Mark

Mark wrote his Gospel account for believers from a Gentile (that is, non-Jewish) background. In addition, he wrote using the speech of the common laborer. In other words, the message of this Gospel is for the ordinary person. The idea which unifies the entire book is that of service. He shows how Jesus served. Since Jesus served, His followers must also be ready to serve, regardless of the cost.

• Introduction to the Gospel of Mark - Shortly before He left this earth and ascended into heaven, Jesus told His disciples, “…All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to … Continue reading →
• A New Beginning (Mark 1:1-8) - The Bible tells us that, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 NIV) After God completed His work of creation, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 NIV) Unfortunately, man soon destroyed the perfection of God’s creation. Adam and Eve chose to disobey … Continue reading →
• A Pleasing Son (Mark 1:9-13) - How do we know that someone is qualified to fill a particular position? If we are thinking about hiring someone to do a particular job, what assurance do we have that he has the ability to perform it? For many positions we will want to know what credentials a person has. If a man claims … Continue reading →
• Follow Me! (Mark 1:14-20) - We can claim that we belong to a particular faith, but our claim is meaningless unless our faith changes the way we live. To put it another way, if we do not act and live according to the teaching of the religion to which we say we belong, our religion is merely external – we … Continue reading →
• A New Teaching (Mark 1:21-34) - Some people like to boast and brag about what they would do if they were in a position of authority. “If I were in charge I would fix this problem; I would clean out the corruption in that department; I would make sure that the trains run on time!” Yet, the same people who talk … Continue reading →
• As A Testimony To Them (Mark 1:35-45) - Most leaders, including religious leaders, crave popularity. The bigger the crowds which come out to see them, the better they like it. However, Jesus was not like an ordinary politician or religious leader. After Jesus drove a demon out of a man at a place of worship in Capernaum, the entire town brought their sick … Continue reading →
• Your Sins Are Forgiven (Mark 2:1-12) - Because Jesus did not want to attract crowds of people who were more interested in seeing wonders than in listening to His message, He sometimes told people whom He healed not to tell anyone about it. Instead of honoring Jesus’ request, a man whom He healed of leprosy spread the news everywhere. The result was … Continue reading →
• I Came To Call Sinners (Mark 2:13-22) - It is characteristic of human nature that we compare other people to ourselves. We are the standard by which we judge others. Our attitude is that if only every one else were like us, there would be no more conflict and argument – all our problems would be over. It is those who insist on … Continue reading →
• Lord Of The Sabbath (Mark 2:23-3:6) - All societies and cultures have certain rituals or customs which they observe. However, it is very possible for people to comply with the customs or rituals without thinking about or even knowing the reason for them. The same is true regarding spiritual things. We practice certain rituals and comply with certain customs without giving any … Continue reading →
• To Be With Him (Mark 3:7-19) - Right from the beginning Jesus challenged people’s preconceptions. While doing so He exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. Because of this, the leaders plotted to kill Him. The day would come when Jesus, in accordance with God’s will, allowed them to execute Him. However, Jesus needed to accomplish some things before that day came. … Continue reading →
• Jesus’ Family (Mark 3:20-35) - Our culture, our families, our training and our experiences all condition us to view life in a certain way. Our thoughts and attitudes conform to the expectations of those around us. We learn to accept the values of our societies. It is a rare person who can perceive the limitations of his own experience and … Continue reading →
• Types Of Soil (Mark 4:1-20) - There is an art to communication. It is not always easy to present information in a way that others can readily grasp and understand it. The best speakers and teachers use illustrations and tell stories to make the concepts they present both memorable and easy to understand. In addition to being a prophet and a … Continue reading →
• Parables Of The Kingdom (Mark 4:21-42) - People like to listen to stories. Stories speak to our emotions and well as to our minds. Also, it is often easier to remember a story than a set of facts. Because of this skillful teachers use stories in order to make the truths they present easy to remember. They will also use ordinary things … Continue reading →
• Power Over Demons (Mark 5:1-20) - There is a saying that, “Talk is cheap.” What we mean by it is that it is very easy to say something but it is another matter entirely to actually do what we claim. People make empty boasts all the time. Unfortunately, this is true even in regard to spiritual things. People claim to be … Continue reading →
• Power Over Death (Mark 5:21-43) - People come from many different backgrounds, societies and cultures. However, no matter who we are, we all have something in common. Someday, all of us will die. As King Solomon wrote, “All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and … Continue reading →
