A contrasting view of Jesus

Read Mark 1.

Something that becomes immediately apparent in reading just this first chapter is how quickly it moves.  Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels.  And, besides the obvious inspiration of the Holy Spirit, there seems to be a logical reason as well.

Mark contrasts the book of Matthew.  Matthew presents Jesus as the King of Jews.  The first item of business for one who would be king is to establish the right to throne.  Matthew begins with Jesus' royal lineage.  The second item for a king is to establish his authority.  Throughout Matthew's account right to the very last verses, Jesus proves and declares He has "all authority in heaven and on earth."

Mark on the other hand, presents Jesus as the Servant.  Credentials and position are not criteria for one who humbly serves.  Effective action is.  Therefore, Mark skips the birth of Christ and jumps straight to His public appearance.  In a single chapter, we read of Jesus' baptism, temptations, preaching and healing ministry.  It took Matthew seven chapters to relate those same subjects.

This is a quick moving presentation of the life of Christ.  The word translated "immediately" (or a similarly) appears no less than thirty-six times in these sixteen chapters; nine times in chapter one.  The Servant is in a hurry to meet the real needs of people.  A good servant understands, identifies and anticipates the needs of others.

1. Jesus publicly identified with other believers. (vv.9-11)
Baptism is that public identification with God's people.  "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)

2. Jesus understands human temptation. (vv.12-13)
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

3. Jesus offers good news to a condemned human race. (vv.14-15)
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36)

4. Jesus has all power to meet our needs. (vv.21-45)
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The hallmark statement of Jesus in Mark's gospel is found in 10:45.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

This same humble attitude of service is the privilege of all those who follow Christ.  "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:5-7)