Category: Mark

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Mark emphasises the power or authority of Jesus over evil spirits, disease, leprosy. One favourite word of Mark is ‘immediately’. This is what interested ancient Romans – power and action.

SJA Notes

* Holy God, Your word is the only truth we need today. Please help us listen and obey.

“I know who you are – the Holy One of God.”

The world is a big place, great swathes of it are hidden to us through our lives. We cannot know it all, or even come close.

The spiritual realities are deep and wide.

And they are inhabited by both the armies of God and the armies of darkness.

As Jesus, God in the Person of the Son, started His three-year ministry there was an eruption of visible spiritual battle.

Visible because people were specifically and clearly affected.

With all of this, we see that the evil spirits knew who Jesus was. They knew He was the true anointed one, holy (set apart).

Their perspective was one of fear and loathing.

But ours is to be that of Peter in John chapter 6,

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Evil fled from the presence of the King of Kings.

We need to repent and believe and be welcomed into that presence – Into the arms of our Saviour.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour He is!

* God Above,

Your Name is mighty and set apart, holy.

Please help us to bear Your Name well.

Your word is good for every aspect of life.

Please help us use it well.

Your love is steadfast and faithful.

Please help us love others as You have loved us.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Mark’s Gospel can be read in about 1/2 hours. It was written for believers and inquirers in the Roman Empire. Mark begins his Gospel with God’s action in sending His Son. Jesus begins His ministry immediately He is baptised/anointed by God’s prophet John and the Spirit as Messiah. (Just as Saul and David)

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please show us Jesus today from Your word.

“John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The preaching of John caused a revival in a land that had been silent for many long years.

His message was the same message we read throughout God’s word.

And what happened?

“And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”

How amazing is this – Praise God for His salvation come to us!

John speaks of the true reality, that he was only a pointer to a Saviour like no other,

“I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

This is what matters. That we are reborn into Christ with the washing and anointing of the Holy Spirit!

May we continue in repentance and belief today and onwards.

* Father God,

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who works within us Your people.

Please wash the muck and grime of our daily sin from us Lord God.

Please refresh our bodies, minds and souls for whatever You have in store for us.

Amen.