Mark 1:14-34

The fact of Jesus' Galilean ministry Mark 1:14-34: John prepared the way. Then Jesus began to preach "the gospel of the kingdom." (Mark 1:14) Jesus came to set up His kingdom; His one church. The kingdom was "at hand" during His personal ministry. (Mark 1:15) It was to come in the lifetime of some of those who heard Him speak. "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." (Mark 9:1) The message for those that would enter the kingdom is faith plus obedience. At the end of the world the kingdom will be delivered back to God. "Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power." (1 Corinthians 15:24)

Mark also allows us to observe Jesus as He called His disciples. (Mark 1:16-20) Jesus is the Master teacher and therefore He called for men to be His disciples. Among those early disciples were four fisher-men, Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Jesus made use of ordinary men in setting up His kingdom. Whatever your circumstance or situation God can use you to build up this same kingdom. Those that follow Jesus are to become "fishers of men." "Then Jesus said to them, follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17) The early disciples left all to follow Jesus. Are you making any sacrifices to follow Jesus?

During His person ministry Jesus offered proof that He was the Son of God by miracles that he did. Mark records several of those miracles. Much of Jesus' teaching in Galilee was in and around Capernaum. He carefully observed the Sabbath. He lived as a Jew under the Law which required, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8) Jesus was different from the preachers of His day. There was much in His doctrine which is astonishing. Jesus worked genuine miracles for confirmation of His powerful doctrine. On this occasion Jesus cast a demon out of a man in the synagogue in Capernaum. The result was, "...immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee." (Mark 1:28)

Even after the fame of Jesus spread, He continued to do good. Wherever Christ went He went to do good. He entered Peter's house and healed his mother-in-law of a great fever. (Mark 1:29-30) The touch of the Master healed her and strengthened her. Think of what the touch of the Master can do in our lives!

Jesus was able to cure all that were sick or demon possessed. (Mark 1:32-34) All the city gathered at Jesus' door to ask help. "But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings..." (Malachi 4:2) Jesus preached and healed publicly and house to house. Even those that denied that Jesus was the Son of God could not question the reality of His miracles.