• A Prophet Without Honor (Mark 6:1-13) - We tend to dismiss advice and calls to righteousness from “our own.” Our attitude is, “Who are you to tell me what to do?” It is far easier to accept instruction from someone on the outside than it is from someone we know. Jesus ran into this phenomenon when He visited the village where He … Continue reading →
• A Birthday Gift (Mark 6:14-29) - Jesus’ teaching and the miracles He performed were a source of controversy. People were divided about where His power came from. They were confused about who Jesus was. The common people were not the only ones who were confused. There was a king who had a special reason to wonder who Jesus might be – … Continue reading →
• A Feast In The Wilderness (Mark 6:30-56) - Everyone needs to rest on occasion. Even God rested after He created the universe. In the Gospel account which bears his name, Mark tells us what happened one time when Jesus wanted some rest. In chapter 6, verses 30 through 32 he writes, “The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all … Continue reading →
• Clean And Unclean (Mark 7:1-23) - Many religions and systems of belief contradict each other. However, one thing about which most religions agree is the need for cleansing. God is pure and we who are impure cannot worship Him or come into His presence unless we have been cleansed. The question is what makes a person “clean” or “unclean”? An even … Continue reading →
• Foreign Miracles (Mark 7:24-37) - Many people feel uncomfortable around others who come from different backgrounds than they, especially foreigners. One reason for this attitude is lack of knowledge. We fear what we don’t know or understand and the other person’s habits and ways of thinking are unknown to us. Even worse, however, is the feeling of contempt we have … Continue reading →
• The Yeast of the Pharisees (Mark 8:1-21) - As anyone who has studied in school knows, sometimes it is necessary to hear a lesson more than once before a person can understand it. Our minds are not always capable of grasping the material the first time. However, there is another reason why people sometimes do not understand – it is because their hearts … Continue reading →
• Seeing Clearly (Mark 8:22-9:1) - Glasses enable those whose eyesight is not clear to see plainly. Without them, objects appear distorted and it is difficult to see things as they really are. It is the same in regard to spiritual things. Without a true understanding of who Jesus is, it is impossible to clearly see spiritual reality. Unless we recognize … Continue reading →
• Jesus’ Glory (Mark 9:2-13) - It is often difficult for us to see reality. Sometimes our preconceived notions of how things ought to be causes us to have a distorted view of the actual facts. Sometimes we don’t know crucial information which would change how we look at things. But, most importantly, we often forget that the physical and material … Continue reading →
• If You Can (Mark 9:14-32) - Why doesn’t God grant our requests even when we ask for what is good? One of the reasons is that in our heart of hearts we sometimes doubt that God is able to do what we ask of Him. Similarly, why do our attempts to serve God sometimes seem so ineffective? Could it be that … Continue reading →
• Who Is Greatest? (Mark 9:33-50) - There is something in most people which craves status and recognition. We want to be first. We want others to acknowledge our importance. We often think we are better than other people. Jesus’ disciples were no different. They, too, wanted to put themselves first. However, Jesus taught that true greatness is measured by service and … Continue reading →
• Hard Hearts (Mark 10:1-16) - Instead of promoting Himself, Jesus constantly served others and put their interests ahead of His own. Not only His teaching, but His very life was a threat to the religious leaders of the time. His humility, service and righteousness exposed their pride and hypocrisy. The religious leaders tried their best to discredit Jesus. The problem … Continue reading →
• Eternal Life (Mark 10:17-31) - Even though death is universal, there is something in our souls which refuses to accept this and which longs for eternal life. This is not surprising because God created us for life. However, as a consequence of Adam’s disobedience God banned access to the Tree of Life. Mankind has been searching for it ever since. … Continue reading →
• Greatness and Service (Mark 10:32-45) - The very same event can cause some to fear and give hope to others. This is what happened when, in spite of the religious leaders’ opposition, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem. In chapter 10, verses 32 through 34 of the Gospel which bears his name Mark writes, “They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; … Continue reading →
• King Jesus (Mark 10:46-11:11) - Jesus’ disciples believed that He was the Messiah the prophets predicted would come and for who’s appearing the people of Israel had waited for hundreds of years. One of the roles of the Messiah is that of King. The disciples were convinced that Jesus would openly declare Himself as King and inaugurate His kingdom when … Continue reading →
