Sun.’s Devo - Mark

Read: Exodus 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28; Psalm 35:1-16; Procures 9:11-12 Everything needed for the tabernacle and the priest’s garments were finally finished. A detailed description was given us again of the garments of the high priest and the furniture of the tabernacle. As the tabernacle was being assembled, the furniture was brought into the rooms. *** Everything was completed on the first day of the first month of the second year. When it was all in place, the cloud covered the tent and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The glory was so strong, Moses was not able to enter it. Whenever the cloud rose and moved, the people would pack up and begin to move with it. If the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, then they stayed. The cloud led them by the day and became a fire at night. ***Today, we begin Mark’s writing’s about Jesus. Matthew had been written to the Jews and its theme was the kingship of Jesus. Matthew’s symbol was the lion. Mark was written to the Romans and his theme was the servanthood of Christ. He was represented as the ox. It is believed that Mark was very close with Peter and wrote this after Peter was martyred by Nero. The church lived in constant threat of death. *** He begins with Isaiah’s prophecy of John the Baptist who would be a voice in the wilderness proclaiming to the people to prepare their hearts for the Lord. He baptized the people with a baptism of repentance to forgive their sins. The people in Judea and Jerusalem went out to the Jordan to hear him preach. They were forgiven of their sins and baptized. John spoke of the one who was coming who would be much greater than him and he would baptize with the Holy Spirit. *** Jesus came to John to be baptized and when Jesus was lifted out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit descended on him like a dove. A voice from heaven was heard which said, “You are my beloved son; with whom I am well pleased.” *** Jesus was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by Satan. He was also with wild animals and angels. *** John was arrested and Jesus began proclaiming the kingdom of God was at hand. He also told the people to repent and believe what the prophets had foretold. *** Jesus chose Simon Peter and Andrew, two brothers who were fishermen. Jesus told them to come and follow him and he would make them fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed him. They walked a little farther down the shore of Galilee and saw two more brothers, James and John who were mending their nets with their father. Jesus told them to also follow him. They dropped their nets and followed. *** Jesus led them to Capernaum. It was the Sabbath so they entered the synagogue and Jesus astonished everyone with his teachings because he taught with authority. He spoke like he knew what he was talking about, not like the scribes. *** A man with an unclean spirit cried out asking if he had come to destroy them. He recognized Jesus as the holy One of God. Jesus rebuked him and told him to be quiet and come out of the man. The unclean spirit came out with convulsions and yelling. Everyone was amazed at what they saw and his fame spread throughout Galilee. *** Lord, may many hear the call to follow you and drop what they are doing and follow. May we also follow the Holy Spirit who is our cloud and our fire. Thank you for your power to save.