Hard Hearts Seem to Blind Eyes.

Jesus had fed 5,000, but the disciples couldn’t receive it. He then feeds 4,000 Gentiles to reiterate His ability to do miracles. Though they had seen many miracles, the Jewish leadership still asked Jesus for a sign. In Psalm 105, we learn that it is God who satisfies His people with supernatural bread. Jesus is able to satisfy.

Jesus dismisses religious traditions and, with authority, invalidates dietary laws. He delivers souls from demons.

In Exodus 4:11, we read that it is God who heals the deaf and the mute—and this is precisely what Jesus does. Jesus does all things well.

Jesus miraculously feeds the multitudes. He calms the sea. He walks on water. In Job 9:8, we are told that God alone walks on the water. Once again, Mark reveals the deity of Christ.

A ruler of the synagogue in Capernaum, who has faith enough to seek Jesus, sees his daughter raised from the dead. A woman who has suffered from an issue of blood has faith enough to reach out to Jesus and is healed. Psalm 68 confirms that it is God who has power over life and death.

Having the absolute power of God, Jesus exercises authority over the forces of nature. Psalm 107 identifies the LORD as the One who calms the storm and stills the waves. In the same way, for those who believe, the “storms” of life are often used by God to correct, refine, and teach His children.

Coming from the Kingdom of God, Jesus brings light and life. He reveals His identity in His power to bind Satan, and through His divine authority, He casts out demons, proclaiming liberty to the captives.

As we begin our study of Mark, we will discover that every chapter gives us deeper insight into who Jesus is. In Chapter 1, Mark reveals that Jesus is the Truth and that He is God in the flesh.