For what did Jesus pray?
(Mark 1:16-45; Acts 16:16-18; John 6:37) Blog July 7-13, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: John Mark received the story of Jesus’ life from Peter and begins his account with Jesus’ baptism by John his forerunner and points out that Jesus said he had come t the fulfillment of Daniel’s time prophecy.
A Life of Ministry
1. To what was Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John? Jesus was calling his disciples to a life of fulltime gospel ministry (Mark 1:16-20).
2. What valuable possession did Andrew and Peter forsake to follow Jesus? Adrew & Peter forsook their precious nets (their source of income) to follow Jesus (Mark 1:18).
3. What did James and John forsake to follow Jesus? James & John forsook family & coworkers to follow Jesus (Mark 1:20; Matt. 19:29).
4. Where does Mark turn next after telling of calling disciples? Mark turns to Jesus teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum (Mark 1:21).
5. How did Jesus’ teaching ministry differ from that of the scribes? Jesus taught with authority for he taught the Word of God which gives authority to any teacher (Mark 1:22).
6. Who is upset whenever the Word of God is clearly taught? Satan hates the Word of God & will inspire his agents to oppose it whenever possible, so bringing a devil-possessed man to church that Sabbath (Mark 1:23).
7. Why did Jesus tell the devil-possessed man to be quiet? Just as Paul with the devil-possessed girl, Jesus did not want his kingdom associated with or promoted by evil spirits (Mark 1:24-25; Matt. 12:22-29; Acts 16:16-18).
Aides to Ministry
8. Besides casting out the evil spirit at church what other healings did Jesus do that day? Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a raging fever & after sundown he healed many villagers who came to the house where he was staying (Mark 1:29-34).
9. When people are healed by Jesus what are many inspired to do? Like Peter’s mother-in-law, many are inspired to serve Jesus after he heals them (Mark 1:30-31; John 14:15).
10. Why did many townspeople wait till sundown to come to Jesus for healing? Probably they were afraid of the Pharisees strict prohibition of many Sabbath activities (Mark 1:32-33; Luke 14:3).
11. What reason does Mark give for Jesus not letting the devils speak? Mark says that Jesus didn’t let the devils speak because they knew who he was (Mark 1:34).
12. Besides combining healing with his teaching ministry, what other activity aided in Jesus’ ministry? Jesus rose early each morning to pray. This was a vital support for his teaching ministry (Mark 1:35; Luke 18:1; 1 Thes. 5:17).
13. For what did Jesus pray? From seeing other times when Jesus prayed, we know he prayed for God to be glorified in his ministry, for the faith, joy, purity, & unity of his disciples, & for those who would be converted by his disciples (Mark 1:35; Luke 22:32; John 17:1, 9, 11, 13, 15, 20).
14. What should we learn from Jesus’ answer to the disciples when they told him that everyone was looking for him? We should learn that Jesus’ primary ministry was to preach the Gospel not to bring physical healing to the world (Mark 1:36-39; Luke 4:43).
Secrecy in Ministry
15. Did the leper that approached Jesus have faith to believe Jesus could heal him? Yes, he clearly stated that he knew Jesus could heal him if Jesus was willing to do so (Mark 1:40).
16. With what power did Jesus heal those that came to him in Capernaum? It was with his own inherent, divine power that Jesus healed the sick in Capernaum (Mark 1:32-34; 2:9-12).
17. Why was Jesus not contaminated by touching the leper? Just as his pure human nature was not contaminated by taking our weaknesses after 4000 years of sin, so touching the leper brought no contamination to him, but only healing to the leper (Mark 1:41-42; Luke 1:35; 2 Cor. 5:21).
18. How can every sinner take courage from the story of the leper’s healing? All who are dead in trespasses & sins may seek cleansing from Jesus for he never turns away the appeal for cleansing from sin (Mark 1:41-42; John 6:37; Eph. 2:1-5).
19. What reasons might be given for Jesus’ command that the leper tell no one of his healing? If the priests heard who had healed the leper they might be prejudiced against pronouncing him clean & if the multitude heard the story, Jesus might be swarmed with petitioners so that his teaching ministry be hindered in the towns & villages (which is exactly what happened when the leper told everyone) (Mark 1:43-45).