MARK'S GOOD NEWS

Chapter 1

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If you want to know “The Good News,” read this. It’s about Jesus, God’s true representative and faithful likeness. God’s Speaker wrote,

“Watch, I’m sending my messenger ahead of you to get things ready.”

Then there was “The Voice,” shouting in the desert,

“Repair the road for God; straighten out the bends!”

John, nicknamed “the Dipper,” was “The Voice.” He was in the desert, inviting people to be dipped, to show they were determined to change their ways and wanted to be forgiven. People from the south of the country and the city of Jerusalem were attracted by the message, and responded by admitting their faults and being dipped by John in the River Jordan. John had a simple lifestyle, wearing only a camel skin with a leather belt and eating carob nuts and tree sap. He told people, “Someone is on the way who is so much more able than me. I’m not fit to untie his sandals. I’ve dipped you in the water, but he will drench you with God’s Spirit.”

(9) Then Jesus came from Nazareth to be dipped by John in the Jordan. As he was climbing up the bank again, the sun shone through a gap in the clouds. At the same time a pigeon flew down and perched on him. Jesus took this as a sign that God’s Spirit was with him. A voice from overhead was heard saying, “That’s my boy! You’re doing fine!”

Straight away the Spirit sent Jesus into the desert. He stayed there for six weeks with wild animals all round him. God’s helpers were there to look after him. This was a time of decision for Jesus between the ways of right and wrong.

After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, passing on the Good News of God. He used these words, “I’ve got some good news for you, if you’re willing to believe it. God’s New World has arrived this very day. Now’s your chance to get a life!”

(16) As Jesus walked along the edge of Lake Galilee, he saw the brothers Simon and Andrew casting a net into the water. They ran a fishing business. Jesus called out to them, “How would you like to be my friends and fish for people?” They left their nets and went with Jesus straightaway. A little further on he saw Jim and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were busy mending their nets in the boat. Jesus called out to them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with his hired workers and became friends of Jesus.

They went to Nahum town, and on the Rest Day Jesus visited the local place of worship and taught there. People were amazed at his teaching, for he sounded as if he knew what he was talking about, unlike the usual run of teachers. There was a man there in a confused mental state, which people thought was caused by an evil spirit. He shouted out, “Why are you pestering me, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you going to kill me? I know who you are – God’s Favourite!” Jesus quickly dealt with him. He said, “Calm down, and be yourself!” After rolling about on the floor and a lot of noise, the man calmed down. All the people there were stunned and kept asking one another, “What’s going on? This is something new – a teaching that really works! He can even heal someone’s mind with his words!” The fame of Jesus began to spread around the region of Galilee.

After worship Jesus took the man home to Simon and Andrews’ place. Jim and John went with them. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with the ’flu, and as soon as they told Jesus about her, he went over to her, took her by the hand and lifted her up. She got over the ’flu and was able to look after her guests.

That evening after sunset, they brought to Jesus all who were unwell or mentally disturbed. The whole village tried to gather round the house. Jesus cured lots of people from various diseases, including people who were disturbed. He was able to quiet them down because they knew by instinct who he was.

(35) In the morning, before dawn, Jesus got up and went to a deserted spot to pray. Simon and his companions came looking for him. When they found him they said, “Everyone’s looking for you.” Jesus said, “Let’s go on to the other villages round about so I can share the Good News with them as well. That’s what I’m here for!” Jesus travelled all round Galilee, giving the message in the places of worship and dealing with people’s anxiety problems.

A man who everybody kept at a distance, because he had eczema, came to Jesus and begged him, “I’m sure if you want, you can cure me of my complaint.” Jesus put his arm round him and said, “Of course I want to help you. You’re going to get better now!” Immediately the man felt well and his skin healed up. Then Jesus sent him away, asking him not to tell anyone, but to report to the health officer and observe the regulations to get the cure recognized by the community. But the former outcast went around telling everyone, so that Jesus could not enter any village openly, but stayed outside in the country. Even so, people flocked to him from everywhere.