Serving the Saviour - Studies in the Gospel of Mark - 2
The Perfect Servant
We are studying the Gospel of Mark. We have looked at something of the background of the book, and the role of John the Baptist in the plan of God. From chapter l verse 9 to chapter 2 verse 22 we are introduced to the servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ. In verses 9 to l2 we read about the baptism and temptations of Christ.
Jesus' baptism involved three things. First, He identified himself with sinners. Jesus was sinless and did not need to be baptised. When He submitted himself to baptism He showed that He had come to take the sinners place and to be our Saviour. In observing the baptism of repentance He showed the nature of his mission. Jesus defines this for us in Mark 10 verse 45. We read, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life a ransom for many,"
Second, we read in verse 10 that as he was coming out of the water, "He saw heaven being torn open and the spirit descending on him like a dove." At this point Jesus was anointed into his role as Prophet, Priest, and King.
Third, the Father spoke from heaven. Verse 11 says, “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’”. This was the Father’s authentication, and commendation of Jesus as his Son. Only Jesus Christ is sent by God to be the Saviour.
Jesus was led into the wilderness. Verse 13 says, "And He was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan". The servant of God will face temptation. Do not be surprised when it comes. Like our Saviour, we must resist it strongly.
In verses 14 to 20 Jesus calls his disciples. We read in verse 17, "’Come follow me’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’” To be effective fishers of men we must follow the method Jesus used. We read in verses 14 and 15, "Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news. ‘The time has come’, he said, ‘the Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’”. We fish men out of the water of sin and darkness by telling them to turn from their sin, and to believe the Gospel. Our method is the message.
The Lord Jesus Christ shows his power. He meets a man possessed of an evil spirit. We read in verse 25, “’Be quiet!’, said Jesus sternly, ‘come out of him!’ The evil spirit, came out of him with a shriek”. Christ has power over the demons. As servants of Christ you and I have the spiritual resources in Him to resist Satan, and overthrow his attacks. We read in 1Peter 5 verse 9, "Resist him (the devil), standing firm in the faith".
Jesus heals Simon Peters mother in law. Verse 30 tells us she was, "in bed with a fever". She met with Jesus, and verse 31 says, "The fever left her and she began to wait on Him". It is this that motivates us to serve the Lord. It will be a delight to give our lives in his service because we have experienced his life-changing power.
The servant of God is always reaching out to those around him with concern. Jesus' ministry continued. Verse 33 tells us that while he was in Simon's house, "The whole town gathered at the door" We read in verses 33 and 34, "Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons". As servants of God we will be keen to help as many people as we can in the name of Christ. We will turn no one away.
Jesus meets a man with leprosy. The leper approaches him. We read his request in verse 40, "If you are willing, you can make me clean". Jesus said, "I am willing" Verse 42 tell us, "Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured" Jesus is always willing to bless those who come to him. leprosy is a picture of sin. It is a disease that spreads and ends in death. Sin is the same. It pollutes the heart and mind and spreads to every area of our lives. Romans 6 verse 23 says, "For the wages of sin is death". You might think that you are so sinful that Jesus will never accept you. He is willing to make you clean. You must come to Him, acknowledge your need of Him, and He will cleanse you from your sin. You can have a clean start today. The Lord says in chapter 2 verse 17, "it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
In chapter 2 verses 1 to 12 we have the story of the healing of the paralysed man. His four friends carried him on his bed to the house where Jesus was. Because they could not get in, they climbed onto the roof and made a hole in it. Then they lowered their friend down to Jesus. Jesus said to him in verse 5, "Son, your sins are forgiven". Jesus emphasised something of great importance. Forgiveness of sin is more important than physical healing. The man was brought to be healed, but Jesus forgives his sin. Be sure that as God's servant you do not turn it the other way round and place the emphasis on what is least important. Our task is to bring men to see their sin and seek God's forgiveness. We see the true character of Christ here. He is God because only God has the right to forgive sins. To show He is God and that this man's sins are forgiven He says in verse 10, “’But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins ‘ .... he said to the paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home’”. The man did so and went home healed and forgiven. The miracles of Jesus confirm that he was who he claimed to be. He is God incarnate. So He exercises the divine prerogative to forgive sin.
In verses 13 to 17 Jesus calls Levi. We read in verse 14,"'Follow me' Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him". He went to Levi's home and had dinner with him. Levi was a tax collector. They were viewed as sinful people by the Pharisees. The servant of God will associate with all types in society to win them for the Lord. We will reach out to the outcast, the destitute, the despised, and the needy. Is that your ministry today? Who are you reaching for the Lord?