within their profession.

  • As a matter of fact, employers love to see these credentials and will even compensate their employees because it brings the company more value and business.

    • These credentials identify those individuals as experts within their field, and rightly so.

    • They have put in the time, the study, and have given up some things in pursuit of the letters behind their name.

  • But what happens when you have a similar individual, with the same skill set or better, but is simply lacking the professional credentials?

    • Does it make them less valuable or less credible?

  • Mark moves us to a new scene within his gospel account.

    • And it’s here where we find our Lord and Savior continuing in His mission of preaching the gospel of God and visibly demonstrating the Kingdom of God.

    • And what we will see tonight is that those who will encounter Jesus’ ministry in the synagogue and in the region, will witness something they would not have expected –

    • A man with no earthly credentials operating in divine authority and power.

  • Pick me up in Mark 1:21-22

Mark 1:21 They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 
Mark 1:22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

• Mark has now moved us from the scene on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus has recruited His first 4 disciples, to a different setting.

  • The text tells us that Jesus and His newly recruited disciples are now entering the synagogue where Jesus would teach.

    • It’s important for us to note the day Jesus is teaching; He is teaching on the Sabbath.

    • Knowing this will give us a clearer understanding of what we will read later.

  • As Jesus is teaching, it becomes apparent to the people that Jesus’ teaching was different than that of the scribes.

    • It’s not as if Jesus and the scribes are using different scrolls from the Torah.

    • Both the scribes and Jesus have access to the Law and have an extensive understanding of the Law itself.

  • Apparently, the teachings of Jesus were so very different that Mark makes it known that the people were astonished or amazed at His teaching.

    • The Greek word for amazed here is ekplesso.

    • It means to be or become astounded to such a degree as to nearly lose one’s mental composure.

  • This reaction from the people who are hearing Jesus teach comes about because, as the text notes, “He was teaching as one who had authority and not as the scribes.”

    • This brings about several questions regarding the people’s disposition and their verbal response to Jesus’ teaching:

    • 1. What were the scribes teaching or the lack thereof that made Jesus’ teaching so profound?

    • 2. What does the significance in authority have to do with Jesus’ means of teaching versus that of the scribes?

    • Let's examine the first question.

  • It is important to keep in mind that the scribes were very learned men.

    • Scribes were quite familiar with the Torah as well as the oral traditions.

    • These teachings and traditions from these well-educated men would then be taught to their disciples.

    • In turn their disciples would learn these teachings and commit them to heart through means of repetition.

  • The authority by which the scribes of that day would learn would be emphasized from the scribes’ teachers and their passing down traditions.

    • Every reference and teaching that would be taught was said to have been given by the authority of Rabbi “such and such”.

    • The Rabbi’s received their authority from the academy in which they attended.

  • For example, those who graduate from the university tend to have their degrees accredited and validated by that university.

    • It provides the credibility for the degree you hold that has been conferred by the board of regents.

    • This is why Alumni associations are so important.

    • The more prominent your university, the more weighty your alumni association is – it carries weight.

  • In this same way, a Rabbi’s academy gave them the authority to not only teach, but to also have a “stamp of approval” on what that Rabbi said.

    • David Daube, who was considered one of the top Jewish Law scholars, suggested there were two categories of scribes in that day:

    • 1. Those Rabbis that had the authority to lay down doctrines

    • 2. Inferior teachers who were not entitled to introduce fresh rules as means to bring understanding to the Law.

  • So the point comes to the surface: If the scribes hold to rabbinic authority as to what they can teach and what is to be explained, then what authority was Jesus teaching?

    • Friends, this is why the people in the synagogue were so mind blown, because Jesus was not affiliated with any rabbinical school.

    • So, by whose authority was He teaching?

  • Jesus’ teaching and authority came from the only source by which all authority comes from – God Himself.

    • Jesus needed no authority from a rabbinical institution because He was and is the very authority and word of God.

    • John 1:1-3, 14 tells us:

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 He was in the beginning with God. 
John 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

• Therefore, every word that proceeded from the mouth of Jesus was established and superseded by the Father, that His word may be upheld.

