The Gospel of Mark

1. The Gospel of Mark A brief overview

2. Gospel of Mark - General • The Word “Gospel” means Good News of Jesus Christ • Written by John Mark from Peter’s account • It is hard to date but scholars think around AD 63

3. Gospel of Mark – General • First of the Gospel’s written. • Explain why Mark does not appear as the first Gospel. • Shortest of the Gospels. • Style is sharp and to the point.

4. Structure • The beginning 1:1-13 • Jesus’ public ministry 1:14 to 9:50 • From Jerusalem to Galilee 10:1-52 • The Last week in and near Jerusalem 16:9-20 11:1 to 15:47 • The Resurrection 16:1-8 • The Appearances and the ascension 16:9-20. [Issue of the alternate endings. ]

5. Structure of the Gospel of Mark • The beginning of the Gospel (Mark 1:1-13) • Includes the Preaching of John the Baptist and the Baptism and the temptation of Jesus.

6. Mark 1:1-3 • “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God”. (Mark 1:1) • As it was written in the prophet Isaiah, “See I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord and make his path straight.”

7. The Structure of Mark’s Gospel: • Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee (Mark 1:14 to 9:50) • Includes such passages as – The call of the four fishermen; Jesus heals many people; some of Jesus’ preaching; answers to questions about fasting, the Sabbath; Jesus chooses the twelve disciples; various parables; calms the storm; feeding of the 5000; the Transfiguration and Jesus speaking about his death.

8. Structure of Mark’s Gospel • From Galilee to Jerusalem (Mark 10:1-52) • Includes such passages as teaching about divorce, blessing the children, the rich young man; speaking about his death for the third time; the request of James and John and the healing of blind Bartimaeus

9. Structure of Mark’s Gospel • Last week in and near Jerusalem (Mark 11:1 to 15:47)

10. Structure of Mark’s Gospel • The resurrection of our Jesus (Mark 16:1-8)

11. Structure of Mark’s Gospel • The appearances and ascension of Jesus (Mark 16: 9-20)

12. The Gospel of Mark and the changing world • Yes the world is changing; changing very rapidly; but Mark’s Gospel keeps before us that Jesus is the Son of God. • The Gospel is short, sharp and to the point – and I think the ministry of the Church has to have some of these elements. • Sharing the faith with those outside the Church.

13. St. Mark’s Gospel • It is a real treasure - concise and to the point. • There is no padding! • Let us read it in one sitting to get the flavour. Also let us read each section and see how the Gospel builds up. • Let us give thanks for the Gospel and the Gospel of Mark in particular.

14. Messianic Secret • People are often puzzled as to why Jesus heals someone and then tells them to keep quiet. • Another way of expressing is, Jesus supreses his identity. • This is known as the Messianic Secret, first named by William Wrede in 1901. • Some texts

15. Texts – Messianic Secret • This is just a selection: • Cleansing the leper - 1:43-44 • Multitude at the Seaside - 3:12 • Girl restored to life – 5:43 • Curing the deaf man - 7:36 • Curing the blind man - 8:26 • The Transfiguration - 9:9

16. Study Questions - Introduction • Do you like direct comments? Explain • How do you respond to Mark 1:1? • Who prepared you to understand the Scriptures? • What would you have liked to have happened to in helping you to understand the Scriptures?

17. Jesus’ Public Ministry • How does the call of the fishermen inform my understanding of ministry? (Mark 1:14-20) • Jesus healed many people. Jesus brings about healing today. Invite people to share healing and the power of God in their lives. • Jesus chose 12 disciples (Mark 3:13 -19)– the word means learner. In what ways can we continue our growth in faith.

18. Jesus’ public ministry • Jesus performed many miracles. Many people ask today does Jesus still perform miracles. What would you reply and how would the Gospel of Mark inform your answer? • The Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 2-9) not only informs us of the continuity of God in the world but also highlights the responses of the inner three. What does this passage teach us?

19. Galilee to Jersualem • This section contains teaching about divorce; Jesus blessing children; a parable ; Jesus speaking about his death; a request and a healing. • A parable is a story told by Jesus to teach us about God and his Kingdom. What does the parable of the Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-31) say to us in 2011?

20. Galilee to Jersulaem • Mark 10:35-45 has much to say to us about servant ministry. • What does this passage say to us in the Church? • In what ways can this passage be informative to those who are enquiring about the faith? Share your insights.

21. The last week in and around Jersualem • This week involved a physical journey; some teaching – about the fig tree – use of the Temple – our Lord’s authority – parables – questions about tax – our Lord’s second coming – the Lord’s Supper – his arrest and his trial and his death to name a few key passages. • As a group select a passage from chapter 11 and chapter 15 and reflect on it asking yourself what does it say to us and me as we live out our faith in 2011.

22. Chapter 16 • If people are interested in exploring the old and another ending, there is information on the web. • The resurrection is the lynch pin of our faith. • In each of the Gospels, the authors highlight the centrality of the resurrection. • You are invited to note the incidental differences. Draw up a table.