Mark the Evangelist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji2rLXr3cEU

#1 Mark

Evangelistic Symbol:The Lion

The LionThe Lion is attributed to Mark because

the Lion stands for the strength and courage that he called Christians to exercise.

Gospel Information Written about AD 65-70 Written to early Christians who were

persecuted, to strengthen their faith that they must carry their cross in suffering just as Jesus did.

Biography Tradition:

John Mark: Companion of Paul and Peter Referred to in Paul’s letters. Was Peter’s interpreter and drew from Peter’s

stories. Did not have direct contact with Jesus.

Today: Many scholars say that he may have drawn

from various written and oral sources. Unknown author. Christian, from Jewish background.

InspirationSince the author was a companion of Peter

and Paul, who were leaders of the early Church and later martyrs, he witnessed the persecution of early Christians firsthand. He had the advantage of knowing many of the witnesses firsthand.

Jesus Portrays Jesus as:

Fully human, getting angry, but loving and compassionate

Hiding His true identity as Christ Son of Man: Humble, yet the bringer of God’s

Kingdom Controversial actions Suffering servant

Humanity of ChristAnd he said to them, "My soul is very

sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch." 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt."

HumanityWhat human elements of Jesus’ Humanity

can you pick out from this passage?

The Messianic SecretJesus repeatedly told his followers and those

whom he healed to not reveal his Messianic Identity

Mark 3: 9-12“And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they should crush him; 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits beheld him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. “

Messianic Secret Why do you think Jesus didn’t want to

be publicized as the Messiah?• Some people would want Jesus only for

his miracles, only because he is the Messiah.

• It would be difficult for people to identify with him if they knew him only for his divinity

Controversial ActionsThe Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus as a

controversial figure He taught with authorityHe ate with tax collectorsHe healed on the Sabbath He tore up the Temple

Controversy in Barack Obama is not Jesus but,

but they are similar in the fact that they are both polarizing figures

So…….

PerspectiveImagine Barack Obama on TV partying

with the head of the IRS

PerspectiveHere’s where it gets good:Imagine Barack Obama preaching in a strip

club or brothel

(Sorry guys, no picture)

PerspectiveImagine Barack Obama going over to eat

with Tiger Woods

Mark 11: 15-18 And he entered the temple and began to drive out

those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he  overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons; 16 and he would not allow any one to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he taught, and said to them, "Is it not written, `My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a  den of robbers."  18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and sought a way to destroy him; for they feared him, because all the multitude was  astonished at his teaching.

ControversyWhat message do you think Jesus was

trying to express through his controversial actions?

Jesus wanted to stress that sometimes you had to go against the status quo to serve God, even though it may lead to isolation, unpopularity, and further suffering

SufferingIn Mark’s Gospel, all of Christ’s actions and

words, including the ones that were initially popular like healing people on the Sabbath were used to condemn him to death.

SufferingIt is often said that in order to be a

Christian, one must prepare to suffer. Most of that suffering comes not as a result of being a Christian, but as a result of acting as a Christian. Jesus was not condemned for who he was, but for his righteous acts and words.

SufferingCan you give examples of that happening to

people? Famous? Someone you know? You?

Are you prepared to do the same?

After Rain...Jesus was condemned, ridiculed, tortured

and strung up on a cross by the very same people he came to save, people whom he did not even need.

After Rain…It’s like having the ***** beat out of you by

a drunk person whom you just saved from getting behind the wheel and definitely killing himself.

Comes SunshineJesus however rose

from the dead in glory and saved all of mankind. His one Friday of suffering, dying and rising three days later was all worth it because it saved us for eternity.

Quick FactsThis is the shortest Gospel account in part,

because it was the first and had less to draw on.

Mark is the only one of the four writers who is not one of the original Twelve.

SufferingThrough Mark, God tells us that we need to

hang in there because in the end all of our suffering will be worth it.

Think about it from the standpoint of school and sports. You don’t necessarily like to practice so hard and study so much, but in the end it’s all worthwhile

Summary of MessageTo Follow Christ:One must be prepared for hardshipOne must be loving and open to all people

Closing ReflectionHow does the message of Mark’s gospel

apply to your life? Have you lived out his message? How can you live out his message?