The Gospel of Mark (or Someone Else?)

A THRILLER

The Gospel of Mark is action-packed.

It was written to the Romans who loved action.

It reads as a thriller.

It’s John Grisham, Michael Crichton, Stephen King, Frank Peretti and more.

It never stops from beginning to end.

If Matthew is the Gospel of the King (lion), if Luke is the Gospel of the human Christ (man), if John is the Gospel of the divine Jesus (eagle), then Mark is the Gospel of the Servant (ox/calf/beast of burden).

It presents Jesus as a servant serving others and meeting their needs.

The writer highlighting this aspect is none other than John Mark of book of Acts’ fame. (Acts 15:36-41)

But how could he know these things about Christ of which he wrote?

Of course, God would “breath upon” him as regards what to include and exclude. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

AN EYEWITNESS

And sometimes the Spirit’s work is as natural as receiving dictation from a friend.

It is believed that the Apostle Peter is the one from which Mark received much of his material.

And the evidence is pretty convincing.

One such proof is the references in Mark to one named “Simon” and “Peter.”

There are 7 mentionings of Simon (the prime Apostle’s name prior to meeting Christ).

If you have a Bible I encourage you to circle “Simon” in Mark 1:16 (it’s there twice), then in Mark 1:29, 30, 36, 3:16 and 14:37.

Beyond that, we find “Peter” mentioned and referred to a total of 22 times.

The most significant of those is the Resurrection angel’s statement at the empty tomb to the women there, “‘But go, tell His (Christ’s) disciples and Peter.'” (Mark 16:6-8)

Do you see that there?

Why would Mark include that particular angelic comment?

He would only include it if the one to whom it had the most meaning had told him.

The Gospel of Mark is really our Lord’s life and ministry through the eyes of Simon Peter.

Only an eyewitness could know these things.

Only someone who was there in person.

And I think that’s pretty cool.