The Evangelist Mark is almost always depicted with a lion. This is his emblem. An emblem of power, strength, royal majesty. In the halo of this power and greatness, the Evangelist wanted to depict the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why it was given this emblem. Indeed, in the narration of St. Mark, the person of the Lord Jesus Christ especially often and vividly appears with these features - Divine greatness and spiritual power.

In the very first chapter of the Gospel, these features are noted several times. The authoritative truthful word of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is devoid of ingratiation and servility: And they marveled at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. The scribes sought only success and glory, and in order to win the applause of the crowd, they often flattered their passions and justified their prejudices. The Lord was alien to this weakness.

His calm, confident power over evil spirits: Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him." Then the unclean spirit shook him and cried out with a loud voice, and went out of him.

The extraordinary impression that the manifestation of His power made on the spectators: And they were all terrified, so that they asked one another, What is this? what is this new doctrine, that He commands even unclean spirits with authority, and they obey Him?

His tremendous power of healing, acting instantly and healing radically: Simonov's mother-in-law was lying in a fever; and immediately they speak to Him about it. Approaching, He lifted her up, taking her by the hand; and the fever immediately left her, and she began to serve them.

The versatility of this healing power, which cured the most diverse diseases: At the onset of evening, when the sun set, all the sick and possessed were brought to Him... And He healed many who were afflicted with various diseases; cast out many demons.

Thus, even in the few verses quoted, the Lord Jesus Christ appears before people as an extraordinary prophet, mighty in deed and word (Lk. XXIV, 19).

His power is truly extraordinary. It affects everything. In His words, in His actions, and most of all, in His influence on other people. He has only to say to Simon and Andrew, the fishermen, "Follow me!" And straightway they leave their nets and follow him, v. 18. It is enough to call the brothers of Zebedee, James and John, who are engaged in mending the nets, and they, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the laborers, follow him, v. 20. The charm of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spiritual power that irresistibly draws the hearts of pure and honest people to Him, is enormous.

We do not raise the question here what is the secret of this power. Precious to us is another observation of the Savior in the Gospel of John, where He promises His followers that each of them can acquire this spiritual power. "He that believeth on me," He says, "the works which I do, he shall do also, and greater than these" (Jn. XIV, 12).

What a great promise!

To have the power that Christ had! A power that demons cannot withstand and fear! To fight them and win, cleansing your life and your soul from their poisonous, pernicious influence, which constantly darkens the path to perfection! Moreover: to attract other people to the Lord Jesus Christ, to make others participants in eternal bliss! Isn't this a great joy and happiness?

But how to acquire this power?

Strictly speaking, the entire teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ is the answer to this question. The Gospel in successive narrations reveals to us the long and difficult path that a believer must go through in order to fulfill the covenant of Christ: "Be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. V, 48).

The great spiritual strength that the Lord promises to His faithful disciples is acquired only at the end of that path, at the highest levels of perfection. But the first step, the first step that a person must take for this to happen, is quite definitely marked by the words of this passage: repent and believe in the gospel (Mk. I, 15).