Mark is the first narrative account written about the life of Jesus.  It was written about 30 years after Jesus walked on the earth. Why? Why did it take 30 years to create this work? To answer this we can get a hint from Paul’s writings. In the oldest book of the New Testament, 1 Corinthians. Paul is speaking about the death and resurrection of Jesus. He names a number of people who were eyewitnesses, and then adds that Jesus appeared to over 500 people at one time. Many of whom are still alive but some had died. He is suggesting that if people were wondering about the reality of the Jesus event, that they simply speak to an eyewitness about it. This was written almost 20 years before Mark wrote his gospel. The eyewitnesses were becoming fewer and fewer as time went on. We know from some of Paul’s letters and from other non biblical writings that there were many people making up various stories about who Jesus was, or who they thought he was. Since there were fewer and fewer eyewitnesses around, Mark no doubt thought it was necessary to write an account of the “real Jesus”. As incredible as the proclamation is.

So who does Mark proclaim Jesus to be? He tells us right at the beginning – he is the Christ – the Messiah – the anointed King – the son of God.  Then just in case one might think,  are we not all children of God? and is not the Messiah just an overly gifted person? He (Mark) goes on to make it very clear who he is speaking about. He quotes from Isaiah 40. A prophecy that proclaimed that the LORD (YHWH ) Would visit Jerusalem, and that the people were to prepare for His visit. The one who created the heavens and the earth, The one who delivered them from slavery in Egypt, The one who visited them on Mount Sinai and gave the 10 commandments. They know doubt envisioned this similar to the accounts in Exodus with God appearing in glory in great clouds or pillars of fire or earthquakes or some sign of great power. The people are told to prepare. Mark says John the Baptist is the voice crying in the wilderness – prepare the way of the LORD – he is the one spoken about by Isaiah. This means that Mark is proclaiming that Jesus is God (YHWH) come. It could not be any clearer or bolder. It could not be more earth shaking. People may have many thoughts about who Jesus is, but the eyewitnesses are being clear. “He is God”. We might say that is hard for modern people to accept this, but it was just as hard if not harder for a first century Jew to believe that God became a human. But after witnessing Jesus, their conclusion was that is who he is. 

It is said there are only 3 reasonable responses to this – to Jesus. Say it is insanity and attempt to destroy such a claim. Run in fear. Bow down and worship. Make Him the center of your life.

But to say he is inspiring, or a good example is not an option. Jesus is not inspiring. He is God

Rev Allan Carson