Day 234 – Mark: Theme

“Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing.’ he said. ‘Be healed.” Mark 1:41

As Mark moves us almost directly to Jesus’s ministry, we see Jesus confronting a demon, healing a man with leprosy, and forgiving and healing a paralysed man. Next, He calls Matthew (Levi) and has dinner with him and his questionable associates, which initiates conflict with the Pharisees and other religious leaders, who condemn Jesus for eating with sinners and breaking the Sabbath. None of these points refers to kingship, but rather to an authoritative servant of the people.

From Mark 4, Mark pauses to give a sample of some of Jesus’ teachings and parables, and then plunges back into the action, showing Jesus’ authority over nature, demons, and even death. Next, after returning from Nazareth for a few days and experiencing rejection in His hometown, Jesus commissions the disciples to spread the Good News everywhere. Opposition from Herod and the Pharisees increases, and John the Baptist is beheaded.

Finally, the time comes to reveal His true identity to the disciples. Peter proclaims Him to be the Messiah, but also shows that he does not understand Jesus’ mission if not to be crowned as Saviour and King. After the Transfiguration, Jesus continues to teach and heal, confronting the Pharisees, and serving the people regardless of the danger His life is in.

Mark shows us Jesus – moving, serving, sacrificing, and saving. As you read Mark, be open to God moving in your life too, and be challenged to serve where you are.

Prayer: Father, as we work through the Gospel of Mark, help us to see the miracles (more than the other Gospels) and to know that You are still a God of miracles. Open our eyes to see the daily miracles You already do for us and draw us closer to a heart of servanthood. Amen.