Seeing Jesus Clearly

Mark 1:1

Introduction

• 1 Peter 5:13

• Mark 14:51-52

• Acts 15:36-40

• 2 Timothy 4:11

• Mark 1:10

• Mark 1:12

• Mark 1:18

• Mark 7:3-4

• Mark 16:15

• Mark 1:1

• John 1:1

• Genesis 1:1

Seeing Jesus Clearly Means...

1. Knowing His Person.

• Mark 1:1

• Matthew 1:20-21

• Acts 4:11-12

• Romans 10:9

• Philippians 2:10-11

2. Knowing His Position

• Mark 1:1

• Mark 8:29

• Matthew 7:21-23

• John 2:23-24

3. Knowing His Power

• Mark 1:1

• Mark 1:11

• Mark 3:11

• Mark 15:39

Application

Follow Jesus Completely 

• 2 Corinthians 5:14

• John 14:6

• Ephesians 2:8-9

Seeing Jesus Clearly

Mark 1:1

1. Warm-Up: First Impressions

Have you ever formed an opinion about someone and later discovered there was much more to that person than you initially realized? What changed your understanding?

Transition:

We can have a general idea of who Jesus is without truly understanding who He is. Mark begins his Gospel with a bold declaration about Jesus. As we study Mark 1:1, we'll discover that seeing Jesus clearly changes how we understand Him and how we live.

2. Seeing Jesus Clearly Means Knowing His Person

Read Mark 1:1 and Matthew 1:20–21.

Mark opens his Gospel by identifying Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. Matthew adds that Jesus' name points to His mission: He will save His people from their sins.

Jesus isn't merely a good teacher, a moral example, or a religious leader. He is God's promised Messiah and the Son of God who came to save us.

1. When people today talk about Jesus, what are some different opinions they have about who He is?

2. Why is it important that Jesus is more than a good teacher or a good example? What difference does it make that He is the Savior?

3. Read Romans 10:9. How does believing who Jesus is connect with the way we respond to Him?

Key Insight:

We cannot see Jesus clearly if we misunderstand who He is. The Christian faith begins not with what we can do for Jesus, but with who Jesus is and what He has done for us.

Put it into practice:

If a friend asked you, “Who is Jesus, and why do you believe in Him?” how would you answer in a few sentences?

3. Seeing Jesus Clearly Means Knowing His Position

Read Mark 8:27–29.

Jesus asks His disciples two important questions: “Who do people say that I am?” and “But you, who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Messiah!” It's one thing to know what other people say about Jesus. It's another thing to recognize who He truly is and respond personally to Him. But Jesus doesn't merely ask us to identify Him correctly. He calls us to recognize His rightful authority over our lives.

4. Why do you think Jesus asked His disciples what other people believed about Him before asking what they believed?

5. Read Matthew 7:21–23. What does this passage teach us about the difference between merely claiming to know Jesus and genuinely following Him?

6. What are some areas of life where people may want Jesus' help but resist His leadership? Why can it be difficult to surrender those areas to Him?

Key Insight:

Jesus isn't simply someone to believe in; He is the Lord we are called to follow.

Knowing Jesus' position means recognizing that He has the right to direct our decisions, shape our priorities, and transform our relationships.

Put it into practice:

Ask yourself, “Is there an area of my life where I want Jesus to help me, but I'm resisting His leadership?” What would it look like to trust and obey Him there?

4. Seeing Jesus Clearly Means Knowing His Power

Read Mark 1:10–11 and Mark 15:39.

At Jesus' baptism, the heavens are opened, the Spirit descends on Him, and the Father declares His pleasure in His Son. Later, at the cross, a Roman centurion sees how Jesus dies and declares, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark's Gospel reveals Jesus' power and identity through His ministry, His authority, His suffering, and ultimately His death. Jesus' power is not merely the ability to perform miracles. His mission is to confront sin and death and accomplish the salvation we cannot accomplish for ourselves.

7. What do Jesus' baptism and the centurion's declaration at the cross reveal about His identity?

8. Why is it significant that Jesus demonstrates His power not only through miracles but also through His willingness to suffer and die?

9. Read Ephesians 2:8–9. What does this passage teach us about what Jesus has done for us and what we cannot do for ourselves?

Key Insight:

Jesus has the power to accomplish what we could never accomplish on our own: our salvation. We don't earn God's acceptance through our goodness, religious activity, or effort. We receive salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Put it into practice:

When you feel tempted to rely on your own goodness or effort to make yourself right with God, remind yourself what Jesus has already done for you.

5. Personal Application: Follow Jesus Completely

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 and John 14:6.

Paul explains that Christ's love compels us to live no longer for ourselves, but for the One who died and was raised for us. Seeing Jesus clearly leads to a changed life. We follow Him not to earn salvation, but because His grace has saved us and His love now shapes us.

Reflect:

Know His Person: What truth about Jesus do I need to understand or remember more clearly?

Know His Position: Where do I need to trust His authority and obey Him?

Know His Power: Where am I relying on myself instead of trusting what Jesus has done for me?

What is one specific step you can take this week to follow Jesus more completely?

Closing Prayer:

Jesus, help us see You clearly. Help us understand who You are, recognize Your rightful place as Lord, and trust in Your power to save us. Forgive us for the times we have treated You as someone to consult rather than the Lord to follow. Thank You that salvation is a gift of Your grace, not something we can earn. Compel us by Your love to live for You and follow You completely. Amen.