Advent Series: The News is Good
Mark 1: v 1-8
Like the other Gospels, the Gospel of Mark does not identify its author. Many scholars believe it to be John Mark, son of a woman named Mary, in whose house the early Christians gathered (Acts 12.12). There is no 100% proof of authorship, but the weight of evidence rests firmly in his favour. As with the author, no definitive date is given but a combination of external and internal data appears to point to a date between the great fire in Rome (AD64) and the siege and destruction of Jerusalem (AD70). As regards who the Gospel was primarily written to, it would appear to be Greek readers whose main frame of reference was the Roman Empire. Their native tongue would have been Latin and for whom the land and Jewish ethos of Jesus were unfamiliar. Possibly composed in Rome.
READ Mark 1: v 1-8
“The beginning of the gospel …” makes an obvious link with the creation story (Genesis 1.1). God is making a new start in that it is a great step forward, but not new in leaving everything else behind. Something new and exciting has happened!
The original meaning of the word “gospel” = good news about something which was to change history, e.g. the birth of Augustus who became Roman Emperor, or announcement of a victory in battle.
Q. How would you answer someone who asked you the question: How is the Gospel ‘good news’?
Q. Why do you think Mark, writing to a non-Jewish reader, included an ancient Jewish prophecy (verses 2-3)?
Put together a picture of what you know about John the Baptist’s early ministry (see also Matthew 3.1-12; Luke 3. 1-20; John 1.19-28)
Q. Is there any significance that John’s ministry began “in the desert region” (4)?
Q. Why do you think John called for people to be baptized – something Jews did not practice?
“There are times when cultures, societies or nations seem to turn away from God, and the situation deteriorates steadily or dramatically.” (Donald English) Do you think this is such a time in our own nation? And if so, what should be the role of the church at this time?
Q. Looking at verses 6-8, what do you think is John’s aim?
PRAYER
We are entering a very busy period for our church with lots of services and activities leading up to Christmas. Pray that the “good news of the Gospel” may be clearly presented in ways which are accessible to the many people who are not regular church members; pray for all those preparing and taking part in these services; pray that for all of us this season of Advent leading to Christmas will be bring renewal and refreshment to our spiritual lives.
At the time of writing, the full programme has not been published so try to take time to discover just what is happening.
Further notes to aid discussion
How would you answer someone who asked you the question: How is the Gospel ‘good news’?
It is the in-breaking of God’s kingly rule, something which has significance for the whole world. It is about Jesus Christ – both the message he preached and the person he was. “The messenger is also the message”.
JESUS was a common Jewish name until the 2nd century – by which time Jews wanted to avoid connection with Jesus. The name = “Yahweh is salvation”, something Matthew’s Gospel drew attention to (Matthew 1.21).
CHRIST = “the anointed one “ or “the Messiah”, the one for whom Jews had waited for many years, especially in times of oppression (as under the rule of the Roman Empire).
SON OF GOD. Not in all manuscripts as many feel such high Christology may have been added later. However we can reasonably say that for Mark, Jesus was uniquely the Son of God. There is a view among some scholars that “God’s son” at that time was a title for the Messiah.
So this “good news” is about God being committed to human affairs – God with us at all times. Mark does not try to ‘prove’ Jesus’ divine origin, it is presented on a “take it or leave it” basis. And this good news is a challenge to us all – we need to repent and believe.
Why do you think Mark, writing to a non-Jewish reader, included an ancient Jewish prophecy (verses 2-3)?
This quotation is actually from three sources – Malachi 3.1, Exodus 23.20 and Isaiah 40.3. Scholars love to debate why this is so. But the key point is that Mark wants us to know that John the Baptist is part of God’s preparation for the coming of Jesus, the anointed one. After many years of waiting, the hoped for day has come.
It is too easy to simply rush over these verses to get to the main story and so miss the significance of this long wait for the Messiah – and the need for PATIENCE. Only God knows the time, place and circumstances of our lives. When we pray, God often says “wait” and even “no”, not because he does not love us, but because the timing is not right. “We do well to cultivate the Christian quality of patience, over against the constant pressure for success, results and fulfilment.” (Donald English)
Is there any significance that John’s ministry began “in the desert region” (4)?
This area was a boundary between east and west and the Romans watched this with great care. It also had historical importance: Lot chose the Plain of Jordan (Genesis 13); Jacob crossed the Jordan on his way to meet Esau (Genesis 33); Joshua led then people of Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Land (Joshua); Elijah and Elisha ministered here; and the people of Israel had wandered in this area for 40 years. Some at that time believed the Messiah would make his appearance in the desert – what could be a better place that here where past memories and future hopes met?
Why do you think John called for people to be baptized – something Jews did not practice?
Jews had practiced ritual washing since their time in the wilderness as a means of preserving sanitation and health. Proselytes (those joining the Jewish faith from outside the race) were baptized. What was surprising was John’s call for Jews themselves to be baptized – so making the point that their very religion was a key hindrance to the coming of the Messiah.
It was a baptism of REPENTANCE = to return or turn back. The prophets regularly called for this, a total commitment to serving God, doing his will and living as his people. And if we look at the picture from the 4 Gospels then John’s message really hit home. Sadly many of those who made that initial response were unwilling to accept that Jesus was the Messiah, the anointed one. They were not ready to follow Jesus along the path of self-giving love (which resulted in his death) – am I/you?
Looking at verses 6-8, what do you think is John’s aim?
The way John dressed takes us back to our images of prophets like Elijah (2 Kings 1.8). But John sees himself as a servant willing to tie his master’s sandals – something considered unreasonable to any Jew. He wants to make it clear that Jesus is not just another prophet, but the fulfilment of all Jewish dreams and visions.
The fulfilment of John’s baptism promise (baptism in the Holy Spirit through Jesus) seems to have been fulfilled historically on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Here was the assurance that those who have faith in Christ receive the Holy Spirit. John’s ministry was limited as he faithfully played his part in God’s greater plans.
How prepared am I/you to find fulfilment in being in the place God wants us to be? Together we form the body of Christ (Romans 12.5). Am I/you playing your role in Ashtead church at this time?