A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved to compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ (Mark 1: 40-41)

The translator has rendered the Greek thelo as choose. Other reasonable translations include intend, desire, will, or resolve.

Jesus made a choice. It was not a purely emotional response. It was done with an awareness of risk. Jesus consciously chose to heal the leper.

Too often I do good or ill without intention. Too often I am so unaware of my choosing that it can barely be called a choice.

Jesus is attentive, aware, mindful of his context and his interactions with context. He seeks to shape the context in a particular way.

Dear God, may I bring to this day awareness, compassion, and courage.

He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1: 38-39)

"For that is what I came out to do," Jesus says. As a result of being in prayer Jesus was more aware of purpose, place, and time.

His purpose is to "proclaim the message." The Greek is kerusso. This is public and authoritative announcement. The same verb would be used when a royal letter was circulated.

His place is in the towns of the same district as Capernaum. Nearby is true, but the Greek suggests the region under the social, economic, or political influence of Capernaum.

His time is now. The gospel of Luke suggests the people of Capernaum tried to keep him with them. But Jesus and his first few followers left that day for an expanded ministry.

May my prayers also seek God's guidance for purpose, place, and time. May God find me willing to hear and do..

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ (Mark 1:35-37)

Peter is a bit annoyed. The extroverted, enthusiastic, spontaneous Peter cannot imagine why Jesus would choose to be by himself.

Years later, again when it was very dark, Jesus took Simon Peter, James, and John with him to pray. That night others came searching to deliver Jesus to death.

In both cases we are told that Jesus came to prayer seeking to know God's intent. Here I am. What would you have me do?

Above is Mott #3 by Philip Guston from the Minneapolis Institute of Art exhibition Marks of Intention.

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. (Mark 1: 32-34)

Mark identifies two different categories of illness to which Jesus attends: the sick and the demon-possessed.

The Greek translated as sick is echo. This is the word from which the English echo is derived. The Greeks also used it to mean a reverberation of sound. But for them it was used more broadly to mean holding on, persisting, or not letting go.

I would be a healthier and happier person if I was better able to let go of long-past hurts and errors. This is a disease for which I need healing.

Echo was the name of a minor Greek god. In the myths she was beautiful, but a fount of destructive gossp and distracting babble. She was the ancient equivalent of a Valley Girl or the beautiful bimbo. (See more on the goddess Echo)

There are both internal and external distractions. Each can separate us from God's love and our potential to do God's will. Jesus was sent to restore us to a full relationship with God.

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (Mark 1: 29-31)

The healing ministry has always troubled me. There is something a touch magical about it. I prefer to reduce it to metaphor.

My amazement is coupled with some embarrassment. That the healed woman got up from her bed and began to serve them is a bit much for me.

To be embarrassed is when the act of another is perceived as reflecting badly on me. It is the expression of a sensitive ego and usually a large ego.

I am especially embarrassed when those associated with me - even those who just happen to be nearby - are exuberant, spontaneous, or loud.

To be embarrassed when another is healed, or overflowing with joy, or reaching out in love should tell me to reconsider my priorities.

The new teaching of Jesus for me is to give away control, open up, and to accept - without restraint - the love of God that is available today.

Euthus is translated above "as soon" and "at once." Does "doing good" also fit?

Above is Affinity by Judy Atlas.

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. (Mark 1: 27-28)

Matthew begins his gospel with geneaology and the Christmas story. Luke begins even earlier with predictions that John the Baptist will be born. John reaches back to the beginning of the universe.

Mark starts with action. John the Baptist appears and proclaims. Jesus is baptized and is tempted. Jesus begins his ministry by saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." Jesus calls his first disciples.

Then Jesus begins healing. One after another great numbers are healed. Even 2000 years later we are, like those in the synagogue, amazed. Mark reports that they kept asking one another about this healing. Other translations use debate or dispute instead of ask.

When God acts we are often left amazed. Even when we experience the action directly, we are likely to be uncertain of what we have experienced. Mark does not try to explain, he chooses simply to report the action and result.

God is acting today. This very moment God is acting in and through the lives of many millions. We may ask about it. We may debate and dispute the meaning of the action. But Jesus also calls us to action: repent and believe.

Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. (Mark 1: 23-26)

Good and evil have a relationship. When the truly evil encounters the truly good, evil recognizes the power of the good and good understands the power of evil.

Most of us do not make a choice. We are neither good nor evil. Our understanding is dulled. We easily confuse good and evil. Or more likely, fail to recognize either.

If we are fortunate enough to be near the good we will tend to be good. If we happen to be found by evil we as easily abide with it.

Those in the synagogue were aware that Jesus was outside their common experience. But they reacted mostly with uncertainty. What is this? Who is this?

The evil spirit was quick and true in recognizing that Jesus had been consecrated of God. Conscious choice brings clarity. Clarity leads to understanding. Dear God, be in my choosing.

"Just then" is a translation of euthus.

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Mark 1: 21-22)

Jesus taught with authority, the Greek is exousia or the power to choose. Real authority is derived from deep and true understanding.

The scribes could recount and explain what had been handed down. But Jesus was able to reveal the scripture's current relevance and meaning.

The goal of teaching is - or should be - the empowerment of learners. This authority comes from a deep understanding of how principles are put into practice.

Above is an element of the Exodus Suite by Marc Chagall showing Moses with the tablets of the law.

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. (Mark 1: 16-20)

Many sermons have been built around Simon and Andrew immediately (euthus) leaving their prior lives.

