Make begins his biography of Jesus with the ministry of John the Baptist.
Mark 1:2-3 "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You; the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight."
John was a humble man who considered himself unworthy of even untying Jesus' sandals (vs 7)
Jesus arrives on the scene at some unspecified time during John's ministry. He was baptized and was then led into the wilderness and tempter by Satan.
Jesus arrives on the scene at some unspecified time during John's ministry. He was baptized and was then led into the wilderness and tempter by Satan.
1:9 And it happened in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
1:12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
1:12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
His day becomes very eventful, Jesus wastes no time getting to work. After overcoming the temptations, Jesus arrives in Galilee, and begins to preach,
1:15 The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent and believe in the gospel.
His ministry has now begun.
Day 1, Jesus walks along the beach (16) and calls His first two disciples, Simon and Andrew (17). He continues on His stroll and calls two more brothers, James and John the sons of Zebedee (19). Than the 5 of them enter the town of Capernaum (21), Where Jesus begins to teach in the synagogue (think church) on the sabbath (Saturday). While at synagogue He commands a demon possessed man to be quite and come out (25). The people were shocked (22,27). At once, after leaving synagogue, He went to Peters mother-in-law's home where He healed her (30). Later that evening others came also to be healed and have their demons cast out (30) and Jesus healed many (34).
Jesus fame was growing rapidly through the entire neighborhood (28) and He was becoming famous fast. No one else in history had ever before walked this path and done the things He had done. By His own authority He spoke with power and people flocked to Him. One sermon, one casting out a demon, one healing, as a result many would come to Him and be healed. When Jesus speaks, people are astonished. When He acts, people are amazed. And when Jesus becomes real, lives are changed forever. Is Jesus real to you? Or have we become so dull that our supposed Lord and Savior has become nothing more than a story, mere words written on very old pieces of paper. Or do we see Him for who He is? Are we left astonished when we read the things he says, or do we just nod at familiar Christian cliches? Do we flock to Jesus in desperation seeking Him to heal us of our own infirmities, or are we struggling to read a chapter a day, dare we even talk with Jesus? I challenge us, myself most of all, to really seek Jesus and ask Him to be made real to us. In the mundane drudgery of life, pray that Jesus would take His rightful place as Lord of your life.
Day 1, Jesus walks along the beach (16) and calls His first two disciples, Simon and Andrew (17). He continues on His stroll and calls two more brothers, James and John the sons of Zebedee (19). Than the 5 of them enter the town of Capernaum (21), Where Jesus begins to teach in the synagogue (think church) on the sabbath (Saturday). While at synagogue He commands a demon possessed man to be quite and come out (25). The people were shocked (22,27). At once, after leaving synagogue, He went to Peters mother-in-law's home where He healed her (30). Later that evening others came also to be healed and have their demons cast out (30) and Jesus healed many (34).
Jesus fame was growing rapidly through the entire neighborhood (28) and He was becoming famous fast. No one else in history had ever before walked this path and done the things He had done. By His own authority He spoke with power and people flocked to Him. One sermon, one casting out a demon, one healing, as a result many would come to Him and be healed. When Jesus speaks, people are astonished. When He acts, people are amazed. And when Jesus becomes real, lives are changed forever. Is Jesus real to you? Or have we become so dull that our supposed Lord and Savior has become nothing more than a story, mere words written on very old pieces of paper. Or do we see Him for who He is? Are we left astonished when we read the things he says, or do we just nod at familiar Christian cliches? Do we flock to Jesus in desperation seeking Him to heal us of our own infirmities, or are we struggling to read a chapter a day, dare we even talk with Jesus? I challenge us, myself most of all, to really seek Jesus and ask Him to be made real to us. In the mundane drudgery of life, pray that Jesus would take His rightful place as Lord of your life.
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