Mark has two things that he wants us to learn above all else as we read his Gospel. First, he wants us to know that Jesus is the Christ – the Messiah, or Anointed One. And second, he wants us to consider what it means to be a disciple or follower of Him.
After 400 years of silence from the Lord, Jesus came to earth in human flesh! Centuries earlier, David had been anointed by the Lord and given a promise that one day, one of his descendants would be born as a King Who would live and reign forever! This came to pass in Jesus, Who was born of the Virgin Mary and was the Son of God – fulfilling the Messianic prophecies of Psalm 2.
Mark quotes from Isaiah 40, where the Prophet declared the Lord's promise that Mankind would see His glory revealed – in the face of Jesus! And it is Jesus that Mark wants us to see! He comes with strength and might; yet He treats us gently, just like a shepherd cares for his lambs. If we walk away from the Gospel of Mark with a small view of Christ, we've missed the whole point.
John was the last prophet of the Old Covenant. He was a man of the wilderness who preached repentance and baptized. The people came to be baptized by him in the Jordan River, but he was reminding them that One was coming to fulfill the promise of Ezekiel 36 and baptize people with the Holy Spirit. John was fulfilling the role of the Second Elijah – pointing the way to Jesus, Who was far better than himself. He declared that he was not even worthy to untie His sandals.
What is Jesus to You? Are you ready to meet the King of the Universe, the Head of the Church, and the Promised Messiah? And what does it mean to follow Him? It's costly – but it's glorious! |
