Gospel of Mark
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Gospel of Mark
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In-study Supplemental, Click Here.
Psycho
"The manager of this theatre has been instructed at the risk of his life, not to admit to the theatre any persons after the picture starts. Any spurious attempts to enter by side doors, fire escapes or ventilating shafts will be met by force. The entire objective of this extraordinary policy, of course, is to help you enjoy PSYCHO more. Alfred Hitchcock"
If you've not seen the movie (and I'll try not to give too much away), it begins focused on a central character (portrayed by Janet Leigh, a star of the time), but then radically—and surprisingly—shifts. You begin watching what you think is one movie, and then suddenly realize you're watching something else. Janet Leigh's character provides a prologue to the rest of the film. And herein lies our connection: the Gospel of Mark also provides a prologue in the person of John the Baptist. The Gospel begins telling you about John, and a new reader might be fooled into thinking the Gospel is about John. But then the focus shifts, and you realize the story is about someone else. There is a historical perspective to this as well: many of the Jews of the time thought that the story of the Messiah would indeed be John's story. Instead, it turned out to be Jesus' story.
One final, very strained, connection to Psycho. Janet Leigh once gave an interview, in which she said of her character:
"Marion had decided to go back to Phoenix, come clean, and take the consequence, so when she stepped into the bathtub it was as if she were stepping into the baptismal waters. The spray beating down on her was purifying the corruption from her mind, purging the evil from her soul."
As I said, it's a strained connection. But at the same time, this is what John's baptism was about: purifying and forgiveness.
What’s Missing?
Read Mark 1:1 - 8, and notice what's missing:
Why do you suppose Mark leaves these out? One possible answer is the simple observation that Mark gets right to the point.
The Prophecies
In verses 2 and 3 of chapter one, Mark quotes three Scriptures. He gives
credit to Isaiah, the primary scripture, but the following are all present:
What Mark tells us about John the Baptist, then, are these three things:
Note John 3:17. The point of Jesus wasn’t to condemn, yet at the same time condemnation will come for those who reject the one God sent to save them.
D.A. Carson: “God is the source of all life, so if his image-bearers spit in his face and insist on going their own way and becoming their own gods, they cut themselves off from their Maker, from the One who gives life. What is there, then, but death?”
John’s Role
Read vv. 4 - 6. Astute Old Testament fans will notice
that John's appearance (among other things) is like Elijah (see 1 Kings 1:7 -
8). The importance of this can be found in a reading of Malachi 4:5.
Before the Day of the Lord, Elijah would return. John the Baptist is
filing this role. Furthermore, he is the first Prophet Israel has seen in
400 years--since Malachi.
John’s Message
John's message can be found in vv. 4 - 5 and 7 - 8. Note
the elements of John’s preaching:
For the Jews, baptism was a ritualistic cleansing. John is offering something different.
As you read John's message, are there any parts which still
apply to us today?
This is the opening of Mark's Gospel--the "prologue," staring John the Baptist.
Next week, Jesus arrives on the scene. See you then!
In Christ,
--Pastor Dan