Etetor Roland Eshiet, Sr.
I am studying The Book of Mark (NIV).
The Book of Mark is comprised of sixteen (16) chapters. We shall study:
December 24, 2024: 2 chapters (Mark 1-2)
December 25, 2024: 2 chapters (Mark 3-4)
December 26, 2024: 2 chapters (Mark 5-6)
December 27, 2024: 2 chapters (Mark 7-8)
December 28, 2024: 2 chapters (Mark 9-10)
December 29, 2024: 2 chapters (Mark 11-12)
December 30, 2024: 2 chapters (Mark 13-14)
December 31, 2024: 2 chapters (Mark 15-16)
Day One: Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Two chapters in (Mark 1-2 NIV), The Book of Mark seems to be a straight to the point – no beating about the bush, dischronological recollection of our Lord, JESUS the CHRIST’s sojourn on earth.
Traditionally attributed to John Mark (Mark 14: 51 NIV), an early but ardent follower of JESUS, it reports the ministry of our Lord and Savior in quick, almost rapid fire succession. John Mark gets to the meat of the gist – no preambles or perambulation.
In Mark 1: 38-39 NIV, JESUS tells us without any hesitation why HE came. HE came to preach the gospel. In v 40 NIV, a man with leprosy begs JESUS, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Our Lord answers, “I am willing.” And the man is healed of leprosy instantly. By doing so, the Lord demonstrates that HE is willing to answer our prayers immediately, without any hesitation.
In these first two chapters, our Lord assembles HIS first five (5) disciples,* no long laborious speeches, no debating, no persuading, just two curt words, “Follow Me.” Perhaps, John Mark gets his sprightliness from this.
*JESUS’ first five (disciples): Simon, Andrew, James and John (the sons of Zebedee), Levi.
Day Two: Wednesday, December 25, 2024 (Christmas Day)
In the third and fourth books of Mark, JESUS continues earnestly in HIS ministry of preaching and healing (Mark 3: 10, 20 NIV). HIS teachings are interspersed with parables. He appoints twelve disciples “that they might be with HIM and HE may send them out to preach (v. 15).”* In v. 23, JESUS speaks in parables counseling “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin,” and HE declares, “Whoever does GOD’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Chapter 4 begins with a parable, The Parable of the Sower (v. 2-8 NIV). Comparatively to preceding parables in Chapter 3, the parables in Chapter 4 are somewhat detailed and more illustrative requiring an understanding or interpretation revealed (v.14-20) only to a chosen few (v. 34). The Parable of the Growing Seed (v. 26-29) and The Parable of the Mustard Seed (v. 30-34) follow in quick succession. As we come to the end of Chapter 4, our Lord rebukes a “furious squall” with the reprimand, “Quiet! Be still!” JESUS questions the faith of HIS disciples as indeed HE should.
Furious squalls test our faith as they measure our faith and trust in our GOD.
*Simon Peter, James and John (sons of Zebedee), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James – son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
Day Three: Thursday, December 26, 2024
Our Lord, JESUS restores a demon-possessed man. To the question, “What is your name?” the man replies, “My name is Legion for we are many (5 v. 7).” I find it interesting that in this particular instance, JESUS encourages the man to “Go to your people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how HE has had mercy on you (5 v.19).” The man does exactly what JESUS commands him to do, “And all the people were amazed (5 v. 20b).”
JESUS performs more miracles. HE is approached by Synagogue Leader Jairus to heal his daughter. As a large crowd follows and presses around him, a woman with an issue of blood spanning twelve years is healed. Here JESUS reiterates the superior efficacy found in the inartful demonstration of faith in HIM. He asserts, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering (5 v. 34).”
In his traditional way of writing, John Mark retells the story of each miracle our Lord performs with quick dispatch. However, Mark 5 v.35-43 is a bit more elaborate as John Mark elucidates the circumstances of the miracle of Jairus’ daughter brought back from the dead. Again, our Lord’s admonition is formulaic, “HE gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat ( 5 v.43).”
Chapter 6 finds JESUS visiting his hometown of Nazareth, a town in the Galilee region of Northern Israel (Matthew 13: 54-58, Luke 4: 16-30, Mark 6: 1). The residents of JESUS’ hometown are amazed and puzzled by HIS teachings and actions; they lack faith in HIM. Because of this, “HE could not do any miracles there, except lay HIS hands on a few sick people and heal them (6 v.5).”
In 6 v.7, JESUS gives the Twelve authority over impure spirits, dispatching them two by two. The Bible records that the Twelve drove out many demons and annointed many sick people with oil healing them (6 v.13).
John the Baptist is beheaded under rather unfortunate circumstances. JESUS feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, the disciples picking up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. Later that night, shortly before dawn, JESUS walks on water (6 v.49), stills the wind, calms the storm (6 v.51).
Day Four: Friday, December 27, 2024
The Book of Mark Chapters 7 and 8
The Seventh chapter of the book of Mark begins with criticism (of our Savior) by the Pharisees promptly followed by teaching and instruction by our Lord. The Pharisees are inordinately concerned about trite matters – eating with defiled or unwashed hands which goes against Jewish culture and tradition. Jesus chastises, “You have let go of the commands of GOD and are holding on to human traditions (7 v.8).” In verse 15, JESUS reemphasizes, “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” Again, this is a parable that even the disciples find difficult to understand. Our Lord explains it to their understanding (7 v.18-23).
Thereafter, JESUS honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s faith by healing her little daughter who was possessed by an impure spirit. Although, JESUS speaks in parables, the woman comprehends what HE is saying as her answer displays a revelation only the Holy Spirit can give (to a chosen few); it also exhibits her great understanding and faith in GOD. JESUS acknowledges all of this by healing the woman’s daughter instantly.
JESUS travels through Tyre, Sidon, down the sea of Galilee and into the region of Decapolis. Here, HE heals a deaf and mute man. Putting HIS fingers into the man’s ears and spitting and touching the man’s tongue, our Lord looks up to Heaven and with a deep sigh declares “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). As always, the people are overwhelmed with amazement as HE instructs them not to tell anyone.
Another large crowd gathers and needs to be fed. Numbering four thousand, they have been in the company of JESUS and HIS disciples for three days. They have nothing to eat. JESUS asks, “How many loaves do you have?” The disciples reply, “Seven (8 v.5).” They also have a “few small fish (8 v.7).” Mark 8 v.8 records that the people ate and were satisfied and afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The Lord is diligent in HIS ministry of preaching and healing. HE heals a blind man at Bethsaida (8 v.22-26), teaches using parables, declares HE is the Messiah (v.27-30), predicts HIS death (v. 31-33), shows the way of the cross (v. 34-38), befuddling the disciples.
Kindly watch this page for daily updates as we progress. Comments and suggestions are welcome. 🙏
Have an exceedingly Merry Christmas and a splendiferous New Year!
Etetor Roland Eshiet, Sr.
PRAY FOR AMERICA TODAY !NITIATIVE (PfAT!) 
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