15/09/11

The Gospel of the second John (Mark)

Gospel of Mark

Mark whose real name was John was son of Mary a devote woman of God and a relative of Peter. He was considered to being there with others who followed Jesus as being the "young man" but some theologians contest that understanding.

Peter considered Mark as his son and even called him his son. The relation of father and son between Peter and Mark blinded Peter so much that Peter failed to correct him when he made a very serious mistake documenting the Gospel. Even Barnabas had a very close relationship with Mark and was like a mentor for him, even he failed to correct Mark in his mistake and this matter was so grave that it caused sparks to fly in the early Church and caused Paul and Barnabas to come to a disagreement and work as separate ministries.

Mark had done a good job in documenting the Gospel but he did not complete the Gospel and wrote only up to the death of Jesus on the crucifix and the disappearance of His body.

Without the resurrection of Jesus there actually is no Gospel or Good News. Paul who was among the most mature of all the disciples did not stand to compromise on the Gospel; he put his foot down on this matter. Mark left the Gospel at 16:6 which does not confirm Jesus had truly risen. This Gospel was later completed by others.

If one reads the Gospel of Mark it is a short and quick Gospel and thus he used the words 'straightway' or 'at once' very often (19 times). He seems to give a message enough of knowing about Jesus get on with being His disciple and doing His work. Paul was not of that understanding for Paul knew without knowing Jesus no one would succeed in working for the Kingdom of God, leave alone working but even just being a disciple needs one to understand who Jesus is. Thus Paul got Luke to write the Gospel of Luke.

In today's message the Lord is telling us 2 things:

Firstly: Without really knowing Who He is, one will never survive in this world full of deceit. There are spirits working in men and men of the flesh who are always waiting to disconnect us from Christ and pull us from Light unto darkness. We as Christians need to keep studying and thirsting to know more of Jesus. Even today although I write about Him I know in my heart what I know of Him is hardly anything and there is so much to know of Him. Every day He opens new boundaries of understanding of Him.

Secondly: The Lord is telling us not to allow our earthly relationship come in between out carrying of the CROSS. The Lord has given us each a mission and that mission is the most important factor of our lives, more than any person or relation on earth. In actual it is for the people that we do our mission and we should not let the people divert us from the mission the Lord has given us and cause man to be harmed. It is like a small child telling his or father that he or she would not like to go to school and that is good for him or her. The father knows the importance of education therefore would do all necessary to make sure the child goes to school, with kind words or with firmness. Therefore for the people's sake we need to regulate our relationship with them, like Jesus rebuked Peter when Peter overcome with emotional feelings became an instrument in Satan's hands to suggest Jesus not to become the Sacrificial Lamb. We need to remember we are spirit beings living in the flesh and all God's children are our brothers and sisters. In this body we may have more responsibility towards some but we should not let these few harm the remaining. Therefore Jesus said if we are not ready to leave our mothers or fathers, our brothers or sisters we are not worthy to be His disciples.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You are our Creator and God. You became our Father when You sent your only Son to be a sacrifice and redeem us. It was by your Word that only a nearest of kin can redeem a person. Jesus, our Brother paid our price by being our Sacrificial Lamb. Lord, we want to know You more and more and also help us Lord that we overcome our flesh and its restrictions. Help us know our true eternal Family which is in You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Acts 12:12 - And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

Acts 12:25 - And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Acts 15:37 - And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Mark 16:5-12
5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

Acts 15:36-41
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

1 Peter 5:12-15
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Mark 10:29-30
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Mark 8:31-33
31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)