Monthly Archives: February 2021

Mark 2- Through The Roof

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And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. Mark 2:2-4

To what extreme would you go to get to Jesus? Many people won’t even go to Church if it’s too cold outside or they don’t like somebody, but here we see a paralyzed man determined to get to Jesus. He can’t walk , so he had four men carry him. There was no room in the building so they lowered him through the roof, talk about determination to see The Lord

Why was this paralyzed man so determined to get to Jesus? Because he had faith, he knew that Jesus was the only one who could save him! Do you believe that? Do you have this determined faith to get to Jesus?

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? Mark 2:5-7

Jesus did a couple of amazing things here, first he healed the man when he saw the man’s faith. Notice its by his faith in Christ that he became healed, this is the same for our salvation. Its by our faith in Jesus that we become saved, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross

Secondly Jesus makes a shocking statement “Your sins are forgiven” who does he think he is? Only God can forgive sin, says the scribes in attendance reasoning in their hearts. The fact is those who reject the deity of Jesus, how do you reason this in your heart. How can Jesus forgive sin unless he is God in the flesh?  This is why the religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy, he was revealing his deity here!

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house Mark 2:8-11

Jesus knew the thoughts of the religious leaders, and challenged them “Why do you believe these things in your hearts”? Why do you reject Christ? Is it because your man made religion? Is it because receiving Christ is going to cost you something? Jesus demonstrated he can do both, he can heal or forgive sins, because he is the Son of God

So he instructed the paralyzed man “Arise and go walk” Jesus is healing and forgiving you today also saying “Arise, get up”! 

And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. Mark 2:12

“We have never seen anything like this before” said the people who witnessed this event. This is a demonstration of the New Covenant, a better and more powerful covenant, Jesus came to set the captives free! Amen!

Mark 1- The Leper

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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. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. Mark 1:40-41

Leprosy was a major issue during the 1rst Century, when someone contracted leprosy it was almost a death sentence. Not only was it a painful disease but that person was cast out of society. They were no longer allowed to be a member of normal society because of their uncleanliness. So when the Leper approached Jesus, the disciples were probably in horror, they wouldn’t want their Lord and Teacher to contract this disease.

But notice Jesus’ reaction, when Jesus saw the man he was “moved with compassion”. He didn’t reject the man or stay away from him. In fact Jesus “touched” the man and healed the man instantly. Imagine the faith it took for the Leper to come to Jesus and ask to be healed?

It says in the scripture, the man was beseeching or begging Jesus to heal him! Are you beseeching Jesus? Are you crying out for the Lord to make you clean?

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 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. Mark 1:42-44

Notice it was the mans faith in Christ that healed him, there was no magic words or made up ceremonies, as soon as the man professed his faith in Jesus, he was healed. This is the same with our salvation, there is no check box of works to become saved, when you  profess your faith in Christ, you are saved. The works have been finished by Jesus on the cross, It Is Finished

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 1:45

Jesus instructed the man to show himself to the priests, as a requirement of the Torah, however the man instead was telling everyone about Jesus! The Torah never saved anyone, only Christ can save you! The Torah brings death and judgement, Jesus brought life and salvation

What has Jesus done for you today? Are you telling anyone? How is your faith in Christ? Have the faith of the Leper man and you will be cleansed Amen!

Mark 1- A Better Covenant

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And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 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. Mark 1:21-24

The New Covenant is now coming, Jesus is about to demonstrate the power and authority of the New Covenant, as it is a Better Covenant made with Better Promises (Hebrews 8:6) When Jesus began preaching in the synagogue, they were amazed at his teachings, why? Because Jesus is the Living Word of God (John 1:1) What they are hearing is not mans interpretation but directly from God

Second notice the demon addressed Jesus as the Holy One of God, this is a Messianic title, (Psalm 16:10) the demon was actually affirming that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and he affirmed Jesus power and authority by saying “Have you come to destroy us”? The demon knew Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Christ, the Son of God!

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.  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. Mark 1:25-27

Jesus rebuked the demon and commanded it to come out of the man, everyone was astonished, why? Because up until this point nobody has exercised a demon before, think about all the prophets of the Old Testament, nobody has ever had power and authority over demons except Jesus, why? Because he is the Lord of Lords, the Christ , the Son of God

I believe this is also a demonstration of the New Covenant, a Better and more powerful covenant , an eternal covenant with better promises! What new doctrine is this? The people asked, its the New Covenant, its the Word became Flesh and living among us (John 1:14)

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

The gospel of Jesus Christ spread like wild fire, why? Because Christ demonstrated his power over sin, death, and hell. The New Covenant has come, and Jesus has come to set the captives Free Amen!

