“Follow Me”

The Way of Jesus according to the Gospel of Mark

Luke Kammrath

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN:
  9781620323748
  9781498264624
• eBook ISBN:
  9781630873837
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

The world has been completely thrown on its head. A nobody from Nazareth, who was brutally executed by the Roman Empire, has conquered all the empires of mankind and brought freedom to all its slaves. A world of ecosystems and communities of life headed towards death is being rescued. You are being called to follow in this movement, sacrificing everything that you have and are. Will you flee or will you follow?

1

“Prepare the Way”

Mark 1:1–8

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus, anointed child of god.

2 Just as it was written in Isaiah the prophet: “Look! I send my messenger before your face, the one who will prepare your way. 3 A voice is crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the lord! Make his paths level!’” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of transformation for release from sins. 5 All the land of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem were coming out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, renouncing their sins. 6 John was wearing camel’s hair and a belt made of hide around his waist and was eating insects and wild honey. 7 He was proclaiming, “One more powerful than me is following me! Even after bowing down, I am not worthy to free the straps of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the holy spirit!”

What is the “beginning” that Mark speaks of?

Mark is declaring that there is a new beginning (Gen 1:1) that is starting with a man named Jesus. A new heavens and earth are being created through him and the rescue of the creation from its plight has commenced (Isa 65:17–25). A decisive moment in the history of the creation has begun—a new age has dawned.

What is the “gospel”?

Gospel was a common term in the first century and it meant “good news.” For the Roman Empire it was the “good news” of a new emperor, the declaration that a new ruler had taken up his throne. For Israel it was the “good news” of I AM’s arrival to set things right in the world, bringing justice, peace, and new life to the creation (Isa 52:7–10, 61:1–4).

What is the “anointed”?

The anointed (“messiah” in Hebrew and “christ” in Greek) is the chosen ruler of Israel (Ps 2; Isa 9:6–7), who will help the poor and tear down the mighty (1 Sam 2:1–10), the one who will sit on David’s throne (the most revered ruler of Israel) and bring harmony back to the creation (Ezek 34:20–31).

What is the “child of god”?

The child (or “son”) of god is the agent of god in the world, carrying out god’s will. The emperor of Rome believed himself to be this agent, inscribing this belief all over the empire (the denarius coin in Jesus’ day bore the words, “Tiberius Caesar, Child of God” and an inscription from Pergamum refers to Augustus as “The Emperor Caesar, Child of God, Augustus, Ruler of All Land and Sea”). The people of Israel believed their anointed to be this child and that he would rule over all other rulers and nations (Ps 2).

What is significant about the gospel opening with a declaration of “look”?

Seeing and blindness will be dominant themes throughout the gospel. Mark opens his story by calling his audience to look and see, to have the eyes to perceive what god is doing in the world as he brings the projects of mankind to destruction and makes his rescue and justice flow (Isa 51:6; Jer 4:23–26).

What is “the way”?

“The way” is the road of rescue and freedom. Just as Moses led Israel on the way out of slavery in Egypt (Exod 23:20–33), John has come preparing the way (calling people to clear the obstacles that might stand in the way) so that I AM might lead his people and all creation to freedom (Isa 43:16–21). The way is also the way of I AM as he returns to his temple (Mal 2:17—3:5) and as he establishes his reign as ruler over all the earth, lifting up the lowly and bringing the rulers of mankind to nothing (Isa 40:1–24). It is also what the first followers of Jesus were called (Acts 9:2, 19:9, 24:14).

What is the significance of John’s location, attire, and diet?

John is coming from outside the centers of wealth and power, wearing clothes and eating food that demonstrate he is living off the land and not participating in the dominant economic system. His entire presence is a critique of the establishment and the structures of power. This also points to the attire of Elijah the great prophet of Israel (2 Kgs 1:8) who was foretold to come again before the great day of I AM (Mal 4:5–6).

What is “baptism”?

Baptism is a ritual act of cleansing from old ways (Lev 14:7) and rebirth in new ways (just as Naaman was clean...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1. “Prepare the Way”—Mark 1:1-8
• 2. “The Reign of God Has Come Near”—Mark 1:9-20
• 3. “A New Teaching With Authority?”—Mark 1:21-2:12
• 4. “New Wine is for New Wineskins”—Mark 2:13-3:6
• 5. “Whoever Does the Will of God”—Mark 3:7-35
• 6. “Listen!”—Mark 4:1-34
• 7. “The Other Side”—Mark 4:35-5:20
• 8. “Do Not Fear, Only Trust”—Mark 5:21-6:44
• 9. “Even the Dogs”—Mark 6:45-7:30
• 10. “Do You Not Yet Understand?”—Mark 7:31-8:26
• 11. “Listen to Him!”—Mark 8:27-9:13
• 12. “The Servant of All”—Mark 9:14-10:16
• 13. “The First Will Be Last, the Last First”—Mark 10:17-52
• 14. “No Longer Will Anyone Eat Fruit from You”—Mark 11:1-12:12
• 15. “You are Leading Others Astray!”—Mark 12:13-44
• 16. “Watch Out!”—Mark 13:1-37
• 17. “The Sheep Will Be Scattered”—Mark 14:1-52
• 18. “Crucify Him!”—Mark 14:53-15:15
• 19. “The Ruler of the Jews”—Mark 15:16-47
• 20. “He is Going Ahead of You”—Mark 16:1-8
• Conclusion