In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” —Mark 1:9-11

New Testament scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine points out several important facts about Mark:

1. It is the shortest and most probably the
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   Gospel.
2. There is no story about the
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   of Jesus in Mark.
3. In the most reliable manuscripts Jesus does not appear
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   the crucifixion.
4. Mark was written in roughly
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   .
5. Jerusalem and the Temple have been
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   .

Into this world Mark writes: “The beginning of the

of Jesus Christ.” (Mark 1:1)

“The word beginning in scripture always implies a specific end.” —Theologian Karl Barth

In this case “the end” is the establishment of the

of Jesus Christ.

Mark’s Gospel will from the beginning push us to

the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

“Nowhere are we more prone to encroaching darkness than when we are stepping into the light.” —Nadia Bolz-Weber

Jesus’ baptism is communal. The repentance offered invites the

to support and guide the one who repents.

“By accepting John’s baptism Jesus can be seen as accepting his role as a part of the human community.” —Dr. Amy-Jill Levine

In other words, Jesus is one

us and at one

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us.

The splitting of heaven means forgiveness is now available outside the Temple and to

.

This is symbolized by the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a

.

“God has ripped heaven like Jews rip a garment in mourning. God is present even when we feel most acutely God is absent.” —Dr. Amy-Jill Levine

The voice of God speaks, “You are my beloved son. In you I am well

.” (Mark 1:11)

Jesus’ identity as God’s son will be immediately

. The Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness to confront the devil.

Only in Mark do we find the story of the

standing with Jesus all forty days he faces temptation.

Mark wants us to know that even when we’re in the wilderness we are never

.

Mark taught that God opened heaven and offered his love to

. Every child is a

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child to God.

Acts 2 has a special calling to build

.

Mark has written another character into the story:

! It is our job to share the “Good News of Jesus Christ!”

Action Steps:

1. Ask yourself each day, “Am I living out my
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   ?”
2. Build a big
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   .

“My additional notes:

”.