Mark

Mark

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

Mark was written to the suffering Christians who resided in Rome. Mark would have been written around the time that Nero was Emperor of Rome and the Christians would have been undergoing heavy tribulation, suffering and persecution at this time and would have needed to be encouraged. You can see that this was written to the Romans in 1:12,13 where Mark, unlike the other gospels, mentions that Jesus went out among wild animals to be tested. The Romans would have related with this since wild animals tortured them. You also see in 7:3 and 12:18 that Mark has to explain Jewish tradition and Jewish leaders to the original readers because they would not have been aware of these things. Mark focuses on Jesus being more of a suffering servant than a king and the Romans would have related with this because they would have identified with salvation coming in the form of someone coming to serve them. It also would have reassured them that Jesus was not a threat to their government. 

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Mark is the one who is traditionally considered to have written this book. Many call this book Peter’s gospel because Mark was an assistant to Peter during his time in Rome and he probably transcribed it for him. Peter’s hand in this could be seen by the fact that Mark is a very brief and too the point gospel which coincides with Peter’s personality and manner. Mark is believed to be the individual in the garden who was stripped of his clothing and ran away naked (14:50-52). Some believe this random fact was Mark’s way of stamping his authorship on this book in an undercover way due to the persecution in Rome. Mark was also younger and was not one of the original disciples. You also find that this book presents the disciples in more of a bad light than the other gospels.

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?

Mark was written to encourage the Romans to follow in the footsteps of the suffering servant who was their Savior and was able to identify with them.

You see from Mark that there are several occurrences of fast action words such as, “Immediately, Quickly and Suddenly” (1:42; 2:1,8; 4:39; 5:42; 8:10; 10:52; 14:43,72). Mark brings out the action part of the gospel. This book is the shortest and the most fast paced. There was an instant-ness that he wanted to bring out in this gospel.

You also see a major theme of faith through out the book of Mark. Over and over Jesus heals people because of their faith. He is constantly speaking of faith throughout this book in a number of different situations (2:5; 4:40; 5:34; 6:5; 9:23,24; 10:51,52).

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

Mark was written to encourage the Roman Christians who were experiencing persecution in Rome. It was written to give them an understanding of the fact that their Savior was someone that they could identify with. He took the role of the suffering servant just as they were doing. Revealing Jesus in this way would have been an encouragement to these believers that Jesus was someone who really did understand and relate with them (10:42-45).

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

Jesus presents Himself ultimately in this book as a servant. He states that the whole reason that He came to earth was to serve and to give his life for many (10:45).  He is represented as the ultimate servant, offering His very life for the salvation of mankind.

Jesus is also seen as someone who was very revolutionary in how He saw people. You find him in Mark touching untouchable women and responding favorably to a Syro-Phonecian woman, caring for them when they would have been considered worthless and unimportant (5:25-34; 7:24-30). It shows that God cares about everyone, not just the highest class of a society. He was willing to break with cultural practices and beliefs in order to reach out the people no one cared about because He is a God who cares about every individual no matter who they are.

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Mark reveals that Jesus came to be the Messiah for everyone, not just the Jews. He says in 10:45 that He came to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark also includes the story of the officer at Jesus’ crucifixion acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah (15:37-39). He also makes sure to include that this man was a Roman Officer. This book would have been written to Roman individuals and Mark wanted to reveal that God’s ultimate redemption was offered to everyone.

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

As I was reading Mark I was reminded of the importance to always be watching and praying. God has been speaking to me lately about the importance of prayer and how crucial it is to be constantly alert and active in my prayer life. In 13:33,35-37 Jesus tells his disciples to be alert and watchful and in 14:38, he commands them to watch and pray in order that they don’t enter into temptation. As a soldier of Christ, it is important for me to maintain an active prayer life and not become lazy and naive in my spiritual life. This is the key to saying no to temptation and being prepared for any unexpected situation that may arise. Successful Christians don’t make it through difficult situations very well if they are not actively pursuing their walk with Christ. Success is not something that just happens. If I want a successful life in God’s eyes, it is something I have to fight for and pursue and a huge part of that fighting is done through looking at Jesus and actively pursuing prayer.

2.     Point of Passion

From Mark we see that Jesus highly valued solitude. Over and over you find Jesus trying to get away from crowds and go somewhere to be alone with either His Father or with His disciples. You also see him trying to keep his fame from spreading and trying to avoid crowds (1:12, 35, 44,45; 6:31,32, 46; 7:33,36; 8:30; 9:25; 14:32-40).

If Jesus, who was the ultimate leader and God Himself, needed time to be alone with His Father, how much more should leaders today make solitude with God a priority? Success in ministry can only live and grow out of a place of solitude with God. That should be the number one goal of every leader who desires to serve God. This place of rest and communion with God is essential to the life of every individual and crucial for success in leadership. It is something that will require a sacrifice. Time, and most likely many other good things, will have to be sacrificed to make this place of solitude with God a reality. Yet, it is probably the most important thing anyone could spend his or her time on and it is key to effective leadership.

Jesus also sought solitude with His followers. It is important for leaders to take time to be alone with their disciples. Mark says that Jesus and His disciples were so busy that they didn’t have time to eat (6:31,32) Jesus then tells them that they should go to a place where they could be alone. Jesus knew the importance of pulling his followers out of the busyness of ministry to allow them a chance to rest with Him. Leaders today should also take the time to bring those that serve under them out of the busyness of ministry for a while in order to refresh and pour into them. This will strengthen and build up their followers so that they will be able to ultimately end up leaders themselves just as the 12 disciples did.