THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST IN THE WILDERNESS

(Mark 1:1) The beginning of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God.

John Mark, the Author, and the Missionary. (Marl 1:9) And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in Jordan River. Coming up and out of the water, he saw the heavens open and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, “Thou art my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. He was there for 40 days, tempted by Satan; and the Angels ministered unto Him. After John was put into prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, saying, “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent ye and believe the Gospel.” As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea: for they were fishermen. Jesus said, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” A little further, he saw James and his brother John mending their nets. He called them, and they left their father and the hired servants, and followed Him.

They went into Capernaum, on the Sabbath day, and preached in the synagogue. They were astonished at his doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority. There was a man there with his unclean spirit. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit; after crying out with a loud voice, they came out of the man. The people were amazed about the new doctrine, and with the authority He commanded the unclean spirits, and how they obeyed him.

After they left, they weren’t into Simon’s house. His mother-in-law was sick with a fever and he healed her. He healed many people there, and Simon, and other people followed Him to the other town where he preached and healed many.  He sat at meat with other publicans and sinners. After dinner, they followed Him, and the Pharisees saw him, ate with them and asked his disciples “Why?” Jesus heard and said “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” They ask Him, “Why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” He said, “The children of the Bride Chamber do not need to fast while the Bridegroom is here with them.”

A woman who had a problem with bloody issue for twelve years and could not get better said to herself, “If I touch this garment, I shall be healed (or made whole).” She gently touched his garment and was healed. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “Who touched my clothes?” When she came forward, he said, “Daughter, Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Jesus also raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead.

After all this great work that the Lord Jesus Christ did, now he came back to His own country and it was the Sabbath day and he began to teach in the synagogue. The people were astonished at His great wisdom, but did not accept him. They said (6:3), “Is not this the carpenter? The son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses of Juda and Simon? And His sister’s here with us?” And they were offended by Him.  So the Lord said, “A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country and among his own kin: and in his own house.” So if you have ever been rejected, you are in good company. Give God thanks and move on. As his disciples, when He calls them, they move quickly. They did not let anything stop them from going with Christ. Now He sends them out to preach.