Note for 20250103 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 35 - Mark 1 - The Ministry of Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
According to Mark
Read Through The Bible
“As it Happened” Bible Reading Plan
Day 049
Leviticus 16 to 18
NEW
Part 35 - Mark 1 - The Ministry of Christ
The Audio Version of today’s note
Mark 1:16-37 KJV
[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. [17] And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. [18] And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. [19] And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. [20] And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. [21] And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. [22] And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. [23] And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, [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. [25] And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. [26] And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. [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. [28] And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. [29] And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [30] But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. [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. [32] And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. [33] And all the city was gathered together at the door. [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. [35] And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. [36] And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. [37] And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.1.16-37.KJV
Note for 20250103
You know, today we have all kinds of ministers. Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs and many more like that. But, we also have Ministers in the church, who minister the Word of GOD to the congregation. Here, as Christ called His first four Disciples, we see Him start with His ministry. And from what we know from yesterday's reading is that He ministered unto the people the Gospel of the Kingdom of GOD.
We read here of one that cried unto the Lord, "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." Now, Jesus immediately silenced them, and commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man, and the unclean spirit left the man, causing somewhat of a scene. As believers we know of the authority of Christ, but what strikes me is how those that witnessed it asked, "what new doctrine is this?" They were amazed that the unclean spirit obeyed the instruction of Jesus, but missed how that spirit identified Christ as the Holy One of GOD. Have you heard that term before, "The Holy One?" Maybe, it will be more recognizable if I state it like this, "The Holy One of Israel?" Some things are not to be made plain by the voice of a mere man like me, so I will permit the Holy Spirit to minister unto you regarding that. If you consider the Word of GOD, if you take it with you where you go, then will the Word of GOD minister unto you. Many more did Jesus heal there, and many more did He drive out according to the testimony here.
You may have noticed that I keep using the word minister and in various forms of the word in its applications. You see, when Jesus healed the mother in law of Simon, she ministered unto them. Did she preach to them? Or is this the type of ministering that we read Martha do, when she complained about her sister Mary that was not helping and just sitting at the feet of Christ? In the Old Testament, we also read of the Priests in the Tabernacle ministering unto GOD. What is that then? Are everyone then ministers of some kind? Jesus ministered unto the people, bringing the Gospel of the Kingdom of GOD to them, but also healing them, freeing them from unclean spirits and, don't forget, forgiving them of their sins. Now when I say this, it is from a remembrance of all that Christ did, as we have it of all the Testimonials of those that witnessed His ministry first hand.
In Leviticus we read of the teaching that the Lord gave to the priests on how to deal with clean and unclean things. In this, there is a ministry too, that they would minister into the people of Israel. They would be the guardians for the sake of the spread of disease within the camp, placing unclean things in quarantine, and when confirmed as unclean, then it would be destroyed by fire. That too was a ministry, much like we see today under the Minister of Health and Safety, or similar titles given to mankind. In a way, we all minister to someone or something. What are we ministers of, or who do we minister to or for?
What is a minister of GOD then? Well, you see, this unclean spirit in the man we read of here identifies Jesus of Nazareth most clearly of all of these that were in the hearing of His Words. That He is the Holy One of GOD. Jesus confesses it himself, in what we have just read from the testimony of His disciple John. That He says nothing, except that which He heard of His Father. At the last supper, as we read in the Book of John, Christ ministers unto his disciples by washing their feet, do you remember his exchange with Peter? How if He does not wash his feet, that he will not have part in Him? What then is the ministry of the cross, the grave, the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus Christ our Lord? What have we heard, what have we learned and how were we affected in all of that? Did it not bring in our faith? Who then are the Ministers of Faith? Who are the Ministers of Jesus Christ, here on earth? Who is it that we are to minister to, according to Matthew 25:40? What is it that we minister to the least of these, and what is withheld?
By now, I am certain, the Holy Spirit of GOD has ministered unto you within, bringing understanding and testifying of Jesus Christ to you. And all that I have done is ask you questions. The answers came from within you, just as Christ said that the Kingdom of GOD is within you. What are you a minister for?
Mark 1:35 KJV
[35] And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.1.35.KJV
This is how Christ Jesus started His day. Have we not heard of Him, that He is the Way, and that we should follow Him. Of all that He ministered here in the section of our reading, who benefited from His ministry; and then, who is it that knew Him, who He was and what authority He has? Will you know Him, in all things, will you minister unto Him? Will you obey His instruction and carry out His Word? Let your day then start as His did, by praying to our Father in Heaven. Giving GOD Almighty, the first fruits of your day. He has given you all of this day, as much of it as is for you, even all that is in it; that has He ministered unto you. The ministry of Jesus Christ has not come to an end yet, friends. It is to continue in you, who are filled by the Holy Spirit who the Father sent unto you, in the Name of Jesus Christ, by the request that Jesus made to His Father in Heaven. His prayer to God is still in effect to this day. Just as we are all still here by the obedience of Noah to GOD above.
Let your ministry be to Christ. Let our Father in Heaven receive all the Praise, for if He did not create all, then nothing would exist, not even your breath found on this day.
Shalom.
Verse of The Day
From the YouVersion Bible App (Extended from verse 10)
Galatians 1:10-12 KJV
[10] For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. [11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.1.10-12.KJV
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