St. Mark - session 1
Level 1
Let's take a look at the book of Mark. I usually ask students to start with Mark, because it only has 16 chapters. His information came from Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples. Some of this account came from "Q" (which might have been from Peter originally).
We figure Mark knew Jesus. This is because he mentions himself in the account of the capture of Jesus.
Some believe that it was in Mark's mother's house that the "Last Supper" was held. Mark would have been about twelve years old and could have served the supper for his mother. Ah, but we are getting ahead of ourselves!
Mark seemed to write this as if Peter wanted him to dive in "head first". It seems to me as if Peter said to Mark,
We figure Mark knew Jesus. This is because he mentions himself in the account of the capture of Jesus.
Some believe that it was in Mark's mother's house that the "Last Supper" was held. Mark would have been about twelve years old and could have served the supper for his mother. Ah, but we are getting ahead of ourselves!
Mark seemed to write this as if Peter wanted him to dive in "head first". It seems to me as if Peter said to Mark,
At first, this man called Jesus was quite remarkable. Yet, as time went by, we realized just who He was. Now, we want the whole world to know. He was sent by His Father in Heaven, and brought to us the Good News!
The book of Mark begins with words from a well respected prophet, by the name of Isaiah, found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 3. (As a student, you will recognize that reference as: Is.40:3). Isaiah predicted that God would send a messenger to "prepare the way of the Lord". Not only did this messenger, by the name of John, baptize many people, he baptized Jesus Himself, who humbly submitted to this. John said that he baptized with water (a cleansing of sin), but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus came out of the water, the Spirit descended on Him like a dove. All those nearby heard God's voice, saying,
This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mk.1:11)
Level 2
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/6/8/26685224/9887056.jpg?430)
Somehow, it seems better to read Mark before you tackle Matthew and Luke. Later, when you read them you realize that they develop some of the account in a deeper way. Yet, you will be familiar with "the facts" so you can concentrate on more of God's Truth. Mark skims over the three temptations of Jesus as He meditated in the desert.
Think carefully about these temptations. We can list them as "the World, the Flesh and the Devil":
As we meditate on these phrases, we can do some creative thinking about our own lives (this is developed further in Matthew, chapter four, and Luke, chapter four).
Mark describes many of the healings attributed to Jesus. He was surrounded by thousands who wanted healing. Mark let us know that Jesus needed time to be alone, to talk to His Father, and to meditate on what was happening. Jesus said to Peter,
Think carefully about these temptations. We can list them as "the World, the Flesh and the Devil":
- the "flesh" meaning the hunger, or lust, to satisfy the body
- The "world" meaning worldly fame and fortune, misusing God's power
- the "devil" meaning the turning over of one's self-control to evil
As we meditate on these phrases, we can do some creative thinking about our own lives (this is developed further in Matthew, chapter four, and Luke, chapter four).
Mark describes many of the healings attributed to Jesus. He was surrounded by thousands who wanted healing. Mark let us know that Jesus needed time to be alone, to talk to His Father, and to meditate on what was happening. Jesus said to Peter,
Let us go somewhere else, so I can preach in other places. That is why I have come. (Mk.1:35)
Miracles and healings were signs that He was sent from God, the Father. As I read this book, I gathered that those who wanted physical healing, but not Spiritual, Christ-filled healing of the soul, would "miss the boat", or at least, miss the purpose for which Jesus came.