The Gospel of MarkSample

The book of Mark is written in the present tense, often using words like “immediately” to show that it is full of action. Mark wants us to see that Jesus is a man of action, moving from one event to another, and how we can’t remain neutral. We need to respond actively. The first time we hear Jesus’s voice in Chapter 1, he says, “Repent and believe the good news!” In this gospel, we see Jesus acting and doing with relatively little of Jesus' teaching.

In Chapter 2, Jesus engages in a series of impactful actions that highlight His authority. He begins by healing a paralyzed man showing that He has authority over the physical world, not just the spiritual. The Gospels actually record thirty healings all showing us that Jesus has authority over sickness. He then challenges the normal way of doing things by dining with tax collectors and sinners and challenges legalistic views on the Sabbath and Fasting.