Mark 1-16
It is the purpose of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of Mark to set forth our Lord Jesus Christ as the faithful and obedient Servant, according to the terms of the prophecy.
Behold My servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.... Who is blind, but My servant? or deaf, as My messenger that I sent? who is blind as He that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? Isa. 42:1-3, 191Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. (Isaiah 42:1‑3)
19Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? (Isaiah 42:19)
The blessed One was blind to every object but the glory of God, deaf to every call but the voice of God, and so gave us an example of perfect service. It was a service, as described in the gospel of Mark, distinguished by many beautiful and significant features.
First, it began with His temptation in the wilderness, when He "was with the wild beasts." It was like another David who gained the victory in secret over the lion and the bear before he went forth to open conflict with Goliath. This fact is recorded by Mark alone.
Second, it was a service undertaken in secret prayer, Mark alone informing us that "in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." This statement is the more noteworthy because the evening before after the sun did set, and we know not how far into the night, He was at work. But however busy, nothing must hinder the faithful Servant from personal communion with God.
Third, it was a service promptly rendered. Ten times in the opening chapter we find the words immediately, straightway, forthwith, as indicating the haste and energy with which the obedient Servant did the bidding of Him who sent Him. The Greek word so translated occurs eighty times in the New Testament, and forty times it is found in the short gospel of Mark.
Fourth, it was an unwearied service. Again and again it is recorded, and it is peculiar to Mark, that when He sought retirement for prayer, rest, and sleep, He let the needs of others call Him forth into the activities of His busy ministry. He did not utter a murmuring word at the thoughtless selfishness of grief and want.
Fifth, it was a service that entered into minute details, as if nothing were too small for His notice. Mark alone mentions the fact that He took up the little children in His arms, or rather folded them in His arms. He not only set a little child in the midst of His disciples as the symbol of true greatness, but took him up in His arms. And He took the mother of Peter's wife by the hand and lifted her up. Many such striking incidents can be gathered by comparing the different gospels.
Sixth, it was a service rendered in great tenderness. Mark alone notices that He had compassion on the loathsome leper. And beholding the young ruler, He loved him. The same evangelist tells us more frequently than in the other gospels of the touch of His hand, His looking, His sighing, as if the Holy Spirit would indicate the necessity of love and sympathy for the true servant.
Seventh, it was a service not performed for display, but carried on in secret. So we read that He took the deaf man who had an impediment in his speech aside and when He had healed him, "charged them that they should tell no man." He led the blind man out of the town and when He had given him sight said, "Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town," and He "entered into a house, and would have no man know it.”
This gospel, therefore, as compared with the others, is remarkable both for its omissions and its additions. It gives no account of the genealogy of Jesus, nor of His miraculous conception and birth, nor of the Sermon on the Mount. The title of "Lord" is not given Him by this evangelist or by the disciples until after His resurrection. But He Himself declares only in this gospel, of that day and that hour of which no man knoweth, no, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. This language which has perplexed so many becomes perfectly plain when we remember that it is the purpose of the Holy Spirit in Mark to reveal Him as the faithful Servant. "The servant knoweth not what his lord doeth.”
All the way through the gospel it is service, even in the four parables that are recorded, and in the miracles that are mentioned. Every chapter, except the first, seventh, eighth, and fourteenth begins with the word and as if there were scarcely a pause in His ministry of grace from first to last. Onward He moved with an obedience that never faltered, with a zeal for God's glory that never wavered, with a love for poor sinners that no coldness could chill, with a courage that no danger could shake.
Labor for Others
The opening chapter introduces Him as engaged in constant labor for others. The last verse of the last chapter tells us the disciples "went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”
It is important, too, to state that Mark observes the chronological order of events that Matthew does not. So it is easy to follow his simple narrative. First we have His unceasing toil in Israel (chapters 1-6). Second, His rejection by the leaders of Israel (chapter 7). Third, the announcement of His approaching death (chapter 8). Fourth, His journey from the mount of transfiguration to Jerusalem (chapters 9,10). Fifth, His entrance into the city and final address to the people (chapters 11,12). Sixth, His farewell message to His disciples and the crucifixion (chapters 13-15). Seventh, His resurrection and ascension (chapter 16).
J. Brookes