  • Isaiah 50:4-5 speaks to the reality that God’s authority comes from above and not from man and that Messiah has that divine authority to speak.

Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
Isaiah 50:5 The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back.

• Daube goes further to explain that the phrase “a new teaching with authority” is dealing specifically with this idea of establishing a “new rule” or way.

  • This was known as “halakha hadhasha”.

  • In other words, when Jesus spoke, He provide the way in which the scriptures were to be understood and lived out.

  • Friends, this brings up a key point that to truly understand the very commands of God and His ways, it is found in living and following Jesus, daily.

    • This is why we should meditate upon the scriptures day and night and seek the Holy Spirit for understanding, because He activates the Word in our hearts.

    • As we follow Jesus and obey His instructions we will consistently be conforming our ways to His ways.

  • After the people are amazed and see that Jesus is teaching with an authority that they are not accustomed to, they will now see that authority demonstrated over the demonic realm.

    • Check out verses 23-26.

Mark 1:23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 
Mark 1:24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 
Mark 1:26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.

• We now find within the text that this demon possessed man calls out to Jesus in a sense of familiarity.

  • So where the people are unable to recognize who Jesus is by demonstration of His authority and power in teaching, this demon clearly knows who Jesus is.

    • One question that may come to mind is how is it that demons can possess a person?

  • We see this matter present and in play with demons interacting with physical bodies all the way back in Genesis.

    • We see Satan inhabiting the body of a serpent in the garden in Genesis 3.

    • We also witness demons mating with women shortly after the flood in Genesis 6.

    • This interaction between spirits and humans is not new and therefore we should recognize that spiritual matters are real and should be taken seriously.

  • Furthermore, we witness within the context of the New Testament that spirit being in unity with human bodies is possible.

    • The very Spirit of God inhabits and makes residents in every believer in Christ.

    • So, if we can accept the reality of the Spirit indwelling the elect, then we can rest assured that demonic spirits can temporarily possess a person.

    • However, we must note that these possessions are mutually exclusive.

  • Remember, that because believers in Christ have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that indwelling is a permanent residence.

    • The scripture tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

    • And because the Spirit of God takes up permanent residence, it leaves no room for any other spiritual residence to come in – no vacancy in the inn.

  • If this shows us anything it shows us that God is a jealous God, and He shares His possessions with no one and nothing.

    • There is a clear separation and distinction from darkness and light.

    • For our edification, check out 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 in your hearing.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 
2 Corinthians 6:15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 
2 Corinthians 6:16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
2 Corinthians 6:18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

• Check out Mark 1 verse 24. The first question that this unclean spirit asked Jesus was “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth?”

  • The demonic spirit then follows up by saying “Have you come to destroy us. I know you are the Holy One of God.”

  • Let's examine the first question that this unclean spirit asked Jesus.

    • “What business do we have with one another?”

    • This is a very interesting phrase worthy to investigate.

  • This phrase in classical Greek translates to what is known as a Hebrew idiom.

    • As you may know, an idiom is a phrase that means something different than its literal meaning.

    • As a matter of fact, different languages and cultures have their own idioms.

  • For example, when someone says “It’s raining cats and dogs outside”, they don’t literally mean animals are falling from the sky.

    • They simply are implying that the rain showers are unusually or unbelievably loud.

  • What we witness within this Hebrew idiom is that there is a distinction between good and evil.

    • In other words, this demon recognizes that he and Jesus represent two different kingdoms and they have no dealings with one another.

  • The use of this idiom further clarifies for the reader the demon’s second question where he asks, “Have you come to destroy us?”

    • The fact that this demonic spirit asked the question about being destroyed shows us this demonic spirit perceived the significance of Jesus’ presence to all the demonic forces.

  • Then comes the last statement: “I know you are the Holy One of God”

    • At this point, one could say this demon has revealed the true identity and authority of Jesus.

    • Would this have been the opportunity for people to hear what was said and therefore believe that Jesus was who He said He was?

