THE JESUS MARK KNEW

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest gospel, and likely the oldest. In many ways it is the simplest and clearest, and it cuts the hardest because it is so utterly undecorated. Yet the more the commentators study this gospel, the more they find that the way in which Mark put events together in fact says an awful lot, especially about suffering and the cross.

The theme of suffering recurs constantly within Mark, as if the entire gospel is an extended introduction to the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Mark is telling us that this is how a life of truth and faith culminates in this world. You’re going to get nailed for it because it’s not what the world wants, and not what the world understands. This life of authenticity leads to crucifixion. The author constantly brings us back to the experience of suffering and death. There’s no other way we’re going to break through to the ultimate reality that we call resurrection without going through the mystery of transformation that is the cross.