And so we begin. Or rather, we return to the beginning with a Walk Through Mark. Back in 2012, I blogged about Mark’s gospel. While that blog was called Lambchow, it was in a different form and was short-lived. Mark’s Gospel opens with “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Which is also a statement of returning to the beginning.
Mark the person is seen in Acts. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 12:25) but returned home mid-journey, which upset Paul. This led to the split between Paul and Barnabas as they planned their second missionary journey. Barnabas wanted to retake Mark, but Paul refused (Acts 15:36-39). Eventually, Paul and Mark reconcile, as seen in a note to Timothy. “Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.” (2 Timothy 4:11, NASB95) There are also indications that Mark served with Peter, possibly in Rome. “She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark.” (1 Peter 5:13, NASB95)
So, while Mark was not a named Apostle, he had first-person interactions with them. There is also a probable glimpse of Mark at the Last Supper, which puts him, at least briefly, with Jesus.
Mark’s gospel moves fast—no long prologue or genealogy. His audience was Gentile (non-Jewish) believers probably in Rome. His gospel strikes at the core of the prevalent Roman religion and worship of Caesar. It is as if Mark’s Gospel says, ‘Let me show you what the Son of God is really like.’
As Mark’s Gospel will show, Jesus is the Son of God. That short statement is like the Continental divide of the American Rockies. It separates believers from non-believers in the same way rain on the east side of the divide always flows towards the Atlantic Ocean and rain on the west side towards the Pacific.
There are many views about Jesus. Many will adopt His teachings as good for morality. Some will recognize Him as a prophet, but just another prophet in a long line. Others may recognize how His followers impacted the world. And, of course, some try to dismiss or diminish His existence and works in history. But those who believe know He is the Son of God. “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11, NASB95)
Most Lambchow readers know Jesus is the Son of God. We recognize His Lordship over our lives and seek the Kingdom of God over the kingdom of the world. Allow our Walk Through Mark to strengthen and encourage your faith. For those who aren’t sure, I invite you on this journey of discovery. Let Mark show you Jesus, the Son of God.
- Mark: Healing, Prayer, and Preaching - April 16, 2025
- Mark: With Authority - April 14, 2025
- Mark: Say Yes - April 9, 2025
