Mark: Behold My Servant
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels. Read below to find the notes Pastor Doug used in a series of lessons in the New Testament.
Pastor Doug prepared the following notes for use during his Sunday morning youth services. He used the notes and outline in a series of lessons in which he taught a systematic study through the New Testament. His audience was a group of twenty to forty middle and high school teens. Doug learned from some of the best teachers of his generation, and in doing so, he learned to “steal” the best ideas and sermon presentations from other great teachers. So, his notes aren’t original to him. He readily admits to stealing whatever he could from great teachers he admired. And that included notes and outlines. Doug found that effective teachers usually made clear outlines as they prepared to teach. You’re welcome to steal his notes if you happen to be short on ideas for Sunday morning.
But you will not find his scribbled notes that grew along the edges of his paper as he made final preparations in the early mornings as he listened for final instructions from the Lord. He believed those were often the best insights.
Opening readings
Philippians 2:5-9 “and took upon him the form of a servant.”
Matthew 12:18: “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased.”
This verse in Matthew is taken from Isaiah 42:1-4. This verse announces the ministry and purpose of Jesus as Mark writes about in his Gospel.
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of all the Gospels and has a completely different tone from Matthew. Matthew, Mark, and Luke have similar stories and events and are called ‘the synoptic Gospels’ for that reason. But all four are uniquely different.
They are designed by the Holy Spirit to be different and to present an aspect of the ministry of Jesus that others don’t put an emphasis on.
It is a mistake to think of the Gospels as four biographies of Jesus. They are not biographies, but character sketches, intended to present different points of view of the work and ministry of Jesus.
Matthew is written to present Christ as the King of the Jews. Mark presents the Lord as a servant. Luke presents him as the Son of Man with his human side prominent. The Gospel of John presents him as the Son of God. In John, we find the greatest claims for Jesus to be truly God, not merely a man saying nice things about God.
Mathew wrote to the Jewish mind.
Luke wrote to the Greek intellect.
John’s character sketch of Jesus is written to the Christian.
Author of the Book of Mark:
Mark, The son of Mary of Jerusalem, Acts 12:12
Referred to as John Mark, in Acts 12:25.
Traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Acts 12:25, 13:5
Got in a dispute with Paul; was temporarily alienated from him, Acts 13:13; 15:37-39
Afterward restored to his friendship 2 Timothy 4:11
An untested and unfaithful servant, Mark, is chosen by God to write the Gospel that presents the message of the servant Messiah.
Ancient tradition certifies that Mark was a companion of Peter. The book is called Peter’s Gospel by some very ancient writers. It is generally conceded that Peter may have furnished, or suggested, much of the material found in the book.
To whom the Book of Mark is addressed:
Gentile Believers. It is thought that the writer had in mind the Roman or Gentile Christians in his preparation of the book.
That it was not specially adapted to Jewish readers seems clear from the fact that it contains few references to Old Testament prophecy. Furthermore, the explanation of Jewish words and customs would indicate that the author had foreigners in mind when he wrote. See 3:17; 5:41; 7:1-4, 11 & 34
Main Theme of the Book of Mark:
Christ, the servant of God and Man:
The Gospel writer portrays Jesus’ life as a busy one. And crowded with a series of kind deeds.
We see his devotions are interrupted in 1:25-37.
Then we see he has no time to eat in verse 3:20.
Then he yields to perpetual calls for service that cause his friends to say he was unbalanced in 3:21.
Later, he was pursued. Even when he was looking for a quiet place to rest in 6:31-34.
Key Word used in the Book of Mark:
Straightway: This word indicates immediate action. And the writer repeats it throughout the entire book. Let’s get after it, no time to waste.
Key Verse:
Mark 10:45“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Key Transition:
Mark 8:31 “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”
This transition follows one of the most unusual healings we see from Jesus. He takes a blind man by the hand and leads him out of the city of Bethsaida. While there, he spits on the ground, using the mud to heal him, though he is only partially healed. Jesus touches the blind man again. Then he is fully healed. He tells the man not to speak to anyone or go into the town center.
When Jesus begins to speak of his death Peter rebukes him. Jesus, the true servant lets Peter know how wrong he is.
