Friday, 3 October 2014

St.Mark Chapter 1: 1-18

Most of us like to read a book from the beginning. We like to see the story unfold and we are disappointed when someone tells us the ending before we get there. We feel let down and wish we hadn't heard the ending before we finished reading.

Yet this is what Mark does in his gospel he tells us the ending, the conclusion before we start. He is confident that we will form the same conclusion from the words on the page so he tells us in verse one exactly who Jesus is. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son fo God.

Why do you think Mark starts his gospel this way?



From this moment on we will have a special knowledge which none of the people in the gospel story had. They had to discover who Jesus was for themselves.

Jesus is the Greek form of 'Joshua' which means 'the one who saves'. The Joshua of the Old Testament led his people into the promised land. The new Joshua is the one who leads to eternal life. What are your thoughts about that?

Christ is the Greek form of Messiah or anointed one. Jewish expectation was for this great deliverer. Jesus is the great deliverer from the pains of sin and punishment. Up until now we are talking in human terms but the title Son of God points to another reality. Jesus is God.

Jesus is a link to the past (a Joshua) he is part of the present and the assurance of the future. The image of John the baptist leaving the wilderness dressed like an Old Testament prophet is another connection with the past. 'Prepare the way of the Lord' are words from Isaiah the prophet. This is part of God's plan as expressed in the past and continuing into the future. The linking of the Jesus story to the heart of Jewish tradition is clear. Why is Mark making this link with the Jewish past?

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Yet the message of Mark's gospel is one of many not recognising who Jesus is, or refusing to recognise who Jesus is. The disciples struggle to see who Jesus is. John becomes popular with his listeners. He tells them to get ready for the Messiah by repenting (literally turning away from what is evil) and believing in God. But this is only the beginning. 'There is one who comes after me the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie' he says. 'I baptise with water John says but he will baptise with the Holy Spirit and Fire'. Is that a promise or a warning?

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All doubt about whom Jesus is is answered when he himself comes to be baptised. The perfect one comes for baptism. Why do you think he does this? The voice of God speaks 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased'. God has spoken, the past has spoken through the prophets and the prophet of the present has spoken. Now God has spoken. Jesus is the Son of God.

In the Old Testament there is an expectation that the Messiah will appear from the wilderness. Jesus goes to the wilderness and stays there for a long time. Forty days and nights is a simple method of saying ' a long time'. Here he is tempted just as we are and yet he resists.

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John moves from the scene, he is arrested, and Jesus now takes the prominent place. He goes around proclaiming that the kingdom of God is here. People must repent and believe.

Jesus gathers others around him in the mission to the world. He calls fishermen. What is most striking about this story is the use of the word immediately. Think about the impact of Jesus. What qualities does he have to drag working men away from their livlihood immediately and follow Him? What is his secret? He will make them fish for people. Why does he use these words?  

                                                            Photo: Hashmil

Thank you for sharing with us in this Bible study. Please leave a comment about what you have learned or what you can teach in this passage.

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