Episode #29. Today we’ll read Mark chapter 1 together. I am your host Joy Miller. Please join me each day as we read the Bible together.
Transcript
Joy:
You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast Episode Number 29. Today we will read the first chapter of Mark together. No nativity, no childhood anecdotes. Mark starts with Jesus’ baptism and dives immediately into his adult ministry and miracles.
speaker 0: 0:35
Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast. I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together. Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should. It’s just easier to do it with a friend. So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud. I’m so glad you’re here!
speaker 0: 1:32
You guys, you’ve read the whole book of Matthew…God is so pleased with you! Imagine me giving you a socially distant high five. And now, moving on to our second book of the New Testament, Mark. I know we talked about this once before, but let’s do a little review. The 1st 4 books of the New Testament, the Gospels, are accounts of Jesus’ life here on Earth. Four writers, four different perspectives, four audiences. Now that’s a short review! Mark’s intended audience was the Romans. While the Jews were all over genealogies and lineages and Law to prove Jesus was the Son of God, Romans didn’t care about any of that stuff. They valued action. What did Jesus do? So you won’t see an account of Jesus’ birth here. Mark fast-forwards 30 years to when Jesus starts his ministry. One thing I do want to point out: as you’re reading the subsequent gospel accounts, you will recognize some of these miracles and parables. But some you won’t. Remember, four different perspectives, just like you and I might watch the same event and come away with different things that stand out to us. Likewise, these authors did too. Okay, let’s dive in…
speaker 0: 2:59
Mark Chapter 1. The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God as it is written in Isaiah, the Prophet. See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord. Make his paths straight! John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all of the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John wore a camel hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed: One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased. Immediately, the Spirit drove him into the wilderness and he was in the wilderness 40 days being tempted by Satan. He was with wild animals, and the angels were serving him. After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! As he passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. Follow me, Jesus told them, and I will make you fish for people. Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, putting their nets in order. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. They went into Capernaum and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority and not like scribes. Just then, a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God! Jesus rebuked him saying, Be silent and come out of him! And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other: What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. At once, the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee. As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. So he went to her, took her by the hand and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. Simon and his companions searched for him, and when they found him they said, Everyone is looking for you. And he said to them, Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there, too. This is why I have come. He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him: If you are willing, you can make me clean. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. I am willing, he told him. Be made clean. Immediately, the leprosy left him and he was made clean. Then he sternly warned him and sent him away at once, telling him, See that you say nothing to anyone ,but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony to them. Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.
speaker 0: 8:39
It’s interesting to note that the Prophet Isaiah lived and ministered 700 years before John was born. My pastor has been talking about waiting. Followers of Christ have been waiting for over 2000 years for Jesus to return. Some would say our waiting is wasted. It’s never gonna happen. But God just doesn’t measure time the way we do, does he? Nor is he bound by it. In his second letter to scattered Christians, Peter wrote in the third chapter, nineth verse this: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. You can believe that if Jesus said he’s coming back, he will. Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for bringing us to this second account of your life, as you chose to walk among men. I pray that we would know you more with every chapter. I also thank you, Jesus, that just like each of the gospel writers, you have equipped each of us with different perspectives to communicate your story to other personalities. Help us to see those opportunities to tell others about you. Amen.
speaker 0: 10:10
Thank you for joining me here today. I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here. In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort. Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us. If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review. Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you right here tomorrow. Be well!
Show Notes
- Awesome Video of Solomon’s Temple
- These will help! Overview videos of all books of the Bible
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Bible Study Resources
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