“Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Pastor Andy Alberts

As we begin this Lenten journey together, we start with the basics – the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark is often known as the “action Gospel” because of its use of the word “immediately” forty-two times. And yet here, in the  opening sentence, there is no verb! There is no action; just a statement of what this book is all about – Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God.

This name for Jesus, ‘Son of God,’ is the thread that brings Mark together. And yet as you read this Gospel, you will see that Son of God is rarely used. This name for Jesus appears here in the first verse. Then it is announced to Jesus privately at his baptism and again to Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration. Other than that only the unclean spirits refer to Jesus as the Son of God.  None of the people in Mark’s Gospel get it, not even the  disciples. There is only one exception. It is mentioned by only one person publicly, at the very end of Mark’s gospel, only after Jesus is lifted up on the cross, and only by a Gentile, the Roman Centurion.

The Roman centurion at the cross, after witnessing, overseeing the crucifixion of a gentle, humble, innocent man – after seeing how he died – the Roman centurion, is the only one who finally realizes who Jesus is: “Truly this man was the Son of God…” It’s my prayer that throughout this Lenten     journey, you may be strengthened in your faith and confidence that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God!

We pray:

Almighty Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus the Messiah, to earth. Deepen my faith throughout this season of Lent, that I may point others to Jesus, the Son of God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.