You know Matthew, and Luke, and John. But do you recall, (what perhaps should be) the most famous Gospel of all?
The four Gospels give complimentary testimony concerning the person and work of Jesus. Nuanced by different perspectives, each Gospel adds to the Biblical presentation of Jesus, so that the reader may believe in Jesus, glorifying God through faith and faithfulness.
Mark was the first of the four Gospels to be written. It is known by the other Gospel writers and heavily used by Matthew and Luke. Both early church testimony and internal biblical evidence point to Peter as Mark’s primary source. Here we have Peter’s eyewitness testimony preserved!
It is most reasonable to understand Mark as writing from Rome to Romans in the 60’s AD, to convince outsiders and to strengthen believers. Both Jews and gentiles would find it difficult to believe in a Savior who suffered crucifixion. And believers who would face persecution needed their faith encouraged by the Good News of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
Writing to the church in Rome, his audience includes many gentiles who lacked knowledge of and esteem for the Old Testament, and so Mark will not appeal to it as often as Matthew. He will also often explain Jewish words and customs for the sake of his Roman audience, something helpful for today’s reader as well. Nevertheless, his Gospel is rooted in the Old Testament as is apparent right from the beginning. Mark certainly includes Jesus’ teaching, but not to the extent of other Gospel writers. Instead, he focuses on what Jesus did, in order to prove who he is.
If Jesus is truly divine, how can you make sense of his suffering? Are his followers a threat to the empire? If believers are suffering persecution, can their faith be well-placed? Why should they endure?
Have you considered what Mark has to say? You are invited to follow along as Jesus ministers to the crowds in Galilee. Follow along with Jesus and his disciples on the way to Jerusalem. Follow Jesus through his passion week, and hear the angel announce that first testimony to his resurrection! And then keep following him, and truly live, forever and ever.
