John Mark (1) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Beginning of the glad tidings of Jesus Christ, Son of God.
Mark 1:1

John Mark (1)
Matthew's gospel begins with the genealogy and birth of the Lord Jesus, as befits one born king (2:2). Luke starts his account mentioning godly men and women who were waiting for a savior when He was born (2:11, 38). John goes back to the beginning, before creation, to present Him in His deity: the Word, the only-begotten of the Father (1:1, 14). But Mark brings Him before us abruptly as the servant-prophet, though He be Son of God, the Father's delight (1:1, 11).

After His baptism, we read in Matthew, He was carried up into the wilderness by the Spirit (4:1); in Luke, He led Him there (4:1). But Mark writes, "the Spirit drives Him out into the wilderness" (1:12). How apt all this is in its setting, showing the Bible is truly God's Word. Mark frequently uses the word "straightway" (immediately), to describe His activity. And the urgency that impels Him in His service of God and mankind never ceases: He is working in the evening (1:32) and praying the next morning "long before day" (v. 35). And yet, He never does His Father's will in a hurried way.

Even on His resurrection day, some three-and-a-half years later, having died to save us, we find Him busy, gathering up His dispirited disciples. And He sets them in motion, serving Him in the character with which He has served all along: "And they, going forth, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs following upon it" (16:20).

Even though Mark had failed as a servant earlier in his life (Acts 13:1-5, 13; 15:36-38), God used him to describe His Son's perfect service. May this encourage us! The grace that restored Mark to service (2 Tim. 4:11) is available to you and me if we fail.

Simon Attwood