The Finished Word

In Mark’s Gospel, no one recognizes who Jesus is except demons. Only in his death on a Roman cross was his identity understood by men . In Galilee, the disciples witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, forgive sins, and even calm violent storms, supernatural acts performed with great authority. However, his words and deeds produced confusion over his identity, and therefore, the question was asked by many, “ Who is this man ?” Only at his execution did a human being finally recognize who he was.

Jesus journeyed relentlessly toward Jerusalem, where he, “the Son of Man,” would be arrested, tried, and executed – Mark 10:32-34. Jesus is “ on the way ” to Jerusalem in the  Gospel of Mark , where his enemies will kill him, but he will sacrifice his life on behalf of his people. The theme of Christ’s relentless journey to his death is repeated in Mark , beginning with John the Baptist, the forerunner who came to “ prepare the way of the Lord .”

Jesus proclaimed a unique political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that differs radically from the governments and ideologies of this present age .  Jesus appeared in Galilee proclaiming the “ Kingdom of God ” – “ Repent, for the kingdom is at hand .” The Kingdom promised by God was arriving in Christ’s life and ministry. He was the Messiah and King of Israel who summoned all men to turn from their wicked ways and submit to his lordship before the Judgment when it would be too late.

Paul summoned believers to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life “unto death” for others – Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus fulfilled the role of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ from the  Book of Isaiah . Unlike Adam, Christ did not attempt to grasp the “ likeness of God .” Instead, he humbled himself and submitted to a shameful death on the Roman cross. Therefore, God exalted him and made him “ Lord ” over all things. His exaltation did not precede his death; his enthronement followed it, and he died utterly alone.

To follow Jesus requires a lifetime of self-denial and sacrificial service for others and a willingness to lose everything for the Gospel . When Jesus dispatched his disciples to announce the “ Good News ” to the “ lost sheep of Israel ,” he warned that they would find themselves as “ sheep among wolves .” Hostile men would haul them before “ councils and whip them in their synagogues ,” and they would be hated “ by all men for my sake .” That was the harsh reality Christ’s disciples discovered when they proclaimed his message to the world.

To be the Messiah of Israel meant suffering and death for others, and Jesus summoned his disciples to follow that same path  – Mark 8:31. Jesus explained what it meant to be Israel’s Messiah and the Son of God as his entourage approached Jerusalem,  suffering and death . This was contrary to popular expectations, including those of his closest disciples. He also summoned anyone who wished to follow him to take up his cross and emulate his example. Failure to do so would result in shame before the Lord of Glory.

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus explained what it meant to be the Messiah and the destiny of the Son of Man - Mark 8:27-38. As they approached Jerusalem, Jesus asked his disciples: Who do men say I am? At least nine times, the Gospel of Mark declares that Jesus was “ on the way .” His march to the City of David echoed the words in the Book of Isaiah applied previously to John the Baptist- “ Behold, I send my messenger before your face who will prepare your way .”

The submission of Jesus to an unjust death is the pattern of the love and service to others that his disciples are called to imitate . The obedience of Jesus to his Father becomes the model for how we, as his followers, emulate Christ. His willing submission to death on the Roman Cross is the pattern for our conduct and attitude toward others. The elevation of the Nazarene to the Messianic Throne resulted from his submission to “ death upon a cross .” Conforming our lives to this example is how we learn to “ follow him wherever he goes .”

The Spirit of God and the voice from heaven confirmed the calling and identity of Jesus, Son, Messiah, and the Servant of the LORD . Jesus first appears in the  Gospel of Mark  when John baptizes him in the Jordan River. The account identifies him with his hometown, Nazareth, a village of no consequence, though its insignificance plays a role in the story. He is the “ Servant of the LORD ” anointed by the Spirit, but he does not conform to popular expectations about the Messiah.

In Galilee, the disciples witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, forgive sins, and even calm a violent storm, all supernatural acts performed with great authority. However, all too often, his words and deeds produced confusion followed by the question – “ Who is this man? ” Only at his execution on Golgotha did a human being begin to understand who he was.

