Jesus is revealed as the Savior of Mankind in his sufferings and self-sacrificial death for others, including his enemies.
The inability of men to recognize Jesus as the Son of God until after his crucifixion is a central theme of the Gospel of Mark. Ironically, the first man to do so is the Roman centurion on duty at his execution. His self-identification as the suffering “Son of Man” made him unrecognizable to unregenerate men. He was the Savior no one expected or wanted.
Continue readingIn his letter to the Philippians, Paul points to the obedience of Jesus as the model for proper conduct by his disciples. His willing submission to death on the Roman cross sets the pattern for his followers. And his subsequent elevation to reign over all things is the result of that “obedience to death,” for exaltation did not precede death, but followed it.
The Apostle summons believers to conduct themselves properly while living in a hostile culture, and that begins by “standing fast in one spirit, with one soul, joining for the combat along with the faith of the gospel.”
Continue readingHaving established his qualifications, Jesus is now presented as the high priest who intercedes for his people. He participated fully in the nature and sufferings common to all men; therefore, his priestly ministry for his “brethren” is marked by faithfulness and compassion.
The Son experienced the death common to all men. In doing so, he qualified for the priesthood. What set his nature apart from the rest of men was his sinlessness.
Continue readingThe priesthood of Jesus is a key subject of Hebrews. He became the “merciful and faithful high priest” who now intercedes for “his brethren.” This is anticipated in the opening paragraph, including the uniqueness of his priesthood, by declaring that he “achieved the purification of sins,” and afterward, he “sat down” in God’s presence.
Continue readingIn Mark, only at his death did the Roman centurion who was present at his execution recognize who Jesus was.
In Mark, all men prove incapable of recognizing who Jesus is, even his disciples. The only exceptions are John the Baptist and the Roman centurion at Golgotha, the very man in charge of his execution. Mark has threaded this theme throughout his gospel to make the point – The Messiah cannot be understood apart from his death on Calvary.
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