The Beginning of the Gospel – Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

• 1.14 “the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near, repent and believe in the good news.”

What is the Good News? Kingdom of God

1. Something in which people can enter 9.47, 10.23-25
2. Something that is coming 9.1; 11.10; 15.43
3. Belongs to some people
4. Some get it and some don’t 10:46-52 healing of blind man

What does it mean to repent and believe?

• 1.16 “as Jesus was passing along the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said follow me and I will make you fish for people. And immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

Who are the actors?

• Jesus: Ambiguity/Mysterious

Messianic Secret

1. Prohibits demons from speaking 1.25, 34, 3.12
2. Those healed are not to say anything 1.43-45; 5.43; 7.36; 8.26)
3. Tells Peter after his confessions not to tell others 8.30; 9.9
4. He hides from people 7. 24; 9.30-31
5. Crowd silences blind Bartimaeus when he identifies Jesus as the Son of David 10.47-4

• Disciples

They do not understand the parables 4.13; 7.18, 9.6

Wonders if they have faith 4.40

Hard hearts 6.52, 4.41, 8.17

Unable to see or hear the significance of Jesus and his teachings

They are patronizing 5.31, 6.36, 8. 4, 32

They betray Christ, deny him, and abandon him

• Enemies

They are betrayed as jealous plotters

Jesus is possessed by the prince of demons 3.22

They test him by asking him to produce a heavenly sign

Look to kill him

Will Jesus’ Disciples become his enemies?

Will Jesus Enemies become his disciples?

Salvation in Mark