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.