THE GOSPEL OF MARK "Behold My Servant!"

Introduction       "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."    Mark 1v1

I am venturing into a consideration of this work for a number of reasons, which will come out in the study, but, which I can summarise, briefly, by way of approach.   Quotations are from the KJV, unless otherwise stated.

1. Mark's Gospel is, indeed, a "bolt from the blue" (as per the title of this blog), since no one would have expected such a work to come from a man, who in his younger days, defected from the mission field, to the frustration of the Apostle Paul.. Acts 15vv36-41.   His subsequent recovery finds it's fulfilment in the production of this gospel, which takes it's rightful place in the revelation to the world of Jesus Christ.
2. This is one of four key "beginnings" in the bible:   Genesis 1v1 the beginning of creation;   John1v1 the beginning of the plan of God for this world, before creation.   1 John 1v1, the beginning of John's spiritual awakening;   and now Mark 1v1 the beginning of the proclamation of the gospel to the world.   The understanding of this is in chapter 1v14/15 "Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand...."   This is the beginning of the global preaching of the gospel.   In chapter 16v15, what began in Galilee, was to be preached in all the world to every creature;   in verse 20 "they went forth and  preached everywhere, the Lord working with them...."   By this time the Lord was in ascension glory in heaven, but still working with them on earth.....the work goes on and still almost 2000 years later, the good news of Jesus Christ is proclaimed!
3. It is by now well documented that the four gospel writers had four different audiences in mind.....Matthew to the Jews, Luke to the Greeks, John to the church in general and Mark to the Romans;   each tailored his writing to the understanding of the recipients, and this being the case, the volume of Mark would be very relevant to Romans.  There was a practise in the Roman  Empire known as "the gospel of the Caesars".   This involved the release of criminals from Roman custody at the mercy of the ruling Caesar, on the occasion of his birthday, or on a local feast day to demonstrate to the occupied peoples that there was a measure of humanity in the otherwise ruthless forces of Rome.   Mark uses a popular theme to describe the liberating and pardoning power of Jesus Christ, not only at an emperor's whim, but at the pardoning mercy of God through Jesus Christ;  not only to a few individuals, but to every creature who would accept it.   This practise is alluded to in the release of  Barabbas at the crucifixion.   Paul, possibly had this in mind when he wrote the letter to Romans, book-ending that epistle with references to the gospel first and last....Romans 1v1, and 16vv25-26.    It was the expansionist Roman empire which first touted the word gospel, little did they know it would become the bedrock title of world-wide Christianity!
4. The four Gospel writers each give a distinctive view of Jesus Christ in line with the four arrangements round the tabernacle;   the four living creatures of Ezekiel's vision, and the four declarations of "the Branch" in the Old testament imagery.   Matthew of the King...His authority;   Luke of the Man...His empathy;  John of the Word...His deity, and Mark of the Servant...His accessibility.   We shall see this aspect come out as we progress.   Wonderful, also, how they are put together;   KING-SERVANT-MAN-GOD.   Together we have the incredible story of the king who was also a servant and the man who is also God!!
5. Mark wants his readers to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.   In the gospel of the perfect servant they must know that no less a person than the Son of God stooped to become a servant of God and of all mankind.   The record of Mark is that only some knew this and most of them were not on this earth!!  All heaven declared Him to be the Son of God(chapter 1v11); the demon spirits knew exactly who He was......chapter 1v24 " the Holy one of God";   chapter3v11 "Thou art the Son of God";   chapter 5v7 "Jesus thou Son of the Most High God." The Roman centurion declared Him to be the Son of God , chapter 15v39 "Truly this man was the Son of God."   The Pharisees did not know, the Scribes did not know, the Sadducees did not know, the common people did not know, the High Priest did not know(chapter 15v61), even His own disciples did not fully know until the end of His ministry.   He was the Son of God, but it was not obvious because He took upon Him the form(the outward appearance) of a servant.   The message of Mark is very powerful;   the one who served was no less than the very Son of God, who laid aside His outward glory and poured out His life in a broken body and poured out wine in the service of others.   In the key verses of the gospel, He says in a solemn lesson to His disciples "....whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister, and whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all; for even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister(serve), and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark chapter 10vv43-45

Come along with me as we unravel something of the wonder of God's servant, no less a person than the Son of God.