The Gospel of Mark provides an often overlooked portrait of Jesus that is needed in the world today. Though it is the shortest of the four Gospels, it contains a powerful message that could potentially revolutionize our walk with Jesus. Here are 7 insights to help you understand Mark.
1. MARK IS NICKNAMED ‘PETER’S GOSPEL’
The early church agreed that John Mark, who was Peter’s disciple (1Peter 5:13), was the author. He arranged this Gospel from the preaching and eyewitness accounts of Peter. Knowing this you will find many details that could only come from Peter. (Hint: Read 1Peter too)
2. MARK PRESENTS JESUS AS THE SUFFERING SERVANT
Mark’s portrait of Jesus was as the Suffering Servant from Isaiah. The key verse of this gospel is, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (10:45). Each story adds details to this portrait. (Hint: Read Isaiah 53 too)
3. MARK WAS WRITTEN TO ROMAN BELIEVERS
This gospel was written to Roman believers who were experiencing persecution for their faith. It seeks to prove that Jesus was the Son of God, provided instruction and encouragement to follow the example of Jesus the Suffering Servant when times were hard.
4. MARK CAN BE DIVIDED IN THREE PRIMARY SECTIONS
Following these divisions as you read this Gospel will help you to understand Mark’s message.
- Jesus Serves the Multitudes (1-8). Jesus serves the multitudes while displaying his power and authority as the Son of God over demons, diseases, and death.
- Jesus Serves the Disciples (8-10). Jesus serves his disciples by revealing his ministry as the suffering servant (10:45), and their need to follow his example.
- Jesus Serves as the Perfect Sacrifice (11-16). Jesus willingly gives his life as the substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of the world. He also confronts the doubts of the disciples.
5. MARK PRESENTS THE FORGOTTEN REALITIES OF FOLLOWING JESUS
In the second section (8-10), Jesus confronts the realities of human desire, with the servanthood of being a true disciple of Christ. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mk 8:34-35).
6. MARK IS FRAMED BY TWO CLIMATIC CONFESSIONS
These two confessions help the reader to realize who Jesus is. The first confession is given by Peter (8:29) and the second is given at the cross by the Centurion (15:39).
7. MARK CONTAINS A CLOSE-UP OF THE PASSION WEEK MINISTRY OF JESUS
Though Marks Gospel contains only brief teachings of Jesus, and moves quickly through his ministry of miracles (i.e.“immediately” is used 35 times), you will find that he slows down to capture a close-up into the passion week ministry (11-16).
I hope that these insights will increase your knowledge of Christ and that you will be transformed as you follow his example for your life. This is the first article of the SON OF GOD-SERVANT TO MAN series on the GOSPEL OF MARK.
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