Mark’s gospel continues to reveal more of the authority of Jesus, this time as He forgives the sins of the paralytic.  Israel’s prophets announced forgiveness but only as third parties speaking for the God that could forgive.  Jesus was not only offering the forgiveness of sins, but was the agent of forgiveness itself by the divine authority […]

In this passage we continue see the Jesus Mark has introduced, with authority to heal disease, and with compassion to heal the sick and despised.  By healing this leper He cleanses the unclean and gives him new life.  But this passage also prepares us for a greater revelation about Jesus:  Our sin is more shameful than any disease.  It makes […]

Jesus came to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.  The gracious mercy of God is what Jesus’ hearers received once they believed this good news preached to them and placed their trust in Him.  But Jesus was unable to preach effectively without first seeking His Father’s will through persistent, fervent prayer.  So it is with […]

Mark’s gospel continues to reveal the inbreaking of the kingdom of God through his account of the earthly ministry of Jesus.  Here Jesus’ power and authority over the effects of sin were revealed as He alleviated the suffering of the sick and demon-possessed.  But His compassion was revealed as well through his longsuffering attention all who came […]

When Jesus began teaching in the synagogues His words were like no others.  They bore an authority not attributed to the scribes, the revered arbiters of Jewish doctrine in that day.  The strength of His teaching evoked astonishment, even fear in His hearers.  His command over demons demonstrated His unique power to subjugate sin and its effects, and […]

Like a Caesar or an Alexander the Great, Jesus sets out to take over the world.  But He doesn’t use money or political power or sword.  He fulfills the prophetic announcement of John the Baptist, receives the blessing of His Father and the Holy Spirit at His baptism, repels Satan in the desert, and begins preaching.  In our […]

In this text, we hear a declaration and a command.   Jesus prophesies the arrival of a new age, the kingdom of God, embodied in Jesus himself.  He proclaims this gospel to all who will embrace the truth of it and look to Him as their king for their salvation as they live a life of repentance.  Even though this […]

In this gospel text we see the Jesus who identifies with our sin in His baptism, and then enters the desert, the cursed place, to do battle with Satan.  Just as the Israelites were tempted to unfaithfulness in the desert after passing through the waters of the Red Sea, so Jesus experienced a far more severe […]