Mark
by Paul D. Fisher
Mark was written with the Roman reader in mind. It brings the gospel of
Jesus Christ in small, powerful bits. It also pointed out that although
Jesus was, and is, the Son of God, that He also suffered many things
while doing His Father’s will. Two words found in Mark seem to stress
to the reader that Jesus was moving always toward some unseen goal. These
two words are “straightway, immediately” and “anon” they are used in
Mark’s sixteen short chapters forty-two times. Mark pointed out the
power of Jesus in a series of demonstrations of His authority. The miracle
of the man sick with palsy, which stands at the end of a list of healings,
illustrated Jesus’ power to forgive sins. Mark used two events to point
out Jesus’ Lordship over the Sabbath, with the picking of grain and the
healing of the man with the withered hand. Mark used several examples of
Jesus’ authority over demons to show His power over even the unseen world.
The quieting of the storm on the Sea of Galilee demonstrated His authority
over nature and the raising of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus’ authority over
even death. Mark also recorded personal reaction to Jesus and His message
with such
words as they were “amazed, afraid, puzzled, astonished and hostile”.
What word would you use?
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