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Read the Gospel of Mark

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Step 1 of 3

The beginning

Today you meet the man who points the way to Jesus.

Read

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; 7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Mark 1:1-8 King James Version
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Reflect

Mark opens with no birth story and no long introduction. He says this is the beginning of the good news of Jesus. A preacher named John prepares people to meet him. Today you start reading Mark.

Mark does not begin with a birth story or a family tree. His first line is like a headline. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”. The word gospel simply means good news. Mark wants you to know right away that this is a story worth telling.

The first person you meet is John, a strange preacher by the Jordan River. He wears camel's hair and a leather belt. He eats locusts and wild honey. He calls people to turn back to God, and large crowds go out to hear him. They confess their sins and are baptized in the river.

John knows his place. He says someone greater is coming. “And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

That sets the pace for the whole book. Mark moves fast. In a few lines, you go from a preacher in the desert to the arrival of Jesus. Over the next four weeks, you will walk beside him.

Background

Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels. Many readers think it was the first one written. The words in verses 2 and 3 combine lines from the prophets Isaiah and Malachi. John baptized people in the Jordan River as a sign that they were turning back to God.

What do you hope to see in Jesus over the next 28 steps?

More to think about

  • What does good news mean to you right now?
  • What would it mean to make room for Jesus in your days?

Pray

Lord Jesus, I want to know you better. As I begin to read Mark, open my eyes and my heart. Help me hear the good news as if for the first time. Make me ready for you. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Many Baptist churches baptize people after they say they trust in Christ. Think about your own baptism, or about what it would mean to follow Jesus in public.

In your tradition: Catholic

Mark's Gospel is read at Mass during Year B of the Sunday readings. You may pray a short Our Father before you read the next step.

In your tradition: Lutheran

Luther often pointed people back to their baptism as God's promise. Remember that promise as you begin reading.

In your tradition: Methodist

Methodists celebrate baptism as a sign of God's grace. Remember that grace as you start this Journey with Jesus.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Keep a Bible or an app open beside you as you read. Underline one phrase from today's passage to carry with you.

In your tradition: Orthodox

The Orthodox Church honors John the Baptist as the Forerunner. You may say, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," before you read.

In your tradition: Pentecostal

John says Jesus will baptize in the Holy Spirit. Ask God to fill you and to help you hear Mark's story with fresh faith.

In your tradition: Reformed

Reformed churches see baptism as a sign of God's promise. Remember that promise as you begin, and read Mark as God's own Word.

Practice

Write one sentence that begins with the words: To me, good news is. Then write one sentence about what you hope to find as you read Mark over the next four weeks.

Finish

One word for today (optional)

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Step 2 of 3

A voice from heaven

Today you see Jesus baptized, named, and tested.

Read

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Mark 1:9-13 King James Version
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Reflect

Jesus is baptized, the Spirit comes down, and the Father calls him his beloved Son. Then the Spirit leads him into the wilderness for forty days. Today you sit with the words the Father speaks.

Jesus comes from Nazareth, a small town in Galilee, and is baptized by John. As he comes up from the water, he sees the heavens open. The Spirit comes down on him like a dove. Then a voice speaks from heaven. “And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Think about the order of things. Jesus has not yet taught a crowd, healed anyone, or called a follower. He has not done any public work. And the Father already calls him his beloved Son. Love comes before the work.

The very next sentence is hard. Right away the Spirit sends him out into the wilderness. For forty days he is tempted by Satan. He is with the wild animals, and angels serve him. Mark keeps it short. He wants you to see that a person can be dearly loved by God and still be sent into hard places.

That is a comfort. Hard seasons do not mean God has stopped loving you. Today you sit with the words the Father speaks over Jesus, and let them be a picture of the love at the start of everything.

Background

Nazareth was a small village in Galilee, in the north of Israel. John baptized in the Jordan River. In Mark, the voice from heaven uses words that echo Psalm 2 and Isaiah 42. Mark tells the temptation very briefly. Matthew and Luke give more detail.

What does it mean to you that love comes before the work?

