The Other Six Days

Wilma Vanderleek -

Doing life with Jesus is a journey but not always an easy one. As we look through the book of Mark, we will see much and have the opportunity to learn a great deal. Are you ready to look carefully into your life and see how you are living the other six days? Mark is a great example for us – let’s dig a little right now.

Mark does not name himself as the author of the book. Could it be that he carefully plans it so that we focus only on Jesus and not get distracted by Mark?

Mark was never really a ‘number one.’ He is seen in many places, but is acting in the background behind other great leaders. He was a personal assistant to leaders like Barnabas, Paul and Peter. It is from Peter that Mark receives his information for his gospel.

Peter’s character is obvious in Mark’s gospel. Action Man is what Peter is! He often speaks before thinking; it is difficult for him to sit still and wait when there is something to be done. Peter jumps right in even while the others cautiously move forward. It is Peter who walks on the water, Peter who jumps into the water when John claims that it is Jesus on the shore; Peter who quickly claims that even if the others desert Jesus, he wouldn’t!

In the first part of Mark, relatively little time is spent on the first two and a half years of Jesus’ ministry. It is written at a fast pace as Mark seeks to excite the reader with what is happening. But in the second part he spends more time on subsequent months, then even more time looking at Jesus’ last weeks, until he focuses right down on the last week and last day, when every hour is described. It would be similar to looking at Google Earth, North America, Alberta, Red Deer then CrossRoads Church; in the front doors, through the main sanctuary doors, down the aisle, up the stairs, onto the stage and finally honing in on the cross – emphasizing that this is something that you don’t want to miss!

The gospel of Mark gives us some great themes:

• The first theme is a clear picture of the person of Christ. Mark makes it clear that Jesus revealed Himself to His followers gradually. Mark reveals the person of Christ, and still highlights the fact that Jesus wanted to keep His own identity quiet.

• The second theme is the work of Christ. He emphasizes the death of Jesus. The cross dominates the content throughout the Gospel. 
• The third theme is the people’s reactions to the teaching and miracles of Jesus – their fear and faith are common threads that travel throughout the gospel. From the beginning to end of the gospel, it is as if those who meet Jesus are faced with a choice between the two.

 

Mark shares stories and examples of how Jesus lived His life, called people to follow Him and cared for people’s practical needs, and ultimately how He loved us through His sacrifice, death and resurrection.

The gospel has a peculiar ending – like ending mid sentence. Like this gospel the Jesus story doesn’t end there – it continues; we are part of that continuation here in Central Alberta.

What will be our focus?

Do you demand the public eye or are you more like Mark, pushing all the focus to Jesus?

Do you adjust your life, your days, your hours, minutes and thoughts to what Jesus wants you to do?

The gospel of Mark may be a great place for each of us to really look into our lives and ask: "How will I choose to respond to Jesus? Will I respond in faith or react in fear?"

Let’s learn how to make the best of the other six days!

This article was originally published in the May 2011 edition of The Crossing. The Other Six Days sermon series ran from May to July 2011. You can listen to it in the Messages section.