The Jewish world was prepared to provide everything needed to bring Messiah into human history. Matthew recounts their story and how it intertwined with the life of Jesus the Nazarene.
The book of Mark is designed to communicate the Story to the Roman mind. There was little appreciation for His Jewish roots among Gentile-Romans around the world. “Show me Who He was by telling me what He did! Then I can decide where I stand on Jesus.”
Here is a key question: Do His teachings and miracles demonstrate a greatness which supersedes the authority of Rome?
As we dig into the book of Mark you will notice how the entire book expands on His desire to honor His Father. Jesus the God follower. Jesus the teacher. Jesus the healer. Jesus the Servant. Jesus the disciple-maker. Jesus the conqueror of death. Just as Matthew presents Jesus as King over the earth, so Mark is laser-focused on the depth of His sacrifice. Jesus is God’s Servant and His goal was to clearly reveal the will of His Father. Amazing.
“In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”
– Hebrews 5:7-10
Deeper in Mark
Mark Extended
A great Servant Song