Mark 1 Devotion
by Pastor Mark Hudson
First, although Mark is never named in this gospel, the name for this gospel in Greek is The gospel according to Mark. He is referred to in his own gospel as running away from Christ in the garden of Gethsemane (Mk 14:51-52). He is seized but struggles to be set free leaving his clothes behind. This self-deprecating account is an intentioned inclusion in Mark’s gospel. He is first named in Acts 12:12, because Peter went to his home after being freed from prison by angels. The fact that John Mark is associated with Peter is important. Then in Acts12:25, Paul and Barnabas include John Mark on their trip to Jerusalem. Imagine, going on the first missionary journey in Christianity being mentored by Paul and Barnabas. During that first trip though, Mark leaves the team in 13:13. This is a major event in Mark’s life, later called a desertion in Acts 15, the same word used in Luke 8:13 and Heb 3:12 for apostasy
In Acts 15:36ff, Paul and tells Barnabas they need to visit the churches they preached to on their first trip. Barnabas insists on taking Mark on their second journey and Paul was having none of it. They had such a sharp agreement they both went their separate ways.
Then after a period of years, Paul mentions Mark in Col 4:10, “10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions– if he comes to you, welcome him).” This is the first time we are told of the connection between Barnabas and Mark. Something has happened to restore Mark and Paul to fellowship. Then in the last few months of Paul’s life, he write, “11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (2Ti 4:11 ESV).
Returning to the Acts 12:12, Peter and Mark had a long and close relationship. Peter calls Mark “my son” suggesting Peter led Mark to Christ. We learn that Peter and Mark have something in common but not something they are proud about.
Mark leaves Jesus and deserts his cousin and Paul but is Mark is restored to Paul’s fellowship and trust, even asking for him by name near the end of his life (II Tim 4:11). Mark is one of only 4 men to write a gospel. Peter, on the other hand, denies Christ and is restored to not only fellowship with Christ but a great ministry. God uses people like Mark and Peter because that is the only people there are. That is the kind of people we are. What an encouragement to see that Barnabas did not give up on Mark and Mark never gave up. Paul also gave Mark another chance. Jesus did not give up on Peter, Mark, or Paul. He won’t give up on you. I hope there is someone in your life, that although tempted, you are not giving up on. You love and persistence, with God’s Spirit, can change someone’s life.
For the last section of this devotional we will focus on one word in Mark’s introduction of his gospel in vs. 1:1-13. There are two words that receive special attention in this prologue: wilderness and Spirit. Find the occurrences of wilderness or desert: 1:3, 4, 12 and 1:8,10, 12. We will focus on the word wilderness only. Curiously Mark does not use the noun wilderness again in the book. Jesus is often around people, in towns, and surrounded by people. If you see the connection with wild animals in 1:13, it might be easy to imagine the hot, harsh, unfor-giving wilderness. But that is not all the wilderness means for the author.
“For the wilderness was a place of hope, of new beginnings (R.T. France p. 57). The wilderness is where God met his people after their escape from Egypt. The wilderness was a place of danger but also of blessings. “So as the prophets looked back to the comparative purity of Israel’s wilderness beginnings, the hope grew that in the wilderness God’s people would again find their true destiny (Ibid.). So the wilderness could be a place of new beginnings. From the wilderness come great things for God’s people.
The wilderness signaled something special in terms of a new work from God for Mark. That new thing is the gospel which is a message of forgiveness for all people. For Mark, this gospel was not a mere personal, private decision. This gospel was promised by God throughout the Old Testament and finds fulfillment in the person Jesus Christ, the one anointed by God who brings life and light to the world.
Father, help me to see who Christ is in Mark’s gospel, not the Christ of my imagination. I admit that I often don’t read the Bible with the wonder and humility I should. At times, I just go through the motions. Help me to see what Mark is portraying with eyes that are open to your grace. Fill me with Your Spirit so Christ becomes real to me.
The next word that stands out in Mark’s intro is the Spirit. Only three times in Mark’s gospel does Spirit occur: 3:29; 12:36; 13:11 and only 3:29 indirectly relates to the role of the Spirit in Jesus’ministry. The outpouring of the Spirit in the last days was a significant theme in the O.T. (Is 32:15; ; 44:3; Ezk. 36:26-27; 39:29; Jo 3:1-5).