Why Study a Gospel?

Nearly every one of us, when we took science classes, had to dissect something. It might've been a frog, a cow's eyeball, a shark, or some other animal. Our goal was observation and study. We were supposed to learn as we dissected. Look at that vein! The heart is so little! Gross, something squirted into my eye!

But there was likely little awe and wonder during those dissections. We are merely trying to learn the material and grow in knowledge.

In contrast, every one of us has been around others we've found interesting. A celebrity, an athlete, an author, or an expert in a particular field can catch our attention. Look, there's so-and-so. They are shorter than I thought they'd be. What are they going to order?

But, in those moments, there is little imitation or life change. We are merely fascinated and curious about the individual.

The study of Mark, or any other of the gospels in the New Testament, should lead us beyond mere learning or curiosity. We should not approach them as a way to dissect Jesus or learn a little more about his fascinating life and lifestyle.

None of the gospel accounts -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John -- are mere biographical portrayals of Jesus. Mark didn't sit down one day and ask himself, "What have I ever heard about Jesus? I think I'm going to write it down."

This should be obvious in every gospel account because all of them withhold lots of information from the modern reader. Little is said about Jesus' upbringing and childhood. They are silent about the life Jesus led as an adult before he went public. They don't tell us what he looked like. They don't tell us what he did in his downtime. They don't tell us of his personal tastes or interests.

Instead, the gospel writers arranged carefully selected episodes from Jesus' life with the intention of proving a point to their readers. They are historical and accurate, but they are trying to teach us something about God. They are historical theologies, histories with a theological point.

John is a clear example of this, as his stated aim was to convince his audience that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, God the Son (John 20:30-31). He chose each story in his gospel for the way it backed up the proclaimed identity of Jesus as the eternal God who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-3, 14).

Mark is no different. He highlights different stories in order to highlight the identity of Christ. For example, all throughout his gospel, Mark chose stories that demonstrated Jesus' heart for the nations. Jesus is seen serving in Galilee of the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1, Matthew 4:15). He ministers primarily far from the Jewish religious center of Jerusalem, and frequently leaves Galilee for completely Gentile regions like the Decapolis to the east or Tyre and Sidon to the north.

But Mark also highlights other themes: that there are insiders and outsiders, some who are in the know, and some who are still blind. Jesus is seen as on a journey or way, he frequently tells people to keep his miracles a secret, and faith is often highlighted -- but Mark's goal is for us to contemplate Jesus.

Goal: Confrontation Which Leads To Formation

And "contemplate" is likely too soft a word.

Mark wanted to confront his readers with Jesus.

Though Mark is considered by many as the first of the gospels to be written, and though he wrote fairly soon after the life of Jesus, enough time had elapsed for stagnation to enter the church. Mark seems to want to jolt his readers -- likely a group of Roman Christians -- back into an understanding of Christ. He wanted to confront them with Jesus so they would be formed into Christlikeness. He wanted them to appreciate Jesus so they would follow Jesus.

Mark's goal was for his readers to confront Jesus so that spiritual formation could occur. He did not want mere dissection or gawking, but an exchange.

And that is what we'll seek as we move through the book of Mark. Rather than say, I know the story of Jesus. I've heard it a million times, we will instead say, I am ready to discover Jesus afresh. I want what he is to shake me to my core, to move me into his reality, and to shape my life.

You see, Jesus is after our hearts. He will call his disciples in Mark, but he calls you today. He wants you to spend time, just like they did, considering and confronting him until you make a decision to surrender your life to him because he's the best thing going. He wants you to see how you can only find fulfillment in him and his love. He wants you to follow him.

Theme: Follow the Servant-Savior

And "following" is a good theme for a study of Mark. In the first half of the book, Jesus is portrayed as the Servant of the region around and beyond Galilee. In the second half of the book, Jesus is portrayed as the Savior who went to Jerusalem to die for the sin of the world.

Mark portrays Jesus as the Servant-Savior. This is pictured in something Jesus said to his disciples:

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV).

But rather than merely look at Jesus the Servant and Jesus the Savior, Mark knew we are all called to follow this Servant-Savior's way. We are to interact with him, allow him to change our lives, and then journey on with him.

So I hope you read Mark and let it rock you. I hope it reveals Jesus to you in fresh and exciting ways. I can't do it. Not even Mark can do it. But the Spirit can do it. And if you read it, follow Jesus, follow him-—the Servant-Savior.