MARK 1:1-3 THE BEGINNING In my journey with God's people of the past, I found myself in Rome, when the mad emperor, Nero, had to face the fact that he wasn't immortal at all. He had a very exalted opinion of himself that not everyone shared. The best legacy he could leave behind would be to have buildings of stone, brick and mortar built in his name. So, in some unusual and unknown way, a whole section of Rome was burned to clear away the slums and make room for a building program he had in mind. Thousands of buildings were burned and many people died when Rome burned. Who could Nero blame for setting fire to the city? The Christians!
A small, despised minority group of Jews and Gentiles mixed together who believed in Jesus Christ who had died in Jerusalem on a cross, believed He was alive. They believed He was the Son of God and they worshiped Him. They also waited for Him to return as He had promised. These people were not liked by many Romans who were licentious, self-centered and materialistic people. They were charged with setting that fire. They were sought out and killed by being fed to lions and by gladiators in the arena. Some were covered with pitch and used as burning torches. Some hid underground in the catacombs under the city. In spite of that terrible persecution, Christians in Rome and throughout the Roman empire carried the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Thousands who heard the message believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and were saved by God's grace.
John Mark (John was his Jewish name and Mark his Latin name) was with Peter who was one of the few eyewitnesses of the life of the Lord Jesus when He was on earth. It was imperative that a written record be made before the first generation of believers passed away who had first-hand experience of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. Peter had that and Mark must write for him the account to inform believers and readers of the facts of the ministry of the Lord Jesus. Not only was the writing to inform them but also to instruct them in the conduct and commitment to their new faith, and to inspire them to go on for the Lord in the face of persecution and hardship.
This message written in dark times as "glad tidings" was designed to have a happy effect on those who read the book. The book of Mark is full of the happy effect of the Gospel and goes straight to the Source, "the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." This joyous statement linked with prophetic words from Malachi and Isaiah, may have been written after the rest of the book was written and placed as a preface because it is the key to the whole book. These words, "the beginning," point to a clear starting point - the ministry of John the Baptist.
It is not uncommon for men to try to make themselves a god or to consider themselves their own god. "Up with man" is often how people think of themselves. There have been people who have set themselves up as cult leaders who claim divinity for themselves. Now it is a widespread thought among people of this nation that God is who we make him out to be. Man is really his own god. Truth to many is relative so if one says a thing is true, it is true simply because they believe it to be true. Existentialism is the new philosophy most gravitate to today with rampant materialism as its outcome.
The Gospel of Mark makes clear to us today, as it did to those when it was written, that there is One true God revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We received the blessings of glad tidings in this dark day, when we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. The whole message of Mark is identified in these opening verses.
Where would I start in telling the world the greatest story on earth? Normally the place to begin would be to start with someone's birth. But if people who listened were in imminent danger of losing their life that day, I would need to get to the most important parts as quickly as possible in what I say.
The Spirit of God knew what was needed when Peter and Mark were in Rome. Wickedness and evil were rampant in the city, days of persecution had come. They got right to the point of the Gospel message, it is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. A messenger was sent to introduce the glad tidings, and make straight the path of the Lord.
Jesus Christ came, sent by the Father to bring glad tidings to men. Mark seems filled with urgency to tell in words the message of Him. In rapid, vigorous enthusiasm the good tidings of the Gospel are told. It is the same message entrusted to us that we are to teach and hold.
The Holy Spirit first tells in Malachi's words of a messenger God sent ahead. Isaiah is quoted right after that speaking of Jehovah's Servant He would send. Right away we can identify the messenger and message as Jesus Christ is named As the starting point of the glad tidings to tell how the Gospel came.
Matthew told of the Christ to the Jews and introduced Him as the King. Luke tells of Christ as a Perfect Man who came forgiveness to bring. John exalts Him as the Son of God and the high glories of His nature. Mark portrays Him as the Perfect Servant preparing saints for the immediate future.
What a wonderful beginning when Jesus Christ is the first name in the book. He is identified as God's Son and right away we get a good look At the messenger John and the One who would follow his path. May I always be impressed with the glad tidings he gave, that I Gospel truth will grasp.
"I know Father, that sometimes I take the joy of the Gospel for granted. But I pray that I may be able to clearly define the Gospel whenever I have the opportunity and privilege to proclaim it. May this feeble servant be given the words to say and the ability to say them in a way that will glorify Thee and give light and understanding to those who hear. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."