Reading: Mark 1, Psalm 37:26

He is ever merciful and lends; And his descendants are blessed.

In addition to today’s reading from Psalm 37, we are beginning a journey through the Gospel of Mark.

Because the Gospel of Mark was written to be memorized and recited orally to groups of listeners, the author doesn’t mince any words. In fact, one way to study Mark is to either read it out loud, or to listen to it read. This is how the earliest Christians would have experienced the message. You can listen to an audio below.

Mark’s story of Jesus is designed to be highly impactful. The first 45 verses of chapter one cover a period that Matthew takes eight chapters and Luke five chapters to describe. It could be said that Mark is a book of front page headlines. His aim was to evangelize a Roman audience - a proud military culture that appreciated direct action and displays of power. He strikes the heart directly with a clear and bold proclamation of Jesus as the Son of God (v. 1,11) and does not let up proving his point until the final verse of chapter 16.

As you read this chapter, notice the use of the word immediately. It is the Greek word eutheos, and it means without delay, at once, with no time wasted. It is used 41 times in the Gospel of Mark - 9 times in this first chapter alone. At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him immediately (10). He was then driven immediately into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (12). When He called the disciples Peter, Andrew, James and John they left their nets immediately and followed Him (18, 20). When Peter’s mother-in-law was sick Jesus rebuked her fever and immediately was healed (31). When a man with leprosy asked Jesus if He was willing to heal him, Jesus replied, “I am willing - be cleansed!”, and immediately the disease left him.

This tells us something about the Lord; He has a bias towards action and is focused on results. Jesus knew HIs mission - to seek and save that which was lost. He performed His work with precision and purpose, moving efficiently from town to town (vs.37-39). His bold actions produced astounding results in the lives of people.

In much the same way, we need to be focused in our mission to follow Jesus. Too many of us waste time in empty amusements and mindless pursuits - missing opportunities to live boldly and use our gifts to reach others for Christ. It is the life lived with purposeful action that the Lord blesses with meaningful results.

Mark is also revealing something about Jesus’ authority. Notice how many times Jesus’ dominion over Satan is mentioned. He resists Satan’s temptations (12-13), drives a demon out of a man in the synagogue (21-28), and becomes known for casting out many demons on multiple occasions (32-33, 39). The people were so astounded by the power over Satan that they said, “...what is this? What new teaching is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him”.

Thankfully, this authority was not the possession of Christ alone. In verse 15 He shares this authority with His disciples and commissions them to drive out demons as well. By the end of this Gospel, Jesus gives authority over Satan to every believer (16:17). This is an authority that we need to use every time the enemy shows up.

Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. He is still focused on His mission to save believers from their sin, heal the sick, and drive out demons. Jesus is ready, willing, and able to do in your life whatever is needed. He is a God of action. Let’s follow Jesus’ example and live our lives with the purpose and authority that He has given us in His Name.

As you fast today, reflect on these stories of Jesus’ absolute power of sin, satan, and sickness in Mark chapter one.
As you go before the Lord, ask yourself, in what ways have you limited the Lord in your own mind? In what areas of your life do you need to act decisively? In what areas of your life are you allowing complacency and procrastination to keep you from living the life He’s called you to live?
Make a list of these in your journal. Then write one thing you can do today in each of these areas to move from complacency to purpose.
Ask yourself how you will feel if you take these steps. Ask yourself how you will feel if you don’t.

Pray this with me,

“Dear Father, forgive me for limiting you, doubting you, and living in the trap of my own complacency. I repent of my inaction and procrastination. Jesus, you deserve my best efforts to live fully for you. I present my body and mind to you today as instruments of righteousness.

“Satan, I take authority over you in the Name of Jesus. I resist your lies and the spirit of apathy that has held me in bondage. I close every door that has been opened to you in my life, and plead the Blood of Jesus over my mind, emotions, body, and home.

“Holy Spirit, you are my Helper. Fill me with your power to live boldly for Jesus this day. Guide me with purpose. I believe I receive all these things right now, in Jesus’ mighty Name.”

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