Theme for this month: Jesus in the Four Gospels
Theme for this week: Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
November 30, 2021 (Tuesday)
Immediately upon His return from the 40 days of wilderness temptations, Jesus called twelve men to become the followers who would learn from Him. They did not choose Jesus; He chose them.
Then the work began. Mark describes the ministry of Jesus in terms of actions. Deeds — not teachings — became the hallmark of the Messiah. Jesus taught with words, but many of his best messages were deeds of service to others. We followers of Jesus would do well to make deeds of service the ultimate proofs of our love for Christ.
Here are a few key miracles recorded in the gospel of Mark.
1. Jesus casts out an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23–28). This miracle demonstrated Jesus’ power over the forces of evil. The people of Capernaum were amazed and asked, “What new doctrine is this?”
2. Healing Peter’s mother-in- law (Mark 1:29–34). Jesus demonstrates His power over sickness. As a result, the people brought the sick and demon-possessed to Him to be healed.
3. Healing a paralyzed man (Mark 2:1–12). Jesus’ displays His power over sickness and His authority to forgive. The Pharisees questioned Jesus’ authority to forgive, but the people glorified God.
4. Healing a man with a withered hand (Mark 3:1–6). In this story, Mark tells of not only Jesus’ power over sickness but His authority to do good on the Sabbath. The Pharisees wanted to accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath and began to plot against Him.
5. Calming a storm (Mark 4:35–41). Jesus’ power over nature is illustrated here. The disciples were afraid and asked, “Who can this be?”
Other miracles: Raising Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:21–24, 35–43), Feeding the five thousand (Mark 6:30–44), Walking on the sea (Mark 6:45–52), Healing a deaf person (Mark 7:31–37)..and more.
Later in the New Testament, James 1:22 challenges Christians to be “doers of the Word and not hearers only,” following the example of Jesus as recorded in the gospel of Mark.
Jesus’ ministry was “hands on,” participating in loving deeds and not just administration of good works by others. As we follow the steps of Jesus through the gospel of Mark, He is always “where the action is.” Many Christians have discovered what God is doing and have dedicated themselves to becoming part of that.
TO THE WORK
Words, Frances J. Crosby
Music, William H. Doane
1869
To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Refrain:
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on;
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”
Refrain
To the work! To the work! There is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the love of our Father exalted shall be,
In the loud swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!”
Refrain
To the work! To the work! In the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward,
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”
Refrain