Jesus in Mark
Throughout the history of Christianity Jesus' true identity has been constantly disputed. Each of the four gospels: Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, portray Jesus' identity with a variety of approaches that can be interpreted differently. For many years Mark's Gospel was the least studied of the four gospels. However, I think that his gospel gives the most accurate portrayal of who Jesus really is. Mark addresses the question 'Who is Jesus' many times throughout his book. It is initially asked in the first exorcism story 1:21-28, it is asked after the storm on the lake 4:41, and it is asked of the disciples in Caesarea Philippi, 'Who do you say that I am?' 8:29. We can begin to answer this question by examining scripture at a variety of levels. This will help us discover the true portrait that Mark intended to give Jesus. The Gospel of Mark is one of four gospels in the Holy Bible and is the second book in chronological order presented in the New Testament. Although Mark wrote the book, the facts contained in it are thought to be the accounts of Peter, one of Jesus' disciples. The book of Mark was written between 65 and 70 A.D probably somewhere in Italy, (Mark RG 331). This book has 16 chapters and is the shortest book
Jesus uses this title in many ways that suggest divinity. Caiaphas asked Him 'Are you the Messiah', Jesus replies, 'I am', 14:62. He claimed that Mark made up this Messianic secret and that it was not what Jesus originally said. It clearly establishes that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Son of David, a human, a teacher, and a healer. In the parable of the tenants, 12:6, He is the beloved Son sent by the Father. He is called 'rabbi' by His own disciple's 4:38; by those who wanted help 5:35; 9:17; by Peter himself 9:5; 11:21; and even by Judas as he kisses him 14:45. Jesus is also portrayed as the 'Son of Man'. As I have sought to develop my own personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the names Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man, and teacher have expanded to include Heavenly Father, Saviour, Almighty One, Prince of Peace and so on. The opening passage of the gospel says that He is 'The Son of God', although in the Catholic Bible it is in brackets. There is one theme that really surprises and challenges me about Mark's Gospel. In the first section of the gospel right up until 8:27 there are many passages when Jesus commands people to keep His identity a secret, 1:34, 43-45; 3:12; 4:10-13, 4:34; 7:24; 8:30. Our portrayal of Jesus is important, but what really matters is that no power can overcome Him. If Jesus had addressed himself as the Messiah openly he would have been misunderstood to an even larger extent than he already was. The only people that called Jesus 'Christ' or 'Messiah' was the disciples and even they did not truly understand the meaning, (8:32). However, the details of the events of Jesus' life in this book are consistent with the other three gospels.
Common topics in this essay:
Mark's Gospel,
Mark Messianic,
Messiah Christ,
Son David,
Daniel Testament,
Mark RG,
Holy Spirit,
Man' Jesus',
Jesus Christ',
Son God,
mark's gospel,
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jesus human,
understanding jesus,
perception jesus,
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son god son,
question 'who jesus',
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Acceptance Essays
