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I’ve always found the book of Mark very interesting to read. It’s like speed reading the story of Jesus. Mark goes through each part of the story very quickly, but does an amazing job of catching all the important parts of the story. I also think it’s interesting that the book skips the first 30 years of Jesus’ life and goes straight to John the Baptist and Jesus’ ministry. The first chapter alone is packed with information.
What caught my attention right away was how quick we go to where Jesus is baptized. We then slow down long enough to see the Spirit descending on Jesus. However, this brings up a question in my mind… In the notes of my Bible it only says that the Spirit descending on Jesus proves His divinity and that He is part of the Trinity. I’m having a hard time understanding how He can be part of the Trinity and accept the Spirit at the same time. Wouldn’t He already have the Spirit in Him since He is God through the Trinity? I’m a bit confused… can anyone shed some light here?
Another thing that is fascinating is in verses 23-25 where an evil spirit recognizes Jesus as the “Holy One of God”. It is amazing to think that evil spirits know Him just as well as the heavenly ones. What becomes clear is that evil exists in this world and will continue to live here. We should never be surprised when bad things happen.
Finally, the passage I really love in this chapter is Mark 3:40-42, “40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.” We should never underestimate the amount of compassion God has for each of us. When we are hurting, He has compassion for us and He never leaves us to deal with it on our own.
Daily Devotion 
I initially posted this comment as part of today’s post, but woke up this morning thinking it would be more appropriate as a comment…
Forgive me Brian, but I’m gonna share the same joke I shared the last time we read this passage… In Mark 1:29-31 where it says, “29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.” The joke says something to the effect that Jesus healed her so that she could serve Him… Dinner! I know, I know, if it wasn’t for God’s grace I’d probably be punished for that one. Just remember, God does have a sense of humor…
Dino regarding your question… Not sure it answers it, but the notes in my Bible say that the dove descending was a sign of the Spirits anointing. That it wasn’t him receiving the Spirit for the 1st time, but rather being marked as the bearer of the Spirit ushering in the age of the Spirit to come.
There is so much in this chapter, but my 2 big takeaways:
1). John always knew his place and saw himself in light of Christs holiness. Not a false humility, but a humility of a life offered in service. I like that. It’s worth taking note that we can understand our purpose and our unworthiness at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive.
2). I latched on to v. 32 – 34 It says .. “they bought him ALL who were sick or oppressed by demons…. “he healed MANY who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons.” I guess I never caught this before but it doesn’t say he healed all, it says he healed many. Hmm. Wonder what the difference was btw those He healed and those he didn’t. Do you suppose the ones he didn’t lacked faith? Were putting him to a test? What was it that set apart the ones he did heal? I want to develop those qualities.
Yes, Heather, that helps. Thanks!
I’m thankful that the gospel tell us of times when Jesus was by Himself with God. Verse 35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. (Mark 1:35 HCSB)” Jesus modeled for us that quiet time with God is important. I’ve very thankful that we get these glimpses into His life.
I must have read the story about this leper a hundred times, but I never fully grasped Jesus’ character until now. I recently read the book, Beautiful Outlaw, by John Eldridge. In it he describes several interesting personality traits that Jesus possessed, and consequently, it really changed the way I look at Him. One of the things that struck me is the scandalous freedom Jesus had with His reputation. In other words, He allowed himself the scandalous freedom to break man’s law in order to love man like only God can. In this case, Jesus physically touched the man with leprosy. By touching the “unclean” man, Jesus Himself became “unclean,” which virtually eliminated His chances of becoming a legit, respected spiritual leader, even if He didn’t contract the disease. But He was overcome with compassion, and He knew touch would melt this man’s heart in a way that verbally commanding him to be healed wouldn’t. John Eldridge says it perfectly, “No one has touched him for a very long time. To be starved for human touch is far worse than to starve for bread. This is scandalous freedom. Now Jesus is “defiled,” but He doesn’t seem to care. Or better, He cares very deeply about the right things. The risks Jesus is willing to take with His reputation are simply stunning.” I’m really challenged to look at my own life…am I willing to touch someone with a life-threatening, contagious disease in order to reach their heart? Am I willing to lay my reputation on the line and give myself the scandalous freedom to break man’s laws in order to love like God does?
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