Looking to our first parents, Adam and Eve, in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, we see that they tried to hide and cover their sin with garments they made, as their sin brought guilt, shame and ultimately death. Their eyes were opened, as they chose to follow their own path and desire, rather than choosing God’s perfect plan in and on God’s perfect creation.

Humanity has been born with the seed of sin since that time. Adam and Eve were confronted, convicted by, and ashamed of their choice to pursue their own path, and they sought to cover their nakedness; but God would not accept their coverings. Instead, He clothed them with skins from animals, meaning blood had to be shed; a sacrifice had to be offered or made.

There is a cost for the sin of mankind. There are consequences for our actions and our choices. A payment must be made. An innocent, unblemished, sacrificial lamb must be offered for sin—meaning everything that misses the mark that God established, anything that does not honor Him or His perfect plan your life.
 
“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Hebrews 9:22 (ESV)

According to Warren Wiersbe, “Jesus did not come to do a simplified patchwork job on our lives; He came to make us whole.”

In Christ’s death and burial, a perfect sacrifice has been offered, and in His resurrection, hope and eternal life restored. We have been raised from the dead; and like Lazarus, we must take off the old garments of death and put on the garments of new life.
 
“When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44 (ESV)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 (ESV)

Wierbe says in "With the Word Bible Commentary" that in Mark 2 we must “consider the unique ministries of God’s Servant, Jesus Christ— He forgives our sins; He fellowships with “sinners,” and He frees us from bondage.”

In the first 12 verses of Mark 2, we see that Jesus forgives sin, our sin, more specifically, a paralytic's sin in this passage. Imagine a servant having such authority! That was the thoughts of the religious leaders that witness this forgiving and healing incident. “That’s blasphemy!”

“And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:8-12 (ESV)

The healing of the body is a great miracle, but it does not last. The forgiveness of sin is God’s greatest miracle, for it lasts forever and accomplishes the greatest good. The Servant forgives us and pays the price for sin by His death on the Cross top of mount Calvary.

Mark also includes Jesus’ fellowship with “sinners” in his documentation of the life of Jesus. Why? Why would Jesus, who is 100% God and 100% man, who is perfect in every way hangout with those who are the worst of the worst? Because, they are sick, and He is the only Physician who can heal them. They are hungry and lonely, and He is the Bridegroom who asks them to His wedding feast. Their lives are in tatters, and He wants to give them a new robe of righteousness.

“And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16-17 (ESV)

“Others may be able to patch up life, but Jesus alone can give new life.” Warren Wiersbe

Finally, John Mark pens the hope and joy of Christ in the explanation that Jesus frees us from bondage.

“One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:23-28 (ESV)

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, the Giver of rest according to Matthew 11:28–30.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)
​
Man’s religious traditions and preferences can be a terrible yoke of bondage on anyone; but when you follow the Lord Jesus Christ, when you surrender your life to a life of following Jesus, when you believe in the miraculous birth of Jesus, His perfect life, His death on the Cross as a sacrifice for your sin, the burial in a borrowed tomb, the resurrection from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the ascension into Heaven to prepare a place for all those who repent and receive Him, you experience freedom and rest.

Today, will you repent of your sin? Will you unashamedly walk away from your present path to follow Jesus on His perfect path for you? Will you believe that He is the God’s Perfect Son, the sin Sacrifice that freely shed His blood for your sin? Will you confess your sin to Him, and seek forgiveness and freedom from Him? Know, He waits for you to accept Him. For He desires to forgive you, to heal you, to accept you, to dine with you, to restore you, and to free you from sin and bondage for all eternity. Will you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?

​In the Book of Mark, we see Jesus from a more general perspective than in the other Gospels. What we do know from reading through Mark is that the Christians (followers of The Way; followers of Jesus) of Rome had come early to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ and had a vibrant testimony for him, but would soon face much censoring, suppression, and persecution.

Mark, a good pastor, provides the Roman Christians and us a fresh and exciting biographical portrait of Jesus. Through his pen and parchment, he presents Jesus as the perfectly obedient Servant of God and shows what it would mean to be His disciple. Jesus' obedience cost Him His life on a symbol of ridicule, but His life and message are vindicated by His resurrection from the dead and an ascension into heaven.
 
This resurrection is what separates Him from all others claiming to be god and us from the religions across the world focused on "good works" or "DO." With Jesus, it is "DONE." He paid it all! He paid the price for our sin by laying down His life for all humanity, died a cruel death, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, was raised from the dead, to defeat sin and death and offer hope to all who will believe.

Tradition holds that John Mark, who apparently was brought to the Lord by Peter, wrote this Gospel using Peter’s sermons as his main source. Thus, Mark lets us see Jesus through Peter’s eyes. Mark, the unfaithful servant who deserted Paul on his first missionary journey, apparently was faithful in his service with Peter and was therefore chosen to write this Gospel of the obedient Servant and Savior of the world. Peter stayed in the home of Mark’s mother after his release from prison.

But as we see in the opening sentences of Mark 1, even a Servant must have credentials, and our Lord has the very best. His coming was prophesied by Isaiah and Malachi and announced by John the Baptist, the one proclaiming in the wilderness, while eating a weird locust diet and wearing itchy garments, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

“A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.” Isaiah 40:3

"Jesus" is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name "Joshua," meaning, “the Lord saves.” Christ is the Greek word for the Hebrew “Messiah,” which means, “Anointed One.” This is the title of the promised King, the descendant of David who would rule the kingdom and deliver his people for all eternity. The title Son of God tells us Jesus is more than a mere man. He’s fully divine; he’s the God-Man.
 
The Father and the Holy Spirit commended Him, and Satan could not defeat Him. He is a Servant you can trust.

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:9–13 (ESV)

But what can He do? What is His work? He can guide our life; give us peace, joy, and hope. He can make our life complete, successful, purposeful, impactful, and fulfilling.

“As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for, people.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.” Mark 1:16-20 (ESV)

He can overcome Satan—the one seeking to destroy and devour humanity. He can overcome sickness and use each follower to bring the message of love, salvation, and hope to a lost and needy world.
 
You too can be a servant of the Servant and share in His wonderful work.

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. Mark 1:35–42 (ESV)

Where did the Servant get His power? He depended on the Holy Spirit and prayer. He did not allow the demands of the work to rob Him of the time He needed to renew His strength. If the holy Son of God needed to pray, how much more do you need to pray! In the Lord’s service, you cannot “run on empty.”

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary.
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted.
31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28–31 ESV

Today, will you seek out Jesus if you haven’t already? Will you investigate and search for answers to your questions?

If you have chosen to repent and follow Jesus, will you, like John and John Mark, testify to the truth you know of Him with those who don’t? Will you pray for three others in your circle who don’t know Jesus personally? Will you meet with 2 others in to help disciple them in God’s Word and Jesus’ Walk? Will you spend time with one whom is farther along in their spiritual journey and seek accountability in your daily walk with the Spirit? Choose this day to live out loud for Jesus!