The Four Faces of Jesus – Part 2 – Rev Brendan Edwards

Rev Brendan Edwards

The Four Faces of Jesus – Part 2

Mark – The Ox

Jesus the Servant

The theme of the Humble Servant in Mark (to the Romans)

Note the potential power in the oxen’s ability, but the gentle nature and softness in the eyes.
Power to work
Willingness to serve
Spirit of sacrifice (used in temple offerings)

Mark

doesn’t list any genealogy (Unlike Matthew or Luke) as a servant needs none.

Written to the Roman Christians (being a servant is opposite to their culture)

Main emphasis on Jesus’ actions/ miracles Rather than just His teaching (like in Matthew)
The Romans did not know the OT like the Jews did

Key verse is for the Servant Vs Greatness theme.
Mark 10:42-45
42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Greek word “kurios” (meaning Lord/ master) is used:
25 times in Matthew
21 times in Luke
34 times in John
but only found twice in Mark (even then arguably) in Mark 7:28 and 9:24

Emphasising the servant aspect rather than Lord

Exhaustion of faithful labourer

As a faithful servant Jesus often got tired
and needed time to retreat by himself to be restored.
(mentioned more times than in other Gospels)

Ch 1- to outskirts of Capernaum, then to the wilderness
Ch 3- the shores of the Lake
Ch 6- to the villages of Galilee, wilderness of Bethsaida, mountains
Ch 7- to Borders of Tyre
Ch 8- to Ceasarea Philippi
Ch 9- to the heights of Hermon
Ch 14- Garden of Gethsemene
Apart from retreat time, He Hardly ever stops!
Like an Oxen can keep working steadily in the field

Almost every chapter in Mark starts with “And then” in the Greek and most word for word translations
(KJV)

(Not so much in other gospels)

Note: The theme of the Oxen is also the sacrifice

Mark is called a passion gospel more than the others (16 Chapters but the passion story starts at 10:32 -aprox 1/3 of the gospel)

In the “triumphant entry” to Jerusalem on passion week Mark 11 quotes Psalm 118 (about the sacrifice being brought in) rather than it just about the King entering the city (Zech 9:9) with the other Gospels
Note: The great commission in Mark is also focused on His people in action serving

Mark 16:15-18
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Note: In the last verses He is no longer the servant but risen Lord “kyrios”

Mark 16:19-20
19 After the Lord “Kyrios”Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

What does this mean for you?

-Powerful but humble (meek not weak)
-Willingness to serve
-Time out to be restored by the Father
-Spirit of sacrifice

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