As I am preparing my messages for a new sermon series through the Gospel According to Mark, I am reminded of the power of the Gospel. Often, as a preacher, I mistakenly think too much of my part in the presentation of the message of Jesus Christ. However, I am reminded that Paul tells the Gospel is the ‘power of God unto salvation’ (Romans 1:16).
Dr. E. V. Rieu completed a great translation of Homer into modern English for the Penguin Classics series. He was 60 years old and an agnostic all his life. He was given the assignment to translate the Gospels. His son said, “It will be interesting to see what Father will make of the 4 Gospels. It will be even more interesting to see what the 4 Gospels make of Father.’ Within a year, E. V. Rieu became a committed Christian and sat on the committee to oversee the production of ‘The New English Bible’. This is a marvelous testimony to the transforming power of God’s Word.
Mark opens up with these words:
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Let’s look at a few of the words used…
Gospel
The Greek word euangelion is used to announce that a new emperor had ascended the throne. That was supposed to be ‘good news.’ When the future Emperor Augustus was born it was called the ‘gospel’ meaning a happening which would change world history. Gospel is important in Mark. First verse, Matthew & Luke don’t mention it until chapter 4 and John doesn’t use the word. The word euangelion appears 7 times. only 4 in Matthew & not in Luke or John.
However, Mark mentions that the Gospel is not a philosophy or morality. It is a biography of Person. Paul also reminds us that the Gospel is a Person, especially His Passion…
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)
Jesus
The Hebrew is Joshua and means’ Jehovah is salvation’. Jesus is His human name given before and after birth (Matt. 1:21, 25). The Gospel is not only what Jesus preached about (good news) but is Jesus. The Gospel is the good news Jesus preached and He is at the heart of the good news. The messenger is also the message.
Christ
This is the Greek of of the Hebrew for ‘Messiah.’ It means ‘anointed one’. Jesus is God’s chosen instrument to bring about His kingdom reign. He is the one for whom the Jews had waited for many years.
Son of God
This Gospel begins not with the royalty of Matthew, or perfection of Luke, or mysticism of John, but the humanity of Jesus. Mark’s Gospel presents Jesus as a Servant. Most did not recognize Jesus for who He was, but Mark begins by saying Jesus is the Son of God. Mark not only stresses the humanity of Jesus but also as the “Son of God.” He wastes no time letting His hearers know who Jesus is. He does not build his case then finish with a conclusion. He states right up front that Jesus is God’s Son and then goes through his Gospel to prove this statement.