Survey Of The New Testament

Who is this Man: The Book Of Mark - Survey

Reading: Rom 1:1-6

Theme: understanding the focus of Mark's account of the life of Christ

           A.        When I was a young boy one of the favorite television programs was "The Lone Ranger." It began with a recording of Gioacchino Rossini's "William Tell Overture." The Lone Ranger wore a mask, and with his faithful friend Tonto the indian by his side, he went around helping people in the old west fight evil and injustice. After the Lone Ranger had saved someone from the bad guys, he rode off into the sunset on his horse, Silver, saying, "Hi Yo, Silver!" Then someone would always ask the question, "Who was that masked man?" Similar to the Lone Ranger some people find Jesus veiled behind mystery and they ask, “Who is this man?” In the “Book of Mark,” Mark attempted to explain the answer to that question.

           B.        Little is known about the writer of Mark. It is supposed that he was the son of one of the Mary’s (cp. Act 12:12) and the nephew of Barnabas (Col 4:10).

           C.        Mark’s account was written to a Roman (Gentile) audience. This becomes clear by the fact that Mark did not make any reference to the Jewish law and only once referred to the Old Testament. He explained Jewish terms such as the surname Jesus gave John and James - “Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunders” (Mar 3:17); the words Jesus said when he raised the ruler’s daughter from the dead - “Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise” (Mar 5:41); and when Jesus chastised the Pharisees for rejecting God’s will in following the traditions of men so they didn’t have to offer proper care to their parents declared their property was, “Corban, that is to say, a gift” to the temple (Mar 7:11). There would have been no need to translate the phrases and words for a Jewish audience.

Mark used the Roman equivalent for Jewish currency or money when he wrote about the widow who put two mites into the temple treasury (Mar 12:42).

Mark explained that the Pharisees and scribes considered Jesus’ disciples defiled for not washing before eating (Mar 7:2-3; also 14:12; 15:42). Matthew, who wrote to the Jews and about the same incident, didn’t explained it.

Mark explained that when Jesus discussed the destruction of the temple that he sat on the Mt of Olives opposite the temple, a fact Jews would have known (Mar 13:13).

                       Mark used words meaningful to the Romans such as legion and centurion.

Mark reckoned time according to the four watches of Roman time and not according to the three watches used by the Jews (Mar 13:35).

Had Mark not explained these phrases and situations, to his readers they might not have understood.

           D.        The Gospel Accounts introduce the reader to Jesus the savior, and give us a brief glimpse into The Life Of Christ or what it is about him we are to believe. Each gospel account portrayed Jesus differently. Mark portrayed Jesus in two ways: as the ideal servant (1:1, 14-15; 10:44-45). “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mar 10:45). The subject of a servant would have been well understood by Romans because their society was filled with servants and soldiers who served. Therefore, part of Mark’s appeal to his readers was service to God (Mar 16:15-16). The Romans were people of power and mighty works so Marked appealed to his readers stressing Jesus’ power through his mighty works, rather than his words. Mark portrayed Jesus as a man of power, action, courageousness and victorious. In Mark's account he recorded only four parables but nineteen miracles were recorded. Eight of those miracles proved Jesus had power over disease (1:31, 41; 2:3-12; 3:1-5; 5:25; 7:32; 8:23; 10:46). Five demonstrated his power over nature (4:39; 6:41, 49; 8:8-9; 11:13-14). Four of his miracles demonstrated his authority over the demons (1:25; 5:1-13; 7:25-30; 9:26). Two miracles demonstrated his power over death (5:42) which included his own resurrection from the dead (16:9; cp. Rom 1:4). In recording the effect Jesus’ miracles had on people amazed (1:27; 2:12; 6:50-51; 10:32); astonished (5:41-42; 7:37) fearing and trembling (5:33); belief (15:39).

           E.        The date of the writing of Mark’s account was most likely between

           F.        Key Verses: Mar 2:8-11; 4:41; 10:43-45; 16:15-16.

           G.        Let’s survey Mark’s account of Christ’s life and learn who was the man named Jesus.

Discussion

I.         A SERVANT’S SERVICE (Mar 1:1 – 10:52).

           A.        Preparation (1:1-14a).

                       1.        Mark opened his account with the announcement of the beginning of the gospel (1:1).

                                   a.        John the Baptist acted as the herald, the forerunner, of him who was to bring the gospel, the good news, to man (1:2-8; Isa 40:7).

                                               (1)       John prepared the way before him who was to come; that is Jesus.

                                               (2)       John was preaching repentance and baptized for the remission of sins.

                                   b.        Mark began almost abruptly, to tell us who is Jesus (1:9-11).

                                               (1)       After having pointed out the Christ, John faded to the background (Joh 3:25-36).

                                                          (a) Each of us needs to realize that Jesus is the one our lives and words must hold up before others and not ourselves.

                                                          (b) Too often people leave the service disgruntled or upset because the service was not focuses on them personally, that is, pay attention to their particular needs.

                                               (2)       Even in the first chapter Mark began to describe Lord’s nature as one who followed God the Father’s word and withstood the devil’s tempting (1:12-13).

