Douglas Jacoby Podcast

Christ Through the Ages, 7: Mark—Lord Caesar or Lord Jesus?


Listen Later

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Listen to lesson 7 in the series CHRIST THROUGH THE AGES. In this podcast, Mark: Lord Caesar or Lord Jesus?, we will examine a special focus of the earliest of the four gospels, Mark. The lesson is 15 minutes long.

Introduction

  • Gospels were composed primarily for believers.
  • Bioi. Ancient biography = bios.
  • The theology lies in the differences, not just the similarities.
  • For more on bios, please see A Quick Overview of the Bible.

Emphases of Mark

  • Brief gospel, swift action. (Euthus [quickly] appears 9x in Mark 1!)
  • Roman audience, mainly Gentile—not so much biblical background.
  • Jesus’ power and deity.
  • Identity of Christ concealed, then revealed.
  • Lord Caesar or Lord Jesus?

Our study: the political implication

  • Mark 1:1 -- gospel entails Jesus being the Son of God.
  • But "Son of God" and other titles like Lord, God, and Savior were reserved for the Caesar!
    • Julius (dictator, uncle of Augustus, d.44 BC)
    • Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD)
    • Tiberius (14-37 AD)
    • Caligula (37-41)
    • Claudius (41-54)
    • Nero (54-68)
    • Vespasian (69-79)
    • And so forth. See Craig Evans' commentary on Mark 8:27-16:20 in The Word Biblical Commentary.
  • 1:23-24 -- The demonic world recognizes his identity.
  • 15:37-39 -- The centurion tasked with the crucifixion recognizes it.
  • Yet often his own followers do not grasp his identity (nor do we)!
  • Mark's gospel shows us that Jesus deserves our highest allegiance, not any human government, political leader, or other claimant to ultimate sovereignty. Are we conducting ourselves in line with such a perspective, conviction, and courage?


Next lesson:  Matthew: Jesus was Jewish.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Douglas Jacoby PodcastBy Douglas Jacoby

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

66 ratings


More shows like Douglas Jacoby Podcast

View all
Ed Lapiz by Ed Lapiz

Ed Lapiz

26 Listeners

The 3 Knockdown Rule by Mario Lopez & Steve Kim

The 3 Knockdown Rule

119 Listeners