The Gospel of Mark is a book of action--Jesus is in action, and the Gospel centers on the Person and mission of the Son of God. Jesus is revealed as the Messiah more by what He does than by what He says. Mark records eighteen miracles, but only four parables. Jesus is shown as always responsive to the will of God the Father. He ministers to the need of others through His preaching, teaching, and healing. The ultimate sacrifice was His death for the sins of all people.
The message of Mark's Gospel is summarized in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life ransom for many." This Gospel reveals the twofold focus of Jesus' life: service and sacrifice.
The author of this Gospel is John Mark. He was not one of the twelve disciples, although he was a follower who eventually accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey - Acts 13:13, where he is called John. Peter may have led Mark to Christ - 1 Peter 5:13 and was probably Mark's primary source of information for this Gospel. Mark was the first Gospel written. Mark directed his Gospel primarily to Gentile - non-Jewish - Christians.
Mark presents Jesus as an active, compassionate, and obedient Servant who constantly ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of the people. Mark omitted Jesus' genealogy and birth, moving right into His ministry. The word of note is "immediately," used more in this short book than in all of the rest of the New Testament. It underscores the fact that Jesus knew He had a limited time to fulfill the purpose for which He had come to earth. Mark shows the power and authority of Jesus. Althought a Servant, He was also the Son of God with power over demons, disease, and death.
As you read Mark, be open to God moving in your life, revealing places where you can follow the example of Jesus and serve others.
The message of Mark's Gospel is summarized in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life ransom for many." This Gospel reveals the twofold focus of Jesus' life: service and sacrifice.
The author of this Gospel is John Mark. He was not one of the twelve disciples, although he was a follower who eventually accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey - Acts 13:13, where he is called John. Peter may have led Mark to Christ - 1 Peter 5:13 and was probably Mark's primary source of information for this Gospel. Mark was the first Gospel written. Mark directed his Gospel primarily to Gentile - non-Jewish - Christians.
Mark presents Jesus as an active, compassionate, and obedient Servant who constantly ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of the people. Mark omitted Jesus' genealogy and birth, moving right into His ministry. The word of note is "immediately," used more in this short book than in all of the rest of the New Testament. It underscores the fact that Jesus knew He had a limited time to fulfill the purpose for which He had come to earth. Mark shows the power and authority of Jesus. Althought a Servant, He was also the Son of God with power over demons, disease, and death.
As you read Mark, be open to God moving in your life, revealing places where you can follow the example of Jesus and serve others.
