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?
Photo:Dinos Abatizidos
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?
Photo: Scott Robinson
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.
Photo:Wolfgang Staudt
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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