The Gospel of Mark is based on the firsthand account of Peter, one of the eyewitnesses.
It’s very important to Mark that followers of Jesus tell others about Jesus, so you will notice how often he mentions what people are saying about him.
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This episode was filmed in India where those who follow Jesus are sharing about the One True God to people who believe in many gods much like the Christians in Rome that Mark was writing.
Video:
Mark 1 Notes:
The Gospel of Mark is based on the firsthand account of Peter, one of the eyewitnesses.
Mark’s Gospel is the shortest and it is action packed! Mark skips the geneologies and birth story and covers John the Baptist who really was a big deal and had a big following which prepared the way for Jesus.
He then covers Jesus’ baptism, his temptation in the wilderness, the calling of his disciples, and then several healings.
Mark covers in 1 chapter what Matthew covered in about 8 chapters!
Mark’s work is meant to encourage Gentile Christians throughout Rome, despite being persecuted for their faith. It’s very important to Mark that followers of Jesus tell others about Jesus, so you will notice how often he mentions what people are saying about him.
- Mark refers to Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of God.”
- John the Baptist says about Jesus: “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
- At Jesus’ baptism,there was a miraculous moment when people heard the voice of God say to Jesus: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
- The men asked to follow Jesus did so immediately.
- Those healed told everyone they could.
- The only ones not talking about Jesus were the people who were demonized. Jesus would not let them give up his identity.
Jesus is so popular that “news about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.” an entire town came to see him and even in spite of the crowds “the people still came to him from everywhere.”
Jesus didn’t have social media or journalists traveling with him. The message of Jesus has always traveled through word of mouth.
Who can you talk to about what you are learning about Jesus?
Even if you are still unsure about what you think about Jesus, who is someone with whom you can share?
If you follow Jesus, with whom can you have a spiritual conversation? Asking them about their spiritual journey and sharing about yours?
