20160328 Monday, March 28 2016
Mark 01: As It Is Written In The Prophets

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"

The beginning of the Ministry of the Messiah was preceded by the "prepare the way" ministry of John the Baptist ("As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee" verse 1, below). The supposed "experts" of the Holy Scriptures should easily have recognized John, just as they should easily have recognized the Messiah, because both were described in amazing detail in the historic and prophetic Word of God (see The John The Baptist Prophecies and The Ministries Of The Two Greatest Prophets). Their self-inflicted blindness problem (see Paul's Blindness Lesson) was that they had become "experts" of their own word, rather than the actual Word of God (see Why Call Me, Lord, Lord, and Do Not The Things Which I Say?).

"1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 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. 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; 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. 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." (Mark 1:1-8 KJV)

The baptism of the Messiah further empowered the Messiah to begin His Ministry: "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him." Immediately from then, "the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness" for the showdown with the Devil (see Showdown In The Wilderness).

"1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 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." (Mark 1:9-13 KJV)

The specific commission of John the Baptist was to prepare the way for the Messiah. John's ministry ended (see How Did The Messiah Free John The Baptist From Prison?) when the Messiah's Ministry, as John had done, came "preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God" began (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach?).

"1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

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. 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

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. 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him." (Mark 1:14-20 KJV)

The beginning of the Messiah's Ministry also marked the end of His residence in Nazareth, an inland town in the hills of Galilee (see The Last Words At Nazareth). He then moved to Capernaum, a fishing town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee (see The Cities Of Lake Galilee).

"1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 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.

1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

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. 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee." (Mark 1:21-28 KJV)

Just as He had attended the synagogue at Nazareth (see What Did The Messiah Read From Isaiah That Day?), the Messiah then attended the synagogue at Capernaum. Among the others who attended the synagogue at Capernaum were the four fishermen who would become the first called to be apostles ("when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John" and see The Salt Of The Earth and Light Of The World Prophecy).

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

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. 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 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." (Mark 1:29-34 KJV)

The Messiah often prayed - usually alone ("he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed"' see When Does God Listen To Prayer? and How To Pray: 12 Biblical Principles Of Personal Prayer).

"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. 1:36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. 1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

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. 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils." (Mark 1:35-39 KJV)

Leprosy was one of the most-feared infections (see Leviticus 13: Bacteria). The Messiah healed the lepers who had faith: "kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

"1:40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

1:43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 1:44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 1:45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter." (Mark 1:40-45 KJV)

Fact Finder: Who was Mark?
See Mark: Was It John Mark?