It seems appropriate that we begin a new book on the first Sunday of the new year. Having studied through a few epistles, we turn our minds back to a gospel narrative as we present our hearts to God’s word. The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four gospels, but it is no less impactful in showing us Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Each of the four gospels emphasizes a different aspect of Jesus and His ministry, and Mark’s emphasis is Jesus as the suffering Servant-Messiah (foretold in Isaiah). Many see Mark 10:45 as the thematic point of the gospel as Jesus says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” As this servant emphasis is reflected, Mark also vividly shows us the cost of discipleship and what it means to truly follow Jesus. Throughout the book, the disciples, the crowds, the religious leaders...everyone struggles to understand who Jesus is. However, Mark does not expect the reader to wrestle with this question. From the first verse, Mark tells us that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. In fact, Mark 1:1-13 functions as a prologue of sorts, giving several lines of testimony regarding Jesus’ true identity. Mark himself, John the Baptist, the Old Testament prophecies, and the Father Himself testify to who Jesus is right at the beginning. This Sunday, we will examine 1:1-8 and hear the testimony of these witnesses as we prepare our hearts to serve this servant Messiah.

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