However, two things stuck out to me while reading through it. It’s amazing how well you can get the tone of the author of a bible story by reading all the way through the book like a narrative, instead of reading and comparing tiny passages.
The first is the tone of urgency. Throughout the text, the author constantly describes the kingdom of God as imminent, Jesus’ return as near, and our work on this earth as urgent and vital. Now, I find it difficult to believe that Mark would have put such an emphasis on the practical just because he was afraid Jesus would come soon and we’d run out of time. I think what’s more important to note is that our time to be servants of Christ is now, and that while our gift awaits us in heaven, that doesn’t mean we should await it without action.
The first is the tone of urgency. Throughout the text, the author constantly describes the kingdom of God as imminent, Jesus’ return as near, and our work on this earth as urgent and vital. Now, I find it difficult to believe that Mark would have put such an emphasis on the practical just because he was afraid Jesus would come soon and we’d run out of time. I think what’s more important to note is that our time to be servants of Christ is now, and that while our gift awaits us in heaven, that doesn’t mean we should await it without action.
An important detail to note about Mark’s authorship is that while he describes the day of the Lord as imminent, he also calls us to prepare ourselves for it at all times. I think that this proves that the author wasn’t concerned about the actual date of Jesus’ return, that it doesn’t matter whether it happens in our lifetime or the next, but that we should LIVE like that time is coming tomorrow. Wouldn’t you like to appear blameless before the Lord? Wouldn’t you like him to be pleased by your humble servitude? Well, what if I told you he was returning to the earth next week? I know I would get my act together. But the beauty of Mark’s urgent message is that we don’t know which week he will return. We always need to have our act together.
The second thing that stuck out to me about the tone of this gospel (and, indeed, simply the events of Jesus’ life represented in it) is the failing faith of his disciples. Jesus hand-selects each of them, he sticks by them, he is faithful to them and he provides for them throughout his life. Yet we see image after image in this gospel of their imperfect faith returned. Just one such story comes from Mark 4:38-40: “…The disciples woke [Jesus] and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” But there are countless more, from a relentless group of teachers of the law testing Jesus again and again, to the betrayal of Judas. And in the last chapter, Mark recalls Jesus’ feeling of disappointment: “Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.”
I am humbled and amazed that, though I am like the 12 disciples and I doubt and I’m skeptical and sometimes I fail to believe, Jesus is faithful. From the start of his ministry until after his death, Jesus was with the same group and was more faithful to them than they ever were to him.
The same goes for us, we are loved past our disobedience.
But the tone of this gospel comes full circle.
Look past the fact that we are forgiven and explore how we can respond to God’s love. This gospel presents us with a great response. Live your life urgently.
But the tone of this gospel comes full circle.
Look past the fact that we are forgiven and explore how we can respond to God’s love. This gospel presents us with a great response. Live your life urgently.
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