More to think about

  • When have you felt sent into a hard place?
  • What would change if you believed God says "beloved" over you too?

Pray

Father, thank you for loving your Son before he did anything. Thank you that your love does not depend on what I do. Be with me in the wilderness times. Help me hear that you are pleased with me in Christ. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Remember your own baptism, or think about it if you have not been baptized. It marks a decision to follow Jesus in public.

In your tradition: Catholic

This scene shows the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit together. You may pray a Glory Be in thanks for the love of the Trinity.

In your tradition: Lutheran

Luther taught that in baptism God speaks his promise over us. Hear the Father's words to Jesus as God's promise for you too.

In your tradition: Methodist

Methodists celebrate baptism as God's gift. Give thanks for God's love that comes before anything we do.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Write verse 11 on a card and read it when things get hard. Remember that God's love comes first.

In your tradition: Orthodox

The Orthodox Church celebrates this scene at Theophany, when the Trinity is revealed. You may say, "Glory to you, O God," in thanks.

In your tradition: Pentecostal

Notice that the Spirit comes before Jesus begins his work. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and lead you today.

In your tradition: Reformed

Reformed Christians see in this scene the Father's approval of the Son, and our adoption in him. Rest in that love as you read.

Practice

Sit quietly for two minutes. Read verse 11 slowly one time. Then be still. Let the words be spoken over Jesus first, and then, if you can, rest in the thought that you are loved too.

Finish

One word for today (optional)

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Step 3 of 3

Come and follow

Today you hear Jesus call four fishermen.

Read

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Mark 1:14-20 King James Version
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Reflect

Jesus begins preaching that God's kingdom is near. He calls four fishermen to follow him, and they leave their nets. Today you ask what you might need to loosen your grip on.

John has been arrested, and Jesus steps forward. He goes to Galilee and preaches. His first message is short. “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” He is saying that God's rule is arriving now, and people should turn toward it and trust.

Then Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee. He sees two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing a net into the water. They are fishermen. Jesus calls out to them. “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Mark says they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little further on, he sees James and John in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus calls them too. They leave their father and the hired workers, and go with Jesus.

Notice how simple the call is. Jesus does not give a long speech. He invites them to come and follow. The invitation is to walk beside him and learn.

Today you ask what your own nets are. What do you hold tightly that might keep you from following closely?

Background

The Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake in northern Israel. Fishing was a common trade there. To follow a teacher in Jesus' day meant to walk with him and learn from him. "Repent" means to turn around. "Kingdom" means God's rule and reign.

What is one thing you hold tightly that might keep you from following closely?

More to think about

  • What does the call to follow Jesus sound like to you today?
  • What would you find hardest to leave behind?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you call me to follow. I do not always know where it leads. Show me what I hold too tightly. Give me the courage to put it down and walk with you. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Think about the day you first said yes to Jesus. Many Baptists see following him as a daily choice that begins with that first yes.

In your tradition: Catholic

The Church honors Peter, Andrew, James, and John as apostles. You may pray an Our Father, asking God to help you follow as they did.

In your tradition: Lutheran

Luther taught that every believer is called to serve God in daily work and family life. Ask where God is calling you to follow him in your own place.

In your tradition: Methodist

Wesley called Christians to follow Jesus in daily life through prayer and acts of mercy. Ask how you can follow him more closely this week.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Write the word "follow" on a sticky note and put it where you will see it. Let it prompt one action today.

In your tradition: Orthodox

The Church remembers the apostles as the first followers of Christ. You may pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," as you follow him today.

In your tradition: Pentecostal

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what Jesus is calling you to do. Be ready to say yes quickly, as the fishermen did.

In your tradition: Reformed

Reformed Christians believe that Christ calls his people by his Word and Spirit. Give thanks that he has called you, and answer with trust.

Practice

Write a short list of three things you hold tightly, such as plans, worries, or habits. Next to each, write, "Lord, what do you want me to do with this?" Then pray over the list for two minutes.

Finish

One word for today (optional)

Saved on this device only. It is not sent to BibleGuided.