The Gospel According to Mark Notes

Main Themes in Mark's Gospel

  • The Kingdom of God:
    • Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God.
    • This signifies a new age has begun, coexisting with the former age.
  • Identity of Jesus:
    • Exploration of Jesus of Nazareth's true identity.
    • Understanding the meaning of identifying him as "Messiah."
  • Discipleship:
    • Examining the implications of following Jesus.
    • How following Jesus will affect one's life.
  • Conflict:
    • Many groups challenge Jesus' ministry due to discomfort with his message.
    • His message challenges the status quo.
  • Suffering:
    • Jesus accepts suffering as an integral part of his ministry.
    • Foresight of violence and death as a consequence of his message.

Messianic Secret

  • The idea that Jesus' true identity could not be revealed during his ministry because people were not ready to see him for who he truly was
  • He often instructs people to not tell others about his action in their lives
  • Examples:
    • Mark 1:44
    • Mark 4:11-12
    • Mark 5:43
    • Mark 7:36
    • And many more
  • Expectations can blind individuals to the reality of a situation.

Hardened Hearts

  • A "hardened heart" signifies the inability or unwillingness to consider new ideas.
  • The Gospel of Mark references individuals being accused of having a hardened heart.
  • St. Xavier characteristic is the opposite of this idea.

Parables

  • Parables are fictitious stories told to convey a lesson.
  • Based on Everyday Life
    • Jesus drew elements from common, everyday life experiences (land, occupations, farming, family, meals).
    • Listeners could easily relate to his stories.
  • Filled with Surprises
    • Jesus often began with a common occurrence
    • Added an unexpected twist to the story.
    • The use of surprise endings would keep his listeners alert or catch them off guard.
    • This helped people to reflect on the lesson he was trying to teach.

Purpose of Parable

  • All of Jesus’ parables were taught to help people understand how to live their life now as a citizen of God’s Kingdom (not Rome’s or Herod’s or Babylon’s).
  • This included:
    • knowing God (his nature, his qualities, his will).
    • responding to God’s will for us.
    • figuring out how to respond to our neighbors in the Kingdom.
  • Invitation to Reframe Ordinary Life:
    • Jesus invites individuals to perceive their ordinary lives through a different lens.
    • Recognizing that they are living in God's Kingdom NOW each time we forgive, seek justice, help a neighbor, open our hearts to welcome a stranger or outcast, love our enemy, help the poor, use our gifts and talents in the service of God, etc.

Parable of the Sower and the Seed

  • Reflection on Personal Response:
    • Consider one's own response to Jesus and the invitation to follow God's will.
  • Potential Obstacles:
    • Lack of Retention: Does the message go in one ear and out the other?
    • Perseverance: Attempting to live as one of God's children, but giving up when faced with hardship and peer pressure.
    • Suffering: Questioning or moving away from God due to suffering.
    • Distractions: Allowing daily life distractions, or concerns over wealth or success to impede.
  • Good Soil: Aspiration to embody goodness and truth.

Homework

  1. Read all of Chapter 4
  2. Sower and the Seed Journal:
    • Write a 1-page reflection explaining where you see yourself in this parable.
    • Use the questions on the prior slide to help you reflect on the parable.
    • Explain and/or give examples to support your self-assessment.
    • Submit on Canvas.