Monday, December 16: Mark 1-Who is Jesus?.

Mark’s Gospel begins with a flourish and proceeds at a furious pace until we reach the passion of Jesus in chapter 14. In this chapter alone we have the introduction of Jesus, His wilderness time, calling disciples and a number of healings, plus the casting out of a demon. Quite a plot line for the opening chapter!

Where I found my pause was with the opening verse. Not even a complete sentence yet it gives a powerful summary of the gospel. The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God (1).

Two incredibly rich phrases are the heart of this opening… Christ and Son of God.

Christ –Messiah, Anointed One- was a potent title in Jewish life. The Messiah/Christ would be God’s Anointed One to save Israel. Mark’s Gospel moves at a relentless pace, finally in 8.29, Peter cries out, “You are the Christ.” The disciples begin to get it.

From that point on in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem and the cross, the reason He came. As Jesus dies on the cross, Mark notes that the centurion watching His death cries out, “Surely He was the son of God” (15:38).

All that really remains in the story is the account of Jesus’ Resurrection, the vindication that He is the Christ, the Son of God!

I spent most of my morning thinking about Jesus as Christ and Jesus, the Son of God… a wonderfully rich morning with Jesus, my God.

Lord Jesus, Messiah, Ssavior, Son of God, Savior of my soul, Lamb of God, Lord of lords and King of kings… I bow before You. I worship and adore You.

Bless You, Praise You. Alleluia. Amen.