Today marks a milestone in my journey. Today we begin our third book, which means I completed one full book, and I am still moving forward.
Mark is written, of course, by Mark. Apparently he traveled with Paul and wrote much of this book based on his relationship with Peter. According my Bible, this was the first of the Gospels written. He probably wrote it around 55 AD.
Mark completely skips the birth of Jesus. He gets right to the nitty gritty and begins with the baptism of Jesus. It struck me that I know more than a few people who would also tell you their lives began with baptism. They no longer identify with the person they were before turning their life over to Christ. I wonder if Mark's purpose in beginning here had anything to do with acknowledging that Jesus's life as a servant and Savior truly began with baptism.
Mark 1 moves quickly. Jesus spends his 40 days in the desert fighting temptation, calls his disciples, and begins his ministry and healing.
My favorite verse is 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
I don't leave my house, but I get up early and work on this blog from my couch (only solitary when everyone else is still in bed) to pray.
Onto Genesis now. My Dad often says that if anyone tells you they will treat you life family, you should get away from them as quickly as possible. Jacob, his wives, and his relationship with his uncle/father-in-law is a prime example. Rachel and Leah are upset and trying to outdo each other with having children. Jacob is busy trying to trick Laban out of strong livestock. Nobody seems grateful for what they have. I think the hardest thing to understand is still the relationship between men and women. We read that Jacob loved Rachel, but he goes and fathers children repeatedly with Leah, and two servant girls. It makes no sense to me!
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