The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1
Mark’s introduction is short as he tells us exactly what we need to know. We are at the beginning of what is simply called “the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
That word “gospel” gets tossed around a lot lately, but what does it mean? Well, the word itself is a translation of the Greek εὐαγγέλιον (prn. yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on) and means “a good message,” according to Strong’s lexicon. (You may also note that it is where we get our root word “evangel” and the derivatives “evangelism” and “evangelist.”
The gospel may be presented briefly — the gospel was preached to Abraham in the promise that through him, all nations would be blessed (Galatians 3:8) — or it may be presented at length, as Mark is setting out to do for us.
It cannot be overemphasized that, as you read Mark, you are reading “a good message.”
More than that, though, is that it is the good message “of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” This is not “the Gospel of Mark” as so many label it. It is not the gospel of any particular church, denomination, televangelist, or publisher.
Mark may be writing these words, but he acknowledges from the outset that the message — the gospel — is that of Jesus’.
Not Jesus the Simply-a-Good Teacher, Jesus Just-the-Carpenter’s Son, Jesus the Legendary Hero of Early Church, or Jesus the Husband of Mary of Magdala.
The gospel is Jesus the Son of God’s.
This message is divine. It is superior to all other messages of mere men and is worthy of all acceptation.
God’s Son has a good message for us. Mark 1:1 is its beginning.
In less than two weeks, Alicia & I will be hosting our first home Bible study as a ministry of our church, Christ Presbyterian Church. During the study, I will be teaching lessons prepared by our pastor on the subject of the Gospel According to Mark.
Not only is a good message, but it is the Son of God’s message. And I’m to bring that message out for our guests.
I can’t fathom how unworthy Mark must have felt as he penned the gospel which bears his name. I know what I’m feeling.
Uncertainty that I’ll communicate effectively | But Lord, You have shown that even a donkey can get your message out.
Anxiety that I’ll botch up the lesson | But Lord, You are able to purify and make use of even the basest of vessels.
Humility that I’m entrusted with such a task | But Lord, this is precisely what You ask of us, for us to realize that without You, we are nothing… for us to realize that humility is not a weakness as is so often presented but is rather a virtue of eternal benefit.
I will likely be posting semi-regularly on the subject of Mark over the next, well, several months until the study series is concluded. I hope that it will be a benefit to you all as I’m praying it will be for our guests in twelve days.
All scriptural verses are quoted from the New King James Version.