Gospel of Mark Series: Mark 1
I had to get a new phone last weekend.
I'm one of the few people on earth who still has a flip phone. Because of my disability, the buttons on a flip phone are much easier to use. But on Saturday, all the buttons stopped working. (I probably dropped it one too many times.) It was torturous because I was still receiving text messages, but I couldn't open them. (Okay, maybe describing the situation as "torturous" is a bit dramatic, but it felt like it!)
On Sunday, I went to the store and purchased the only flip phone in stock. But my SIM card wasn't able to transfer over, so now I have a brand new phone with zero contacts in it. I can't even look up numbers from my old phone since the buttons don't work! I have to build my contact list back up from scratch, which seems like a daunting task. (Although it is fun to guess who's texting you and see how long you can keep the conversation going before saying, "By the way, who is this?!")
Having to begin anew can be frustrating. But new beginnings can also be a good thing.
The book of Mark begins with God's people on the brink of something new.
Last week, we began our look into Mark's Gospel. We saw that Mark portrays Jesus as a suffering servant—a king building an upside-down kind of kingdom. Jesus' kingdom is not rooted in power but in service.
Mark 1 shows us the whirlwind that took place when Jesus entered the public eye. We don't get a lot of backstory or exposition.
Matthew and Luke ease us into the story by introducing us to Jesus' parents. We meet Jesus as a vulnerable child in a smelly stable. But Mark takes a more dramatic approach. It's as if the stage is dark, and then a spotlight shines on Jesus.
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy." (Mark 1:9-11, NLT)
At the baptism of Jesus, God ripped open the sky and told the world who Jesus was. Talk about God doing something new!
After this, Jesus is driven into the desert, where he does battle with Satan. Satan tries to stop this new thing God is doing, but he can't.
Then Jesus hits the ground running. The rest of Mark 1 is packed with brief stories of Jesus doing amazing things. Crowds followed wherever he went, anxious to see what he would do next.
As I read these stories this week, God brought two things to my attention.
1. Jesus Calls Us Into The Unknown
Embarking on a new journey can be scary, as Elsa expressed as she sang "Into The Unknown." But sometimes that's where Jesus is leading us.
One morning, the disciples interrupt Jesus while he's in the middle of quiet time. It seems they wanted him to get back to work.
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you." (Mark 11:35-37, NLT)
These guys thought they had everything figured out. Jesus had set up shop in Capernaum, and there was lots of work to be done there. They had probably settled into a routine and were becoming comfortable. But Jesus continued to invite them into the unknown.
But Jesus replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came." So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:38-39, NLT)
The lead pastor of my church, John Parker, kicked off the year with a sermon about disruptions. Many of us saw 2020 as a year of disruption. I know I did. Plans got canceled. Daily routines and rhythms were changed. Life turned upside down.
But John's reminder was that God works in the middle of disruptions. If God waited until our lives were perfect to start working through us, he would never begin! And if last week was any indication, 2021 isn't going to be smooth sailing.
The disciples had no idea what awaited them in other villages. But Jesus did. He knew about all the trials and obstacles. He also knew about all the beautiful things that would be accomplished. Jesus was inviting his followers to be a part of that...
... Which brings me to the second thing.
2. Jesus Calls Us To Compassion
As Jesus and his followers set out to somewhere new, they soon crossed paths with a man who was desperate for help.
A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. "If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean," he said. (Mark 1:40, NLT)
Leprosy was a terrible skin disease that came with severe consequences. Not only did this condition eat you alive, but it also left you isolated. It was contagious, so people recoiled at the sight of you. You were someone to be feared.
That's what makes Jesus' reply to this man so beautiful.
Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. (Mark 1:41-42, NLT)
Different versions of the Bible translate "moved with compassion" in different ways. Some say Jesus was "indignant" or "incensed."
Who is Jesus incensed with? Not the man. We get the image that Jesus is angered by what this man has been through. And he used that anger to move him toward acts of compassion.
I find that amazing.
Following Jesus is not a way to protect ourselves from suffering.
Following Jesus means following him into the suffering.
It means looking at people who others turn away from in disgust. It means being moved toward acts of love and compassion.
As we enter another year of uncertainty, the soil is fertile to sow seeds of division. It seems like the natural thing to do. But I pray we would follow our Suffering Servant into the unknown and be moved to do acts of compassion.
We don't know what awaits us, but Jesus does.
Questions to Ponder:
As you read Mark 1, where are the places you see Jesus calling people to something new? Where are the places you see Jesus showing compassion?
What disruptions are you dealing with in your life right now? Are there any opportunities within these circumstances to move toward acts of compassion?
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