Introducing Mark

Mark 1:1-13

I. Introducing the Gospel.

A. It is a unique gospel.

1. It is the most translated book of the bible in the world. When translating the Bible into a new language, most translators start with this gospel: It’s the shortest. It introduces all cultures to Christ. Not a Jewish book, but Jewish people can benefit from it.

2. Has things missing that other gospels contain. No genealogy, no nativity, fewer OT references than any other gospel, Sadducees only mentioned once. Missing long teaching discourses of Jesus that other gospels have.

3. It is a very fast moving gospel. Look at verse 10 “straightway” (immediately) this word or one very similar like “immediately, forthwith, anon” occurs over 40 X in the gospel found about that many times in rest of NT. Twelve of the 16 chapters begin with “And”. This keeps the book moving very quickly. So it’s an urgent gospel, moving us quickly through the life of Jesus so we can experience the cross and the resurrection. In chapter 1 alone we have demons cast out 926) a fever healed (31) crowds cured (34) and a leper cleansed (42).

B. It was written by John Mark.

1. The text doesn’t tell us that. Tradition and historical records tell us. Papias bishop of Hieropolis wrote in AD 140 that the Apostle John said that John Mark wrote the gospel. Justin Martyr in AD 150 testified to the same thing and in AD 185 Irenaeus testified that John Mark was the author.

2. John Mark was a family member to Barnabas (Col. 4:10). We see him first in Acts 12:12 at a prayer meeting in his mother’s house. His surname was Mark, Hebrew name was John. he would travel with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5,13). Something happened on that journey and Mark abandoned ship. He left the group and went back to Jerusalem. Later Barnabas wanted him to go on another missionary journey but Paul wouldn’t have it. Paul said “If he goes, I’m not going!” So Paul and Barnabas split up. Mark went with Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41).

3. Mark is truly a picture of restoration. He proved to be a committed man of God, despite his failure. In fact Peter calls him “my son” (1 Peter 5:13). Most believe that Mark received his material for this gospel largely from Peter (Mark not traveling with Jesus). Justin Martyr called Mark “the memoirs of Peter in 150 AD” and Irenaeus in AD 185 called Mark “the disciple and interpreter of Peter”. Peter and Mark would have had something in common. Both of them made a big mistake in following the Lord, both of them were cowards for a moment. But both were restores. We serve a God that can use unfaithful men to proclaim a faithful Savior! At the end of Paul’s ministry even he recognized what God had done in his life, calling Mark “profitable” and asking that Mark come see him while he was in prison (2 Tim. 4:11).

C. It is a beneficial gospel.

1. We will see Christ in all his power. We will witness the awesome power of Christ as He heals the sick, calms the storms, raises the dead, feeds multitudes.

2. We will see Christ in His humanity. A broken heart (1:41), holy anger (3:5), love for children (9:36), he gets tired (4:38), hungry (11:12), spit (7:33), sigh (8:12).

3. Hopefully we will respond in the way the Lord would have us. Look at verse 22, the people were astonished at Jesus. Look at verse 27, they were amazed at Him, look at verse 28, His fame spread. My prayer is that we will all be astonished at the wonderful teachings of Jesus, amazed at the awesome power of Jesus and intent on spreading the fame of Jesus!

II. Introducing the Baptizer.

A. Through prophecy.

1. The Jewish people were waiting on a forerunner. The forerunner would not be the Messiah, but would prepare the way before the Messiah. He would be the Paul Revere shouting “the Savior is coming”. He would be like an appetizer before the meal, or the opening act before the Main event. It would be his job to introduce the Savior.

2. Verse 2 references a prophecy in Malachi 3:1. “Behold I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and The LORD whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple.” He would be preparing the ground for the seed of the gospel, plowing up hearts to receive the good news. Look at verse 1. Johns ministry was ‘the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” John’s coming was like that first drop of rain in Noah’s day. That first drop of rain was proof the Noah’s prophecy was true. John’s existence is proof that all the prophets were right. Verse 2 says ‘As it is written”, Folks if it’s written in the Bible it’s as good as done!

3. Verse 3 references a prophecy in Isaiah 40:3. “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In the ancient east it was common for royalty, as they were traveling to have someone go before their caravan making sure the roads were safe, clear, and announcing to everyone that royalty was approaching. That was what John was doing. John was preparing the way and announcing to all that Christ was coming.

B. Through his parents.

1. John was born to godly parents. Zacharias and Elisabeth had a long and loving marriage but no children. After years of praying for a son, God answered their prayer and Elisabeth was found with child. John was told that this child would be the instrument used in which many people would turn to the Lord their God.

2. He would be a godly son. He would be a Nazarite (Num. 6:2-13). His appearance would be different, His relationships would be different (touch nothing dead), he would never touch a drop of alcohol. From the womb to the tomb he would be completely dedicated to the Lord.

3. He would be like a prophet of old. Luke 1:17 says he would go forth in the power and spirit of Elijah. He would look and live like one of the prophets of old. Look at verse 6. He was clothed in very base and uncomfortable clothing. Look at his diet, he’s eating locusts and wild honey, stuff he can find in the desert. When you look at 2 Kings 1:8 you’ll see that he dressed exactly like Elijah. This isn’t a guy who is trying to make a name for himself.

