One of my favorite Gospels is the Gospel of Mark. It is the earliest of all the Gospels and is very unique. What is unusual about this Gospel is that it begins with the declaration: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.“ Yet, throughout the Gospel, the identity of Jesus is continually confused by Jesus’ audience and Jesus is very secretive about his identity (1:44; 3:12). As a result, there is much confusion about who Jesus is…
Jesus is accused of being a blasphemer (2:7).
His family believes he is out of his mind (3:21).
The scribes believe he is possessed by Beelzebub (3:22)
The disciples can’t seem to figure out who Jesus is (4:41).
It seems the only ones who know Jesus’ true identity in the Gospel are the demons (3:11).
One of my favorite sections is in chapters 4-5. The disciples are in a storm and beg Jesus to save them at which point he calms the wind and waves. The disciples respond by being terrified of Jesus. He asks them ”Why are you so afraid. Still you have no faith?” He then casts the legion out of demoniac. The crowds respond by being terrified of Jesus and begging him to leave the region. A woman with an issue of bleeding steals a healing from Jesus. When he begins to look for her, she is terrified and confesses everything. He tells her “your faith has made you well.” On his way to heal Jarius’ daughter, they learn the little girl is dead. Jesus responds, “Do not be afraid. Only believe.”
In life, we are confronted with all kinds of terrors. Terrors from nature, terrors from evil, terrors from sickness and terrors from death. Yet Jesus is shown to be far greater than them all. In the face of such terrors, Jesus shows us that not only is his power far more terrifying, but also that we can trust him In the midst of those terrors.
The most likely ending of the Gospel is with an empty tomb and these words: “The women fled the tomb and they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” Why would the Holy Spirit end the gospel in this way? I believe the Gospel is a challenge to all of us. If we really believe, as we claim we do, why are we still afraid? If we really believe, as we claim we do, why do we not share the Good News?
Friends, the power of Jesus is terrifying. In Revelation, John sees the risen Christ and falls on his face like a dead man. Yet, as Christians we ought remember that we have nothing to fear. We need only believe. Our faith in the greatness of our Lord should drive fear from our hearts and embolden us to live lives of boldness and openly declaring the empty tomb.
Jesus is accused of being a blasphemer (2:7).
His family believes he is out of his mind (3:21).
The scribes believe he is possessed by Beelzebub (3:22)
The disciples can’t seem to figure out who Jesus is (4:41).
It seems the only ones who know Jesus’ true identity in the Gospel are the demons (3:11).
One of my favorite sections is in chapters 4-5. The disciples are in a storm and beg Jesus to save them at which point he calms the wind and waves. The disciples respond by being terrified of Jesus. He asks them ”Why are you so afraid. Still you have no faith?” He then casts the legion out of demoniac. The crowds respond by being terrified of Jesus and begging him to leave the region. A woman with an issue of bleeding steals a healing from Jesus. When he begins to look for her, she is terrified and confesses everything. He tells her “your faith has made you well.” On his way to heal Jarius’ daughter, they learn the little girl is dead. Jesus responds, “Do not be afraid. Only believe.”
In life, we are confronted with all kinds of terrors. Terrors from nature, terrors from evil, terrors from sickness and terrors from death. Yet Jesus is shown to be far greater than them all. In the face of such terrors, Jesus shows us that not only is his power far more terrifying, but also that we can trust him In the midst of those terrors.
The most likely ending of the Gospel is with an empty tomb and these words: “The women fled the tomb and they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” Why would the Holy Spirit end the gospel in this way? I believe the Gospel is a challenge to all of us. If we really believe, as we claim we do, why are we still afraid? If we really believe, as we claim we do, why do we not share the Good News?
Friends, the power of Jesus is terrifying. In Revelation, John sees the risen Christ and falls on his face like a dead man. Yet, as Christians we ought remember that we have nothing to fear. We need only believe. Our faith in the greatness of our Lord should drive fear from our hearts and embolden us to live lives of boldness and openly declaring the empty tomb.
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