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We have read these opening words of the Gospel of Mark, but who exactly was Mark? It can be good to take a moment to consider who this important biblical character might be.

It has been conjectured that Mark's mother was one of the Marys - a wealthy woman - with a house in Jerusalem, and with a room large enough to hold many. Acts Chapter 12 verse 12. Who was this Mary? Well, that too gives rise to conjecture but it is indeed interesting. Mark was a cousin of Barnabas - Colossians 4 verse 10 - and Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus. Some suggest Mark and Barnabas's fathers were brothers, and being Levites they would have a strong orthodox influence upon their sons. Barnabas, we know, was a man of substance. Mark 14 verse 51 - We read of a young man fleeing from the Temple soldiers. This is generally thought to be Mark himself writing anonymously, as John himself does - but with hints as to who he is. Mark writes short, sharp, and to the point, with no words wasted. He appears when the disciples gather at his house after Pentecost. Mark 14 verse 12f - Was the man carrying the pitcher his father? Now, that is an interesting and significant question. When we read of the gate in Acts Chapter 12, it suggests a passage and a garden and a courtyard - a grand house - and it can be good to have a peer in. I have done this when in Jerusalem. Following the scattering of the apostles, Barnabas was sent for, and he sent for Saul. There was a whole year of teaching, in Antioch. They went back to Jerusalem, and they took John Mark to Antioch with them, and then, when they were sent out, by the Holy Spirit, they took Mark with them, and the term used is the same as for an assistant - an official attendant at the synagogue - Luke 4 verse 20. Check it out. Acts 13 verse 5 - was John Mark in some official capacity? Acts 13 verse 13 - John Mark had to return, and Saul's name is changed to Paul just before this happens. Is John Mark the same person as Mark the writer of the third Gospel? Why did John Mark return? Paul thought it was a serious reason, even to being afraid of what they were facing - a hot humid country. It can be like the coastline of Kenya, we are told, and I know what that is like when you are teaching daily in such heat with no respite at night for us northern climate characters. Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin. Barnabas and John Mark were Levites. Acts 15 verse 38 - whatever it was - it had consequences - that made Paul quite outspoken - was it some reprehensible reason? 2 Timothy 4 verse 11 - whatever had happened, it was all sorted out! Mark was called the secretary, or interpreter of Peter, by a Bishop called Papias - not all that long after Mark wrote his Gospel. This comment by Papias was made around 80A.D. You had the original eyewitnesses, and you had the elders of the early church, and those who were now sitting the feet of the elders. In the Gospels we have an eyewitness account of the true life story of Jesus, and what God wanted us to know about Jesus. It is a true story. He heard - he saw - he was there - that is required in an eye witness. Their eye witness accounts were honoured in the first century. We could call these accounts their testimony. We have four Gospels giving us four eye witness accounts - four testimonies of the life and ministry of Jesus. Luke tells us that he checked out everything with the eyewitnesses. His account is based on the evidence he received. Mark 15 verse 21 - Rufus and Alexander - why are they mentioned - go and check with them. They are still alive. Names can be like footnotes in today's articles. People would know who these men are. Go and ask Rufus and Alexander - did your father carry the cross of Jesus? Women at that time were of fairly low status in Judean and Roman society. They were not allowed to give testimony in court, like the shepherds in Luke Chapter 2, and yet Jesus used women to report the resurrection, and to be the first witnesses of the resurrection, in every Gospel. If you were trying to make things up you would never have included this. We read of Peter's three denials. He must have authorised that to be included in the Gospel record, and have given permission, indicating the transformation which Jesus Christ can bring about in a man's life. Eyewitnesses! Some say that these people are too involved to be trusted and too closely involved to be that of trusted eye witnesses. They were not detached objective observers! How would you treat the eyewitness account of a survivor of the Holocaust? Were they not to be trusted because they were too involved, and perhaps - perhaps - too subjective - too biased? A man was asked for one watertight argument for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he was rightly and truthfully told there was none - but what if God gave us a watertight person, Jesus Christ. So who was Mark? Whoever he was, he did a magnificent job recording and writing this life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and which precious brothers in Christ could use and expand and amplify, that we may have all that God wanted us to have, regarding the life and ministry of Jesus.

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

A Blessing. Being Blessed

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