Exegesis and Actualization on the Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 - Essay Example

Exegesis and Actualization on the Gospel of Mark Chapter verses 8 The Gospel according to Mark is generally portraying a vivid picture of Christ’s earthly mission. However, what makes Mark’s account crucial is the first verse, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” This implies an accumulation of gospel accounts as to say there is a “beginning of the gospel.” In this paper, I would resolve that the first verse provides the premise for understanding the coming of John the Baptist preparing the way of the Lord. Significantly, it affects the eschatological tone of the passage. Therefore, the plain meaning of Mark 1:1-8 is appealing to the continuity of God’s work from the Old Testament to gather the true people of God not by religious rites but by personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The mass of evangelical scholars agree about the priority of Mark’s Gospel among other gospels. Morna Hooker stated that, “The relationship between the three gospels is so close as to suggest that two of the evangelists must have copied this parallel material.”1 In that case Mark possesses material that Matthew and Luke have copied. Without hesitation, the book was written in Rome. Based on the accounts of Clement of Alexandria, Mark wrote the gospel in Rome and furthermore affirmed by Irenaeus.”2 The majority of the old and contemporary scholars believed that Mark was written sometime before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in AD 70. It is presumable that Mark 13 paved the way for a massive persecution in the early days of Christianity that lead to its destruction. On the other hand, some say it could have been written right after the temple destruction.3 The political situation at the time of writing expresses revolts against Neronian persecution. Thus, John’s clothing and diet reveal this identity.4 He tried to hide himself for such a time. This implies that there is a power struggle in the politics as well as persecution in the church. Therefore, “preparing the way of the Lord” became more significant. This definitely affected the perspective generated by the Disciples anticipating to have the future glory manifestation in the present state. They could have been waiting for national liberty that Christ may bring. However, the Disciples misunderstood the concept of the purposeful mission of Christ. Hooker further explained: “A very different explanation suggests that the Markan community, like the Corinthian church, was ignoring the message of the Cross altogether, and interpreting the Christian life (as do James and John in Mark 10:35-45) in terms of glory and honour; they emphasized the nearness of the End and forgot the distress and persecution must come first. In such circumstances, Mark felt it necessary to tell the story of Jesus’ suffering at some length, and to emphasize that those who wished to be his disciples must be prepared to follow him along the way of rejection and shame.”5 The Markan literary style is more of a narrative. It has a genre that best portrays the vivid picture of the life of Christ in a sequential revelation. Though some say it’s just a collection of different gospel accounts, Hooker further stated that, “Mark’s central concern is with the identity of Jesus, although this is deliberately concealed throughout his ministry.”6 Thus, his telling the story of Christ was very relevant at the time of writing for it paralleled between political circumstances and the coming of Christ. On the other hand, Craig Evans stated that Mark’s usage of his material reflected a direct challenge to the Caesars.7 The compelling message that Christ is much worthy of allegiance rather than the Caesars is the epitome of Markan account. Let us begin with the first verse stating that, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,” which was followed by the scripture from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. Its original context is way back to the wilderness where in the Israelites he received a word that announces the coming of God himself in salvation and judgment.”8 So the word “beginning” connotes a suspended activity in the past and it is continuing in effect till its present time. John was blessed among the prophets for he was the only one who lived and bridged in the gap of the old and new wineskin. He was able to witness the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of Messiah. In comparison with the Disciples of Jesus during those days, they did not see the way by which John the Baptist saw it. This is significant reason for the varying doubts of the Disciples. They thought that Jesus would be just an all-mighty political leader of the ancient world that will and only cares to bring political freedom. They have mistaken this fact, as Lamar Williamson furthermore stated that by saying [that]: “…Disciples fail to understand the teaching of Jesus (4:10-13), although he repeatedly gives them private instructions (4:34; 7:17-19). Their misunderstanding becomes increasingly evident in their response to his mighty works (4:41; 5:31; 6:52; 8:4) and is summarized in Jesus’ word to them at the end of Galilean ministry, ‘Do you not yet understand?”9 (8:21). P14 Lamar Thus the phrase “preparing the way of the Lord” is not just meant for the none-believing Jews, rather it is also for the disciples who should be the first ones to understand the kingdom that Christ brings. The picturesque of Christ coming from the old, as an ancient of days, is now marching on to the present to establish the era of new covenant wherein the works of Christ supersedes all religious rites. Lamar also stated that, “The major emphases of this unit (Mark 1:1-8)- expectancy, repentance, and the coming one offer points of contact for faith today to anyone willing to look beyond shepherds, angels, wisemen, and a manger.”10 Furthermore, Lamar stated, “The major emphasis in verses 6-8, however, is neither on the place nor on the prophet, but on the Lord whose way John prepares, on the one who is coming.”11 In line with John’s preparation of Christ’s way, he preaches repentance. Hooker stated, “…in popular usage it often has a sense of regret for what is past, it is generally used in a more positive way in the New Testament, implying a deliberate turning, or conversion to God.”12 The call to repentance is very strong: because this was referring to the change of mind first to the religious leaders who later opposes the gospel of Christ. Considering the time of the writing of Mark, it adds to the weight of Jewish persecution. To sum it up, the passage is expressing a message of high importance and urgency. John said,” "After me comes he who is Mightier than I,” (RSV). It overweighs the political struggle, the risk of being punished because the one who is coming is mightier than any Caesars. “The term ‘Mightier’ in