The Gospel of Mark
In the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1 (ESV)
The word “gospel” comes from the Greek word euangelion, which means “good news”. Originally, this word was more of a political word than a religious word. For example, when there was a new ruler or a victory in a large battle, this announcement, or good news, was shared. Nowadays, the word gospel is synonymous with the accounts of Jesus, which is fitting because he is the greatest news there is. In my Bible each of the first four books of the New Testament has the title “The Gospel According to ______________”, but it is Mark that actually starts his book with the word “gospel”.
Mark also does something literarily not seen very often: He gives away the ending. He says that this book is the good news about Jesus, who is the Son of God. Everything in Mark is about answering the question: Who is Jesus? But he actually tells us the answer from the opening sentence. The people ask who is this? The disciples ask who is this? Herod wonders who Jesus is. Even Jesus asks his disciples (specifically Peter), “But who do you say that I am?” The Chief Priest asks Jesus who he is, and when Jesus answers truthfully, he is accused of blasphemy.
Mark makes the claim that Jesus is the Son of God. He then fills his book with evidence showing that Jesus is the Son of God. When we get to the end of the book, it is a Roman centurion who proclaims, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” It is on the cross where we truly see the Son of God. Everything in the Gospel of Mark points to the cross and shows Jesus as the Son of God completing his redemptive work.
If your beloved Son, O God,
had not to earth descended
and in our mortal flesh and blood
had not sin's power ended,
then this poor, wretched soul of mine
in hell eternally would pine
because of my transgression.
The Lutheran Hymnal 375:1