Mark 1 : 1- 8 (Daily Bread of 12/10/17)

THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL

Key verse 1 :1

Mark enters directly into the description of Jesus’ ministry unlike the authors of the other Gospels. Let's start studying the Gospel from now on. Mark was not one of Jesus’ disciples but he was Apostle Peter's secretary and so he learned the Gospel’s message through him. This is the shortest Gospel and Mark wrote it about 67 A.D. The Gospel according to Mark focuses on the relationship between God and man. Mark wrote this Book for the pagans and so he tried to cite the ancient prophecies as little as possible.

1.     Beginning of the Gospel (1-4)

The Gospel according to Mark focuses on Jesus' ministry and so it talks very little about his birth. Moreover, from the very first page of the Gospel according to Mark,  he proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God. This proclamation is very similar to that of John's but unlike John Mark does not make it a doctrine. Jesus is the Son of God about whom Isaiah prophetised. Isaiah also prophetised the coming of Jesus' predecessor : John the Baptist. John was very humble as he was considered as the voice crying out in the desert. This is as a result of his complete self-denial. John's birth was  marked by his the mission that God gave him. His mission was to prepare the way of the Lord. Opening up the way refers to the act of contrition. When we repent the pathway to God opens up in us and we accept Jesus entirely and as we ought to.

2.     John appeared and started baptising (5-8)

In accordance with Isaiah’s prophecy, John appeared. Luke presented him by referring to his priestly origins whereas Mark barely speaks about this and that's leads us into thinking that he has a divine origin like Melchisedek. John was sent by God in order to prepare the way of the Lord. He therefore baptised many people in the River Jourdan to help them repent of their sins. Many came to him and many believed that he was th Messiah. However, John was so humble. He lived a very simple and humble life as he even went on to say that he was unworthy to lick Jesus' shoes. A man of God is of great value before God when he is humble. When the people confessed their sins and came to be baptised ; God forgave them of their sins.