Approved Workmen

Mark records Jesus's right and authority to forgive sins. In this powerful demonstration we see our utter need to be forgiven and that forgiveness only comes through Christ.

Jesus cleanses a leper in Galilee demonstrating His power and authority over the most devastating illnesses, as well picturing His ability to cleanse sinners from their defilement.

The authority of Jesus is put on display in nearly every walk of life in this passage. He is seen in the Synagogue, with his supporters, interacting with strangers, and alone in solitude.

Jesus stunned those He interacted with while He was on earth. When He preached in the synagogues the listeners were amazed because He had a distinct authority.

Mark kicks off the ministry of Jesus by quickly summarizing his message and his men. We see the substance of his ministry in just a few short verses, and then the process by which he designated his followers.

When Adam sinned he fell from untested perfection and the entire human race fell with him. Since then every human has failed to pass the test… until now. When Jesus obeyed He set an example for us that provides profound encouragement in our battle with temptation.

Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God who is being inaugurated in his earthly ministry. The Father and the Spirit are present demonstrating the Trinitarian relationship and affirming the Son’s qualifications for the work He has been called to do.

Mark makes the case that Jesus is the promised King by recounting the preparatory ministry of John the Baptizer. The arrival of a king is supposed to be announced by a forerunner who prepares the way. King Jesus is no exception. John's job then was to prepare the hearts of God's people to receive her King.

Mark contributes uniquely to the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Luke and John. Get to know the author, (John-Mark), the audience (Romans), and the approach Mark takes to writing. In the very first verse, the good news explodes on the scene with the amazing declaration that the Christ has arrived.

The human heart, even after redemption, is still prone to slip back into attempting to satisfy God's demands through personal effort. Self-atonement has plagued humanity since the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve attempted to deal with their sin problem on their own. In this passage, Paul confronts Peter on this very issue. Peter has brought confusion about how people are justified because he is fearing man.