Pause for a few moments to think about your relationship with Jesus. You may answer; “He is my friend; or, I admire him and follow his example; or His teachings inspire me.” Each one of us has an unique understanding of and relationship with, the Lord. It was just the same for Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They present us with their understanding of Jesus.
No wonder that each Gospel is so different.
At the end of John’s gospel we read. “Now Jesus did many signs .. these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” (Jn 20: 30 – 31) In 1 John 1: 3 he continues, “So that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
John’s purpose for writing his Gospel was fourfold. That:
- We should come to knowledge and understanding of Jesus;
- We accept him in every way and follow his teaching;
- We enter into a deep relationship with our Christian Community; and
- We grow in our relationship with Jesus and the Father.
Mark opens his gospel with three prophetic calls.
The first voice we hear is that of the Prophet Isaiah. He lived in the 8th century BC. His message here is:
A voice crying in the desert;
Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make straight his paths. (Is 40: 3)
The second voice is that of John the Baptist. “He appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mk 1: 4) Here, the second prophet is calling people to transformation. It is remarkable that this prophet is a layman, John the Baptist, and he delivers his message far away from the temple.
Jesus also leaves the desert and goes to Galilee. “”There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come, the kingdom of God in close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’” (1: 14 – 15)
Mark, presents Jesus to us as a PROPHET, our teacher, God’s messenger.
This is a good time for you to take out your Bible and read Mk 1: 1 – 15.
Mark also presents Jesus as the SUFFERING SON OF MAN. The significance of this title is underlined by being repeated fourteen times.
How do you see Jesus?