Mark Devotional Thoughts/Commentary Mk 1:1 “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus, gospel is all about “GOOD NEWS.” This verse causes me to ask myself how do people experience me. To what extent am I “good news” in their lives and to what extent do I come off as “bad news”? What do non-Christians typically experience from Christians, from me—good news or bad news? You are “good news” incarnate, in the flesh. As a “Christian,” a “little Christ,” I ought to incarnate, enflesh for people “good news.” Adjust my attitude, my demeanor and my behavior accordingly. Use me as a tool of Your good news and blessing in people’s lives in order that they might experience YOUR love through me. Ro 10:14-17; 2 Cor 5:17-20; Eph 4:29; Col 4:5-6 Mk 1:2-3 “It’s written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I’ll send my messenger ahead of you, he’ll prepare your way’ — ‘a voice of one ​ calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" Jesus, I must ask myself where and to what extent do my words and actions prepare Your way and to what extend do they become obstacles for You. In the words of the spiritual song “Break me, mold me, fill me, use me.” Make me an instrument of Your love. Jn 15:1-8; Ro 6:13; Ro 10:14-17; 2 Cor 5:17-20; Eph 4:32; Col 4:5-6; 1 Pe 3:15 Mk 1:4 “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” ​ Jesus, people typically see repentance as being sorrowful and as turning from sinful behaviors. While these are a part of repentance the real power behind repentance is that repentance is hearing Your invitation, and turning to You—drawn by Your love and grace in order that we might experience them. Your gospel, Your grace, Your love are like a magnet. They draw us to You and in the process, they draw us away from sin – sinful attitudes, sinful words, and sinful behaviors or lack of behaviors. Mt 4:17; Ro 12:1; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:29; Phil 1:6; Phil 2:12-13; Heb 12:1-2; Jas 4:17; 1 Jn 4:7-19 Mk 1:5 “Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” Jesus, as I stand before the mirror of Your reflecting law I see a sinner in need of forgiveness, cleansing and transformation. As I reflect upon my baptism I see myself united with You in Your death and resurrection—bathed in Your purifying blood, and being filled with Your life through Your Spirit. Today and everyday by Your grace I am a NEW CREATION! Thank you!!! Jesus as You indwell me through Your Spirit my prayer is that You increasingly take form in me and as You do so You form or transform me increasingly into Your image and likeness. Ro 6:3-13; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 2:20; Gal 3:27; Eph 5:25-27; Col 2:9-12; Tit 3:5-7; 1 Jn 1:8-9; 2 Cor 3:18; Gal 4:19; Col 1:28 Mk 1:7-8 “His message was: ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am unworthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’” Jesus, without You my attempts at ministry are merely busyness. In and through my feeble efforts may people always see beyond me, in order that they experience You. Mt 5:16; Jn 3:30; Jn 15:4-5; 1 Cor 3:5-7; 2 Cor 3:4-6; 2 Cor 12:8-10; Eph 3:20; Col 1:28-29 Mk 1:11 “A voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” Jesus, at Your baptism God Your Father publicly declared You His Beloved Son. At our baptisms God publicly declares US to be His beloved children as well. With or in our baptisms God turns us from foster kids into adoptive kids, beloved sons and daughters, in a public commitment. Your Father and our Heavenly Father makes a binding commitment. I can disbelieve what You have done or I can run away as in the story of the prodigal son. If I disbelieve in Your love or if I run from it, I will fail to enjoy it. Yet it is always there for me to believe in and/or to return to. Thank You for making us/me a part of Your family. Thank You for Your eternal and unconditional commitment of love. Is 43:1; Jer 31:3; Lk 15:11-32; Ro 5:6-8; Gal 3:27 Mk 1:13 “He was in the desert 40 days, being tempted by Satan.” Jesus, You were tempted in every way I have been. Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15 In fact Your temptation was probably far greater. I am tempted to the point that I give into it, then it is no longer merely temptation, it becomes sin. Because You never sinned, the temptation never left You. In You I now have the power to overcome temptation as well. Jesus thank You for Your indwelling through Your Spirit and the potential it provides. Move me to increasingly change the potential from mere potential to increasingly being actual experience. Ro 6:11-14; 1 Cor 10:13; Gal 2:20; 2 Pe 1:3-4,7-8 Mk 1:14-15 “Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’” Jesus, biblical repentance is a response of faith to Your inviting gospel with the coming of Your Kingdom. You demonstrated Your love and as it is proclaimed and/or experienced, faith is birthed and people repent. People/we turn to You in order that they/we might be fully enveloped in Your love. Your kingdom of love is at hand. Drawn by the magnetic pull of Your love in repentance I turn to it. Ro 5:8; Ro 10:14-17; Mt 10:7-8; Mt 11:12; Mt 11:28-30; Mt 12:28; Rev 3:20 Mk 1:17 “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘I will make you fishers of men.’” Jesus, You have a purpose for me and for all Your followers and that purpose is that we follow You onto the mission field in the mission of redemption. You would have us incarnate (flesh out) Your presence and love in the mission of tangibly loving people in need of You, particularly the lost. Mt 9:9-13; Lk 19:10 Increase in me, and in Your body the church, a sense of being missional with missionary zeal and sensitivity. Mt 4:19; Mt 10:7-8; Mt 25:34-40; Mt 28:19-20; Mk 5:19; Jn 13:34-35; Jn 17:15-18; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 5:17-20; Col 1:24; Col 4:5-6; 1 Pe 3:15; Jas 1:19; 1 Jn 1:1-4 Mk 1:18 “At once they left their nets and followed him.” Jesus, in Lk 9:57-62 Your “would be” disciples presented excuses as to why tomorrow would be better than today. But here in Mk 1:18 Peter, Andrew, James and John immediately respond. The question I must ask myself is “How often do I offer excuses for postponement?” e.g. “Now is not a good time.” Stir Your Spirit within me that I might increasingly be like Your disciples in Mk 1:18 and with Isaiah move me to respond “Here am I Lord, send me!” Send me Lord – Whenever, Wherever, and to Whomever. Is 6:8 Mk 1:21-22 “Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” Jesus, guide me in my teaching that I teach YOUR truth truthfully and with Your authority so that it rings true for people in their hearts and minds. Is 55:11; Acts 17:11; Ro 1:16; Ro 10:17; Col 3:16; 1 Th 2:13; 2 Tim 2:15,24-25; 2 Tim 3:15-17; 2 Tim 4:2-4; Mk 4:9 Mk 1:23-24 “A man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’” Jesus, I find it sad, evil spirits recognize You, but so many people, including religious people are blind to Your reality and presence. Too often I fail to recognize Your presence. You are Immanuel, “God with us.” Help me to recognize Your presence with us, with me, and then use me to make Your presence felt and known. Mt 5:16; Jn 13:34-35; 2 Cor 5:18-20; Eph 4:32; Col 1:28-29 Mk 1:25-26 “‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus. ‘Come out of him!’ T​ he evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.” Jesus, Your power and love are unlimited.