Mark Aims to Show His Readers That Jesus Is the Messiah

Mark aims to show his readers that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He states this in Mark 1:1 from the start. The word messiah is the english derivative for the hebrew word Maschiach which means "the anointed one". Messiah was the one who the Jews waited for who would rule the coming Kingdom of God. Messiah is the equivalent to the greek word Cristos which in english is the title Christ. In this essay I am going to point out that Mark uses the many stories of miracles and Jesus teachings with authority to convey his message. Mark aims to show that many people did recognize Jesus as messiah however some refused to agree or believe.

At the beginning of Marks writing John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the messiah. As he preached in the wilderness he mentions that Jesus is more powerful than himself. Mark sets the scene by showing us that the ministry of John who is prophesied in Isaiah is preparing the way for Jesus the greater one. John says in Mark 1:8

"I will baptist you with water but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit".

At Jesus baptism God the Father amazingly proclaims in public

"You are my son, whom I love with you I am well pleased" Mark 1:11. This story shows that God confirms Marks main message.

Further on in chapter 1, Mark shows us Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James and John from fishing to follow him. They immediately follow him recognizing Jesus is worth abandoning their lifestyle to follow. In Marks story each disciple must discover his identity, he shows their struggle with this. Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is.

In Marks gospel the demons and impure spirits recognized Jesus as the "Holy one of God" as seen in Mark 1.21-26 or as the "Son of God". Jesus had to often in his discussions with evil spirits forbid them from speaking because they knew who he was. Mark 1:34.

The roman Pontius Pilate and the centurion at Christs crucifixion seemed to me to ageee with Marks message in a way. Pilate ordered a sign for above Jesus cross to read

"The king of the Jews", Mark 15:26. The centurion who watched how Jesus died proclaimed

"Surely this man was the Son of God", Mark 15:39. Mark uses the words and actions of the characters to show us who Jesus identity is.

It is clear that from all the arguments and battles Jesus had with the Saducees, Pharisees, High Priests, teachers of the Law and Herodians that they did not accept or believe that he was the Messiah. They were offended by Jesus teaching and threatened by the attention and following he was getting. Their hatred showed when they ultimately had Jesus delivered to Pilate to be punished and crucified.

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