Mark 1-8

By David Maas
{CHAPTERS 1 -8}

[Click on the title below to open an article]


{IN GALILEE}
  1. Introduction to Mark - {PDF Copy} - (A brief overview of the history and structure of Mark's gospel account)
  2. Commencement of the Good News - {PDF Copy} - (In the ministry of Jesus, the kingdom of God arrived, beginning with his baptism by John the Baptist)
  3. Voice in the Wilderness - {PDF Copy} - (John arrived in Judea to prepare the way for the Messiah and herald the Good News of the Kingdom)
  4. THIS is My Son! - {PDF Copy} - (The Spirit of God and the divine voice from heaven confirmed the calling and identity of Jesus, Messiah of Israel)
  5. Kingdom Herald - {PDF Copy} - (Victorious over the Devil and empowered by the Spirit, Jesus appears in Galilee of the Nations and proclaims the Kingdom)
  6. Arrest and Fulfillment - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus began to proclaim the kingdom following the arrest of John the Baptist and in fulfillment of the Scriptures)
  7. Four Fishermen Summoned - {PDF Copy} - (In Galilee, Jesus summoned four fishermen to leave their livelihoods to follow him and become his disciples – Mark 1:16-20)
  8. Authority over Satan's Domain - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus demonstrated his authority over Satan by driving his forces out of the children of Israel)
  9. Authority over Disease - {PDF Copy} - (Neither social conventions nor purity regulations prevented Jesus from ministering to the physical needs of men and women)
  10. Authority over Ritual Purity  - {PDF Copy} - (The touch of Jesus cleansed a leper, and the forbidden contact did not render him unclean)
  11. Authority to Forgive Sins - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus healed a paralytic, demonstrating the authority of the Son of Man to discharge sins)
  12. Tax Collector Summoned - {PDF Copy} - (Forgiveness links the call of the tax collector to the preceding story, the Son of Man’s authority to discharge sins)
  13. Authority over the Sabbath - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus demonstrated that he is Lord of the Sabbath Day by healing the man with the withered hand in the synagogue)
  14. The Son of Man has Authority - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus is the Son of Man foreseen by Daniel, the one with absolute authority from Yahweh over the earth)
  15. Crowds Press, Demons Profess - {PDF Copy} - (The crowds welcomed Jesus because of his miracles, but only demons recognized him as the Son of God)
  16. Twelve Disciples Appointed - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 3:13-21 - Jesus chose his Twelve Disciples from among a larger group of followers, including two surprising candidates)
  17. The Unpardonable Sin - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 3:22-34 - A line is crossed when what God’s Spirit is doing in Jesus is attributed to Satan)
  18. Parable of the Sower - {PDF Copy} - (The Son of Man sows the seed of the gospel in the world where it grows into the kingdom of God until the end of the age)
  19. Kingdom Parables - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 4:21-34 - Jesus taught several parables about the kingdom of God, its unexpected ways of expansion, and its status in the world)
  20. Authority over Sea and Storm - {PDF Copy} - (Despite his tremendous miracle of calming a tempest on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples still did not recognize the Son of Man – Mark 4:35-41)
  21. Who is this Man? - {PDF Copy} - (In Mark, no one recognizes who Jesus is except the demons that he exorcises. Only in his death on a Roman cross is his identity understood)
  22. Demonized Man Delivered - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus delivered a demonized Gentile while traveling through hostile territory, demonstrating his vast authority over Satan)
  23. Two Women Restored - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 5:21-43 - Jesus healed two women and restored both to states of ritual purity)
  24. Rejected in Nazareth - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 6:1-6 - Despite his miraculous deeds, Christ’s hometown rejected his ministry and took offense at his humble origins)
  25. The Cost of Discipleship - {PDF Copy} - (To be his disciple means taking up the cross and following in his footsteps, even if it results in death - Mark 6:7-30)
  26. His Miraculous Witness to Israel - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 6:31-56 - The feeding of 5,000 men was a spectacular witness to Israel by her Messiah; nevertheless, most Jews refused to accept Jesus)
  27. Jesus and Tradition - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus undermined the religious rationale for dietary restrictions. With the Messiah’s arrival, the old rituals lost their relevance)
  28. Spiritual Dullness - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 8:1-21 - The gospel accounts highlight the unbelief behind the inability of his opponents and disciples to perceive just who Jesus is)
  29. A Blind Man Saved - {PDF Copy} - (A blind man’s eyes were opened, and he was “saved” as Jesus continued “on the way" to Jerusalem)
  30. On the Way - {PDF Copy} - (On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus explains to his disciples just what it means to be the Messiah of Israel)
  31. Taking up the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (To be the Messiah of Israel means suffering and death, and he summons disciples to walk the same path)

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