• Hypocrisy (Mark 11:12-33) - Appearances are often deceiving. What we think we see does not represent reality. Sometimes this difference can be a pleasant surprise. The hulking, brutish, hardened looking man turns out be someone who is very kind, compassionate, and humorous with a genuine interest in serving others. Other times, reality is not so pleasing. We cut into … Continue reading →
• The Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1-12) - We have a saying that if you want to get someone’s attention, hit him in his pocketbook. What it means is that people often put a higher priority on their income and financial wellbeing than anything else. This saying was certainly true with regard to the religious leaders in Jerusalem during Jesus’ ministry. The priests … Continue reading →
• Two Questions to Catch Him (Mark 12:13-27) - We do not like to be told that we are wrong. We especially do not like to be told that we must change our attitudes and the way we live in order to please God. The more religious and righteous we think we are, the less willing we are to accept such a message. It … Continue reading →
• The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-34) - There are many reasons to ask questions. One reason is because we wish to learn something. We are ignorant about a certain topic and we ask questions about what we do not understand. Another reason to ask questions is for clarity. For example, if someone tells us something which seems to contradict what he said … Continue reading →
• Who Is The Christ? (Mark 12:35-44) - Who is Jesus? This is a profound question. How we answer it has an impact on our relationship to God and on our salvation. If the things Jesus said are true, then He must be more than just a man. If what He said is not true, then He is a liar and a charlatan … Continue reading →
• Signs of the End (Mark 13:1-20) - We tend to think that everything will continue as it currently is. We tell ourselves that if there will be any change, it will be for the better. Even when we know that conditions are getting worse and trouble is coming, there is still something in us which believes that it won’t affect us or … Continue reading →
• Watch! (Mark 13:21-37) - What does the future hold? When and how will the world end? People spend much time worrying about such questions. One time Jesus’ disciples pointed out to Him the magnificence of the Temple in Jerusalem. In reply Jesus told them that the Temple would be completely destroyed. Naturally, the disciples asked for signs by which … Continue reading →
• She Did What She Could (Mark 14:1-11) - Have you ever found yourself criticizing someone for doing good? He saw a need and tried to help; he sensed another’s hurt and tried to comfort. We did not help, we did not comfort, yet we are quick to object to the other person’s compassion and kindness. A situation like this happened to Jesus a … Continue reading →
• The Blood of the Covenant (Mark 14:12-26) - We like to think that our lives count for something – that God has a purpose for us. A sense of purpose motivates us to keep going in spite of difficulties. What was the purpose of Jesus’ life? Why did He continue to teach and serve others even when the religious authorities sought to kill … Continue reading →
• Watch and Pray (Mark 14:27-52) - We often have a higher estimation of our own moral strength and courage than is the case. We hear about someone yielding to pressure to do wrong and say, “I would never do that!” However, when it is we who have to face the temptation or the pressure to do wrong we find that our … Continue reading →
• Are You the Christ? (Mark 14:53-65) - The Bible teaches us that God is righteous and just. God will not condemn someone for a sin he has not committed. For example, when Abraham plead with God to spare Sodom he said, “…Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you … Continue reading →
• I Don’t Know This Man! (Mark 14:66-72) - The truth is that we do not know how we will act in a given circumstance until we actually come face to face with that situation. For example, we like to think that we will sacrifice ourselves for those we love. But it is not until the needs of a loved one conflict with our … Continue reading →
• Crucify Him! (Mark 15:1-20) - God cares about justice and He wants the courts to be just. For example, God said to the Israelites through the prophet Moses, “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 16:20 NIV) In spite of this clear instruction in the … Continue reading →
• Forsaken (Mark 15:21-41) - If we think about dying we picture our death as calm and peaceful while being attended by those who love and respect us. For Jesus it was very different. His death was not only agonizing, it could not have occurred in a more degrading and humiliating way. Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, condemned Jesus … Continue reading →
• An Empty Tomb (Mark 15:42-16:8) - Jesus’ cry from the cross, “It is finished!” also expressed the understanding of His disciples. When Jesus died, all their hopes died with Him. Though Jesus plainly told them ahead of time what would happen, they did not understand or believe. Afterwards, however, something occurred which changed everything. In the Gospel account which bears his … Continue reading →
• Preach the Good News! (Mark 16:9-20) - There are some things which are so far outside of our experience or our expectations that we find them extremely difficult to believe. Even though Jesus clearly told His disciples that He would rise from the dead, they did not expect Him to do so. When Jesus’ tomb was found empty they still could not … Continue reading →