Leadership and Followership According to the Gospel of Mark

Onedia S.

Dr. Patterson

21 June 2012

Leadership and Followership According to the Gospel of Mark

Abstract

This essay is a look into the Gospel according to Mark and how the generation leaders of tomorrow can learn from it. The paper will seek to bring out the distinct leader/ follower characteristics that are contained in the book. It will seek to show how the leaders can apply these characteristics in the global setting to improve their leadership skills.

Introduction

The Gospel of Mark is the second of the four Gospels in the Holy Bible. The book was written by the disciple Mark, though it is thought to be an account of Peter in the period of his ministry with Jesus probably between 50 and 60 AD. The book of Mark is the shortest of the Gospels and has 16 chapters.

The Gospel of Mark is describes the life, times and the ministry of Jesus Christ. It starts with a quote from the prophet Isaiah who is an Old Testament prophet and another from John the Baptist, who is known to have prophesied the coming of Jesus Christ (Briner & Pritchard, 2008). The baptism of Jesus, as well as his temptation, is recorded in the beginning of the book. The book of Mark then describes and details the picking of the twelve disciples by Jesus. He did this to get people who would help him to preach the Gospel and push the ministry. As he spread the Gospel, Jesus also performed miracles. We see him performing the miracle where he feeds a massive crowd of five thousand people with only two fish and five loaves of bread as shown in Mark 6:37-44. We also see another miracle of Jesus as he walks on water as shown in Mark 6:49. We then see Jesus' transformation and as he predicts his own death and his resurrection as well. Jesus than heads to a place called Capernaum, as he teaches his twelve disciples on who is the

greatest. As he continues with his missions, Jesus heads to Judea where he teaches and restores the eyesight of a man who had been blind but showed faith. This is depicted in Mark 10:52. He also predicts about his death and resurrection in Mark 10:33, 34. We then see Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the back of an ass. Here he teaches the people and uses parables. We then see about the last supper, his arrest, his trial as well as his crucification. This is then followed by his resurrection.

At the beginning of the book of Mark, we see the preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ. Here is where we get to know about John the Baptist, as a fulfillment of prophesies in the books of Malachi and Isaiah. John the Baptist preaches about repentance by baptism so that one's sins can be forgiven. He also predicts the coming of Christ who will be greater than him. John the Baptist then baptizes Jesus and the Holy Spirit descends upon him. This scenario is very relevant and applicable to the world leaders of today and of the future. Those who are in a position of leadership should make way for the leaders that will come after them (Desilva, 2004). They should be willing to let others take over from them so as to further the interests of society. This ensures that the followers or subjects are under the right form of leadership, one who is not imposed on them by force. They should prepare those leaders taking over from them and enable them go ahead and carry out their required tasks

In Mark 1:12-13, we see that Satan appears and tempts Jesus while he was in the wilderness where he had been compelled to go by the Holy Spirit. In the wilderness, he was out among wild animals but the angels took care of him. This scripture deals with the temptations and trials that a global leader may experience from day to day. A person in a leadership should not back out and leave his followers in jeopardy when he faces trials. Leaders globally should realize that they have followers who look up to them and how they will handle problems that face them. Trials and temptations are there to make them stronger and improve a leaders' faith. Thus, being left in the midst of unfamiliar ground should not be reason for the generation leaders of tomorrow to give up hope.

Jesus then starts his ministry. He declares that the kingdom of God is near and that people should turn away from their sins and repent. Jesus then went ahead and called four fishermen to follow him and become his disciples. He picked a number of people to help out in carrying out the tasks ahead of him (Malbon,1989). The generation leaders of tomorrow should borrow a leaf from Jesus. They should effectively take up their leadership as soon as they are meant to. They should also pick out other people to help them out in their activities. This should help in grooming those that will take over from them as they get to learn from them.

In Mark 1:21, we see that Jesus goes to Capernaum where he heals a man who had an evil spirit. Jesus then goes to Peter's mother-in-law who was sick with a high fever and healed her too. During the same evening, a large number of sick people and people possessed by evil spirits are brought to Jesus for healing. Jesus then move throughout Galilee as he preaches, heals and casts out demons in people. We see Jesus healing a man who had leprosy he then returns to Capernaum. Here, a paralyzed man is brought down through the roof for healing by Jesus. He forgives their sins and heals the man. It would be important for leaders in the current global setting to take a cue from Jesus as a leader and serve their followers. From the above, it is noted then Jesus goes around doing the work that he came for which includes healing people, preaching and casting out demons. The generation leaders of tomorrow should take it upon them to carry out the work they are supposed to do and as efficiently and effectively. Leaders should provide their services to the people they serve as required of them. (Desilva, 2004). In a global setting, leaders are mostly chosen or voted into office by the general population. A good leader should strive to fulfill to tasks required of him in the best ways possible.

At the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asks Levi, a tax collector, to follow him and become his disciple. Levi invites Jesus to dine with him among other disciples and notorious sinners. The Pharisees criticize him for his actions but Jesus defends himself and says that he had come for the sinners and not those who thought they were already good (Mark 2;17). In verse 18, he is again criticized since his disciples do not fast, unlike the Pharisees. Jesus replies and tells them that they will fast only when the bridegroom