Understanding Mark

The Gospel of Mark is both the oldest and the shortest of the four Gospels, and its story boasts an action-focused, forward movement unparalleled by other books in the Bible. Mark uses the word "immediately" dozens of times, for example, pressing his readers towards the cross and resurrection, and reminding us that Jesus' time on earth is brief and oh-so critical.

In multiple consecutive chapters in Mark, Jesus explains to his disciples the importance of his sacrifice as he prepares them for lives of service. And in multiple consecutive chapters in Mark, Jesus' disciples struggle to understand what Jesus is saying to them. While their disbelief often strikes us as circular and even amusing, the message is clear: We, too, struggle to live into the truth of Jesus' sacrifice, and we, too, often turn a deaf ear when we prefer to hold to our own narrative.

According to writer and theologian R. C. Sproul, Mark is one of the most overlooked and underappreciated books of the Bible: "Tucked away between the longer and more detailed Synoptic Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and lacking the rhetorical flair of John's account, Mark is rarely cited first when preachers and theologians look to bolster their arguments from the accounts of Jesus' life and ministry."

But "we need to get to know this little book," Sproul continues: "Mark takes pains to show that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God in the flesh. ... Mark actually seems to downplay Jesus' teaching in order to focus on the power and authority with which He carried out His ministry, demonstrating again and again that He was like no other man. This is a perspective we dare not neglect."

As we enter 2024 hopeful that our eyes will be opened to the truth of who our Creator was and is, let us discover together the wisdom found in the second book of the New Testament. Whether the Gospel of Mark is a familiar journey for you or a new book to explore, we look forward to pondering together the complexity and simplicity of who Christ is -- both in Scripture and in the messiness of our daily lives.

Blessings on your week,

Jennie