We’re about to begin a series of sermons from
the Book of Mark. The Book of Mark tells of the
ministry of Jesus from His baptism by John the
Baptist to His death and burial and the discovery of
the empty tomb.
The Gospel of Mark is sometimes called the “New York
Gospel.” It’s fast paced, blunt, and
totally honest. Mark shows King Jesus taking back
what is His as He comes to seek, serve, and save.
I have always enjoyed the Gospel of Mark for its
“ADHD” approach to telling the story of Jesus. As
one reads this gospel, he or she is quickly, (and
usually without warning,) whisked from one location
to another, from one character to another, and from
one issue to another. The story moves very fast and
there are not many teachings and sermons to slow the
story down. (Did a preacher just say that?) Those
moments are saved for the other gospels.
There are several purposes for the Book of Mark, but
what I consider to be one of the more obscure
lessons is that this is a writing from a follower of
Jesus who may or may not have known Him personally.
Regardless, there is enough evidence of Jesus’
Messiahship for this young man to become a believer
during a time of growing persecution.
For Mark, Jesus was more than a miracle worker.
Jesus’ teachings shocked His contemporaries and
ultimately led to His execution. His revolutionary
teaching style was oddly popular with the common
man. The profound compassion of Jesus combined with
His truth claims won over multitudes of people.
Who was Jesus to you? What does it mean that He is
the Son of God? Everyone has an opinion as to who
Jesus was. But for Mark, the evidence was too great
to ignore.
Mark gives us the person and work of Jesus in black
and white. Uncensored. Unadorned. The book of Mark
packs a punch. Why? It just puts Jesus out there in
all His humanity and mystery: Son of Man, Son of
God, friend and enemy, visionary leader and
suffering servant. Mark’s Jesus does not fit into a
nice box. Mark pulls his readers into the tensions
of the irony and controversy of a man who faced a
criminal’s execution and still came out victorious.
For Mark, Jesus is Raw and Real, and someone
deserving of his discipleship.
For reasons that will be quickly discovered by the
reader, the book of Mark will receive the highest
honor of being placed along side of 65 other books
set apart to be the very Word of God. And as God
Himself has said of His Word, “The grass is going to
wither and the flowers are going to fade, but the
Word of God will remain forever. “
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We need to be reading this book and be familiar with
Jesus. Because in the end, it’s going to be about Him. His authority
will be the only authority.
One last thing. My wife and I have twin sons. I named my first born
son, Mark and my second born son, Matthew. Why didn’t I name them in
the same order these books are found in the Bible? Isn’t it Matthew
and Mark? Why is our Mark first? I’ll share the answer on January 11
when we begin the series.
Upcoming Sermon Series
Jan 11 Why the Hurry? Intro to the Book of Mark
Jan 18 Not Worthy to Untie Jesus Sandals (Mk 1)
Jan 25 Jesus’ Critics, Crowds, and Followers (Mk 2–3)
Feb 1 Jesus—More than a Story Teller (Mk 4)
Feb 8 Jesus—A Force to be Reckoned With (Mk 5)
Feb 15 Jesus Never Said it Would be Easy (Mk 6)
Feb 22 Jesus the Teacher (Mk 7:1–8:26)
Mar 1 Seeing Jesus for Who He Really Is (Mk 8:27–9)
Mar 8 What Jesus Stands For( Mk 10)
Mar 15 Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Mk 11:1–12:44)
Mar 22 Jesus Unveils the Future (Mk 13)
Mar 29 Jesus—Suffering King? (Mk 14:1–15:20)
Apr 5 Jesus Finishes His Work (Mk 15:21–16:20)
[Ron Otto, Preaching Minister, Lincoln Christian Church]
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