The Book Of Mark

MARK RECORDS IN RAPID SUCCESSION SPECIFIC EVENTS FROM THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST IN ORDER TO PRESENT THE GOSPEL TO A ROMAN AUDIENCE, PROVING THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, AND TO PROVIDE A PATTERN OF DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH THE MODEL OF A SERVANT, CLIMAXING IN HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.

I. MARK RECORDS THE MINISTRY OF JESUS TO THE MULTITUDES IN ORDER TO SHOW THE PRESENTATION OF THE MESSIAH AND HIS REJECTION BY ISRAEL (1:1-8:26).

A. Mark began his gospel with the preparation and initial preaching of Jesus in order to introduce the relationship Jesus has between His kingdom and the redemption of the world (1:1-20).

1. Mark presents John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus, by John baptizing Him and fulfilling the prophecies found in Mal. 3:1 and Isa. 40:3. (1:1-11) showing that Jesus is the one who has come to redeem the world.

2. Mark presents a spiritual battle taking place which includes Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Satan, wild beasts and angels (1:12-13) in order to show that Jesus’ kingdom will be victorious even in the spiritual realm.

3. Mark presents the beginning of Jesus preaching ministry and the call of the first disciples (1:14-20) showing that Jesus is setting up a new community with called people.

B. Mark records a series of miracles which Jesus performed in order to authenticate the message of the Messiah and His manifestation to Israel (1:21-2:12).

1. Mark shows that Jesus has authority over unclean spirits by casting one out in a synagogue, who recognizes Jesus as the “Holy One of God” (1:21-28) in order to show that He has authority over the spiritual affairs.

2. Mark shows that Jesus has authority over physical illness by healing many people including Simon's mother-in-law (1:29-39) in order to show that He has the power to heal.

3. Mark shows that Jesus has authority over the defilement of leprosy and He maintains adherence to the Old Testament law by sending the one who was cleansed to the priest (1:40-45) in order to show that He can heal unclean persons but that He also keeps the Mosaic law.

4. Mark shows that Jesus even has authority over sin by forgiving a paralytic of his sin and provides proof of His power by also healing him physically (2:1-12) in order to show He has the power of deity as it pertains to sin.

C. Mark records the responses of Israel's leaders in contrast with those of the disciples in order that the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel would be recorded (2:13-8:26).

1. Mark shows the contrasting teaching of Jesus by presenting Jesus’ answers to the questions of: associating with sinners (2:15-17), fasting (2:18-22), and observance of the Sabbath (2:23-3:6) which would add to the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel.

2. Mark shows that great crowds would follow Jesus and that even the unclean spirits would confessions Jesus as “the Son of God” (3:7-12) which would add to the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel.

3. Mark shows that Jesus commissioned twelve to be leaders of His new organization which was outside the established religious institution of the time (3:13-19) which would add to the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel.

4. Mark shows a series of open rejection where His own people say, "He's lost His mind" (3:20-21), the scribes say, "He is possessed by Beelzebub" and "He has an unclean spirit." and Jesus seems to reject His normal family relationships (3:31-35) which would add to the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel.

5. Mark shows a series of parables; the soils (4:1-9), the lamp (4:21-25), the seed growing by itself (4:26-29), the mustard seed (4:30-32) which are not given for everyone to understand (4:10-12) but is only made know to a select group of people (4:13-20, 33-34) which would add to the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel.

6. Mark shows a series of miracles which would confirm the deity of Jesus; the stilling of the storm (4:35-41), the curing of the demoniac (5:1-20), the raising of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the issue of blood (5:21-43) all or which would confirm that Jesus is the of God which would add to the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel.

7. Mark shows the continuation of rejection of Jesus by; His opposition at Nazareth (6:1-13), the beheading of John the Baptist by Herod (6:14-32), the opposition from the Pharisees and Scribes and subsequent authentication (7:1-23, 8:10-21) which would add to the rejection of Jesus by the nation of Israel.

II. MARK RECORDS THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT JESUS GAVE TO THE DISCIPLES WHILE THEY WERE ON THE WAY TO JERUSALEM IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE THE PATTERN OF DISCIPLESHIP WHICH CHRIST COMMANDED INSPITE OF EXPECTED OPPOSITION (8:27-10:52).