The Devotional - 120 - Fulfillment

Thought for the Day – 120 – John Mark

Proverbs 23 – Over seventy seven times Solomon says “DO NOT” in the Book of Proverbs; in all we are to be practicing righteousness and promoting justice. Interesting since our national governing standard for “right and wrong” is replaced with; if it feels good “JUST DO IT”!

 

Comments and challenges

The River Jordan flowing from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea is mostly a polluted river these days except for the upper regions near the Sea of Galilee which to this day is still kept clear and pristine for baptisms. I find this interesting in that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee to John to be baptized by him. Just a thought of how creation demonstrates the glory of God. The Sea of Galilee demonstrates abundant life. Baptism is a picture of identification with the Abundant Life of God by believing in Jesus. As the waters of the river move down stream pollutions begin to destroy life until all is found dead in the Sea where nothing lives.

One thing we will notice about Mark is that he effectively highlights the Kingdom Authority or deity of Jesus Christ with words like; “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” these are the words of God the Father as the heavens parted and the Spirit of the Living God descended on Jesus at His baptism. Now I do not believe that Mark was there at the baptism of Jesus, but what is important is that He believes what Matthew says in Matthew 3:17 because it is very possible that Mark along with his mom was present later, when Jesus fulfilled what was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet in Matthew 12:15-21 and Isaiah 42:1-4

Mark no doubt understood to the charter of a servant who could have been a servant himself, certainly we see him briefly in this capacity in his association with the apostles as in 2 Timothy 4:11 and in Philemon 1:24 as a fellow laborer. In our world today we would cringe if someone would call us a servant, yet little do we understand in that “most of us are” even those of us who are self-serving. Those who serve themselves have an IMMEDIATE reward, those who IMMEDIATELY serve others will be protected from Satan, the wild beasts of the wilderness and angels will watch over them (1 Peter 1:12).

The straightway message of Mark is that Jesus knew what to do and how to do it. Jesus did not consider the temptation of Satan a threat, or the elements of the world around Him to contend with. He simply let the natural and supernatural world around Him fulfill His mission and needs while He maintained humbled obedience to the Father’s will. Philippians 2:5-11. Please note that the apostle Paul encourages you and me to; “let this mind be in you” who’s mind? The mind of Jesus! Of course, if you do not have the Holy Spirit, this is an impossible task.

There is one more thought for Mark to respond to that sets up his conversation with us about the ministry of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven being with mankind, or as Mark and others put it; “the kingdom of heaven at hand”. The imprisonment of John the baptizer, Matthew 4:12-17 indicates that this is the moment in TIME, a fulfilling moment when the Ministry of Jesus Christ was officially off and running (Galatians 4:4). Mark 1:14-15 and Mark says that it is recorded that Jesus said; “change your mind and believe in the Good News”