Mark 1-8

Tradition tells us that John Mark (Acts 12:12, 13:13, 15:36-41, 2 Timothy 4:11) wrote the Gospel according to Mark. We also have received from the early church fathers the tradition that Mark’s gospel was based upon the preaching and teaching of Simon Peter from Rome. The way Mark writes sounds like the way Peter talked; bottom line. Mark is the shortest gospel account of the life of Jesus and some believe it was the first gospel account. Much of Matthew and Luke are also in Mark although Matthew and Luke expand on what they share with Mark. For example, Mark tells us that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days where Matthew and Luke tell us how Jesus was tempted and how He handled the temptations.

A word that Mark uses repeatedly is “immediately.” This word is used 41 times in Mark. It is a word of action. As you read Mark 1-8 notice what action precedes this word and what action follows this word. Also notice who is doing the action and the response or reaction to that action. As you do you will see an emphasis upon obedience that stands out as one of the important teachings of the gospel.

This teaching on obedience is clearly seen in the first chapter after a long and full day in the life of Jesus (1:16-34). This long passage records the event of a 24-hour period of teaching, preaching, and healing in the life of Jesus. Following this long day Jesus is found alone with God the Father early in the morning with a word from God to go to the towns and villages to continue sharing and demonstrating the present reality of the Kingdom of God. Jesus is obedient to the Father even though everyone in Capernaum is searching for Him, desiring more from Him.

As Jesus leaves Capernaum He heals a leper and “sternly charged him and sent him…” to say nothing to anyone but to go to the priest as Moses prescribed for a pronouncement of being cleansed and healed of leprosy. But the healed man disobeyed and went out and proclaimed it widely that Jesus had healed him. The result was that Jesus was not able to go into the villages and towns but rather had to stay out in remote places. This story is telling. It speaks to us of the importance of immediate obedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Jesus wanted to reach the priest. There was a whole chapter in Leviticus (13-14) giving clear instructions for what a priest was to do when a leper was healed. This had not happened but on only a few occasions. All of the activity was to be done at the Temple. This “healed-leper ritual” was a big deal and would have been a clear revelation to many in Jerusalem, especially to the priests, of the divine power at work in and through Jesus. But the man did not go to the priest, instead he “went out and proclaimed it widely…” (1:40-45). The teaching is clear; our disobedience can hinder the obedience of others.

This section of Mark also shows us the progression of the opposition to Jesus. It began in chapter two with the healing of the paralytic who was let down through the roof. When Jesus spoke to the man He said, “Son, your sins are forgive.” (2:5). The scribes began questioning in their hearts wondering how Jesus could say such a blasphemous thing. Jesus perceived in His spirit their thoughts and corrected them by showing them that God’s power was at work in and through Him.

Then the scribes and the Pharisees questioned the disciples of Jesus because He was eating with tax collectors and sinners (2:16-17). Jesus heard them and answered by letting them know that He came for those who were unrighteous, not for those who are already righteous. The opposition grew more personal and intense until they conspire to have Jesus killed (3:6).

As you read this section notice how this opposition increases to the point of accusing Jesus of being possessed by the devil (3:22-30) and notice how Jesus is not distracted by their accusations but stays focused and obedient to the Father. Again, we see an important point on the teaching of obedience from this section; there will be opposition to your obedience.

This section of Mark ends with Jesus telling His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem to be rejected, beaten, killed, and raised again on the third day. His disciples reject this with Simon Peter as their spokesman (8:27-38). Jesus rebukes them and turns to the crowd with another clear teaching on obedience; there is suffering in obedience.

As you read chapters 1-8 this week, be sure not to miss the repeated teaching on obedience. At the end of the week record your conclusions on what the gospel of Mark teaches on obedience.