June 19, 2014 (Thursday)
The writer of the gospel of Mark was not one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, but his was probably the first written gospel.
Peter called Mark his son (in the ministry) and tradition tells us that Mark learned about Jesus’ life from Peter.
The key word in the gospel of Mark is “immediately,” the Greek word being translated various ways forty-one times. Jesus is seen as a person of action, and the presentation of Jesus in that light takes us on an almost breathless journey through His life. Eighteen miracles are related one after the other in “machine gun” style. Mark is careful to describe details of events, bringing them to life as we read his gospel centuries after the facts. He never belabors an issue, states it forthrightly, then goes on to the next, as if he had limited time to tell the story, so urgently needing to be told. Jesus is seen in the gospel of Mark as a man among men, and his life excites amazement and wonder. It seems to be written so as to explain Jesus to Gentiles, especially Romans.
Mark – A devotional thought
Mark presents Jesus as having power over demonic forces, reminding us of Paul’s description of a spiritual war going on between good and evil. Make no mistake about it, such a conflict exists, and we are in the middle of it. For inspiration and strength in this battle, we look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
