Mark's story of Jesus

Mark's story of Jesus

Touchstone article. October 2009

The gospel readings set down for October in the lectionary invite us enter into Mark’s story of Jesus. Mark’s gospel is the earliest gospel, written around AD 65-70. I suggest you sit down and read it all as one integrated story. This will enable you to put what you hear read in Church this month, in context.

An ancient tradition recounts that Mark was an associate of Jesus’ chief pupil Simon Peter. Around AD 140, Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis wrote that “Mark, being Peter’s interpreter, wrote down correctly all that he remembered of the things said and done by the Lord”. So, if we are to believe Papias, Mark is a reliable witness (via Peter) to the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Mark’s story of Jesus is full of action. Jesus is always on the move. We see this in Mark 10. Jesus enters into the region of Judea. Immediately he encounters conflict in discussing the issue of divorce. This issue is still controversial. Jesus declares “what God has joined together let man not separate” , a phrase often still heard at wedding services.
A little later on Jesus takes children in his arms and blesses them. Soon afterwards he challenges a rich young man to sell all he has and give it to the poor. His disciples are amazed when Jesus declares that all things are possible with God and that the first will be last and the last shall be first . Then Jesus is on the move again. He leads his astonished disciples on the road up to Jerusalem, informing them what will happen next. He paints a frightening scenario. The shadow of the cross falls across the Markan narrative from Mark 8:27 onwards. On leaving Jericho Jesus enables Blind Bartimaeus to receive his sight. Bartimaeus joins the crowd and follows Jesus.

The story world of Mark is full of conflict and suspense. What will happen next ? It is a difficult story to put down. Mark portrays a Jesus intent on moving towards the goal God has set for him. It is made clear that Jesus is prepared to die as a consequence of proclaiming God’s loving reign. Jesus goes ahead of his disciples on “the way”. His disciples dare to follow, captivated by the uniqueness of this intriguing character from Nazareth. Following Jesus is not boring. Mark, throughout his gospel emphasises the humanity of Jesus, the importance of faith and the cost of discipleship.

As the disciples follow Jesus they are urged to take up their crosses, in a sense “losing” their lives in order to receive a great deal more (10:29-31) . As readers and hearers of Mark’s gospel story we are invited to do the same.

Mark is consistent in emphasising the faults and failings of Jesus’ disciples. Perhaps this was Mark’s way of reassuring his early Church readers that if there was hope for these very inadequate first disciples of Jesus, there was still hope for them. When we, many years later read or hear Mark’s gospel and identify with the disciples, we are graciously reassured that there is still hope for us also.

Jesus offers his disciples ongoing pardon and restoration in spite of their failures. This is good news indeed. Through Mark’s portrayal of Jesus we encounter a God - at work through Jesus - who never gives up on people (including us !) and we are encouraged to never give up on each other.

Rev Greg Hughson
Otago University, Dunedin

2010

A new year begins.