Mark 8:34 “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Read 8:35-38
Purpose:
Revealing Christ the servant, come to give his life as a ransom for many
Distinctive Features of the Book of Mark:
The style is vivid and picturesque. Much of the subject matter is also found in Matthew and Luke. But it is not a mere repetition. It contains many details not found in any of the other Gospels.
The Gospel opens, like that of John, with a declaration of the divinity of Jesus Christ, but unlike John, he does not enlarge upon the doctrine.
Many personal touches:
We find many personal touches in Mark such as the following verses.
“Was with the wild beasts.” chapter 1:13
“He surnamed them Boanerges.” chapter 3:17
**‘Jesus was much displeased’ chapter 10:14; ** he was indignant or angry at their disdain for the kids.
“They were amazed, and as they followed, they were afraid.” chapter 10:32.
“The common people heard him gladly”’ Chapter 12:37
**‘Is, not this the carpenter?’ chapter 6:3, etc. **
Although emphasizing Christ’s divine power, the author often alludes to his human feelings;–
His disappointment, chapter 3:5; — looked on with anger at the doubters
And His weariness, chapter 4:38; — dead, dog, tired, in the back of the boat during a storm.
His wonder, chapter 6:6;
ThenHis sighs, chapter 7:34; 8:12; — almost like he struggled at times with what he encountered
His affection, chapter 10:21
Matthew looks back to the past, and deals largely with the prophecies for the sake of Jewish readers, and also gives much space to the discourses of our Lord.
Mark is the most condensed version of the life of Jesus. And it has little to say concerning prophecy. it gives only a brief report of the prophetic discourses. But it lays out the great importance of the mighty works of Jesus.
This Gospel records Nineteen miracles. And this helps to demonstrate the supernatural power of the servant, Master.
Eight, which prove his power over disease chapter 1:31, 41; 2:3-12; 3:1-5; 5:25; 7:32; 8:23; 10:46
Five, showing his power over nature, chapter 4:39; 6:41, 49; 8:8, 9; 11:13, 14
Four, demonstrating his authority over demons, chapter 1:25; 5:1-13; 7:25-30; 9:26
Two, show his conquest over death, chapter 5:42; 16:9
Synopsis:
The book has three primary divisions
Part 1 1:1-13
The introductory and presentation of the credentials of the servant of God.
Part 2 1:14-8:30
The miracles and ministry of the servant of God
Part 3 8:31-16:20
Close:
Mark 15:31 “So also the chief priests and the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.”
So true. The religious leaders thought it was the ultimate triumph and insult to their enemy. They didn’t realize how true their statement was. Jesus could have saved himself. The man who went 40 days without food or drink to start his ministry could have called down 12,000 angels to save him or he could have refused to die.
The Bible tells us he gave up the ghost or let his spirit pass. In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus told them, “No man can take my life from me. I lay it down of my own choice.”
If Jesus thought of himself first he could have saved himself from the cross, and the shame and pain, but a true servant doesn’t think of himself, but of others.
That is the Gospel.
He saved others, but himself he could not save.
White Stone Watcher
Hello readers,
I’ve served as a children and youth pastor for over three decades. It was a great honor and pleasure to serve the Lord in that way. It’s been my prayer, that many of them will learn of Jesus’ love and decide to commit their lives to follow Him.
I wrote the fiction story, ‘White Stone Watcher’ for them and their parents. In the story, we see a young man, and his best friend, Amanda. They face the normal challenges that today’s kids face at school. But with one huge difference.
Their challenge is twelve feet tall to be exact with an enormous set of six wings. Just like the prophet Isaiah saw in the throne room of God. He’s a Watcher, an angelic being who is still invisible to Amanda. The messenger from God is about to lead both of them on a spiritual journey. They find they can’t escape the unseen war that rages all around them. They will become key players that God will use in the battle between the Sons of Darkness and the Children of Light.
I invite you to pray about a youth that might enjoy and benefit from this story. As the world grows darker, our youth must become aware that the Lord is calling them to join the Children of Light in the fight for what is righteous. We’re all involved, whether we realize it or not. If they won’t go to church, maybe they’ll read a book about someone just like them facing challenges at school.
God is calling them.
Praying for the youth, and spiritual awakening.
Pastor Doug
Let me know what you think.