  • Absolutely not! Jesus responds by rebuking the demon, first by silencing him and then commanding him to go.

    • This demonstrates two things for the hearer and reader of the text both then and now:

  • 1. It shows us that all creation must submit under the authority of Christ who is the Holy One of God.

    • Jesus telling the unclean spirit to be quiet demonstrates complete power and control.

  • 2. It shows that although the unclean spirit knew who Jesus truly was, as one scholar records, “demons do not make good character witnesses”.

    • Therefore, the unclean spirits’ testimony is to be completely disregarded.

  • It is at this point that Mark tells us that the demon begins to convulse with a loud voice and leaves the man.

    • One interesting detail that Luke’s account mentions is that the demonic spirit leaves the man without even harming the man he was possessing.

    • Yet again, demonstrating Jesus’ power and rule over all things in every situation.

    • So, with this scene having just occurred before the very eyes of the people you can only imagine the conversations happening.

    • Let’s keep moving to verses 27 and 28.

Mark 1:27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 
Mark 1:28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.

• Mark now brings us to the reaction of the crowd of people in the synagogue.

  • It is as if Mark pans the camera from the scene where Jesus has expelled this demon to the faces of the people.

    • The text records that the people were amazed and began to debate amongst themselves.

    • That word amazement in Greek is thambeo which means to be affected by a particular event with wonder.

    • It’s the jaw dropping effect that happens when you are blown away at what was just observed.

  • This event that they have just witnessed moves them from amazement to now rationalizing and evaluating the reality of what was just witnessed.

    • Because now the situation is amplified even more.

  • Jesus not only teaches with authority unlike the experts of their day but Jesus’ very command causes unclean spirits to obey His very word.

    • Friends this was unlike anything that they have seen or heard of.

    • What they have just witnessed can’t be unseen or swept under the rug.

  • The process by which the rabbis would exorcize demons didn’t come close to what Jesus could do.

    • Jesus’ authority came from the Father and His power by the Holy Spirit.

  • Because of this demonstration of power and might, it only makes sense that news would begin to spread quickly throughout the region and making Jesus known all the more.

    • Mark now moves us to a new scene in the same region. Check out the next 3 verses, verses 29-31.

Mark 1:29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 
Mark 1:30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her. 
Mark 1:31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.

• We now are brought to a new setting within Capernaum after leaving this dynamic moment at the synagogue.

  • And Mark tells us that Jesus and His four disciples are now headed to Simon and Andrew’s home.

    • It was tradition that after the sabbath service that one would participate in the sabbath meal.

    • This Jewish practice is still upheld to this day.

  • So in keeping with tradition, Jesus and His disciples make their way to Simon and Andrew’s home.

    • We then notice in verse 30 that the text pivots to them having arrived to the scene where Jesus finds Peter’s mother-in-law laying ill.

    • One quick observation that we can make is that Peter is a married man.

    • I mention this simply because there are some who have assumed that none of the apostles were married or could be married.

    • We see here most clearly that this is not the case.

  • The text mentions that Peter’s mother-in-law was laying down with a fever.

    • The word for fever here is pyresso which means to suffer with a fever which is frequently a symptom of infection.

    • Based upon that definition it can be assumed that this sickness was beyond just a common cold.

    • Peter’s mother-in-law must have been battling some type of disease for a long period of time.

  • This illness could potentially be the reason as to why Peter’s mother-in-law is staying with them.

    • But whatever the case may be, this illness was serious enough for Peter to inform Jesus in an effort for his mother-in-law to be healed.

  • What is interesting to note within the observation is Peter’s motivation was not to bring Jesus to his home to heal his mother-in-law.

    • Peter’s motivation is to enjoy a meal with Jesus and to spend time with the one in whom he has committed to follow.

    • I find this reality so beautiful, because how often is it that we are looking for Jesus to do something for us in our lives versus simply spending time with Him.

  • After Peter explains to Jesus what is going on with his mother-in-law, Mark tells us that Jesus went to her, took her by the hand, lifted her up, and the fever left her.

