Midweek Online 04.01.20

The Gospel According to Mark

Some basic things to know about ‘Mark’

1. Was Mark the first gospel?

• The traditional consensus in New Testament studies is that Mark was the first written gospel; Matthew and Luke had Mark as a source in addition to other source material. • Date of authorship is around AD70 . . . possibly as early as AD65. • Mark is thought to be the same person as John Mark who shows up as a companion of Barnabas and Paul in the book of Acts, and also Peter (1 Peter 5:13). It has been held that what Mark writes represents the preaching and memories of Peter.

2. The ‘condensed’ (hurried) gospel narrative

• Of the 4 gospels Mark is written with the most brevity; some describe his style as ‘hurried.’ One Bible Dictionary used the words ‘blunt and clipped.’ (See his telling of the temptations of Jesus as compared to Luke 4). • The Greek word that translates ‘immediately’ is used 41x . . . also rendered ‘straight away’ or ‘at once.’ His style with short sentences and his choice of words move the story along at a quick pace.

3. Story within a story (Wrapping)

• Mark tells stories by stacking them, or placing a story within another story. He does this to let the stories interpret each other. • Example = See Mark 5:21-43

A Few Selected Texts:

1. Opening: Mark 1:1-4

Note how Mark uses the word ‘gospel.’

He moves quickly from Jesus . . . back to Isaiah . . . then up to John who prepares us for Jesus

2. The Desert or Solitary place (eremon)

Mark makes frequent use of the Greek word eremon = desert, wilderness, solitary place.

See Mark 1:3, 4, 12, 35, 45.

[SLIDE] Desert place = Waiting, Testing, Seeking God

The Desert of waiting . . . wondering when God will act or intervene. The Desert of testing and trial . . . the challenges or suffering that clarify who we are. The Desert of solitude and seeking God . . . withdrawing to hear God’s and seek his guidance.

3. The “Clueless” disciples

See Mark 8:14-21

Note the way Jesus questions his disciples – not to shame them but to teach them.

Can you recall a specific instance of Jesus’ faithfulness to you? How can that inform the concerns you may have in this present moment?

4. Turning Point in Mark

See Mark 8:27-36 – a turning point in the text.

Who Jesus is:

What he came to do:

This Week: (talk or write your thoughts)

How can you use this time to create a desert place where you can seek and listen to God? We are already is a desert of waiting . . . many are in a desert of trial and testing. But how can we find the solitary place for the purpose of seeking God?

What does it mean for us to ‘give life away’ in these days? How is it different from grasping at life or trying to save our lives at the expense of our soul?