Handout 3 The Gospel of Mark/The Christ Files DVD www.scribd.com/my_document_collections/3176820 What was the central message of Jesus?

What did he mean?

The Gospel of Mark

Mark is 16 chapters long, and his work can be easily divided into two halves chapters 1-8, and chapters 9-16.

The first half of the Gospel of Mark is all fast-paced.

Hardly a teacher in first half of Mark lots of miracles, very few parables.

Proportionately speaking, there are more miracles per chapter in Mark 1-8 than any other gospel.

Handout 3 The Gospel of Mark/The Christ Files DVD www.scribd.com/my_document_collections/3176820

What do the miracles provoke?

Second half of Mark is almost entirely different.

Very few miracles in the second half, and lots of talk about Jesus suffering and dying.

Starting at chapter 11, we enter into the final week of Jesus life, leading up to his crucifixion.

So you have this mighty Messiah second half that same guy is headed towards death on a cross.

Mark 8:29-33 But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am? Peter answered, You are the Christ. 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. Get behind me, Satan! he said. You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.
29

Handout 3 The Gospel of Mark/The Christ Files DVD www.scribd.com/my_document_collections/3176820 What is going on here? What do you think?

Jesus in Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

God brings his kingdom in such a way that people who dont deserve it can have it.

Andif you want to believe in Jesus, you have to follow Jesus.

Mark 10:43-45
43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The shape of his messiahship is the shape of our discipleship.

The humble Jesus

Humility is the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself. (John Dickson)

Handout 3 The Gospel of Mark/The Christ Files DVD www.scribd.com/my_document_collections/3176820

Notes on the Christ Files DVD