Jesus proclaimed a new political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that bears little resemblance to the political regimes of this world . Jesus arrived in Galilee proclaiming the “ Kingdom of God ” – “ Repent, for the kingdom is at hand .” In his ministry, the reign of God was invading the Earth. However, the nature of his realm was radically different than the governments and political ideologies of the existing world order, and more than once, Jesus refused political power, especially when offered by Satan.

Following his baptism, the voice from Heaven identified Jesus as God’s Son and the ‘Suffering Servant of the LORD’ . The promises of God are fulfilled  in Jesus,   the Son of God, who was sent to redeem Israel and “ to shepherd the nations .” Peter, for example, confirmed that he was the “ Messiah ” but failed to understand how Christ would undertake that role as the ‘ Servant of Yahweh <…> who carried the sins of many .”

When Jesus first appeared in Galilee, he proclaimed the “ Kingdom of God ” – “ Repent, for the kingdom is at hand .” In his ministry, death and resurrection, God’s reign began to invade the Earth. But this realm is of an entirely different nature to the political systems of this world. It is not built on violence, oppression, and conquest, but instead, on mercy and the Cross. Moreover, unlike ALL past and present nations and empires, his Messianic Kingdom will never fall, it will endure forevermore.

Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of unlimited political power and instead chose the way of the Suffering Servant - Matthew 4:8-11. Satan tempted Jesus by offering him political power over “ all the kingdoms of the world .” However, he refused the Devil’s offer . Instead, he submitted to the way of the ‘ Suffering Servant of the LORD ’ that led inevitably to his death on the Roman cross. Satan tempted The Son of God in four ways. The most seductive was the offer of power over the nations - (Matthew 4:8-11).

After his baptism, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness where he was tested by the Devil. The Messiah succeeded where Israel failed . After his baptism in the Jordan by John, the Spirit “ drove Jesus into the wilderness .” Like Moses and Israel, the Messiah was tempted while he was alone in the Judean desert. His only guide was the Word of God. Like Israel, he was “ tested .” Unlike the Hebrew nation, he overcame every temptation and emerged victorious and “ full of the Holy Spirit. ”

Christ’s disciples are called to self-sacrificial service for others just as Jesus gave his life to ransom many from sin’s bondage  – Mark 10:35-45. After predicting his death, two disciples began jockeying for high positions in Christ’s Kingdom. Thinking according to the ways of this world, they did not comprehend just what kind of Messiah Jesus is and what it meant to follow him. Nevertheless, he would demonstrate in Jerusalem how his followers become his disciples and achieve “ greatness ” in the Kingdom of God.

The power and wisdom of God are revealed in the proclamation of the Messiah who was crucified by the Roman Empire . Jesus of Nazareth performed miracles, exorcised demons, and taught with great authority, and for a time, he attracted large crowds. Nevertheless, his contemporaries failed to recognize who he was despite his displays of supernatural power. Only the Roman centurion on duty at Golgotha perceived that he was the “ Son of God ” when Christ breathed his last.

Unrecognized as the Savior of the World and Messiah of Israel, Jesus was rejected by all but the unlikeliest of men . The inability of men to recognize Jesus as the Son of God until his crucifixion is central to the Gospel of Mark . Ironically, the first man to do so was the Roman centurion on duty at his execution. Christ’s self-identification as the suffering “ Son of Man ” made him unrecognizable to unregenerate men, including his disciples, until after his resurrection. He was the kind of Savior no one expected or wanted.

Jesus is the Son of David and heir to the Messianic Throne, the beloved Son of God, and the Suffering Servant of Yahweh . The  Gospel of Matthew  declares Jesus to be the promised “ Son of David .” This same Jesus demonstrated what it means to be the King of Israel, especially through his sacrificial death. Traditionally and scripturally, the hoped-for ideal king was linked to the House of David. With the arrival of the Nazarene, that understanding was forever altered.