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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1992)
Page 8...The Portland Observer...February 26, 1992 Portland Observer ■■■— RELIGION Insight on the Word: The Beginning of the Good News: The Gospel of Mark BY MICHAEL LINDSEY, Dean of North Portland Bible College The Bible text fo r next week’s Sun day School lesson in March 1:1-15. Beginning with this lesson, our Sunday Schools will be studying through eight weeks on the Gospel ac cording to Mark. Naturally we will only be hitting the high points of the book, but I believe the eight texts chosen by the International Committee do give an accurate summary of the whole book, and help us grasp its contents. Most importandy, these lessons remind us of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, culminating in his death and resurrection, which we will be studying around Resurrection Sunday (“Easter”). So this is a perfect time to recall some basic information about the Gos pel of Mark; things that will help us understand more about the work of Jesus Christ, ,and appreciate this Gos pel all the more. I encourage any Chris tian who really wants to grow in his spiritual walk this year to read through the whole Gospel of Mark between now and April 19. Let the Lord reveal him self to you in the Word. W hat is a “ Gospel”? The word we translate gospel means a message of good news, like the announcement of a military victory or the birth of a king’s first son. The four books we call “Gos pels [note the capital G for book titles] are all messages about the good news of the coming of Jesus Christ, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God March 1:14-15. The Gospels may have elements of history or biography, but they are primarily announcements of the person of the strong Son of God. So many things you would expect to find in a biography of Jesus simply are not found in the Gospel according to Mark. W ho is M ark? The Gospel itself does not identify its author, but the early church leaders unanim ously agreed he was John Mark, first named in Acts 12:12 as a cousin of Barnabas. He was a helper of Paul at various points of his evangelistic journeys (Acts 13:5; 15:37; Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11). Later he was a beloved associate of the Apostle Peter, apparently when they were both in Rome (1 Pet. 5:13). How and where did he write? According to a respected church father, Papias, John Mark took down the preached accounts of Peter and wove them into a powerful testimony of the “good news” of Jesus Christ. Others concur that Mark was very close to Peter at the end of his life, and that the Gospel reflects Peter’s eyewitness ac counts. This would mean that Mark wrote first of all to the church in Rome. This is confirmed by the mention of Simon of Cyrene, and his sons Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21), for we know that Rufus and his mother lived in Rome (Rom. 16:13). This would explain why there are a lot of Latin terms used in this Gospel, more than in the other Gospels. And yet, there are also more Aramaic terms (the spoken language of the apostles) in Mark than in the other Gospels, reflecting the background and style of Peter, Mark’s main source. W hen and why did he write this Gospel? Our general knowledge of his tory in the first century would lead us to put Peter’s death around A.D. 65-70, in Rome, in the middle of a great persecu tion started by the Emperor Nero. Very likely John Mark completed this Gos pel about the same time. The disciples of Jesus Christ were in the midst of crisis. The Roman au thorities were imprisoning them, tor turing them to uncover others, and kill ing many in public display and ridicule. Within their circle, the disciples heard many saying that the Christ was not truly a man, and did not really experi ence the sufferings of the cross. Mark recorded the “good news” for these troubled disciples, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did undergo all the persecution, betrayal rejection and death that they faced-and that he faced it faithfully to the end and overcame all his enemies by the resurrection. The Christ did not “cop out” as a spirit, leaving Jesus to suffer as a man, alone. Jesus was and is the Christ. What makes this Gospel spe cial? Several things could be noted. (1) The death of Christ, and the events which lead up to it, take up over 40% of the book much more than Mat thew or Luke. On the other hand, he doesn’teven mention Jesus’ birth, fam ily, or upbringing—until his baptism by John in the Jordan. (2) The actions of Jesus are em phasized far more than his words, and Mark often gives more vivid (eyewit ness) details in his accounts than the others do. His writing style is rough, often with poor Greek grammar, but quite understandable if he was record ing spoken messages and remem brances. (3) The presence of great crowds as Jesus taught, especially in Galilee, is noted continually in chapters 1 to 10. and yet Mark also emphasizes Jesus’ concern for secrecy, in the face of these multitudes, so that his message and purpose would not be misunderstood (1:44). (4) The very word “gospel” Mark emphasizes in his writing, as the title of his work (1:1), as the essence of Jesus ’ preaching (1:14-15), as worthy of the disciples’ sacrifice (8:35; 10:29), and as the message to proclaim to all people (13:10; 14:9). Why does M ark begin with John the Baptist? Because John was the one who prepared the way for the Lord (1:3; quoting Isaiah 40:3), in the Per son of Jesus Christ. Mark was very selective in his opening words here. He did not tell us anything about John’s ethical preaching, his condemnation of the religious leaders, or his attack on King Herod which led to his imprison ment (see Matt. 3; 11; Luke 3). Mark docs tell that John pro claimed the impending arrival of the long-awaited Christ. John’s baptism is a sign of repentance, and of their faith that God would “remit” or forgive their D O N ’T G IV E UP!! M allory Avenue Christian Church D i s c i p l e s o r c Guaranteed Results in 24 Hours Rev. Cooper Spiritual Reader & Advisor Are you sick suffering with bad luck? Hair falling our? Loss of nature? Someone crossed you? Need help In any problem? My work is with God Get rid of your problems. If I cannot do it, it cannot be done. Readings by phone or by mail Also lucky