We have wrapped up the gospel of Mark in our daily Bible reading. What did you learn as you read? As we read God’s word, we want to learn and apply. We want to be hearers and doers of God’s word!  As you go through your daily Bible reading, look for themes that are found in the books. Examine your heart to see where you may need to change as a disciple of Jesus. A word that is often repeated throughout this gospel is “immediately.” Notice the following passages.

“Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him.” Mark 1:11

“Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” Mark 1:18

“Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.” Mark 1:20

“Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.” Mark 1:28

“And immediately after they came out of the synagogues, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever, and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her.” Mark 1:29-30

“And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’” Mark 1:44

“Immediately Jesus aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, ‘Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?’” Mark 2:8

“These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.” Mark 4:15

“In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.” Mark 4:16-17

“And He was saying, ‘The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows – how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29

“When he got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met him.” Mark 5:2

“Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him was gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’” Mark 5:29-30

“Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.” Mark 5:42

“Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” Mark 6:25

“Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.’” Mark 9:24

“Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, ‘Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.’ And he began to weep.’” Mark 14:72

There are other examples I did not mention. What can we learn from these passages?

  1. As disciples we need to follow Jesus immediately. He must come first in our lives.
  2. When Jesus performed miracles, they happened immediately. Nothing was too hard for Him.
  3. The devil will attack disciples immediately. Do not be deceived. He is cunning and sadly very effective.
  4. Let us receive God’s word immediately with joy! Let us hide it in our hearts and grow.
  5. Let us immediately capitalize on opportunities to share the gospel. Move with a sense of urgency.
  6. Let us immediately spread the news about Jesus. Who can you talk to today?

Benjamin Lee

I Can Do…So Can You