'the Gospel'

’The Gospel’ Mark 1:1-13.

Background

Marks gospel is the earliest written of the four gospels AD.55-65 Probably written for Christians in Rome where he wrote the Gospel, he wants them to know that in an environment where people worship many gods, Jesus is the one true Son of God.

Its also the most chronological as most of the stories are positioned as they actually happened. It is believed that Matthew and Luke’s main source was Marks gospel, the other gospels quote all but 31 verses of Mark.

Although Mark was not one of the twelve disciples John Mark accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts.13:13) and spent time with Peter also. Marks main source for his gospel is believed to have been Peter, whilst in Rome being his amanuensis. The whole purpose of Mark I believe can be summed up in two verses (1v1 and 15 v39) Surely this man was the Son of God!

Mark is revealing to us the Messiah who is the Son of God from beginning to end but a Messiah with a twist he is a servant to all (Mrk 10: 45.) who expects his disciples to serve also.

I love those action adventure movies like James Bond, the Bourne identity and mission impossible. They are action packed. The story line is focused upon the leading character out manoeuvring all others, who single handily saves the World from mass destruction!

Marks gospel is also action packed from start to finish he recalls more miracles in this gospel than any other does over the next months we are going to be travelling through Marks gospel. So lets get on our marks and go!

The Gospel

Like the sprinter out of the blocks from the start of the pistol firing, he wastes no time and neither does Mark.

Mark is setting his stall out in v1 in regard to the significance of the story to follow with one opening statement in regard to the Gospel. He is straight to the point a typical evangelist (blunt style).

V1. The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God and then he goes straight into the opening of his ministry with the preparation work of John the Baptist.

Unlike the other authors

Matt.1:1-17 Opens up the genealogy of Jesus takes us back to Abraham and David and then goes into the birth narrative.

Luke3: 23-37 takes us back to the beginning of human history and to Adam and Eve

John.1:1 ¡V14 Takes his reader further back again into eternity

Mark brings us straight to the big event itself he doesnt’ lay as much groundwork. He is not really out to convince us with all the evidence. He doesn’t go into all the details of the genealogy of Jesus he just takes us straight to the revelation of the Gospel. Then onto his earthly ministry where the gospel unfolds at a fast pace until the last week (chapter11) of his passion which takes up nearly half of the book.

1. The Gospel is about a unique event! 1v1 The beginning

Mark is like the Town criers we find all aound the UK they go into public places announcing news all need to hear the announcement.

Mark here is establishing that God is making a new start! A new beginning just like in the Genesis account where God was about His creation, here God is about to break into the world once more and start a new thing!

The word Gospel (message proclaimed) (a book of the Bible) But here its neither, here it’s the earlier meaning it represented good news in the context of a significant event which made a change in the world history.

Like the birth of Roman Emperor Augustus: which changed course of history amd brought about Paxa Romana .

In the Hebrew the verb for gospel means (to announce good news) Meaning when Jesus entered this world it was the in breaking of Gods kingly rule into the world. God is announcing good news to all.

Like the arrival of a dignitary at a banquet is often announced at a state dinner.

Mark is announcing the good news that God has broken into human history. It brings historicity to Jesus we don’t have to imagine it! It happened whether a person believes it or not it cannot be erased! Don’t miss the point of this unique event!

The Wright brothers in Dec 1903 flew 120 feet for the first time so they sent a telegram to their sister to tell her the good news and that they would be home for Christmas. There sister was so excited she went to the local news paper editor to inform him of the breaking news. As he read the letter he just simply said that’s good news the boys will be home for Christmas, He missed the whole point the brother had flown for the first time.