Congregational Bible Experience Day #11: Mark 1-3

Congregational Bible Experience Day #11
Bible Reading: Mark 1-3

Introduction:  A new Gospel! Another opportunity to see the real Jesus through different eyes. You need to hold onto your hats because Mark doesn't waste a lot of time with unnecessary detail and moves the story on quite quickly. And yet, despite the briskness of the storytelling, Mark's Gospel is surprisingly deep in complexity. In fact, he often states the bare facts of what happens and expects the reader to make the connections and grasp the spiritual significance. You may not have time to do that on this read-through, but it might encourage you to return to this Gospel once the CBE is over.
Every blessing as you encounter Jesus in Mark.

Welcome to Mark' Gospel!

The opening verse provides outline of whole book: "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1). The first half of the Gospel is designed to help us understand how Jesus is the 'Christ' (see 8:27-30); the second half of the book helps us understand what it means for Him to be called the 'Son of God' (see 15:37-40).

 You will notice some differences in this Gospel from Matthew's. For instance, there is sense of urgency pervading Mark's writing. He quickly moves the storyline onward from one episode to the next - Jesus did this, then He did that, and then something else…  There seems to be no stopping Jesus to finish what He came to do (1:38-39).

The Gospel quickly begins with foreboding tension anticipating the darkness that will deepen later in the story: heaven is torn open as the Spirit descends and immediately sends Him into the wilderness to have an encounter with Satan (1:10, 12-13); John is imprisoned (1:14).  Nevertheless, before starting his public ministry Jesus is assured of the loving endorsement of His Father and the protective and attentive care of angels (1:11,13). 

Mark regularly groups his stories about Jesus into themes.  For example, in these opening chapters, Mark firstly stresses King Jesus' authority over people's lives (1:15-20; 2:13-17), demons (1:21-28), disease (1:32-34), defilement (1:40-45) and forgiveness of Sin (2:1-12).  Then, secondly, despite his growing popularity with the crowds, controversy begins early on between Jesus and the religious authorities: they debate and dispute with Him about fellowshipping with "sinners" (2:15-17), about fasting (2:18-22), about Sabbath observance (2:23-28), and about helping those in need (3:1-6).  The stubbornness of their religious hearts are exposed, Jesus' anger is aroused, they begin their plot to kill him - just two and a bit chapters in!

Even his own family struggle to get their heads around Jesus' behaviour, they think he's mad (3:21). Then when the Jerusalem elite take a trip up country to investigate what the fuss is about, they conclude He's an agent of Satan (3:22-30). He certainly divides opinion. No wonder, a little later on, He asks the question: "But who do you say I am?" (8:29).  It's a question we all have to answer.  But wait until Mark finishes presenting his evidence before deciding…