                       2.        Jesus started his ministry with preaching

                                   a.        He went into Galilee, “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (1:14-15).

                                   b.        He had a two-fold message:

                                               (1)       "Repent and believe the gospel" (v15)

                                               (2)       "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (v 17).

                                   c.         Contrary to what false teachers may teach, even some in our communities, that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John belong in the New Testament, Mark made it clear, though living under the Old Testament, Jesus did teach of the gospel and kingdom of God.

           B.        Personnel And His Works (1:14b-3:19)

                       1.         Jesus began to choose disciples.

                                   a.        On the Sabbath he took them into a synagogue in Capernaum.

                                   b.        The Jews he taught in the synagogues, “were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes” (1:21-22).

                                   c.         It was there that Jesus performed the first of Mark’s account in healing a man with an unclean spirit (1:23-27).

                                               (1)       The unclean spirit cried out, “Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God” (1:24).

                                               (2)       The people were further amazed with Jesus and his fame spread “throughout all the region round about Galilee” (1:28).

                                   d.        Then “forthwith” or immediately they went to Simon’s house where Jesus healed, “Simon’s wife’s mother” (1:29-31).

                                   e.        There he also healed many others of the city who, “were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils” (1:32-34).

                                               (1)       In casting out the devil’s were told he, “suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him” (1:34).

                                               (2)       The demons knew who Jesus was and the religious leaders of the day, knew him but chose not to acknowledge it. They attributed his power to the devil (3:22).

                                   f.         It was obvious Jesus didn’t work to surround himself with a crowd for his notoriety (1:35-39).

                                               (1)       In the morning, long before day, he went into the wilderness to pray.

                                               (2)       Jesus kept himself in constant communion with the Father, and in dependence upon him.

                                               (3)       His disciple followed him and told everyone was seeking him.

                                               (4)       Jesus told them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth” (1:38-39).

                                               (5)       Mark showed us in Jesus’ ceaseless service that he was a devoted servant.

                                   g.        The second miracle Marked recorded of Jesus was his healing a man of leprosy who told of the miracle everywhere (1:35-45).

                                   h.        In a rapid fire of events, Mark showed us Jesus was not only a doer but a powerful doer.

                                               (1)       The power of Jesus was complete including the mastery of the supernatural, disease, nature, and even the ultimate enemy, death. There are nine distinct miracles chronicled here including: casting out demons, healing diseases and physical handicaps, destroying the hold of habitual sins, forgiving sins, and breaking traditions.

                       2.        In chapter two Jesus was still do powerful works and picking disciples (2:1-17).

                                   a.        While Jesus was in a house people again brought to him the sick (2:1-13).

                                               (1)       When some could not get their sick to him they uncovered the roof and lowered a man with palsy down to Jesus.

                                               (2)       Jesus was taken by their faith and declared to the man with palsy, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (2:5).

                                               (3)       The scribes declared it was blasphemy knowing only God could forgive sins.

                                               (4)       Jesus revealed himself to them saying, “Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (2:7-12).

                                                          (a) It was obvious from the miracle that God had sent Jesus and indeed God had visited them.

                                                          (b) Jesus point was that he works declared whom he was as the Son of God (Joh 10:36-38; 20:30-31).

                                               (5)       When the crowd drew around him Jesus taught them (2:13).

                                   b.        In calling Matthew, a tax collector, an obvious sinner, Jesus was able demonstrate that his mission was to seek the lost and lead them to salvation (2:13-17).

                                   c.         Out of his many disciples Jesus called, eventually he selected twelve (3:13-19).

                       3.        Questions from the “disciples of John and from the Pharisees” (2:18-28).

                       4.        The scribes said Jesus did his works by the power of the devil (3:22-30).

                       5.        Jesus made it clear that those who are his brethren are those which do the will of God (3:31-35; cp. Mat 7:21).

           C.        Mark recorded only a few of the parables and teachings Jesus used in preaching (4:1-34).

                       1.        Parable of the Sower (4:1-20).

                       2.        Letting One’s Light Shine (4:21-29).

                       3.        Parable of the Mustard Seed (4:30-34).

           D.        About the middle of chapter four Mark continued with Jesus’ works (4:35-9:1).

                       1.        Mark filled almost five chapters with non-stop activity that demonstrated Jesus’ power relating seventeen separate events. They ranged from healing the sick, to miraculous provision of food, walking on water, confronting his enemies, to affecting the lives of His followers, such as Peter.

                       2.        A Storm Which Posed A Question (4:35-41).

                                   a.        As a pivotal point in the book the question was raised which people had been asking, "Who is this man?

                                   b.        The scene began with the disciples in a boat, and a storm.

                                   c.         They were in fear of perishing.

                                   d.        It was a horrible storm, and they truly were on the verge of dying.

                                   e.        The disciples ask Jesus, "do You not care that we are perishing?" The obvious answer is of course He cares. But at that moment in that boat, it appeared as if Jesus did not care about their peril.

                                   f.         When Jesus calmed the storm, they asked, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him” (4:41).