According to the gospel of John, Andrew had been with Jesus as a disciple of John the Baptist. In the fourth gospel John the Baptist tells Andrew that Jesus is the Messiah. Andrew immediately begins following Jesus and later tells his brother Simon. (John 1: 35-42)

According to the gospel of Luke upon his return to Galilee Jesus began preaching in synagogues, was rejected at Nazareth, performed his first miracles, moved to live with Andrew and Simon in Capernum and only then called his disciples. (Luke 4:16-41)

Luke also writes that Simon's first reaction was to say to Jesus, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man."

Whatever the time of preparation or immediate response, there came a day when a decision was presented: Do I follow Jesus or not? It is a decision that I will make today, tomorrow, and each day for the rest of my life.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ (Mark 1: 14-15)

Both Mark and Matthew are unclear on what happened between the wilderness and John's arrest. The Gospel of Luke can be read to suggest that Jesus had already returned to Galilee and begun his teaching before John's arrest.

According to other gospels Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea. All of the Gospels agree that he was raised in Galilee. For over 200 years Galilee had been part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. As such it had developed a very different religious tradition from Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judea. It's history and experience was much closer to that of Samaria than to Judea.

But in the 120 years before Jesus Galilee had seen a substantial influx of both Judeans and gentiles. As a result, it was a place where many different ideas contended and combined.

The sense of being on the edge of a New Age was especially keen in Galilee. When Jesus was between five and fifteen years of age Judas of Gamala led a revolt against Roman rule in the Galilee. For many months it appeared he might have succeeded and some considered Judas the promised Messiah.

Jesus offers a teaching that transcends time and place. But understanding the time and place it was first offered may help us fully grasp its meaning.

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. (Mark 1: 12-13)

This is all that Mark writes of the temptation in the wilderness. It is in the later gospels of Matthew and Luke that we read of Satan and Jesus debating with scripture.

The Gospel of Mark is known for its urgency. "Immediately" Jesus saw a dove descend, "immediately" the spirit drove him into the wilderness. The Greek being translated is euthus or kai euthus. This is used forty-one times in the gospel of Mark. Euthus is used only ten times together in Matthew, Luke, John, and Acts.

Immediately is a reasonable translation. But this focus on time may say more about our context than that of Jesus. The word is a compound of eu meaning good, well off, prosperous, or well done and tithemi meaning to place, to make, or to establish. Others have translated it as "straightaway" which better captures the original sense.

"Doing good" is also a possible translation, as in, "Doing good the spirit impelled him into the wilderness." As such Mark is less concerned about time and more concerned about intent and outcome. This is worth additional attention as we encounter euthus in this study.

Too often I am concerned about when instead of more substantive issues of what or why. I can be tempted to do something quickly rather than doing it fully and effectively.

Above is the Temptation of Christ on the Mountain by Duccio di Buoninsegna.

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ (Mark 1: 9-11)

When did Jesus become aware of his full potential? Did Mary or Joseph tell him of their experiences? Was he born knowing or did the human nature of Jesus slowly come into a full understanding of his divine purpose?

If Jesus was fully human and fully divine (Council of Chalcedon) surely he had the ability to choose. The human Jesus might have denied his divinity. This would have denied his essential self, but we are known to do so.

It causes me to reflect on the choices I have made and will make. All of us share in God's spirit and have been created to fulfill divine intention. Am I fully aware of my potential? Am I ready to live out this potential?

He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’(Mark 1: 7-8)

Jesus was almost certainly a student of John. Some of the followers of Jesus were concerned that the student not be seen as deferring to the teacher. While there is no evidence that John and Jesus were anything but partners, there was a sense of competition between their followers.

This sense of competition continued after the death of each. The Gospel of Mark is thought to have been written at about the same time as the First Jewish War (66-70 AD). In explaining the origins of the War the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus gives greater attention to John than to Jesus.

Beginning his gospel with a clear statement of John's deference to Jesus suggests the relationship of teacher and student remained a sensitive issue well into the second generation of Christians.

Immersion in water is a baptism of preparation. To be baptized in the spirit (Greek pneuma) is to be immersed in essential reality, knowledge of the ultimate, and the origin of all things. John prepared and Jesus fulfilled.

Too often we are uncomfortable with our past. This is unfortunate. There is no fulfillment without preparation. There is usually no victory without failure. If we are dissatisfied with where we have arrived, it may be the result of how we got there. Preparation and fulfillment are partners, not competitors.

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. (Mark 1:6)

When the prophet Elijah is announced to King Ahaziah he is described as "a hairy man with a leather belt around his waist." (2 Kings: 1:8). John the Baptist is purposefully identified with Elijah and may have identified himself in this way.

Malachi, in describing a day of divine judgment, had proclaimed, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD." (Malachi 4:1-5) John, as Elijah, was the herald of this day of the Lord.

Elijah encountered a society in the midst of physical and spiritual famine. In faithful partnership with God Elijah worked to restore his community to spiritual fertility. In the Jewish pantheon Elijah joined Moses as the principal agent of restoration.

Above is the Elijah Window at Union Church by Marc Chagall

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mark 1: 4-5)

John did not offer forgiveness. Rather, he offered being prepared for forgiveness through repentence.

The Greek word translated here as repentence is metanoia. This means to change one's mind or purpose. John may have known some Greek, but his worldview was probably rooted in Hebrew. The Hebrew notion of forgiveness - as in shuwb - is to turn back, restore an original purpose, or to refresh.

John perceived that before forgiveness, pardon or release we must prepare. For John we must work with God. In particular, we must not just change our mind or behavior; we must find our original purpose and recommit ourselves to that purpose.

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’(Mark 1: 1-3)

The path by which Jesus came to us had been traveled by many others. The path on which Jesus walked was already known.

But most had not taken the path. Many did not know of the path. Some who were certain they were on the path were, in fact, terribly lost.

Jesus came to bring us to the true path, the way that God intended.