How Can Jesus Help Me? - Mark 1:14-31

The first three books, Matthew, Mark and Luke are known as the synoptic gospels. ‘Synoptic’ is a Greek word meaning that two or more words, books, ideas or things should be viewed together—or side by side, in order to show their likeness, difference, order of origin like first or last. William Barclay placed these three books side by side and analyzed every word written checking the terms that are alike and the ones different. This study produced some very interesting information. Barclay deducted that Mark is the most important of the synoptic gospels; in fact he thinks that is good argument that it is the most important single book in the world. Of course this would only be possible if you contend that the Bible is a compilation of sixty books.

Mark is the first book of the birth and life of Christ that was written and is still available and unchanged. It is known that others made simple attempts to write the story of Jesus’ life; but Mark’s gospel is the oldest that has survived. It is not only difficult to realize that at the time of the writing of Mark there were no mechanical ways to print a book; and there was not a single printed book in the world. None of the books in the New Testament were printed—all were written by hand; there were very few copies of any book in existence. You may wonder…and indeed, you may ask how we know that Mark was the first gospel written.

First, even after being rewritten by hand; and changed into print—and changed from the original Greek language to English—THERE ARE REMARKABLE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE SYNOPTICS.

1. They contain the same incidents often told in the same words.
2. Teachings of Christ contain accounts of teachings of Jesus which are close to identical.
3. Compare the feeding of the 5000 in the synoptic and they use almost exactly the same wording.
4. It is amazing. Compare the story of the man who was sick of the palsy and you will find four words in parenthesis—“he said to the paralytic” occurs in all three gospels in exactly the same place.
5. It is clear to see that two of these sources used the third as reference—or all three used a fourth as reference. There are several reasons why bible scholars have decided that Mark wrote first and Matthew and Luke used his book as their reference.

Notice this fact. There are only twenty-four verses in Mark which do not occur somewhere in Matthew and Luke. This should cause you to place a high honor on Mark’s writing, and should cause all of us to honor him for being the first to establish this truth regarding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Who was this man, Mark? Before we go into the study assigned for today, here are a few more vital statistics that we need to hang securely on one of our pegs of remembrances.

Mark was the son of Mary, an important lady of Jerusalem who was an important member of the Church that furnished food and lodging for leaders serving in the area—Acts 12:12. Mark was the nephew of Barnabas and went with them on their first missionary trip. Mark was not one of the original apostles but went with Paul who contended that he was one of God’s missionaries because of his calling on the Road to Damascus. No doubt about it, Mark was brought up in the very center of the Christian fellowship.

Mark was the nephew of Barnabas or he would not have become connected to Paul on his missionary journeys. I have taught this lesson several times, and have tried to find the reason why Mark decided to leave Paul and Barnabas; I still do not know for sure. In Acts 13: 13, it says that Mark decided to go home. Paul was unhappy with him and called him a quitter. The only clue we have says that he went home because he wanted to be with his mother. I have been made to wonder who his father was and how he fit into this story. {Seriously, if you know and can contribute to this part of our lesson today, please let me know who the father was and how he fit in.}

I believe I know why Mark wrote the book named for him…Mark. He had no other reason but that he wanted to present the work and teachings of Jesus Christ in whom he believed and felt committed. Mark wrote by hand the book of Mark. He is the Author. He lived in Rome, and from Rome he wrote Mark to the Christians in Rome—and to John Vandiver, and all the rest of you Christians living in Arkansas, and throughout the world. The date of the writing of this synoptic gospel was somewhere between A.D. 55 and 65.

The setting was the Roman Empire under the Caesar. The common language, the great transportation and communication system was ripe and growing and ready to hear about the new message of Jesus Christ which was spreading from nation to nation.

The key verse that I see as being important because Mark was writing about Christ, who he was, and what he came to do was Mark 10:45: “FOR EVEN THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RAMSOM FOR MANY.” We need to notice who Mark listed as the Key people involved in this part of the Live of Christ. They were: Jesus, the twelve disciples, Pilate, the Jewish religious leaders, and the key places were Capernaum, Nazareth, Caesarea, Philippi, Jericho, Bethany, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, and Golgotha.

Mark is a special feature. The evidence is strong that Mark was the first gospel ever written, and it is the only one written in chronological order. The other gospels quote all but thirty one verses of Mark. Mark is the shortest of the four gospels—however it records more miracles than does any other gospel. Other gospels begin with the birth of Christ but Mark begins with the works of Christ and the first thing recorded came from Isaiah’s conversation with Him when he was told that John The Baptist would be sent to prepare a way for Him to follow as He did the work of his Father.

Mark writes the gospel in dramatic action-packed stories that makes it easier to understand. He gives us the most vivid account of Christ’s activities. He features facts and actions rather than teachings. The way Jesus lived his life is the perfect example of how we should live our lives today.

Soon after John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee where he started his preaching of the Good News that simply proclaimed that “The time has come.” “The kingdom of God is near.” “Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked along the shore of Galilee He saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew. Jesus told them to follow him and he would make them fishers of men. They obeyed.

A short time later he saw James and John, sons of Zebedee, fishermen, mending and preparing their nets. He called them and they followed him, leaving their father with only his hired-hands to help him. Fishing for fun is still hard work; however fishing for a living is even harder. It is a business, and these four men had some heavy investments in equipment and must have been successful since they were able to hire extra help needed. We need to realize that they gave up their way of living upon one command…”Follow Me.”

They left the lake and went to Capernaum where Christ preached on the Sabbath. He was approached by one who was possessed y an evil spirit that cried out asking what He wanted with them. Jesus told the evil spirit to “Be quiet and come out of the man.” The evil spirit obeyed Christ. People began to question and wonder why he was able to do this.

They left the synagogue and went to the home of Peter, where his mother-in-law was ill. She was healed. Her fever subsided and she got up and waited on all of them. That night, many others came and were healed and there were demons cast out. Demons were told not to talk about it. Why? I believe that Jesus wanted everyone to accept him on his own words and deeds and to believe that he was the Son of God; and therefore did not want the demons explaining to the others what had happened to them.

The work of Christ includes prayer, preaching, healing, miracles, and at no time did he brag of his power but always gave His Father God all the glory. It is amazing how Mark is able to cram so many facts, so many incidents and many things about our Savior into this the smallest of the synoptic gospels.

Listen, this is a Vandiverism, but oh, so important. This first chapter of Mark is so important, so complete that you have already studied enough scripture to save every person in the world if they would simply accept and obey what has been taught.