    • Notice that this particular description of Jesus’ care for Peter’s mother-in-law differs in approach to the end goal of healing her from that of the other gospel accounts.

    • This not only speaks to the authorship of this gospel account, but it also speaks to the theme of the gospel as well – Jesus as Servant-King!

    • Jesus first draws near to the sick.

    • He then meets them with compassion.

    • He lifts them up by His strength and heals.

  • The text tells us that the fever left her. I love what follows suit after the fever is gone.

    • The text tells us that she began to serve Jesus and His disciples.

    • The one in whom needed to be served was served by the King, and now in return she serves others.

    • Might I just say that as followers of Jesus, we are called to serve.

  • I don’t want us to miss what just happened here because I believe this is a pattern by which Jesus calls us to serve others.

    • As we have been gratefully and graciously given new life in Christ, He calls us to serve those who are in need.

    • We too at one point were in need of being served because we were sinking deeper into our sickness of sin.

    • But thanks be to God that the Master came by our way and by just His touch alone, He has made us well.

    • And by His word alone can we be made whole.

  • Peter now personally witnesses within his immediate circle, Jesus’ healing power in a more personal manner.

    • Let's keep moving. Check out verses 32-34

Mark 1:32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 
Mark 1:33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 
Mark 1:34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

• So, evening has now come and people are beginning to bring those who were ill and demon-possessed to Jesus.

  • As you can imagine, many have received word of what Jesus did in the morning service.

    • And now they are wanting to bring to Him their own personal needs and issues before Him because they know if He did those things, He can do this.

  • However, before we move too quickly past verse 32, one may wonder, why did they wait for the sun to set?

    • If these were such pressing needs, why not make your way to Jesus the moment you hear what He has done in town.

    • We find this answer from the basic rabbinical teaching of that day which was: no healing could occur on the sabbath day unless a life was endangered.

    • Therefore, because the rabbis instructed that a “new day” begins at sundown, it was only appropriate to send those in need on the “new day”.

  • It may be wise for us to observe in verse 33 that Mark mentions “the whole city was at the door.”

    • Like our earlier run in at the beginning of our Mark study regarding the word “all”, we must approach this word “whole” in the same way.

    • It is not to mean that the entire community came to be healed.

  • Jeremias suggests a translation, “Great was the number of those healed.”34,

    • So it is safe for us to assume that there was a large gathering of people seeking to be healed.

  • We then see in verse 34 that those who were coming to Jesus to be healed, whether sick with varying disease or to cast out demons, were made whole.

    • Once again we witness the very works of Jesus demonstrating His power and authority over sickness and the demonic realm.

    • But notice Jesus’ consistency in how He deals with those who are demon possessed.

  • He, again, does not permit the demons to speak just like He forbid the demon possessed man in the synagogue.

    • Same situation, different setting. This is not by chance. The question becomes, why?

    • Why is Jesus forbidding these demons, yet again, from speaking of His divine identity?

  • As we mentioned earlier, demons don’t make good character witnesses.

    • This would cause more confusion as to the believability of Jesus being who He says He is.

    • We must realize that Jesus keeping his Messianic identity from being exposed in that way and at this time was a part of God’s plan.

    • In other words, it’s one thing for Jesus to outright say, “I am the Messiah” versus you coming to that conclusion yourself.

  • As human beings, we tend to err on the side of proof. We need evidence to validate the claims that are being made.

    • Growing up, whenever I was doing something I wasn’t supposed to be doing, my mom would always give me a warning shot.

    • I would then proceed by trying to see how much farther I could push the boundary to get what I wanted.

  • Once my mom caught on to what I was doing, which was immediately, and she would tell me, “Ok now… I can show you better than I can tell you!”

    • That was to mean that I have told you what the consequences are, verbally to spare you from the embarrassment.

    • But don’t think that I’m not going to bring out the belt in public.

  • In a way, this was how the Father had planned for His Son to be revealed, initially. Not through proclamation but through demonstration which would lead to revelation.

