The Gospel of Mark: Mark 1:1
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1
We now begin our study of the Gospel of Mark. He was most likely one of the younger of the twelve apostle. History speculates he was a cousin to Barnabas and possibly a Levite (see Colossians 4:10) Many believe that he was the Mark talked about in Acts 12:12. He was known as John Mark.
Less than 10% of this book is unique to the gospel of Mark. He focused more on the miraculous deeds of Jesus Christ than on his teaching. He moved quickly from one supernatural event in the ministry of Jesus to the next. The word “immediately” is used around 40 times in this short gospel.
He emphasized the Divine nature of Jesus Christ through His miracles rather than His teachings. He presented Him as “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1) To Mark, Jesus Christ Himself was the gospel or the good news. He was absolutely enamored with Jesus Christ because of His miraculous powers.
Some look at Mark as being a bit more simplistic and not as philosophically minded as the other three gospel writers. I see him as more practical and to the point. He examined the wide spectrum of the miracles Jesus performed and concluded His claim of being the Son of God was absolutely validated.
Let me share a short story I have seldom mentioned publicly. The story strangely connects me to the Gospel of Mark.
When I was a new Christian back in high school, I arrived at church early one Sunday evening for Bible Quizzing practice. Sitting in his car in the parking lot was an elderly man known as “the Pentecostal Evangelist.” Many shunned him. We had briefly crossed paths a few times from a distance, but I had never conversed with him directly.
I was prompted to approach him and asked if he needed help. He said, “God sent me here tonight to pray for you.” He then said I had a call on my life for ministry. Then he abruptly laid his hand on my head and prayed over me for an unction of the Holy Spirit to consume my life.
When he finished, he said; “Young man, build your life on the Word of God, especially the Gospel of Mark. You could build your entire future preaching ministry on this one gospel alone and never exhaust its wealth about Jesus Christ.”
He then looked up toward heaven and said; “Jesus, the mantle is now passed.” Without another word, he got into his car and drove off.” I never saw him again, but circumstances in my life took a remarkable turn.
Within weeks, invitations to preach in many churches and youth events where I grew up in central Minnesota started pouring in. I was launched into an evangelistic preaching and teaching ministry that consumed my last two years of high school. And somehow, so it happened that open doors to preach the gospel at home and abroad have consumed the last fifty years of my life.
I have also had an affinity for the Gospel of Mark. This very short Gospel presents a very big view of Jesus Christ. You cannot read the Gospel of Mark without being confronted with the supernatural power and works of Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1
We now begin our study of the Gospel of Mark. He was most likely one of the younger of the twelve apostle. History speculates he was a cousin to Barnabas and possibly a Levite (see Colossians 4:10) Many believe that he was the Mark talked about in Acts 12:12. He was known as John Mark.
Less than 10% of this book is unique to the gospel of Mark. He focused more on the miraculous deeds of Jesus Christ than on his teaching. He moved quickly from one supernatural event in the ministry of Jesus to the next. The word “immediately” is used around 40 times in this short gospel.
He emphasized the Divine nature of Jesus Christ through His miracles rather than His teachings. He presented Him as “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1) To Mark, Jesus Christ Himself was the gospel or the good news. He was absolutely enamored with Jesus Christ because of His miraculous powers.
Some look at Mark as being a bit more simplistic and not as philosophically minded as the other three gospel writers. I see him as more practical and to the point. He examined the wide spectrum of the miracles Jesus performed and concluded His claim of being the Son of God was absolutely validated.
Let me share a short story I have seldom mentioned publicly. The story strangely connects me to the Gospel of Mark.
When I was a new Christian back in high school, I arrived at church early one Sunday evening for Bible Quizzing practice. Sitting in his car in the parking lot was an elderly man known as “the Pentecostal Evangelist.” Many shunned him. We had briefly crossed paths a few times from a distance, but I had never conversed with him directly.
I was prompted to approach him and asked if he needed help. He said, “God sent me here tonight to pray for you.” He then said I had a call on my life for ministry. Then he abruptly laid his hand on my head and prayed over me for an unction of the Holy Spirit to consume my life.
When he finished, he said; “Young man, build your life on the Word of God, especially the Gospel of Mark. You could build your entire future preaching ministry on this one gospel alone and never exhaust its wealth about Jesus Christ.”
He then looked up toward heaven and said; “Jesus, the mantle is now passed.” Without another word, he got into his car and drove off.” I never saw him again, but circumstances in my life took a remarkable turn.
Within weeks, invitations to preach in many churches and youth events where I grew up in central Minnesota started pouring in. I was launched into an evangelistic preaching and teaching ministry that consumed my last two years of high school. And somehow, so it happened that open doors to preach the gospel at home and abroad have consumed the last fifty years of my life.
I have also had an affinity for the Gospel of Mark. This very short Gospel presents a very big view of Jesus Christ. You cannot read the Gospel of Mark without being confronted with the supernatural power and works of Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
