Tag: Bible

Book of Mark – Jesus Healing Simon’s Mother in law

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (Mark 1:29-31 ESV)

And not only that Jesus is capable of driving out evil spirits, Jesus also has the authority to heal people’s sickness :)

Also not many people know this, but Simon Peter was actually married since he had a mother in law :D

Book of Mark – The Teaching With Authority

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. (Mark 1:27-28 ESV)

What is this?? A new teaching with authority!! Finally it’s not only just another prophecy, but the fulfilment of the Old Testament has became flesh in Jesus!

The One With Unclean Spirit

And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, , “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. (Mark 1:23-26 ESV)

Jesus taught with authority since he is from God and is God himself, his teaching wasn’t based on someone else’s power or teaching, and this is validated that even his words can drive evil spirits out. And sure enough the Unclean spirit actually claimed who Jesus is! The holy one of God! Though this is not the time for Jesus to reveal who he is yet, the people around him can surely still see what Jesus can do :)

Book of Mark – The One With Authority

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. (Mark 1:21-22 ESV)

Book of Mark – The Next Disciples

And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. (Mark 1:19-20 ESV)

The next disciples is James and John, immediately after Jesus called them, they left their father to follow Jesus! They even left their parents behind to follow Jesus. That’s definitely something that’s not easy. And I don’t think we got this situation all the time. But, there are times when you have to choose between following your parents or following God.

If your parents fear God, then you must be very blessed! But definitely there are other people whose parents don’t follow Jesus. And for them, there are times that they will have to choose between obeying their parents or obeying God.

Book of Mark – The First Disciples

Jesus Calls the First Disciples Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18 ESV)

Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men. The first disciples Simon and Andrew immediately left their current job and identity and followed Jesus, for what is more worth? Getting fish and a full stomach for a day? Or to save souls for eternal life? :)

 

Book of Mark – The Start of Jesus’ Ministry

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 ESV)

The time has come when we will be able to see the Kingdom of God, where God’s people are called to live under God’s rule in God’s place. Israelites at that time would have longed to see this declaration by the “Messiah.” The have wait for very long for the Messiah to come and established the Kingdom of God again, which was pretty much Kingdom of Israel. Or so they thought. This time the Kingdom of God is way bigger than the small land parcel of Israel, this time God’s people won’t be only the Israelites, this time God’s rule won’t be simply achieved by following the commandment. For because of Jesus, every nation can be part of the Kingdom of God, and God’s rule is followed by heart not mere laws after laws :)