New Testamant: Book of Mark
Book of the Bible Overview • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Key verse: Mark10.45
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark’s message: Jesus the servant, the servant Jesus on the move
Mark’s focus: Jesus’ service and sacrifice
Mark was a scribe whose Latin name was Marcus and his Hebrew name was John and would be called John Mark.
Co-laborer with Peter 1Pet5.13
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
Co-laborer with Paul Col4.10
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
Early church Historian Papias tells us that Mark collected Peter’s eyewitness accounts and published them, creating our book of Mark.
Like Matthew, Mark if meticulous in our he presents and puts together the storyline.
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
This is the only time John Mark will tell you what he thinks…
The rest of the book he proves this statement but also deals with unbelief.
The rest of the book he is telling you of Jesus’ actions and people’s reactions to him.
Book design: Drama with three acts.
First act: Set in Galilee
Chapters 1-8 - “Who is Jesus?”
Third act: Set in Jerusalem
Chapters 11-16 - “How Jesus becomes the King”
Second act: In transition from Galilee to Jerusalem
Chapters 8-10 - “What does it mean for Jesus to be the Messiah?”
First act: Set in Galilee = Chapters 1-8 - “Who is Jesus?”
Quotes from Isaiah 40 and Malachi 3 There is a messenger would come first to prepare the Way of the Lord.
John the Baptist appears on the scene and introduces Jesus as the Messiah.
John Mark then summarizes Jesus message and says that the time is now!
Next we have a large block of stories emphasizing the power of God’s Kingdom.
calls disciples
heals the sick
casts out devils
Then does something that challenges everything they have ever been taught…
He forgives sins which is something only God can do!
Look at what he is saying right off the bat… Jesus is God/Messiah
Some follow him, some reject him.
Chapter four he begins to tell parables about the nature of God’s Kingdom.
We called this “The Upside down Kingdom” in Matthew.
Parable -
Of the sower - God’s word is like seeds falling on different types of soil, some grow and some don’t.
Mustard seed that is very small but grow huge and surprises everyone.
The point of these parables is God’s Kingdom is different than anyone could imagine and he IS the Messiah!
At the close of Act 1. on the middle of chapter 8 even the disciples are confused with who he is...
Second Act: Transition from Galilee to Jerusalem = Chapters 8-10 - “What does it mean for Jesus to be the Messiah?”
Begins with a critical question from Jesus to his disciples: “Who do you think I am?”
Peter: “Your the Messiah!”
But like we discovered in Matthew, it’s clear he is thinking the Messiah will be a military leader come to rescue Israel from the Romans.
BUT Jesus is is actually the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 43 that will establish the Kingdom by sacrificing his life!
The disciples think that they will be famous military leaders like David, Gideon - will make them famous.
But Jesus teaches them it is like dying, carrying your own cross, selflessness, rejecting pride, acts of service, love
And they still don’t get it!
Two more times he has the conversation with them in Mark 9:30-37, 10:32-45.
Ends with the key verse of the book Mark10.45
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus is trying in these two chapters to help them understand this…
Takes Peter, James and John into a high mountain.
He is transfigured - literally glowing, cloud envelopes him, the glory of God emanating all around and through him.
Old Testament parallel: they immediately remember Moses on Mt Sinai Ex 19-20.
Moses and Elijah appear with him and the voice of God speaks; “This is my beloved son…”
John Mark is clearly telling us who Jesus is…
The embodiment of God’s glory!
Third act: Set in Jerusalem = Chapters 11-16 - “How Jesus becomes the King”
Begins with the Triumphant Entry - Hosanna to the King
He then enters the tabernacle and stops the corrupt system of the money changers, beating them with whips.
Then a whole week of debate with Jewish leaders where he condemns them for their hypocrisy.
So they plan to kill him.
Chapter 13 - As it is obvious that they are rejecting him, Jesus warns them that he will rise again on the 3rd day (destruction of the temple) and that Jerusalem would be destroy within a generation.
He tells his disciples that they will be persecuted like he was.
BUT there is a day coming when his kingdom will be set up and he will rule the world.
Chapter 14 - Last supper - Passover.
Remember, Passover was about their deliverance from bondage through the death of the Passover Lamb.
Gives the old symbols new meaning.
Liberation from sin and death through the death of the Lamb of God, the suffering servant Messiah.
Jesus is arrested, tried before the High Priest and then Pilot.
Jesus is crucified.
Darkness covers the earth.
Jesus dies.
Soldier recognizes who Jesus is.
Veil in the temple ripped from top to bottom.
Jesus is buried.
On the first day of the week, to women go to Jesus tomb and find the stone rolled away and an angel sitting on the stone.
Look at the Scriptures:
5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
The end!
The oldest manuscript stops here…
If you read the remaining 11 verses it feels different.
Where did it come from?
Mark could have added latter?
Church historians could have added latter?
I do not fear it. God allowed it.
So what’s the deal?
End lost?
Never finished?
Or was it more likely that John Mark left if that away intentionally to make a point?
All three acts ends with the disciples fearing and not understanding.
Is John Mark forcing the reader to draw some conclusions?
Is he subtilely asking you, are you going to understand? Be fearful? Run away?
Or are you going to recognize that Jesus is your king and go tell the good news?
NEXT WEEK the book of John.
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