Mark 2

Mark chapter 2 has about three major blocks of text. In each one Jesus addresses an issue that sparks some controversy and sets out His doctrine against the doctrine of the time

Power to Forgive Sin: Mark 2:9-11
Mark 2:9 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?
Mark 2:10 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,)
Mark 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

The chapter opens with Jesus entering Capernaum where a certain paralytic man is brought before Jesus in a dramatic fashion.

1. The aim of the four men who brought him in was that he may be made well yet Jesus opens by saying "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee"
2. Upon noticing the uneasiness of the crowd He goes on the challenge them and say "that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house."

We learn that Jesus has power to forgive sins.

He proves it by demonstrating the act of healing

Sickness was often assumed to be connected to a sin. When the sin is dealt with then the illness goes away.

By healing the man Jesus was proclaiming that "When I forgave his sin, it was truly forgiven!"

Fasting for the Presence of God: Mark 2:19

Mark 2:19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Fasting is a common religious act but not among Jesus' followers. The people questioned and Jesus responded in a parable. The disciples of Jesus are the children of the bridechamber while Jesus was the bridegroom.

It seems that Jesus was saying that the purpose of fasting is for the presence of the groom.

There are many valid reasons for which we find ourselves fasting but from this passage we gleen that the presence of the Lord is an issue to fast for indeed

Mark Chapter 1

Introduction:

According to popular beliefs Mark is the second gospel to be written and was addressed to Gentiles like you (I assume) and me. It's author, Mark the evangelist, was Peters companion and thus we assume that there is a hint of Peters character and language in the book. As I was reading chapter 1 there were a few issues that I felt stood out to me:

The Baptism of John: Mark 1:4

Mark 1:4 (KJV) John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

John had a specific a mandate and it was to "prepare the way of the Lord." How did he do that?

1. John preached  and taught the people how to live. This is the foundation of any good preparation. People need to be taught.
2. John got people to confess their sins. This was a fruit of a repentant heart that had heard the words of the Baptist. It was an act done willingly from the heart of a convicted person who saw their own nakedness for what it was.
3. John baptised people the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, which was later nicknamed the baptism of John. Baptising generally means "ceremonial dipping", to cleanse by submerging, to wash, to make clean with water
4. John pointed all that heard him to the "One" after him who was Jesus

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Mark 1:14-15

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

John served as a sign post that directed us to Jesus who now assumes the centre stage and ministers to the people. Jesus preached and taught as well as baptised. His message however was not solely after the repentance of the people. Jesus' message included all of the words or principles John preached and more.

In our context the parallel message is known as the Gospel of salvation yet Jesus did not dwell on that alone. I will quote www.7culturalmountains.org/ They give a better discussion of the subject than I do. 

The understanding of the Gospel of the Kingdom demands the following:

• Soul and body must impact all aspects of society, material, social, earthly, and secular areas 
• Individuals in the Kingdom exercise authority in order to increase 
• Influence through servant, godly leadership, active faith  
• Focuses on taking dominion
• "Possess the Land"   

We are meant to do much more than just to get born again. There is a life to be lived in this world before rapture or before we go back to the Lord that is the life of the Kingdom

The Authority and Teachings of Jesus' Teaching: Mark 1:22, 27

Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:27 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.

As Jesus Began teaching, He found Himself speaking to an audience that had already been sitting in the pews listening to speaker after speaker. It probably was the case that there was a certain style of teaching. "The Scribes were accustomed to appeal to the authority of this and that Rabbi, and so encumbered their discourses with 'authorities' in the technical sense as to take away all real authority from their teaching." Jesus, on the other hand, proclaimed the truths of God as though He was in the place of God Himself. He spoke with authority. Authority in this context means power, weight, especially: moral authority, or influence and Jesus demonstrated all these aspects as He taught. He referenced no one as He taught but He stood and declared 'verily, I say unto you'.