                                               (1)       The honest answer, based on the evidence in the scriptures, will lead to faith in Jesus.

                                               (2)       

                       3.        Further Evidence For Who He Is (5:1–8:26).

                                   a.        Mark continued giving quick snapshots like a reporter, of more of the miracles Jesus performed to offer further evidence as to his identity

                                   b.        Power Over Demons ().

                                   c.         Power Over Death - Jarius’ daughter (5:35-43).

                                   d.        Feeding The 5,000 (6:30 ff.).

                                   e.        Walking On Water (6:45ff).

                                   f.         Power Through Space - even people who touch his cloak are healed (6:56).

                                   g.        A Discussion With The Pharisees (7:1-23).

                                   h.        The Greek (Syrophenician) Woman - Daughter Had A Devil (7:24-30).

                                   i.          One That Was Deaf (7:31-37).

                                   j.          Feeding Of The Four Thousand (8:1-9).

                                   k.         Pharisees Sought A Sign (8:10-12).

                       4.        Teaching On The Leaven of the Pharisees And The Leaven of Herod (8:13-21).

                       5.        The Blind Man (8:22-26).

           E.        Preparation For The Disciples And His Death (8:27-10:52).

                       1.        Jesus Questioned The Disciples As To Whom They Thought Him To Be - Peter’s Confession of Christ (8:27-28).

                                   a.        Having shown Jesus’ power, the question is no longer "Who is this man," but "Who do you say he is?"

                                   b.        Mark began to show his readers people who under differing circumstances went to Jesus, wrestling with his identity: Peter, a rich young ruler (10:17 ff.), Bartimaeus (10:46 ff.), the Sannhedrin (14:61-62), and Pilate (15:2)..

                       2.        His Teaching Of His Rejection To Warn His Disciples To Remain Faithful (8:29-36).

                       3.        Mark relates several more of Jesus' sermons, of: divorce, children, eternal life, His own death and resurrection, and the problem of pride (10:1-).

                                   a.        Preaching in Perea (10:1-50).

                                   b.        

Transition: This is the second pivotal point of Mark’s account. From this point forward in Mark’s account, people were seeking to kill Jesus, and Jesus' ministry is more focused on his ultimate purpose, death on a cross (8:31). Luke wrote, “when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luk 9:51).

II.        A SERVANT’S SACRIFICE (11:1-15:47)

           A.        The Triumphal Entry (11:1-11).

                       1.        The people put their garments on a colt on which Jesus sat and as was their custom of honoring kings and other dignitaries, and the people prepared a path for him to travel.

                       2.        They shouted twice, “Hosanna” which means “save us” or “save now.” ^[1]

           B.        The Barren Fig Tree (11:12-14).

                       1.        Jesus pointed out a fig tree which was full of leaves and therefore, promising fruit (fig trees normally produce fruit then leaves).

                       2.        Jesus had probably pointed out the fig tree to point out that Israel like the fruit tree had the promise of fruit but none was produced.

           C.        The Cleansing of the Temple (11:15-18).

                       1.        The result was, “the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him” (11:18).

                       2.        The more Jesus taught, the closer He came to death.

           D.        Answering Questions From Enemies And Warning About The Scribes (12:1-44).

           E.        Discussion Of The Destruction Of Jerusalem And His Second Coming (13:1-37).

           F.        In chapters fourteen through fifteen Mark described a conspiracy against Jesus (14:1–15:47:).

                       1.        Conspiracy against Christ (14).

                                   a.        His Testings (14:1-52)

                                   b.        His Trials (14:53-15:47)

                                               (1)       Before Caiaphas (14:53-65)

                                               (2)       Before Pilate (15:1-15)

                                               (3)       Before People (15:16-47)

                       2.        Case against Christ (15:1-14).

                       3.        Crucifixion of Christ (15:).

Transition: The last three chapters of Mark’s account detailed Christ’s death. Given all the power Marked described up to this point, one might be left asking the question, "Where is all the power now?"

III.       A SERVANT’S SUCCESS (16:1-20)

           A.        He Is Risen (16:1-8)

           B.        He is revealed (16:9-13).

           C.        He is realized. vv.14-18.

           D.        He is reigning (16:19-20)

Sources:

Frank J. Dunn, Know Your Bible, Analysis Of Every Book In The Bible, Firm Foundation Pub. House, Inc., Houston, TX 77269-0912

Rob Whitacre, AN INTRODUCTION AND SURVEY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Conclusion:

Mark presented Jesus as the Servant of the Lord, who though severely persecuted did not denying God’s will but focused on the task with success. Mark challenged the reader to open his eyes and see who Jesus is really. He conquered temptation, the devil’s strength against us, and death, sin’s power over us. In Christ we can also be victorious conquerors.

Sources:

^[1] Jess Whitlock, Jesus Triumphantly Enters Jerusalem, Cleanses The Temple, Studies In Mark, The Twenty-first (2002) Annual Denton Lectures, Valid Publications, Inc., Dub McClish - editor, Pearl Street church of Christ, Denton, Texas 76201

In charity through Christ,
Raymond Wiseman