know any "Marks"

a verse or two

“This is where the good news starts — the good news of Jesus the Messiah, God's son.” Mark 1.1 (translation by Tom Wright)

Spiritual Walk and Musings: The Hard Parts of Mark.

It is good to be back.

This year we will explore some of the more difficult-to-read sections in the Gospel according to Mark. I want to do this because so often we read only the easy sections and yet perhaps it’s the hardest-to-get-our-head-around parts that might speak to us afresh the most. Scattered through the year I’ll chose a hard part of Mark from each chapter for us to explore. But first up, who was the author of this book of the Bible?

The book of Mark names no one as author. Since the second century A.D. however, church leaders and scholars have accepted John Mark as the one who wrote this Gospel. (John is his Jewish name and Mark, Marcus, his Roman name.) Mark was a cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) and close friend of Peter (1 Peter 5:13). The early church fathers unanimously accepted Mark's authorship. Papias (A.D. 110) makes the earliest statement to this effect:

“Mark, who was the interpreter of Peter; wrote down accurately all that he remembered, whether of sayings or doings of Christ, but not in order. For he was neither a hearer nor a companion of the Lord; but afterwards, as I have said, he accompanied Peter; who adapted his instruction as necessity required, not as though he were making a compilation of the Lord's oracles. So then Mark made no mistake when he wrote down thus some things as he remembered them, for he concentrated on this alone—not to omit anything that he had heard, nor to include any false statement among them.” (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History III, p. 39) [Adapted from LABC]

Something to do – it won't take long.

Why not this week sit down for a couple of hours and read the whole of Mark – it will only take an hour or two at the most. Read it in a version you understand. I’m finding it good to get back to the sources of our faith because we live in a world of so many voices – rereading Mark helps me refocus on the most essential voice – that of Jesus Christ .

To Ponder and Pray: Do you know any "Marks"?

John Mark provides a good example of how a young Christian can grow and mature. Perhaps basking in the attention of the spiritual giants Paul and Barnabas, and excited by the prospect of reaching the world with the gospel, he had sailed to Cyprus on the first missionary journey. A short time later, however, when the going got tough, Mark returned home. Whatever Mark's reason for leaving, Paul didn't approve; in fact, he wanted nothing to do with Mark after the incident. Yet fifteen years later, Mark was serving as a ministry companion to both Peter and Paul, and later he wrote the Gospel bearing his name. Little is known about Mark during those years, except that Barnabas took personal interest in him, encouraging Mark by continuing to work with him in ministry.

Do you know any "Marks"—young, Christian diamonds in the rough? What can you do to be their `Barnabas"? Do pray for them. [Adapted from LABC]