April 2 - First things First

April 2 - First Things First - Mark 1:14-39

A lot of business starts happening. John is imprisoned, Jesus calls the first four disciples, establishes his dominion over evil spirits and after healing Simon's mother ends up dealing with many more people who needed healing or were demon-possessed. The way Mark tells the story, you'd think this happened in a day or two. You can't blink while reading this Gospel or you're going to miss something!

One of my favorite things about learning Greek is finding the intent behind the English words. It's incredible how the tenses of the words tell you so much about what the author is actually saying. For instance, Mark 1:14 simply says "After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee" in the NIV version.

What it doesn't tell you is that Mark used the same verb for "put in prison" that he uses when describing Judas as the one who turns Jesus over to the authorities in Mark 3:19. He is building a parallel to the two experiences that we miss in the English translation. The voicing of the verb implies that God's purpose was being fulfilled and that it was time for Jesus' ministry to begin. So much more than just three words!

Jesus makes two declarations in Mark 1:15. "The time has come" and "The kingdom of God is near." He is announcing that He has come to fulfill the Old Testament proclamations and expectations and that the time for God's sovereign rule of earth will be coming soon. It was time for the people to put their houses in order and prepare for the coming of the kingdom!

Rabbis in Jesus' time usually had students seeking them out. Jesus went among the people to find the men that He would train. Watch the words that Mark uses here. Mark 1:18 begins with "At once" and Mark 1:20 begins with "Without delay." Remember, Mark wants his readers to recognize the rapidity with which people responded to Jesus! (Mark 1:16-20)

Capernaum was on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This was the home of Peter, Andrew, James & John. Just as Jesus was settling into teaching in the synagogue, a man who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out. Yes, this was going to be an amazing day for the people of Capernaum!

It wasn't just a question that the demon posed to Jesus. It was a declaration. Rather than "Have you come to destroy us?" it is a declaration "You have come to destroy us!" The demons would recognize their destruction and recognized the Holy One of God and His authority! Jesus didn't perform any incantations ... he simply told the demon to be silenced (muzzled) and to leave. His authority reigns ... demons can not refuse His power.

It didn't take long for the entire to region to hear about this man that not only had authority of the evil spirits, but taught in a new way and taught with authority. (Mark 1:21-28)

Our English translations lose a little bit more here. "As soon as they left" is actually just "Immediately" they went to Simon's house and Jesus "immediately" went to her and healed her. Do you see that the people waited until after sunset to bring their sick to Jesus? Remember, it was the Sabbath and they would have worked against the law to bear a burden on the Sabbath. They kept bringing more and more people to the front door of Simon's house. (Mark 1:29-34)

After a long day and more than likely a very short night, Jesus escaped to pray. This is very important to me ... He drew upon the strength of His relationship with God to continue. (Mark 1:35)

I'm sure that the crowds started showing up at daybreak at Simon's house. When Simon went to find Jesus, He was nowhere to be found in the house. What a perfect chance for Jesus to further His ministry and He was missing it! But, He didn't come down to earth to just be a miracle worker, He came to proclaim the Good News! It was time to move on. (Mark 1:36-39)
April 2 - First Things First - Mark 1:14-39

A lot of business starts happening. John is imprisoned, Jesus calls the first four disciples, establishes his dominion over evil spirits and after healing Simon's mother ends up dealing with many more people who needed healing or were demon-possessed. The way Mark tells the story, you'd think this happened in a day or two. You can't blink while reading this Gospel or you're going to miss something!

One of my favorite things about learning Greek is finding the intent behind the English words. It's incredible how the tenses of the words tell you so much about what the author is actually saying. For instance, Mark 1:14 simply says "After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee" in the NIV version.

What it doesn't tell you is that Mark used the same verb for "put in prison" that he uses when describing Judas as the one who turns Jesus over to the authorities in Mark 3:19. He is building a parallel to the two experiences that we miss in the English translation. The voicing of the verb implies that God's purpose was being fulfilled and that it was time for Jesus' ministry to begin. So much more than just three words!

Jesus makes two declarations in Mark 1:15. "The time has come" and "The kingdom of God is near." He is announcing that He has come to fulfill the Old Testament proclamations and expectations and that the time for God's sovereign rule of earth will be coming soon. It was time for the people to put their houses in order and prepare for the coming of the kingdom!

Rabbis in Jesus' time usually had students seeking them out. Jesus went among the people to find the men that He would train. Watch the words that Mark uses here. Mark 1:18 begins with "At once" and Mark 1:20 begins with "Without delay." Remember, Mark wants his readers to recognize the rapidity with which people responded to Jesus! (Mark 1:16-20)

Capernaum was on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This was the home of Peter, Andrew, James & John. Just as Jesus was settling into teaching in the synagogue, a man who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out. Yes, this was going to be an amazing day for the people of Capernaum!

It wasn't just a question that the demon posed to Jesus. It was a declaration. Rather than "Have you come to destroy us?" it is a declaration "You have come to destroy us!" The demons would recognize their destruction and recognized the Holy One of God and His authority! Jesus didn't perform any incantations ... he simply told the demon to be silenced (muzzled) and to leave. His authority reigns ... demons can not refuse His power.

It didn't take long for the entire to region to hear about this man that not only had authority of the evil spirits, but taught in a new way and taught with authority. (Mark 1:21-28)

Our English translations lose a little bit more here. "As soon as they left" is actually just "Immediately" they went to Simon's house and Jesus "immediately" went to her and healed her. Do you see that the people waited until after sunset to bring their sick to Jesus? Remember, it was the Sabbath and they would have worked against the law to bear a burden on the Sabbath. They kept bringing more and more people to the front door of Simon's house. (Mark 1:29-34)

After a long day and more than likely a very short night, Jesus escaped to pray. This is very important to me ... He drew upon the strength of His relationship with God to continue. (Mark 1:35)

I'm sure that the crowds started showing up at daybreak at Simon's house. When Simon went to find Jesus, He was nowhere to be found in the house. What a perfect chance for Jesus to further His ministry and He was missing it! But, He didn't come down to earth to just be a miracle worker, He came to proclaim the Good News! It was time to move on. (Mark 1:36-39)