Expository notes on the Gospel of Mark
Mark, the one-time unfaithful servant, was selected by God to tell of the ever-faithful Servant, His own blessed Son. This amazing story shows us the Son of God in lowly grace and devoted subjection to the Father. Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah as the Suffering Servant of Jehovah. Moses predicted the raising up of a Prophet whose word on all questions would be final. Mark portrayed our Lord as both Servant and Prophet. However, he is never more kingly than when serving nor more divine than when willingly self-limited. There is no genealogy in the Gospel of Mark; we are not concerned about a servant's forebears, but about his ability. Rather we find in these sixteen chapters a marvelous record of activity in doing good and in making known the mind of God. The book can be surveyed readily in three divisions. Part 1, chapters 1 to 5, The Active Servant Ministering to Human Need and Distress, the presentation of the Servant and His gracious work. Part 2, chapters 6 to 10:45, The Servant Rejected but Ministering in Grace Still, the development of opposition, tradition versus revelation, intimations of the coming glory, and the path of discipleship. Part 3, chapters 10:46 to 16:20, The Consummation of Our Lord's Ministry, the rejection of the King, the supreme sacrifice, and the Resurrection with Christ serving still. Mark's supreme object was to show the Gentile world the active love of God in Jesus Christ, serving needy men, seeking after sinners, and saving all who trusted Him. If one had no other part of Scripture but this brief Gospel, there is enough in it to show to any troubled heart and conscience the way of life and peace. -- Jacket flap.
