Walking in His Truth: A 5-Day Journey Through God's StorySample

Day 2: The Suffering Servant (in Mark)

John Mark was a Christian in the early church. He was Barnabas’s cousin and assistant to Peter. In fact, this gospel is likely Peter’s version of the life of Jesus through Mark.

King Jesus in Matthew is Servant Jesus in Mark. Mark wrote to Roman Christians undergoing some suffering for their faith at some point around the AD 50s–60s. Christians became unpopular very early on because of their refusal to participate on moral grounds in much of Roman culture. Not unlike today. When you don’t participate in what culture celebrates, you are deemed a threat. But they were to keep serving God, come what may.

This gospel focuses, therefore, on presenting Jesus as the Suffering Servant of God in keeping with its key verse: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Mark’s account races to Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem, then slows down and climaxes with His death, burial, and resurrection. If Jesus’ way was difficult, then those of us who follow Him should not be surprised by difficulties in life too. And within any hardship that comes, the life of a Christian is to be characterized by sacrificial service.

Yes, followers of Jesus will often fail. The twelve disciples in Mark are repeatedly cast in an unflattering manner. Peter pulled Jesus aside and rebuked Him after He had predicted His death and the suffering He must endure (Mark 6:31).

And we, like Peter and the other disciples, are often hard-hearted, fearful, and selfish. But failure does not expel us from following and serving. Take comfort in that. Christians must keep serving, knowing Jesus stuck with the Twelve and sticks with us too. He patiently matures His followers.

The Gospel of Mark shows the discouraged how to follow Jesus. Ultimately, the life of a Jesus follower, whether in Rome then or here today, and irrespective of struggles and failures, is to be modeled after the One we’re following. He endured suffering even to death in order to serve and save many. We don’t save anyone. But we follow Him who did by serving all.

Reflect: Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant who endured rejection and hardship. How has Jesus' example of sacrificial service inspired you to persevere through challenges in your own life?

Prayer: Suffering Servant, how thankful I am that you gave your life as a ransom for many—and as a ransom for me. I praise you today. Amen.