My study and observation of Mark 8. It contains two miracles of Jesus the multiplying of the 7 loaves and fish into enough to feed the masses and the healing of a blind man. In Mark 8 Peter confesses to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ”. Jesus accepts the title of Christ, and says that God gave Peter this divine revelation. Jesus without doubt declares himself to be both Christ and the Son of God. Mark 8:31 says, “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Praise God that Christ atoned for our sins on the cross and rose from the dead. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 7. Jesus and His disciples are eating with unwashed hands  and the Pharisees and scribes try to find fault in it. They were holding the tradition of people, such as the washing of pots and cups. Jesus makes it clear that the things that come out of the mouth (the words) are what makes a person unclean, not the food that goes into it. What enters into the belly does not enter into the heart. From our hearts comes evil thoughts. Mark 7:22-23 says, “Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
M’r:7:23: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Jesus heals a young woman’s daughter that is demon possessed. Mark 7:30 says, “And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.”. Mark 7:37 says, “And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” So this verse tells us that they were amazed by the healing Jesus did. Praise God. Amen.

My study and observation of Mark 6. In this chapter, Jesus travels to Nazareth and encounters rejection by His own family. Jesus sends His Apostles in pairs to many cities in the region, where they might be rejected. After that Christ goes to the Sea of Galilee and does many miracles such as feeding five thousand by multiplying the 5 loaves of bread through the power of God. Jesus in Chapter 6 also walks on water. John the Baptism is also beheaded. Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Praise God for His love. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 5 is that Jesus casts demons out of a person and raises the dead. The demons said, “I implore You by God, do not torment me!”. Then the demons at their request were cast out and put into the swine, then the swine rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. The demons were no match for the Power of God through Jesus Christ. The exorcism shows that God’s power is greater than anything including demons. The chapter also shows the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Jesus was mocked for saying that the person was not dead but asleep and the people did not know that Christ meant she was dead. Jesus has power over life and death which He showed by raising others and Himself from the dead. Praise God for His mighty power. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 4. Jesus speaks in a parable and tells of the Sower and the Mustard seed. The parable of the sower, has Jesus perhaps speaking of himself as a sower or farmer, and the seed as his word. Jesus tells us that Heaven is like a grain of Mustard seed that when grown becomes great. Throughout Mark 4 Jesus speaks specifically in parables. Mark 4:34 says, “But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”. Parables are figurative stories that teach truth in a very unique way. Those that listen must labor to understand the stories. Mark 4 shows that when the people hear Jesus’ teaching and see His miracles they either follow Him, use Him, hide Him or seek to destroy Him. The parables help those who are serious about learning from Jesus. The softer a persons heart is the more God will reveal. Heaven is impossible for the human mind to understand and Jesus often used these stories or parables to teach people. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 3. On the sabbath day Jesus’ enemies try to persecute Him for healing a man with a withered hand, on the sabbath day. However, Jesus makes it clear it is not wrong to do good on the sabbath day. Jesus is God and has full authority over disease, injury, demons, and the Sabbath. Mark 3:4 says, “And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.” Jesus explains that the Sabbath is for doing good as well as resting. Like it showed in the previous chapter Mark 2:28 says, “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”. Mark 3:35 concludes with, “For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”. Praise God. Amen.

My study and observation of Mark 2. It starts with a man of palsy being lowered into the house through the roof. They did this because it was crowded and there was no other way to get them to Jesus. Jesus tells them their sins are forgiven and heals them. This baffled the religious leaders who didn’t know Jesus was God so they said who besides God can forgive sins? Many of the apostles knew Jesus is the Messiah so they would not have questioned the forgiveness of sins and healing. If Jesus were not God forgiving sins would have been an evil act. However, since Jesus was God He had power on earth to forgive sins. Jesus lived a life without sin and in His own right was both equal to God & God. Praise God for His love. Amen

My study and observation of Mark 1. It starts with the prophecy of God sending His messenger John to help people to know that the Messiah has arrived. In Mark 1:10 Jesus is baptized and when that is done by full immersion He comes out of the water, and then God testifies that it is His Son.  Jesus casts out demons and becomes famous throughout Galilee, he also cures a person who has a bad fever, and people with diseases. At one point Jesus was, “indigent Mark 1:41 NIV”, then heals the leper. Just for the sake of historical curiosity, NIV says, “indigent” yet others like NLT say “moved with compassion” this doesn’t affect the verse hardly at all and changes no major doctrine. This affects no core doctrine but might give us some insight into understanding the mind of God. Jesus was constantly being surrounded with people that wanted to be healed. He did have compassion and even if angry did not sin. Jesus loves everyone and loved everyone back then too. Jesus sometimes departed for personal time with God. The love of Christ towards everyone was without limits.

Philippians 4:13 teaches that God gives us strength to do anything we need. It is God who brings strength (Isaiah 40:29) in all areas including the ones we are weak in. God is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Bible teaches us that it gives God glory when we trust in Him when we are weak, God never fails. Jesus taught “I will never leave you; never will I forsake you. “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 ESV”. God even spoke in the Old Testament telling us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV” “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10” The greatest choice we can make in life is to trust God. Jesus came so that we could be forgiven of our sins, however that is not all God came to give us a better life. The only way to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives is to trust in Him. I’m thankful for God’s abundant grace and mercy, amen.

In Acts 10 we learn that Jesus is Lord of all and that He went about doing good (Acts 10:38). God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day (Act 10:40). The miracle of the resurrection is amazing, the perfect sinless man died but that wasn’t the end He came back to life. Just as Jesus came back from the dead when we accept Him our old sinful nature is put away and Christ dwells in our hearts. Jesus was given authority to judge all people (Acts 10:42) however, His judgement is not for condemnation it is so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life through Him, “…that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43” May, we all trust in Him and receive Him, amen.