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A Study of the Gospel of Mark
The release of the film The Passion of the Christ, (Mel Gibson’s interpretive film based on the last twelve hours of Jesus leading up to and including His crucifixion and brief reference to the resurrection) has resulted in a groundswell of interest in Jesus and His suffering. It is in part, because of the many questions and discussions about Jesus arising from seeing the this film, that we offer this study of the Gospel of Mark.
The first verse of this gospel gives us direction as to what the message contains. Mark is inspired to begin by saying, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” This verse is a Pronouncement of what the book is going to speak about. This short opening verse tells us a lot about this Gospel.
First, the Gospel of Mark is a book of ACTION. Mark says, “The beginning,” which are words of actions. It implies something that is happening. The Gospel of Mark shows us the activity of Jesus and is a call to us to take action. In particular, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has an active and ongoing impact up to our day and will go on actively impacting people into the future.
Second, the Gospel of Mark is about the “gospel of Jesus Christ.” The word “gospel” means “good news.” The good news offered by Mark has everything to do with Jesus Christ. Jesus is the One who brings salvation (“Jesus” literally means, “Yahweh is Salvation”) and He is the One anointed (“Christ” means “anointed one”) by God to bring that salvation.
Third, the Gospel of Mark is about the Person of Jesus as “the Son of God.” Mark wrote this gospel to show us the Person of Jesus as “the Son of God.” Jesus is not merely “a” son of God, He is “the” Son of God, and that distinction makes all the difference in the world.
Fourth, the Gospel of Mark is about Jesus’ Passion to fulfill His gospel mission. The Gospel of Mark has more space proportionately devoted to the mission passion of Jesus, His substitutionary suffering and journey to the cross, arguably than any other of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) or John’s Gospel.
Therefore, the title we have given to this study is the Person and Passion of Christ. This study will help you come to know Jesus in a deeper more personal way as well as help you see the image of Jesus that God desires and plans for believers to be conformed to (Romans 8:29). This is a Gospel that depicts the actions of Jesus and calls us to follow Jesus in an active way. Our study will aim at helping us be prepared, like John the Baptist, to introduce others to Jesus and to be prepared, like Jesus, with an anointing of the Spirit that empowers us to serve Him.
As we learn more about the Person Jesus, I pray the Spirit help us to know Him and enter into a deeper personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. As we see Jesus’ Passion, I pray He compel us on with His love and give us His heart for the lost. Movies are good, but they aren’t gospel. If you want to know Jesus, you have to go to His inerrant, inspired word, God’s truth and His revelation. The Gospel of Mark is a great place to start. God bless you and the study of His word.
Sincerely in His Person and Passion,
Pastor Claude
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