Jesus starts this teaching off with a correction of the understanding of divorce: it is not God’s plan, but man’s due to a misunderstanding of God’s picture for marriage. It is to be a selfless union between two followers of His ways. When this fails, divorce is given as a possibility but not the ideal.

Then Jesus teaches that child-like faith is the faith we need.

This then is put to the rest by the rich young ruler who does not credit God with salvation, but his ability to love on his own terms and be rich. Jesus pushes back and the man’s lack of selfless love shows his true heart.

Then the disciples argue about having seats of honor in the final days because they understand selfless love (sarcasm noted). And then Jesus heals Bartimaeus because he has faith in Him. Childlike faith in fact.

In chapter 8, Peter calls Jesus the Christ in the shadow of the “Gates of Hell,” a site mentioned in many ancient texts in Caesarea Philippi that was believed to be the birthplace of Pan and other extraordinarily ridiculous claims. Peter confesses faith, Jesus encourages him and speaks of the church to come!

In chapter 9, as in Matthew, Jesus then shows them He is God by taking them to a high place and inviting Moses and Elijah to the party. It is incredible!

Then when He steps down the mountain, the other disciples are having issues with a demon-possessed boy and Jesus calls out their lack of faith. If they believed Him and the power He possesses, this demon would leave. Also, their prayer lives are less than satisfactory. How is your prayer life?

Then Jesus has to again remind them that who is the greatest isn’t a thing in the coming kingdom. Also if they aren’t against us, they are for us! Finally He states that sin should be avoided at all costs. I wish I always felt that way, but sometimes I step into the fire and can’t figure out why it’s so hot – how about you? May we become people that see Jesus for who He is and avoid sin that so easily entangles!!

The feeding of the 4000 is for the nations – 7 loaves and 7 baskets is representative of the non-Jewish nations. Also, the fact that the 5000 feeding happened near Capernaum and the 4000 in the region by Decapolis (Gentile land) says something.

Perhaps the most significant words in the chapter are Jesus warning against the teaching of the Pharisees. It is subtle and key to understanding Jesus’ way with them. He is careful yet bold and intriguing yet clear. Their teaching seeps in and rises up and pollutes. It begs the question, have their teachings snuck in with you at all (convicting for me as well!). Is false teaching doing any damage to you or us? That’s a great question! Where does our theology stray from the Word?

Consider the Syrophoenician woman’s faith! She took what Jesus said, interpreted it and then showed Him how desperate she was. She knew that dogs eat scraps from the table and beg for these scraps. She was begging and was desperately seeking help from Him, knowing only He could fix things!

Do you believe that about Jesus? Or is He just one of many options? I don’t see other people claiming to do what He did! He is one of a kind. I hope you are seeing that!

Jesus has little respect from those in his hometown. This is frustrating to me, but not unlike other people who go home and are held at arm’s length.

He then calls the disciples together to send them out. They are given tasks and are sent out to share the Word. While they’re out, John the Baptist is put to death for speaking the truth.

When they return, Jesus gives them some rest time. However, the crowds following them have come to hear Jesus. After teaching, He feeds them with 5 loaves and two fish. There are 12 baskets of leftovers (a likely nod to the 12 tribes of Israel). Jesus came to feed them and provide for their needs!

Then He walks on water and quiets the wind for good measure.

Lastly, He returns to the region where Legion lived. This time, they are ready and bring the sick and hurting to see Him and He heals many! I guess the guy formerly known as Legion did the job — he spread the word about Jesus! Little does he know what Jesus can do!

Already freaked from the “other side” and the storm, they get off the boat with their guard up! Who should greet them but a naked demon-possessed man bleeding from scraping himself. He starts yelling and screaming at Jesus! This is going great!

Then Jesus talks to the demons – Legion – and sends them to the pigs. Two thousand bacon bombs into the lake. Squealing, screeching, drowning. Then silence, but lots of floating bodies and a commotion as all come to see what’s going on. They want Jesus to leave! They lost money, so I understand why, but the guy is sitting right there! He’s free! Surely they would want freedom too!

Jesus starts to leave. He wants to come with. Jesus has been telling people to follow Him and telling the demons and others to be quiet. Yet he tells this man to tell everyone – Jesus’ movement jumps the “creek” or lake, if you will. This guy’s got a job to do.

Jesus heads back to Jewish territory and a huge crowd is waiting. He heals the woman with the bleeding issue and Jairus’ daughter. I wonder what the disciples are thinking about after a day like this!

Jesus teaches farming parables in a farming region. I believe this is significant- we should be telling the message in local language that makes sense! His parables aren’t always about seed, but in Galilee they are!

Jesus also is saying the more we share, the more we get it. The message won’t share itself and wasn’t meant to be hidden. This is more than a Facebook post. This is more than a “like” – who is hearing the Jesus story from you!?!?

After all this seed talk, Jesus says, “let’s go to the other side.” Those seem like small words to us. After all, it’s only a couple miles at most to journey across the Sea (Lake) of Galilee. However, the other side is scary! It is non-Jewish land. It is the land of ghosts, demons, non-kosher farm products and sinners. Surely if they go there God will try to stop them. Jesus would never take them there, right?

Then Jesus starts to take them there. I wonder if they complained. I wonder if they tried telling Him that God would never want them to go to the shady and sinful other side. But Jesus does. Then the storm starts! They’ve gotta be saying, “See! We told you!”

Then. He. Stops. The. Storm. Let the journey continue. They are freaked. He shows us that God goes to the other side.

Ever wonder why people react so harshly about your relationship with Jesus? I think you only need consider Jesus’ ministry to understand that the world didn’t like Him or His methods too much. Case in point; how many people do you know that could help a leper and get everyone riled up by the day of the week!

They want Him to cool it on Sabbath, but miss the point entirely! Jesus came to help, free and heal – and utilized the Sabbath to do so at times! Question for you all: what are some beliefs that you hold to that were passed on by tradition and may not hold weight?

I love this first account: the guy walks after Jesus says “your sins are forgiven.” They say, “only God has the power to do that.” They never consider maybe He is!

Then Jesus has dinner with “bad people.” How do you show “bad people” love? Better yet – remember when you were bad?!?

Jesus’ arguments on the Sabbath start early. They want Him to follow rules… without realizing He made them!

You will sense different pacing with Mark. It is more terse, Jesus has more “negative” words for the disciples and constant use of “immediately” (no genealogy and random ending) and this leases some to believe that Peter taught this to John Mark (he discipled Him) and/or it was a theatrical production that ended with a response.

Mark 1 starts with John the Baptist. Then the baptism of Jesus changes the perspectives on Jesus. He is different.

The the ministry kicks off with a bang! Jesus responded to the movement!

What would you think if chapter 1 of Mark took place 15-18 months after starting the ministry? This is when chapter 1 starts. Interestimy!