Hey everybody this is Steve and this is a brief introduction to the Gospel according
to Mark.
Mark is, of course, one of the 4 Gospel accounts we find right at the start of the collection
of 27 books and letters that make up the New Testament canon.
Though the author of Mark isn't recorded anywhere in the Gospel account itself, the received
tradition of the Church identifies the author as "John Mark," a companion and disciple of
the Apostle Peter who's mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles.
Mark is the shortest and likely earliest of the four Gospel accounts.
A majority of contemporary scholars date the Gospel according to Mark to around the year
65 AD; which is consistent with St Ireneaus, who wrote that the book was written around
the time of St Peter's martyrdom.
As the earliest Gospel account, it seems that Mark was a foundation for both Matthew and
Luke.
In fact, Mark shapes what exactly a Gospel account is: not only is it the earliest one,
it's the only account that describes itself as a Gospel, and it does that right in the
first verse.
Because of its brevity, some Christians have seen seen Mark as a simple summary of events.
Some have even suggested that, rather than be a source for Matthew, it was a simplified
version of Matthew's account.
Papias, for example, the 2nd century bishop of Hieropolis, wrote that Mark was Peter's
interpreter; and that he followed Peter around, accurately recording what he said about Jesus,
without really organizing these notes into the sort of structure you find in other Gospel
accounts.
Mark is a short and fast-paced account that begins with the baptism of Jesus and ends
with His Ascension in just 16 chapters.
It follows Jesus as he travels from place to place, preaching and teaching and performing
miracles.
While the first half of Mark is a collection of these miracles stories, the second half
covers Jesus' death and resurrection.
So the cross looms large in Mark's account.
Because of that, we read Mark's Gospel account during Great Lent and the weeks leading up
to it, as part of the overall yearly lectionary cycle.
We read John between Pascha and Pentecost, then Matthew until around the elevation of
the Cross, and then Luke until around the time of Great Lent, when we pick up Mark again.
Because of its simplicity and brevity, some people seem to think Mark is the least theological
of the four Gospel accounts, that it's a simple retelling of the facts of Jesus' life, death,
and resurrection.
Yet in the first two verses, Mark identifies Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God.
And he quotes the prophet Isaiah to show that Jesus is the one foretold in the Old Testament.
So even though the Gospel according to Mark is short, and fast-paced, and simple; it isn't
simplistic.
It has a depth and beauty that we can come to appreciate the more we read it and engage
with it.
As we wrap it up, here are 4 things to keep in mind when you read to help give you a bit
of context and better understand the Gospel according to Mark.
First, each of the 4 Gospel accounts is traditionally represented by a particular image in iconography,
which helps explain that Gospel account's overall theme or focus.
And Mark's Gospel is represented by a lion with wings.
This represents courage and monarchy.
Because just as Christ courageously accepted the cross, we need to be ready to courageously
accept the struggles that we'll inevitably face in our lives.
And part of that courage comes from remembering that, no matter what, Christ is our victorious
king: who entered the tomb and emerged alive, victorious, three days later.
Second, Mark revolves around the importance of the cross.
As we mentioned earlier, half of Mark is dedicated to the passion, death, and resurrection of
Jesus.
Yet even before that, again and again, in the midst of great miracles and wonders, Jesus
tells His disciples that He is heading to the cross.
"Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be
rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after
three days rise again."
(Mark 8:31)
The cross and the resurrection are really the culmination of His earthly ministry.
Because Christ didn't come simply to preach and teach and heal: He came to die.
And this death becomes the key to the resurrection, to a new creation that will be known by signs
and wonders:
"By using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will
pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them;
they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
(Mark 16:17-18)
Third, Mark spends a lot of time focusing on the miracles of Jesus, and how they reveal
Him to be the Son of God.
Jesus works a lot of incredible miracles in Mark: he casts out demons, he calms raging
waters, he feeds thousands of people with just a few morsels of food.
All of this connects back to the verses from Isaiah that Mark quotes at the very beginning
of his Gospel account.
Because this man, Jesus of Nazareth, really is the Son of God; the Messiah, who was foretold
by the prophets.
When he works these amazing miracles, the people wonder: because, of course, no mere
mortal could command the waters or bring food from nothing.
Even the demons recognize Jesus and confess who He really is.
When Jesus goes to heal the demon possessed man in the land of the Gerasenes, for example,
the demon cries out with a loud voice: "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the
Most High God?"
(Mark 5:7)
And fourth, Mark explores the difficult question of how we come to recognize Jesus for who
He really is.
This is an interesting tension that exists in Mark.
Because, on the one hand, the demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God.
And a Roman centurion, watching the crucifixion, recognizes Jesus as the Son of God.
Yet, at the same time, Jesus's own followers often seem to have no idea who He really is.
Peter, for example, wants to stop Jesus from going to the cross.
Because He doesn't seem to fully realize that, as the Son of God, Jesus totally has it under
control.
And later, Peter denies Christ.
Out of fear for his own safety, fear that his beloved teacher was about to be killed,
that all would be lost.
It's only later, after the cross and the resurrection, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that
the disciples finally understand who Jesus Christ really is.
It's only then that they're ready to preach the Gospel to the ends of the world, and accept
martyrdom rather than deny Christ.
Because faith isn't merely a matter of logic or wisdom; it's a gift from God, a deep mystery
that surpasses our understanding.
As you read the Gospel according to Mark, keep these four points in mind: 1.
The themes of courage and kingship; 2.
The importance of the cross; 3.
The way miracles reveal Jesus to be the Son of God; and 4.
The way we come to know Jesus through grace and revelation.
Tell us in the comments how you notice these four things as you begin to engage with the
Scripture; and then join us in our weekly video series, Live the Word.
Most importantly, I hope you'll celebrate with us this Sunday and every Sunday, to hear
the beautiful Scripture readings proclaimed during the Divine Liturgy and to learn how
you can Live the Word.
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