numbers Call for appointment or directions. n r i s M a tth e w FU N ERA L Sunday School M orning UUorship Tuesday Bible Study and Prayer Denise P. Bell, Pastor Cleodus Vann Dr. Lawson s church has experienced 15-23% growth each year since being involved in the 1989 Arkansas Cru sade. He will encourage those local churches present to maximize the ben efits of involvement in the Crusade here. Reverend Sammy, Staff member at predominantly black Maranatha Church, says having this event at their facility will send a strong message to black religious leaders that pastors city wide want to get together. "I believe that nay time you have a cooperative effort in ministry, the Lord chooses to bless it," Reverend Sammy says. Church leaders interested in at tending the complimentary continental breakfast should make reservations with the Pacific Northwest Billy Graham Crusade office at (503)232-4992. ThePrudential Jìm Werner District Agent, 19 Years Service 11300 N.E. Halsey, Suite 100 Portland, OR 97220 Residence: 503-771-6113 Jesus Loves You! A ll en Temple CME CL upch Psalm 34:3 4236 NE Eighth Avenue (corner of 8th t Skidmore) Portland, Oregon 97211 (503) 287-0261 Phillip S. Nelson Pastor M allory C hurch 3908 of C hrist NE M A L L O R Y AVENUE I SU ND AY SCHEDULE Bible Study 9:30 am . Morning Worship 10:45 am . M en’s Training Leadership W om en’s Bible Class D IR E C T O R S Family Owned and Operated Since 1954 Serving the City of Portland for over 37 years In your hour of need Vann &Vann are there to serve 503/281-2836 G liju r d } 8101 N. Fiske Avenue Portland, Oregon 97203 Church Pho.t«: 2 8 9 -0 1 4 7 A diversity of color will be an apparent feature of what will be one of the largest m ulti-cultural religious events since the black/white "Recon ciliation Sunday" which occurred last March at the Portland Convention Cen ter. On Sunday, February 29. at 8:30 am , a leadership breakfast at Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th Avenue, will bring together an estimated 1500church pastors and lay leaders representing different cultural groups and churches. The breakfast is part of preparations for the Pacific Northwest Billy Graham Crusade scheduled for September 232- 27 at the Civic Stadium in Portland. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 am followed by a program of singing, praise, prayer and a message by Dr. Steve Lawson, Senior Pastor of The Bible Church of Little Rock, Arkansas. 5:00 pm. Evening Worship 126 N .£ Alberta t Portland. OR 97211 t (503) 288-5173 fttapiisi 1500 Expected at Church Leadership Breakfast VANN & VANN "Come to me oil you who ore weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest" Inter-raciol Congregation Romans 2:1-4 (215)333-5763 FREE READING BY PHONE God's Presence promises Pouier through Jesus Christ In Good Times and Sad Times 9:45am 11:00am 7:30pm sins (Mark 1:4-5), but his message em phasized the coming M essiah. People naturally expected that this meant that the Day of the Lord, the judgment day, was at hand, and they were eager to get ready for the Lord. Why did Jesus receive a baptism front John? Unlike the others, Jesus was not demonstrating his repentance, nor confessing his sins. (John’s reluc tance to baptize him is noted in Matt. 3:14-15.) Mark again keeps this epi sode very brief and pointed: the bap tism was an occasion for Jesus to show his commitment to God’s plan for his life, and “straightway” (usually trans lated “immediately” in KJV) the Fa ther gives a public testimony to John and the others around. “Thou art my beloved Son”: The Father gave his official recognition of Jesus’ Sonship, as a man would pub licly declare his heir. “In whom I am well pleased”: The Father further ac knowledged his love for his Son, and his endorsement of the work which Jesus would be doing on earth. Who is this Jesus? That is the key question of the Gospel of Mark, and the key issue of all life. The world is trying to make Jesus a good example, a won derful teacher, a New Age guru, an Islam ic prophet, or any number of other things. And that’s nothing new; people in Mark’s day were trying to confuse the same issue in many similar ways. But Mark cuts through all the hype, and emphasizes the simple truth: “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” The Jews and Palestinians who heard Jesus’ teachings had no doubt that Jesus claimed to be the divine Son in human form. The Romans knew he meant he was equal in authority with God the Father. Now what about us? Are you willing to confess him as Lord and God, and to give your life to follow in his steps, even when they are pain ful? As we study Mark, he will con tinually confront us with Jesus’ claims on our lives. I urge you to make up your mind about Jesus today. Scripture o f the ^eef^ Study Phon«: 2 8 9 -1 9 1 1 Sunday Service 10:45 Sunday School 9 :3 0 Bible Study 6 :0 0 Evening Service 7 :0 0 P.M. Jesus Christ Is Salvation Union Avenue Baptist Church 5029 N. E. MLK Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97211 Telephone Number - 287-8344 What A Friend We Have In Jesus Them e: W h a te v e r you're going to do fo r th e Lord, do it now Minister Gregory Fobbs and bible study 7:30 pm. Radio Ministry Each Sunday, 11:00 AM - KBMS 28 1092 RESTORING NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY 5211 N. W illia m s P o rtla n d , Or. 97217 He that is too good to realize that he need to be saved, cannot be helped. But he that recognize he has a need, can be helped. Parrar Pev James C E. Faulkner 6:00 pm. Attended nursery for all services W ednesday prayer meeting Are you a friend of Jesus? Do you want Jesus to be your friend? We want to be your friend and would love to have you as our friend. Everyone is welcome to this church, (the body of Christ). There is a place and a work here for you. I Peter lv .1 1 Rev. A. G. May, Pastor mt O livet baptist C hurch Has moved Sunday services to Stone Tower Church, N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 30th Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Church School 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bible Study, Wednesdays, 116 N.E. Schuyler 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Radio Ministry each Sunday, 8:00 a.m. on KBMS A Teaching Church With A Reaching Ministry Dr. James E. Martin, Senior Pastor Church Office 116 N.E. Schuyler St. (503) 284-1954 / ¥