launch
23 - 01/26 /11:31
According to the New Testament Gospel of Mark, Jesus launched His mission at the Jordan River, where He was baptized by John. Then Jesus wandered off into the wilderness.
Soon after, John was arrested. With John the Baptist in prison the crowds attracted by his message of repentance dispersed to their homes. Among them were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, who returned to their fishing business on the Sea of Galilee.
Soon after, John was arrested. With John the Baptist in prison the crowds attracted by his message of repentance dispersed to their homes. Among them were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, who returned to their fishing business on the Sea of Galilee.
Unexpectedly, the Jesus whom Simon and Andrew saw baptized by John came walking along the shore. Jesus summoned them to follow Him. Immediately they left their fishing business and became His disciples; that same day they were joined by two more fishermen—James and John.
The following Sabbath the five them were at synagogue.
1st century synagogue meetings customarily included opportunity for attendees to read from and comment on Old Testament Scripture. The synagogue leader would invite someone to read from the books of Moses, then add their personal comments. That would be followed by discussion and often debate. The process would be repeated with a reading from the Prophets and Wisdom books.
Mark reports those at synagogue were, “amazed at Jesus’ teaching.” The synagogue was shocked when Jesus was interrupted by a man possessed by an unclean spirit, yelling, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Jesus commanded the the unclean spirit, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit came out with a shriek. So impressed were the locals that when sabbath ended the entire village came to the home where Jesus was staying. They brought their sick and suffering. Jesus healed them all.
A few days later a man suffering from leprosy came to Jesus, begging on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus healed him then instructed him to present himself to the temple priests in Jerusalem, “as a testimony to them.” Jesus used this healed leper as a message to the temple priests:
Messiah has arrived.
Jesus wanted the priests to know Messiah had come. Miracles demonstrated God was at work—the kingdom of heaven was near. The cleansed leper showing himself to the temple priests invited them come and see Jesus for themselves.
According to the gospel of Mark, teachers of the law did come to investigate. Mark reports the religious leaders responded to His miracles and claims by plotting to eliminate Jesus. ~
Blessings,
Dan Nygaard