Christ in Mark

Christ in Mark is part of a series of devotions entitled, "Words of Christ." The Gospel of Mark was written primarily for the Gentiles. As such, Mark's goal was to familiarize the Gentile believers with Jewish customs, helping them to see Jesus as the culmination of God's work with Israel.

42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:42-45, NKJV

Christ in Mark

This page includes devotionals from the series: the Words of Christ. The links to the sermons below consider Christ's teaching from the book of Mark. Often the same, or similar, words were spoken in other Gospels as well. When that occurs, the Scripture reference to that Gospel is also included in the link below.

The key theme of the Book of Mark involves defending Jesus' call to discipleship. As we read the various words of Christ as recorded in this Gospel we will see that being a disciple of Christ involves having a relationship with Him. Being a Christian is not just a belief system, but rather, involved a total change in our heart attitude and in the way that attitude works out in our life experiences.

As such, this book does not begin with a genealogy, as do the books of Matthew and Luke, nor does it begin with the story of Jesus' birth or life as a child. Instead, the book opens with an introduction to John the Baptist, declaring:

“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’”

Mark 1:2-3, NKJV

Chapter 1 of Mark includes the baptism of Jesus, the temptation of Jesus, and then the calling of His disciples.

With so many prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament, why did the Jewish religious leaders not understand who Christ was? Why did they not perceive Him to be the Son of God and the Son of Man?

The Jewish leaders were expecting an earthly king. Had Jesus come ready to build an army and defeat the Romans, they would have jubilantly joined His cause. They were not suspecting the humble Messiah who came as the Savior of the world, and they especially were not expecting a suffering Savior.

As we delve into the words of Christ as found in the book of Mark, may we learn to become the servant of Christ, loving the lost, and calling the unconverted to come to Him.

What an amazing God we serve!