The Gospel of Mark: The Beginning

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ~ Mark 1:1


...and the beginning of a look at the good news from Mark. As long as it takes this year, we will journey through this short but powerful gospel together. 

Both Matthew and Luke begin their gospels promising "accounts:" Matthew with an account of where Jesus comes from, and Luke with an account of "events that have been fulfilled among us."

But both John and Mark begin and the beginning. John, literally with the beginning of creation, and Mark here with the beginning of the good news.

We get a lot in this short little introduction. We find out that for Mark, Jesus IS the good news and we find out that Jesus is the Son of God.

What that all of that means will be the story Mark will tell in the rest of the gospel.

Mark is very much written as a great story to tell and share. I once went to a presentation of a man who shared the whole gospel as a dramatic reading. It was something! I was enthralled for the whole two hours it took for him to read it out loud.

It is a gospel set with three distinct sections. It is an active gospel (count how many times you see the word, 'immediately'). It is a gospel with lots of characters and lots of devices to move the plot along.

As we go together through this year with Mark, I suggest that if you can, you read the whole gospel: in one sitting if you can...it won't take too long. Or as much as you can in a few sittings. Also, read what your Bible has to say about the gospel. And find something online to tell you even more. There is debate as to who Mark was, but who he was isn't as important as the story he has to tell.

And who he was isn't as important as who Jesus is in his gospel.

So...the beginning of the good news! What a great way to start a story!


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen


Engagement Question:

What does it mean to you that Jesus is Good News?

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