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e) A Summary of the title of the Gospel According to Mark
By the opening of his gospel, Mark the evangelist unveiled heaven, and with his first five words, he presented to us the emblem and summary of his message. All the following statement of his gospel is but an explanation of this emblem, and a report of the person of Jesus Christ through description of events that the reader may conclude the divinity of Christ from the historical fact.
Why did Mark open his gospel with these words which upset of the Jews and the Romans?
The evangelist wanted to say to expatriate Jews in Rome, and to idolaters in the Roman Empire: The historical events which we experienced in person are neither philosophy, nor lying, but actual truth. I cannot write anything other than what had actually happened. Jesus filled our souls with his unutterable peace and joy. He has become the center of our thought, the foundation of our faith, and the power of our testimony.
In his opening words, he answered the Jews in Rome: Your fathers did not recognize that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah, but they killed him without knowledge. So repent and believe in him that you may be saved. In the Jews’ opinion, Peter and Mark deserved to be stoned because of these words.
To the crowds of idolaters, the evangelist said in his opening: “All your idols and gods are false. They are self-deception and false imagination. Even your worship of Caesar as a god is unlawful. There is no other son of God except Jesus Christ, our living Lord who was raised from the dead, who reigns forever. This is true and certain.
Mark did not want to explain this divine truth to his hearers gradually, by subterfuge, but he knew that those who are of the truth hear the voice of truth.
Study the life of Jesus carefully, and you will become certain that he is the Lord himself.
QUESTION:
- Why did Mark the evangelist open his gospel with these words?