Mark next records a series of encounters with religious authorities where they attempt to force Jesus into the box of their legalistic expectations. Jesus won’t be limited by their essentially negative view of faith. Rather, He presses forward in each instance to put the true heart of God on display. Does your Christianity look more like Jesus or the Pharisees?

Mark completes the Galilee preaching tour with a final dramatic healing of the most horrific disease spoken of in the Scriptures—leprosy. Not merely a demonstration of power over the natural realm, this encounter serves as an affirmation of both the divinity and humanity of Jesus in a single stunning episode.

Mark now presents a representative day in the public ministry of Jesus. All the major elements of His work are on display: preaching, teaching, exorcising demons, healing the sick, prayer, and instructing the disciples. Mark implies here what John affirms in John 21:25—the events of Jesus’ life and ministry are too numerous to record.

Immediately the story turns to the calling of His first followers. The response to Jesus’ summons is always to be prompt and complete. Christology (who He is) and discipleship (what He requires) are inseparable. Jesus takes the initiative in making disciples: they do not seek Him, but He seeks them.

The author of Mark is anonymous. However, Eusebius, the early church historian, preserved the words of Papias, an ancient church father. Papias quoted “the elder,” probably John, as saying that Mark recorded Peter’s preaching about the things Jesus said and did. Written for a Roman audience, Mark emphasizes both the humanity of Jesus and His extensive ministry of miracles. Throughout, people were continually “amazed” by Him. So should we be…

The gospel is a message, a proclamation, and a revelation. It is also, most definitely, a way of life. Evergreen is a collection of redeemed saints who are meant to help every other person in the world become more like Jesus. But we do not attempt the impossible alone! We advance…

Easter changes everything for a Jesus-follower. It impacts our present as well as our future, our relationships as well as our religion. Easter sets followers on a road of discovery with Jesus that takes an eternity to experience.

As Jesus faces arrest and execution, He finds Himself utterly alone, abandoned sadly even by His closest followers. This critical moment in Gethsemane is marked by betrayal, rebellion, and fear. In contrast, following Jesus requires acceptance, obedience, and trust.