    • This is where we see Jesus as a humble servant of God.

    • Most assuredly He could tell the people, “Can’t you see me doing all these things, I am Messiah!”

    • Jesus could definitely pull out all the bells and whistles for men to see Him in His fullness, however, that was not the way in which He would be revealed.

  • The question becomes, “Why does Jesus choose not to reveal His identity out right?”

    • If you want people to know who you are, wouldn’t the most logical way to do that be by telling them?

    • At least that’s what we as human beings do in our natural nature.

    • We plaster our credentials and accomplishments on social media and the like.

  • However, this is not the way in which the Father chooses for Jesus to be made known.

    • It is important to note, that this will not be the only time in which Jesus silenced the demonic spirits.

  • This is not to say that Jesus does not know who He is as some scholars have suggested, foolishly.

    • Know that Jesus is very aware of His person, identity, and His purpose in His first coming.

    • It is the Jewish people and religious leaders who are not aware of Jesus being Messiah, or at least at this time.

    • It would not be until a few chapters later that Peter, by the leading of the Holy Spirit comes to the realization that Jesus is Messiah.

    • And even still, Peter struggles with the fullness of the revelation of Jesus’ person.

  • A German Lutheran theologian named Wilhelm Wrede developed a theory in which he attempted to explain the reasoning for Jesus not revealing who He was.

    • He called this theory the “Messianic Secret”.

  • However, the problem with this theory is the suggestion that somehow the purpose of silencing people was to be “secretive”.

    • This is why this theory has not only been disproved, but universally rejected amongst most theologians and scholars.

  • The purpose of Jesus silencing these individuals and His disciples after the demonstration of His power and authority are for several reasons:

    • 1. It could potentially cause a premature attack against Jesus therefore possibly delaying this purpose for coming.

    • 2. It would prevent Jesus from going into certain towns keeping Him from sharing the message of the Kingdom of God being near.

    • 3. It brings about the reality that the Kingdom of God is revealed to those that have eyes to see and ears to hear.

  • Those in whom would see the true identity of Jesus would see Him because the Father has given them the faith and ability to know His Son.

    • And this reality would be revealed at God’s appointed time.

  • When you came to truly know Jesus, for some it was an immediate moment of belief.

    • For others it was a series of circumstances that you endured that brought you to the end of yourself to truly see what God was showing you all along.

  • If the revelation of who Jesus is, is forced, it produces confusion or false conversions.

    • And I believe for some people, this instance can be true which is why we see things such as people leaving the church or “ex-pastors”.

    • These are things in which the enemy uses to deter people from the truth.

    • This is why emotionalism within the church can be so detrimental to people – what can I get from Jesus, etc.

  • We must also keep in mind that the people of that day were anticipating a political deliverer who would bring justice and victory.

    • So, these acts that Jesus is doing within the Galilean region were nothing close to a political takeover.

  • This was intentional! Because the way in which Messiah would be seen as the victorious King would first be seen through His humility and service as a servant of God.

    • Although Jesus knows that He is the King of Glory, for a time that Glory will be given in glimpses of healing and righteousness by way of serving.

    • Check out Isaiah 42:1-4

Isaiah 42:1“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.
Isaiah 42:2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street.
Isaiah 42:3 “A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
Isaiah 42:4 “He will not be disheartened or crushed Until He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”

• Friends, what we will witness as the Gospel of Mark unfolds, is what was assumed to be 2 Messiahs in the Jewish people’s misunderstanding, is really 1 Messiah with 2 separate comings.

  • His first coming will be in service to the Father to those in need and who are afflicted.

    • Whereas His second coming will be to physically rule and reign on the earth with all power and authority.

  • Justice for the many will be received, first, through the humility of service and suffering for the sake of the called (elect).

    • It is my prayer that, as we walk through the gospel of Mark, you will embrace these pages with fresh eyes.

  • I pray you will join us next week as we will witness one of the first Messianic miracles unfold before your very eyes. Let’s Pray.