After the cliff hanging climax of 3:6 where the Pharisees plot with the Herodians to kill the Lord Jesus, Mark provides a little passage concerning a pressing crowd full of superstition and demoniacs, alerting us to the reality that Satan’s assault against Christ consist not only in the prim Pharisees – but also in the pressing populous and prevaricating principalities.
The Sabbath issue was a central one for the religious leaders of Jesus day. Mark uses this issue to drive home the authority of Jesus in a climatic way – Showing Jesus as Lord and Life Giver of the Sabbath!
Jesus being challenged on the question of fasting – shows the destructive force of grace against ‘dower’ holiness (which was rampant in His day) through illustrating how inappropriate and incompatible dower holiness is.
Paul teaches us that Christ is the head of the universe and that ‘all things’ are summed up in him. But even more than that, he teaches us that the unity that we have with God is the greatest expression of his glory.
Jesus shows us that true holiness is forged in humility by his commitment to call sinners (like Levi) into an intimate relationship with him. Even if we will ruin his reputation! He also rebukes the Pharisees for their zeal for the Law above people.
Looking at the doctrine of adoption in the opening of Ephesians as the focus of grace and present possession of believers.
Mark uses the story of the paralytic having his sins forgiven him to demonstrate the true authority of Jesus, by the different perceptions. Jesus’s perception of faith in the paralytic and his friends and the unbelief of the Scribes; the Scribes perception of God (wholly transcendent) and of Jesus (only a mere man); and the crowds perceiving the glory of God.
Election is a hotly contested doctrine – but it should not be since it is the first doctrine of Grace and always leads to grace! Here we are laying out some important truths about the doctrine of election.
Mark show us through the dramatic emotional life of Jesus that Jesus does not send his salvation; he brings it!
The post-modern world around us is starting to come to grips with the allusiveness with actually finding happiness, but have insisted that the pursuit itself is the goal. As Christians following the captain of our souls – we see that true happiness can be pursued and found – if God is our pursuit! Christ shows us this in his pursuit of God through prayer, preaching and his passion for people.