What do the earliest historical writings say about Jesus? Do they still claim Jesus is God or was that added later? The first eyewitness testimony ever written about Jesus is thought to be the book of Mark, so this week at Church In A Brewery we discussed and analyzed the first part of Mark Chapter 1.
This chapter starts off with a bang. There are basically three major claims about Jesus right there in the very first sentence. There’s also a more subtle fourth claim being made in this chapter, and it’s the biggest claim of all. The podcast recap below will fill you in on what we discussed Monday night. Take a listen!
Discussion questions: Here are the questions we discussed together at our meeting.
- Think about your experience with the Bible. Do you think it’s really good news? Why or why not?
- If the Bible is actually a message from God to us, what do you think the purpose of it might be?
- Unpack the phrase “make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” What do you think it means? What is the “desert” referred to? Why does God need a highway?
Scripture References:
Mark 1:1-3:
1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.[a] It began 2 just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way.[b]
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’[c]”
Malachi 3:1
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.
Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Resources:
The Great Isaiah Scroll: Here is a digital copy of the book of Isaiah from 125 BCE containing the verse above. This copy is older than Jesus himself.
http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/isaiah
Questions? Comments? Thoughts on this chapter? Send us a message!