Jesus began His ministry with miraculous signs.

The coming of Jesus to earth was, without question, the most significant event in human history. Nothing compares to the great sacrifice made by Jesus, and it’s benefits for humankind. In the midst of a sin-darkened world, the light of Christ came shining through, piercing the darkness with the divine light of truth originating from the throne of God. Mark’s account of Jesus‘s ministry begins with John the Baptist, who came preaching and baptizing in the wilderness as he prepared the way of the Lord (Mark 1:3). Then Jesus, following His baptism by John, and his temptation by Satan, set out to fulfill the mission to which God the father sent him.

JOHN PREPARES THE WAY

A. Beginning of the Gospel

Mar 1:1  The beginning of the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

…….One thing I love about having 4 different books about the Gospel, Life and ministry of Jesus Christ is the fact that all 4 are written by different men who bring a different approach but end up with the same exact story, the good news of the Lord! That’s exactly what the Gospel is, good news. What is that news? That God sent His only son to make a way to have total fellowship and relationship with Him!

Mar 1:2  As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

…….Mark gives us a sample of the declaration of John the Baptist, of Christ fulfilling the prophecy of old times that a savior would come and has come.

Mar 1:3  The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

…….I love this part right here, crying in the wilderness. This wasn’t a crying of tears, but one of shouting. Jesus didn’t appear in a manner of royalty, he didn’t come with a caravan carrying precious jewels and perfumes, but came as a man who was raised by simple living parents who lived by the sweat of their brow. In another term, he came up the rough way. That is why He is so relevant to the lowly, such nourishment for the meek. To the ones feeling like they can’t make it out of the wilderness, that’s where and who Jesus is crying to! Get ready because here I come!

B. John the Baptist’s Ministry

Mar 1:4  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

…….What was the purpose of baptism? To make a bold declaration of faith that says, I don’t live like that old man anymore, I’m making a total change of direction out of that water and leaving my past sins right there to never return to them.

Mar 1:5  And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

…….True salvation will always produce humiliation. I’m not sure if they got specific about what sins they were consumed with and by, (that probably would have taken hours for many) but what they did do was admit that they were without God and needed his miraculous work. That same transforming humility will never leave the life is the saved.

Mar 1:6  And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

…….Do you know what made people so attracted to a man like John the Baptist? His anointing. Just like Christ, he didn’t come in goodly apparel, but came in pure humility that way the lowly would be so comfortable in his presence. The focus wasn’t the man, but the mans message, and that’s the way it still should be.

Mar 1:7  And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

…….Every preacher and minister will understand that our ministry is not of ourselves, but of the one who saves us from ourselves. Many ministers for some reason tend to forget about the provider in the midst of ministry and at times lose it all. We must never let the praises of man be received by our flesh, but direct them to the one who gives the ability and anointing to be able to minister.

Mar 1:8  I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

……..When people ask me about seeking for the Holy Ghost, I tell them don’t let your seeking be of a gift or some miraculous moment. Our seeking must be of Christ. In seeking that close relationship with Him the Holy Ghost Baptism will come.

MINISTRY BEGINNINGS

A. Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation

Mar 1:9  And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

Mar 1:10  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

Mar 1:11  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mar 1:12  And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

…….Even Jesus had a moment of wilderness. For Jesus and John the Baptist, the wilderness was a physical place, a place of destitute of normalcy. I truly believe that if every believer would go straight to the wilderness after salvation their outcome and follow through would be so much more effective. How do we get to a wilderness? Do your absolute best to shut everything down that is attached to sin and the old life. It is in this place we learn to trust in the Lord and focus in on the most important aspects of the Spiritual life.

Mar 1:13  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

…….Satan had the never to even tempt the Son of God, don’t be surprised when temptation comes your way. It was in these moments that even Jesus learned to totally trust in His Spiritual man to overcome the powers of Satan. Yes, we all need this very power!

B. Jesus’ Preaching and Calling Disciples

Mar 1:14  Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Mar 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

…….Can you imagine the impact those words had when they hit the waves of sound?! The most anointed being to ever speak words walked about speaking salvation! There was so much power in His plain speech that folks just simply did what He encouraged. Oh if we would pray for that type of anointing! In this time, just like Jesus’ time, we need that anointing and authority.

Mar 1:16  Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Mar 1:17  And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Mar 1:18  And straightway (immediately) they forsook their nets, and followed him.

Mar 1:19  And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

Mar 1:20  And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

…….Jesus had such assurance in His authoritative speaking that even parents and employers approved of the decisions to follow Him. It is Gods will for all of His saints to be impacted by this anointing in such a way that whenever we are operating in our ministry, people will be shaken and changed. Jesus was and still is the perfect example of the results that are possible in following Him. Let’s get to the place where our focus is simply following Him.

MANIFESTING UNEQUALED AUTHORITY

A. Teaching With Authority

Mar 1:21  And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

…….Not only was Jesus a street preacher, but also a bona fide rabbi or teacher, hence his several accounts of teaching in synagogues and temples.

Mar 1:22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

…….The audience was astonished because Jesus did not simply talk about God and the scriptures like the scribes did, neither was He merely a messenger sent by God, like the prophets. Jesus was God incarnate speaking His own Word to the people.

Mar 1:23  And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Mar 1:24  Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Mar 1:25  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

Mar 1:26  And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

Mar 1:27  And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

…….It’s not unusual for ministers to work with an unusual power. The plain and simple ways of ministry will be set aside when the anointing settles in, and people will be changed. The unbelievers will look on and take notice, and Christ will be glorified.

Mar 1:28  And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

B. Healing and Preaching

Mar 1:29  And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Mar 1:30  But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

Mar 1:31  And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Mar 1:32  And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

Mar 1:33  And all the city was gathered together at the door.

Mar 1:34  And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

…….In Jesus’ time, when people were sick they were taken to Him. This was the opportunity to be changed by Him. It should be no different today, that when we are approached by those who are in need of healing, they need to be taken to Him. It has become too easy to simply give a smile and shake our heads in agreement that they need a healing. It is Christ duty to heal, it is our duty to introduce them to the healer.

Mar 1:35  And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Mar 1:36  And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

Mar 1:37  And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

Mar 1:38  And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

Mar 1:39  And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

My…….Jesus never stayed in one place for very long. Though others needed Him, He left the example of what needed to be done for others to receive their needs. That example is to be followed still today.