Mark 1:16-20

There's a traditional spot on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called these disciples - a small waterfall splashes into the sea from springs. The fish like the mix of cool and warm water. I love the spot - it's where my wife and I took our first picture together before we were even dating. It's exciting to think that Jesus could have called His first disciples in that place.

I find it interesting that Jesus did not go to the synagogue to call his disciples. Why not start at the school? Instead, he chose guys that were working with their father in the family business. And I love their response: "At once they left their nets and followed Him."

I often ask myself if I have that same drive. Would I drop everything to passionately follow Jesus, or is He a side attraction that consumes a couple of minutes out of my day? Can I leave my livelihood to follow this prophet who speaks against the religious circles and welcomes IRS agents and prostitutes to dinner?

Could you?

Mark 1:14-15

And so Jesus speaks, "The time has come...The kingdom of G-D is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Mark could have chosen any saying or words of Jesus to put here, but he chose to talk about the kingdom and what our response should be. I hope to venture off into this idea of the "kingdom" but for now I want to reinterpret our response: repent and believe the good news. Put another way, "Turn 180 degrees and live like Me." Leave the mess you're in - the self-doubt, the pride, the consumer, the busy bee, the pornography, the gossip, the greed, the poor self-image, the "health/wealth gospel" - and be just like Jesus. Believe that He will do what He says He will do.

It's interesting that Jesus speaks of the "good news" before His death, burial, and resurrection. To what "good news" is He referring? I believe it goes back to the kingdom idea. "The kingdom of G-D is near." Stay tuned for more on the kingdom....

Mark 1:9-13

I love Mark's imagery of the Triune G-D. Jesus (the Son) looks up and sees G-D (the Father) ripping heaven open where the Spirit descends on Jesus. I love to think of G-D grasping the heavens with His hands and ripping it apart as Sampson did the lion; it appeals to my Russell Crowe "Gladiator" masculine side. Just awesome.

Mark 1:7-8

John knew his place. Do we know ours? Do we realize that we are not worthy to even stoop down and untie Jesus' filthy sandals?

Mark 1:4-6

John the Baptist...looks a lot like Elijah to me (2 Kings 1:8). And Jewish tradition says that Elijah was Phinehas because of his passion and zealousness (Numbers 25:6-13). Jesus was thought to be John the Baptist returned from the dead. These comparisons give you an idea of how zealous and passionate Jesus was. Do we share His same passion!?! Do people see us and KNOW that we are followers of Jesus!?!

That same passion for G-D brought the multitudes - the WHOLE Judean countryside and ALL the people of Jerusalem! (I know Mark uses hyperbole here, but it gives you an idea of how the people viewed him. We know that the chief priests knew the people considered him a prophet.)

Mark 1:1-3

Where else does one begin than at the beginning. Mark draws from creation imagery to begin the narrative of Jesus' life - a good news story. And as in the original beginning, G-D continues to be the main character.

In verse 3 we have an interesting construction. Is the voice calling "in the desert" or is the way of the L-RD to be prepared "in the desert"? Verse three could read (1): "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the L-RD'. OR it could be read (2): "A voice of one calling, 'In the desert prepare the way for the L-RD'. Nearly all translators have gone with the first reading; John's voice cries out in the wilderness to prepare the way for Jesus. But if read the other way (2), we can see a call for all who are preparing a way for G-D must begin in the wilderness.

I wrote a previous blog about the wilderness, and one does not have to search the Bible and life to see that G-D prepares His people and His leaders by leading them into the wilderness. Where else could Jesus have gone, really?

Mark: An Introduction

Jeff Sproles and I are taking up a new project. We will memorize the book of Mark this year. Some of you may be asking, "Is that all?" While others say, "Why?" The first question is easy to answer - "Yes, that is all." The second, however, requires a little bit more of an explanation.

Jeff is on fire for Jesus right now, and it's contagious. Apparently, the book of Philippians wasn't enough for him - he's whizzing through that and needs more.

I had committed to memorize the four Gospel narratives by age 27 when I was 21 to a group of 87 students and faculty at Focus on the Family Institute. Well, I'm 28, and I only have one memorized.... And so, I'm picking it back up.

Along the way, I hope to share with you some insights I glean from my memorization as well as things I've picked up from my travels and studies.

And so, without further adieu, the book of Mark.