Just over an hour for this one. Interesting, it almost seems too close together to be reading another synoptic Gospel right through. Because Matthew and Mark (and Luke) tell many of the same events, my mind keeps drawing back to where I saw the passages in Matthew, and not seeing the passages as fresh through the eyes of Mark.
Noting first the comments in the prior blog. As addressed to the Romans, it is perhaps not self-evident, but there are indications, and the style of how Christ is portrayed seems to reflect somewhat the Roman mentality. Romans understood authority well, and the people to whom Mark was writing would probably either be servants or have servants, and it is reflected in the subtle characterisations of Christ performing His work. Roman society was one of obedience, order, and disciple, which comes through in the brevity of writing, and the way Mark quickly hits all the points he wants to make and moves on.
The pictures? I never know what to make of pictures about Christ. Many of the linked pictures show Christ as so different from those around it is obvious - and I am not sure it would have been so obvious from outward appearance, but more from how He conducted Himself. It is not the picture I see of Him in Mark.
As an aside: in general with pictures of Christ, I do find them troubling. Portray Him too meanly, and you may not give Him due respect. Portray Him in too much glory, and you start to minimise His incarnation as He became one of us and served among us. There are times and places for using pictures of Christ (for instance in some teaching scenarios), but none can capture how I feel about Him, and none can fully capture His glory and humanity simultaneously. Use them where you must, but never forget it is only a man's idea of what Christ looked like - we must go to the Gospels for the true picture, where He is described by His character - not physically.
There is a definite sense of hurry and urgency in Mark. The first few chapters seem to keep repeating 'immediately He did' 'immediately He went' etc. We see nothing of the 'quiet years' before his ministry, He appears before us at the start of His ministry, and immediately gets on with the work He must do.
Noticing this sense of urgency, it struck me in about a third of the way through (Chapter 6) that He draws the disciples away for a desolate place - i.e. a quiet place where they could be more at leisure for they had been 'coming and going and had no leisure even to eat'. So even in this sense of urgency to preach (which task the disciples and Christ had been doing), there was the necessity of rest.
Also long repeated throughout the book is a sense of doing work, miracles, and signs, but not seeking praise. Many times He told people not to spread the word about the miracles, and even in the Triumphal entry to Jerusalem, He is not seen as encouraging the praise as He is recorded in Matthew (where He responds to the Pharisees asking Him to quiet the crowd).
Again, everything leads to the Cross. Whereas Mathew introduced Him as King from the beginning, the trial before the Roman governor is the first time we hear Christ referred to as King here. The Servant who continued steadfastly, always moving towards this ultimate purpose for His ministry on earth, is finally seen as King at the Cross. The mention of His power earlier was in relation to the ministry He did, now when power is mentioned, He foretells His coming, wielding great power.
Like Him, may I seek to continually pursue God's will immediately, without hesitation or slothfulness. Like Christ, may I never seek praise for myself. May I give Him all praise. He, the Highest of High, became the Servant of all.
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