St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Read Mark

The Church of England’s bible readings for Sunday services take one gospel each year in rotation: so from now until next Advent we shall be hearing mostly Mark’s gospel in our services. We’ll be including times when we focus on other parts of the bible, but we’ll return again to Mark throughout 2003.

Mark wrote his gospel first: around AD65, only 30 years after Jesus’ death. Maybe he was the young man who escaped capture at Jesus’ crucifixion by running away naked (Mark 14:51-52)? He must have got to know Peter quite well, because the parts of his gospel which involve Peter are the most vivid parts of his book. He concentrates on what Jesus did (Matthew and Luke have more about what Jesus said), and he gives a lot of space to the last week of Jesus’ life. He obviously thought Jesus’ death for our sins was the key point of the Gospel, as he records what Jesus taught about his own death (e.g. 10:45 & 14:24).

He wrote the book in a fast-moving hard-hitting style: you can read it in an hour, but you’ll be gob-smacked if you do! So here’s a challenge to you - why not sit down and read Mark’s gospel right through for yourself?

Why do I recommend that? Saints Alive, a course in Christian Basics which I used to run, used to set the members a bit of homework each week. For the first weeks, the homework was to read Mark’s gospel (in chunks) and to come to group meetings prepared to make comments or ask questions about what you’d read. Hearing people’s reactions was always the most interesting part of the meeting: Mark’s gospel has a lot in it for us to get our teeth into. It opens our eyes to the amazing person that Jesus was, and the surprising things he used to do and say. It stretches our minds so our faith doesn’t get into a rut.

“Ah, but,” you might say. “Suppose I don’t understand what I’m reading?” Fair question! Why not get yourself a book of bible-reading notes: Daily Bread (by Scripture Union) are doing Mark this month, and the notes will help. Or why not meet a Christian friend over coffee, or invite the vicar, or join a group, so you can share insights?

“I’ve not a lot of time for reading,” you might say. Why not get the bible on cassette tape and listen as you drive or iron?

One way or another, it’s worth making an effort to read Mark.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. January 2003, Page 1.
Home Page. Index of articles. Vicar's Letters: index, Grilled Preacher, Faithful remnant, New Archbishop, Christmas, Read Mark, Zimbabwe. Bible & Sermons: index, Pentecost, Bible versions, The cross, 1 Peter, Read Mark, Without Jesus? In this issue: (January 2003) Vicar's Letter, Depression, Islam, Question.	Read Mark The Church of England’s bible readings for Sunday services take one gospel each year in rotation: so from now until next Advent we shall be hearing mostly Mark’s gospel in our services. We’ll be including times when we focus on other parts of the bible, but we’ll return again to Mark throughout 2003. Mark wrote his gospel first: around AD65, only 30 years after Jesus’ death. Maybe he was the young man who escaped capture at Jesus’ crucifixion by running away naked (Mark 14:51-52)? He must have got to know Peter quite well, because the parts of his gospel which involve Peter are the most vivid parts of his book. He concentrates on what Jesus did (Matthew and Luke have more about what Jesus said), and he gives a lot of space to the last week of Jesus’ life. He obviously thought Jesus’ death for our sins was the key point of the Gospel, as he records what Jesus taught about his own death (e.g. 10:45 & 14:24). He wrote the book in a fast-moving hard-hitting style: you can read it in an hour, but you’ll be gob-smacked if you do! So here’s a challenge to you - why not sit down and read Mark’s gospel right through for yourself? Why do I recommend that? Saints Alive, a course in Christian Basics which I used to run, used to set the members a bit of homework each week. For the first weeks, the homework was to read Mark’s gospel (in chunks) and to come to group meetings prepared to make comments or ask questions about what you’d read. Hearing people’s reactions was always the most interesting part of the meeting: Mark’s gospel has a lot in it for us to get our teeth into. It opens our eyes to the amazing person that Jesus was, and the surprising things he used to do and say. It stretches our minds so our faith doesn’t get into a rut. “Ah, but,” you might say. “Suppose I don’t understand what I’m reading?” Fair question! Why not get yourself a book of bible-reading notes: Daily Bread (by Scripture Union) are doing Mark this month, and the notes will help. Or why not meet a Christian friend over coffee, or invite the vicar, or join a group, so you can share insights? “I’ve not a lot of time for reading,” you might say. Why not get the bible on cassette tape and listen as you drive or iron? One way or another, it’s worth making an effort to read Mark. John Hartley
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