I’m glad you continue on this journey with us. Today, we read Mark chapters 1–2.
Scholars believe this was the first Gospel written, likely around AD 60–70. John Mark, a companion of Paul (Acts 12:25; Colossians 4:10), authored it, but much of what he writes comes from Peter, who was an eyewitness to these events. (1)
There is a lot of confirmation in what we read in Matthew, and this agreement across the Gospels is one way we know they are trustworthy. The consistency in their recounting of events is important.
Teaching in the Synagogue
What stood out to me this morning was Mark 1:21, where Jesus goes into the synagogue and teaches. For years, I attended church and sat in the back row. Later, we got to know people and moved up closer to the pulpit. But in the modern churches I’ve attended, the pastor preaches, and the people listen. This is a sign of reverence and respect, but as a trainer, I always thought it was inefficient.
I’ve wondered how many people get lost halfway through the sermon and check out. When I preach, I try to make eye contact and check to see if people are still engaged. But you see people looking around the room, checking their watches—or even their phones.
When I was a sales trainer, I would ask questions to keep people engaged. When we teach Sunday school or lead AWANA council time, we ask for feedback—not because we don’t know the answers, but because we want people to think, not just sit.
As I read this account of Jesus, my first thought was: How incredible that a visitor to the service could share their input. Today, that might seem disruptive. But it opens up the possibility that someone might teach more than what the preacher knows. Jesus’ teaching amazed the teachers of the law (Mark 1:22). How rich would our experience be if we could learn from each other in this way?
Our Identity in Christ
After this, Jesus calls His first disciples (Mark 1:16–20). They immediately leave their nets and follow Him. That led me to another thought.
Today, we often identify ourselves by our occupation. “Hi, I’m Thom. I train sales agents.” Or, “Hello, I’m Matt. I’m an electrician.” One of the first icebreaker questions people ask is, What do you do for a living?
But that’s a strange question. What I do for a living is breathe and listen to Jesus. What I did for income was train sales agents. Our roles have become our identity, but as Christians, our identity should be in Christ (Galatians 2:20).
Would you leave your job if Jesus called you to the ministry?
Indignant or Compassionate?
Then I reached Mark 1:40–45, and I struggled with something. In the NIV, it says Jesus was indignant (Mark 1:41). That’s a strong word. In Greek, orgistheis implies righteous anger. Yet, we know Jesus would not direct his anger at the leper. Jesus teaches that anger toward others is akin to murder (Matthew 5:22).
So why was He indignant?
Certain academics propose that the man’s isolation enraged Jesus. Others say the man’s question, laced with doubt, stirred his anger. But Jesus heals him, showing that faith was present.
Then Jesus tells him not to speak about it. Perhaps Jesus was annoyed because the leper would make Him unclean. Or maybe He knew the man wouldn’t obey and would spread the news anyway, which would hinder His ministry.
We encourage people to share their testimonies. So this whole storyline was disturbing—until I researched it further.
Many other translations, based on different Greek manuscripts, say Jesus felt compassion (splagchnistheis). That’s a very different word.² This shows the importance of challenging what we read and consulting multiple translations.
Learning Together in Worship
This also highlights the earlier point: in the synagogue, visitors could interact. Perhaps if church worked that way today, we’d have several people open their different translations and share. We’d learn from each other. I believe we’d all feel God’s presence working in a situation like that.
That would be absolutely fantastic!
Shouldn’t our goal every time we go to church be to hear from God?
Tomorrow, we will read Mark 3-4.
Footnotes
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“Mark the Evangelist,” Wikipedia, accessed October 3, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_the_Evangelist.
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Bill Mounce, “Was Jesus Angry in Mark 1:41?” Monday with Mounce, https://www.billmounce.com/monday-with-mounce/was-jesus-angry-man-mark-1-41.
