RPG Adults
WRITER OF THE GOSPEL
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1
Mark 1:1
ACTS 12:11-17
“The beginning of the
gospel of Jesus Christ…”
WRITER OF THE GOSPEL
St Mark was the writer of this Gospel. Who was he? His full name was John Mark (Acts 12:12; 15:37). He was a disciple of the Lord Jesus, but was not among the twelve Apostles. Although not an Apostle, he was closely associated with them, especially Peter and Paul (Acts 12:11,12,25). Believers met in his home for prayer meetings. He was with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary trip but quit halfway. This led to Paul and Barnabas going their separate ways later on because Paul no longer wanted to take Mark for any more missionary trips (Acts 15:36,37).
Mark was a sincere believer and servant of the Lord. Although he made a mistake in that first missionary trip, he repented and later proved his worth. It is heartening to see Paul commending Mark later on in 2 Timothy 4:11, “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” As Christians, we may make mistakes and sin against God. However, if we are humble and teachable, willing to correct ourselves and change our ways, the Lord can restore us and still use us.
King David, for example, sinned against God when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. But when he confessed his sin and prayed for forgiveness, the Lord forgave him, restored him and continued to use him as king of Israel (Ps 51). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:9,10).
The Lord was gracious to use Mark to write this Gospel. Although Mark was the writer, it must be said that his Gospel was actually Peter’s. The Apostolic Fathers – Justin Martyr and Irenaeus – said that the Apostle Peter was behind Mark’s Gospel.
THOUGHT: Have I sinned against the Lord?
PRAYER: (Confess your sins now and pray for forgiveness.)