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REPLAY SUNDAY

The Beginning of the Gospel

5/1/2020

 
Picture
Read: Mark 1:1-13
Some great novels begin with well-known opening lines, eg It was the best of times it was the worst of times (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities). What makes a good first line in a novel that will catch your interest and be a hook that will entice you to keep reading?
 
Mark’s Gospel has an opening line which is designed to grab the attention of his readers. The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1) This is Mark’s summary of all that is to follow.
For us, having just celebrated Christmas, it might strike us as strange that Mark begins his gospel not with the nativity story, but with the ministry of John the Baptist. Mark’s typical style is fast-paced, and he omits some stories we might consider important. He begins with a bold statement and then jumps into the thick of the action and moves on in a hurry.
 
One of Mark’s key words is immediately and this appears many times in his book (eg Mark 1:42, Mark 5:29, Mark 5:42). So Mark’s writing has an urgency and pace through the whole story of Jesus. Even the few verses in our passage move quickly:
  • So John appeared in the wilderness v4
  • At that time Jesus came from Nazareth v9
  • At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert vs12
This is an action packed story and Mark is wasting no words in telling it.
 
The opening sentence in Mark’s prologue is loaded with Christological titles and divine credentials: Jesus, Messiah/Christ, Son of God, as prophesised by Isaiah. Scholars believe Mark was writing for Roman readers, so this is a very strong opening statement to make in Rome, the seat of power and government. Mark is convinced of who Jesus is and so does not hold back on this powerful description of divinity.

The gospel begins with Jesus. However, this sentence alone is not the beginning, but the whole Gospel of Mark is the introduction to the mighty work of God through the crucified and risen Jesus. It is the beginning of the redemptive act of God stepping into our world to save us by grace through faith in Jesus. Mark states it is gospel/good news. It is not only what Jesus has done that is good, but Jesus himself was and is good news.
 
The Gospel is about Jesus – a specific person in history.
  • Jesus (Greek) or Joshua (Hebrew) means the Lord saves.
  • Jesus is the Messiah, God’s anointed One the Christ.
  • Jesus is God’s Son.
Mark is not mincing his words or building up gently, but straightaway making bold claims about the divinity and person of Jesus. Mark wants to shock people with his extraordinary claims about Jesus. In the busy spiritual market place of Rome with an array of ideas about the gods and worship, Mark gets straight to the point, so you know from the outset that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. The opening sentence is the key that helps you understand the whole gospel.
 
As we begin this New Year it is helpful for us to consider who Jesus is. Are we going to dedicate another year of our lives to following him? If so we need to be sure he is worth following. In Christ we have all we need for the year ahead to inspire us, sustain us and empower us so we can live as children of God and fulfil his will in our lives. So let us dedicate ourselves to following him in the year and decade ahead.



Rev John Malcolm

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Greyfriars Eden Epsom Presbyterian Church, 544 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden, Auckland
PO Box 67039, Auckland 1349, New Zealand
Phone: 09 630 2460 | Email: office

Photos from Montgomery County Planning Commission, Markus Grossalber, myfirstnameisharrison