the Old Testament could refer to God as the one who will bring judgment himself.”13 Indeed, it is God in Christ who will come. The unfastening of sandals conveys a message of humility. It is a common knowledge that in the ancient culture, it is the kind of work that is exclusively for the slaves. Hooker stated, “The action of unfastening sandals was regarded by the Jews as the most menial of all task performed by a slave. It is said in Talmud that a disciple must do for his teacher everything that a slave will do for his master, except this one act (B. Kethuboth).”14 The statement of John, “I am not worthy to untie His sandals,” implies his superfluous regard not to a human but to a deity-God. The eschatological premise makes John bold enough to herald repentance and baptism. John’s preaching of baptism is not centered on the Judaistic religious rites. Hooker furthermore alluded that, “The stress which he laid on baptism indicates that he regarded it as the essential sign of new life to which he was summoning nation; through repentance and baptism, men and women were forgiven and made members of the real people of God which John expected.”15 In the foretelling of the coming of Christ, foretold in Isaiah and Malachi, John is preparing for ushers in the new covenant that caters to the ethnos. Pursuing our passage to verse 9-10 will show the Father’s public recognition of Jesus Christ and the ascending of the Holy Spirit. The triune God appears affirming and verifying Christ mission. As Mark caters to the Jewish majority, the witnesses of the Father and Holy Spirit are very much essential to authenticate the truth of one’s testimony. The coming of Christ is not only confirmed by a prophet, moreover, it was ushered in by God Himself. The meaning is plain. The passage is for us to believe that Jesus is the son of God that was foretold from the old. It is the continuing act of God through new covenant in Christ which operates through faith which knows neither cultural barriers nor diversities. As an example in Mark 7:24-30, the calling is for the Jews - but a Gentile woman comes in because of her faith. At the end of the story, the Gentile centurion was the one who acknowledged Jesus as Son of God.16 This only adheres to the universality of God’s calling. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ is now, therefore, having its eschatological revelation of what God has done in the past and what He intends to do in the present. In our time, “who prepares the way of the Lord”? is the question that should be addressed. As John the Baptist knew the gap he is bridging, the ministers of the present time should learn the forms of gap to bridge in. I would suggest three areas that we need to bridge it in. First is the move of God in every generations and denominations. Whether Evangelical or Pentecostal, God is actively at work. It is important to determine the distinct manifestation of God’s hand in every part of the body- the church. It is, therefore, time to appreciate our own distinct theological persuasions and heritage that complements and balances other Christian circles of belief. Otherwise, we’ll be likened to Pharisees and Sadducees kicking against the goads because we failed to recognize the move of God in diversity. Second comes the faithfulness of handling of God’s Word. As a minister, the allegiance to God’s Word calls for the task of exegesis. The plain words of God should be the sole basis of our conviction and practices, nothing more, nothing less. The biblical truths supersede customs and traditions. As we are confronted with different forms of syncretism, skilled handling of God’s word is of urgency. Third is the challenge for us to be catalysts of change; since the meaning of repentance is a change of mind, the struggle goes on as we face the deteriorating and unchanging world system. The challenge that we should anticipate is the resistance and opposition as John did in his days, which, in his steps, so we should do. John’s message appears to have been based on the conviction that the time was short, and that the day of the Lord was at hand; in this situation he called on men and women to repent and join themselves to the remnant of Israel.17 It is now the call for us to stand to what we believe to be the truth though we may suffer consequences. Sermon Outline Title: Preparing for Christ Text; Mark 1:1-8 Introduction: If Christ would visit your town how would you prepare? If Christ would visit your house what would you offer? Proposition: This sermon aims to scrutinize the way we conduct our lives and faith in the midst moral deteriorating society in the light of the gospel of Christ. I believe God is looking for individuals whom he can use as a vessel for his purpose. I would like to give three helpful descriptions of preparing the soul for the acceptance of Christ. First: Preparing for Christ is An Ancient Call. V.1 1. It as call from the past and it is a call for the present. God never changed His plans for saving and gathering His people to Himself. It is a call that will continue until His second coming. 2. The call has an urgency, it calls for repentance and bold identification with Christ through water baptism. Second: Preparing for Christ requires total submission.vv.2-6 1. Christ does not Care with superficial profession of submission. He wants surrendered life unto Him. 2. Submission to God requires willingness to change; a decision to make. Third: Preparing for Christ is committing to His word. vv.7-8 1. John knew that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy foretelling His coming. Therefore he stood for it. 2. John knew what to preach. The real authority comes from God’s Word. It has the power to change lives. Thinking the beginning as the end will make us think that the end is the beginning. The Markan accounts intelligently weave the eschatological influence behind, “The beginning of the gospel”, thus, ends to what it started. It is the assurance we have that God will always put into completion what he started. His plans for me are certain, I will be rest assured that it will come to pass. Resting our faith Jesus will bring us close into properly correct correspondence with God’s Ruler-ship and what He designates from us and of our lives. Bibliography Donahue, John R. “Mark.” HarperCollins Bible Commentary, ed. James L. Mays. San Francisco, HarperCollins, 1988, 2000. Evans, Craig A. “Mark.” Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible, ed. James D. G. Dunn and John W. Rogerson. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2003. Hooker, Morna D. The Gospel According to Saint Mark.Peabody, MS: Hendrickson Publishers, 1991. Williamson, Lamar. “Mark,” Interpretation.Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1983. Minor, Mitzi. “Mark, Gospel of.” New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. Edited by Katherine Doob Sakenfield, et al. Nashville, TN:Abingdon. 2006 Read More