5.8 Jesus as revealed in the Gospel of Mark
Jesus is typified by the face of the Ox in the Gospel of Mark. The Ox is an animal that labors in the field. It is hardworking servant that goes about its work. It endures hardship and suffering in silence.
Likewise, Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
(Mark 10:45, NKJV)
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Jesus came to suffer for us as the suffering servant. He went to the cross for us (Luke 24:25-26). Why did Jesus have to suffer all these things? He had to suffer in our place in order to redeem us from sin. He was wounded for our sins. He was chastised to purchase our peace. He bore the stripes to pay for our healing (Isaiah 53:5).
The book of Mark does not give a genealogy of Jesus at all, unlike the books of Matthew and Luke. Why is this so? Because attention is not drawn to a servant; there is no need to mention a servant’s genealogy.
The Gospel of Mark portrays the person of Jesus more by what He does than by what He says. Jesus was a man of action. You will find the catchwords “immediately”, “then” throughout the Gospel of Mark.
Mark portrays Jesus according to the model of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah. Jesus appears sorrowful (14:34), disappointed (8:12), displeased (10:14), angry (11:15–17), amazed (6:6), and fatigued (4:38). In no other gospel is Jesus’ humanity presented as strongly as in the Gospel of Mark.
I love the contrast between the Lion and the Ox. Are you amazed that the King of kings (Lion) would leave behind the glory of heaven to come to this earth as a humble servant (Ox)? This only demonstrates the magnitude of His love for you.
Today, when we read the Gospel of Mark, we must know that Jesus came to suffer and die for us to redeem us from sin, to give us peace, and to heal us. We can embrace Him by faith and receive all that He has purchased for us. Then, we will be transformed as sons of God with a servant spirit to bring the good news (Gospel) to others.
Likewise, Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
(Mark 10:45, NKJV)
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Jesus came to suffer for us as the suffering servant. He went to the cross for us (Luke 24:25-26). Why did Jesus have to suffer all these things? He had to suffer in our place in order to redeem us from sin. He was wounded for our sins. He was chastised to purchase our peace. He bore the stripes to pay for our healing (Isaiah 53:5).
The book of Mark does not give a genealogy of Jesus at all, unlike the books of Matthew and Luke. Why is this so? Because attention is not drawn to a servant; there is no need to mention a servant’s genealogy.
The Gospel of Mark portrays the person of Jesus more by what He does than by what He says. Jesus was a man of action. You will find the catchwords “immediately”, “then” throughout the Gospel of Mark.
Mark portrays Jesus according to the model of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah. Jesus appears sorrowful (14:34), disappointed (8:12), displeased (10:14), angry (11:15–17), amazed (6:6), and fatigued (4:38). In no other gospel is Jesus’ humanity presented as strongly as in the Gospel of Mark.
I love the contrast between the Lion and the Ox. Are you amazed that the King of kings (Lion) would leave behind the glory of heaven to come to this earth as a humble servant (Ox)? This only demonstrates the magnitude of His love for you.
Today, when we read the Gospel of Mark, we must know that Jesus came to suffer and die for us to redeem us from sin, to give us peace, and to heal us. We can embrace Him by faith and receive all that He has purchased for us. Then, we will be transformed as sons of God with a servant spirit to bring the good news (Gospel) to others.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 10:56 PM
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