Mark 1- Baptism of Christ

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And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 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. Mark 1:9-11

Often we hear people say “The Bible never mentions the Trinity of God” well here in our gospel story today, we see the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit all coming together at the Baptism of Christ. The Son being baptized in the water, as an example for us, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on the Son, and the Father declaring “Jesus is his beloved Son”!

One question may arise, why did Jesus need to be baptized? I believe Jesus did this as an example for us, Jesus has never asked us to do anything that he hasn’t already done! The baptism of Christ, is like a kick start to his ministry which would eventually lead to the cross and then the tomb. Everything Jesus did was for a purpose, it wasn’t necessarily done for his benefit, but for our learning and understanding

Just as the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit came together at Creation, they come together at the formation of the New Covenant, to redeem humanity from the penalty of their sin

And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 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 1:12-13

Next Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. This was a 40 day period of fasting and testing. Satan tempted The Lord day and night, to try and get him to sin, but the sinless Lamb of God would never submit to Satan and overcame him , just as Christ finally defeated Satan at the cross!

 Finally when Jesus passed his test, he was comforted by the angels. Just as it is written in Psalm 91 “The angels will keep guard over you” (Psalm 91:11) The same scripture Satan tried to use to deceive Jesus , was fulfilled as Satan’s defeat!

The ministry of Christ has now begun, and will deliver us from the slavery of sin and death forever! Amen!

Mark 1- Prepare The Way

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The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Mark 1:1-3

We begin this gospel with the fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah, “Behold God will send a messenger who shall prepare the way of The Lord” This messenger is John the Baptist. Many believed that Elijah would come before the Messiah, but Jesus corrected this “Elijah has come and the disciples understood Jesus was talking about John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:12-13)

The voice of the one crying in the wilderness, was the Prophet John the Baptist, preparing people for the coming of The Lord! How did he prepare them? By instructing them to Repent of their sins and be baptized with water! The turning away from our sinful deeds and the cleansing of our hearts and minds. Are you prepared for the return of Christ?

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 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. 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; Mark 1:4-6

John was called by Jesus “the greatest of all prophets” (Matthew 11:11) yet look how he lived, homeless living in the desert, eating locusts and honey, dressed in camel hair. He didn’t own a 3 piece suite or have a mega Church building, yet he paved the way for Jesus! His non politically correct , non liberal preaching brought the multitudes out to the desert to repent and be baptized. 

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. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Mark 1:7-8

What did John preach about? He preached about Jesus! He preached about repentance and baptism, he preached about preparing for The Lord! There was no self help clinics or social issue campaigns. It was all about Jesus!

Notice what John says “ There comes one mightier than me who sandal, I’m not even worthy to untie” He glorified Christ and not himself, his goal was to preach Jesus and not about himself. And he revealed Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit, something none of us are capable of doing!

Are you prepared to meet the Lord Jesus? Are you washed in the blood and the water? Are you baptized by the Holy Spirit? Amen!

John 21- Peter’s Calling

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So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17

Here we see the scene , where Peter is receiving his calling by Christ. Now at first glance you may say “Whats the big deal”? However if you remember the history between Peter and Jesus, it is a beautiful picture of love and grace. We remember Peter denied even knowing Jesus three times out of fear of losing his own life (John 18:15-27) Peter probably believed Jesus was done with him, he let his Lord down at the time when he needed him the most

But notice Jesus mercy and compassion, he comes looking for Peter to let him know he is forgiven. Jesus asks Peter specificall three times if he loves him, three times is exactly the same amount of times Peter denied Christ. As we know 3 is very symbolic in the Bible , as on the 3rd day Jesus rose from the dead! 

Jesus message to Peter is simple, Feed my Sheep! Meaning Christ was establishing the Church before he ascended into Heaven. The beginning of The Church was built on Christ and the Apostles. Everything he taught and showed them is now handed down to us!

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.  John 21:18-19

Jesus makes another prophecy, that Peter is going to die for Christ. Notice the detail of his prediction “you shall stretch forth your hands” , as we know from history Peter was crucified upside down on a cross. Peter died exactly as Jesus predicted. 

When Jesus changed Simons name to Peter, its because it means “Rock” As Jesus said in Matthew “Upon this Rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18) Upon Peter and the Apostles Christ has bult his Church and the gates of Hell will never prevail against it, even though Satan has been trying for over 2,000 years!

Maybe you can relate to Peter, maybe you betrayed Jesus and feel like your to far gone! Jesus is still calling you, and you can still serve the Church and build Gods Kingdom in Jesus name Amen!