C. Through his preaching.

1. Great multitudes came to hear the message of John. He was preaching in the wilderness of Judea, he was in an uninhabited area along the Jordan River. It would have been at least 20 miles from Jerusalem and Jerusalem was about 4,000 feet above it. That meant not only was it a long walk, but it was a tough walk to get to him and an even tougher one to come back from. And what was even more amazing is why they were coming. They were coming to be baptized by him. This is important because Jews didn’t get baptized. Judaism had ritualistic cleansing ceremonies in their religion, but nothing like John’s baptism. Baptism was for proselytes turning to Judaism. It was for gentiles. So what these Jews were saying is “I am not in covenant with God. I need to be saved.”

2. The message of John. Matthew 3:7-11 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. But he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Do you know why people were repenting of their sin when John preached? Because he was preaching against sin. Don’t expect the results of John without the preaching of John.

3. The humility of John. Look at verse 7. John shows us how much he values Christ. Now think about this. What did Jesus say about John? He said of those born among women there was none greater than John the Baptist. But what does John say about Jesus? He says “I’m not even worthy to take His sandals off for Him.” Imagine if you saw someone that followed another person around only to tie that persons shoes for them when they needed it. You’d think “Why in the world is that person doing that?” It would seem strange to you. Well John says he is not even worthy to do that for Jesus. Don’t miss this. It not only shows that John knew he was a sinner and unworthy of the Lord. But it shows the incredible worth of the Lord in the eyes of John. When John saw the worth of the Lord he said I’m not worthy to handle His shoes, much less His Word! John says in verse 7-8 “He is mightier than me, He is more worthy than me, His baptism is greater than mine! He should stand and I should stoop!

III. Introducing Jesus.

A. His baptism.

1. It was an amazing event. As John baptized in the Jordan, among all of the lost sheep of Israel, pressing through the crowds came the Shepherd. The ironic thing was that the Shepherd was also the Lamb of God. John saw Him coming and said “I can’t baptize you, you need to baptize me!” Jesus said “You can and you will!” This wasn’t an ordinary baptism. When Jesus came up the heavens split open, the Holy Spirit of God descended upon Him and the Father spoke from heaven “Thou art My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” That didn’t happen at anyone else’s baptism!

2. His baptism had special significance. He wasn’t repenting of sin, so we might wonder “Why?” In order to be identified as our High Priest. In the OT we see three things in the process of becoming a priest. 1. He had to be 30 years old (Numbers 4:3) 2. He had to be washed in water (Lev. 8:6). 3. He had to be anointed with oil (Lev. 8:12, Ex. 29:7). Luke said that Jesus was thirty (Luke 3:23). Jesus baptism represented the washing with water and the Holy Spirit anointed Him. In order to identify with sinners. Jesus was not a sinner, but He experienced what the sinners were experiencing in baptism. This foreshadows what Christ would do for us on the cross. Jesus never sinned but 2 Cor. 5:21 says that he was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him. In other words, the Father treated Jesus like a sinner. The Father punished Jesus for our sins. Jesus would die a sinners death even though he was without sin. In order to publicly proclaim His Messiahship. He is announcing to everyone “Your High priest has come, your Sacrifice has come!

B. His temptation.

1. The temptation of Jesus was a Divine necessity. Look at verse 12. The Spirit of God drove Jesus into the wilderness. This was part of the Father’s plan. There are a few reasons we could get into for this. But let’s think of one. For forty days Jesus went without food and was tempted to go outside of the Father’s will. He didn’t. He never sinned. Hebrews 4:15 says “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” We have a sympathetic High priest in Jesus because he endured temptation. He knows what it’s like to battle the world the flesh and the devil!

2. Jesus victory over Satan in the wilderness proves to us that He is no mere man. I think it symbolizes the 40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness failing test after test. Complaining about their food and their surroundings, giving in to temptation over and over again. Jesus at His weakest is more powerful than man at his strongest. No one could have endured the temptation Jesus endured, not simply for these 40 days but for all of His 33 years!

3. If Jesus had given into sin salvation would not be possible. Satan couldn’t get Jesus to sin when he was hungry, when He was frustrated, when he was in pain, when He was imprisoned for a crime He didn’t commit, when He was beaten, when he was tortured, when He was killed! thank God for a sinless Savior who conquered the works of the devil!

C. His gospel.

1. There is a lot to learn about Jesus. We will learn about Him as we study Mark. But look back at verse 1. See that little word “gospel”? That’s what it’s all about. It’s the good news. Mark’s gospel calls him Jesus Christ the Son of God, the prophet Isaiah calls him “the Lord” (3), John calls Him “mightier and more worthy than the greatest man” (7) and the Father calls Him “My beloved Son” (11). So much we could say about Jesus, so much to learn. But don’t be overwhelmed. Just begin with the simplicity of the gospel.

2. If you could see how good the good news is you’d love Jesus like never before. It’s good news because I was dead-alive, going to hell-now heaven, sinner-saint, covered in ungodliness- robed in righteousness.

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises One day when sin was as black as could be

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin Dwelt among men, my example is He

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain One day they nailed Him to die on a tree

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer One day the stone rolled away from the door

Then He arose, over death He had conquered Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him From rising again

Living, He loved me

Dying, He saved me

Buried, He carried my sins far away

Rising, He justified freely forever

One day He’s coming

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day