Explain why Jesus' example of self-sacrifice and his suffering, death and resurrection as presented in Mark's Gospel are important for Christians

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Jake Soall 11W        Page         4/23/2007

Explain why Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice and his suffering, death and resurrection as presented in Mark’s Gospel are important for Christians

      Without the passion, the Christian faith would be nothing.  It is the most poignant and influential part of the gospel record and provides a foundation for the entire Christian faith and the belief that Jeus Christ was undoubtedly the Son of God.  There are a few main reasons for this; for example if Jesus had not been resurrected from the tomb on Easter Sunday, then it would prove all the Old Testament propecies about the Messiah to be wrong and subsequently proving that Jesus was not the Son of God.  Thus the new covenant between the people and God that is made as a result of the passion would also be a complete phalacy.

      Therefore it is of the upmost importance for Christians as their whole religion is based upon the events throughout the duration of Holy Week or The Passion.  Mark recognises this and devotes approximately one third of his gosepl to recording the goings on throughout the week.

       To begin with, I shall look at the rather unique way in which Mark presents his gospel, then I will closely analyze the significance of Jesus’ self sacrifice, his suffering and his resurrection.  Finally the focus of this essay will be on how Jesus is a role model for everyone alive today.  

       The portrayal of the passion according to Mark begins by showing Jesus’ humanity.  Although he is the Messiah he does not wish to be viewed as some kind of divine superbeing but wants people to know that he is a human being.  We see a fine example of Jesus’ humanity when he is alone in the Garden of Gethsemane before he is betrayed by Judas.  Jesus knows that he will soon be betrayed just as he knew of the colt (11:2) and the jar of water (14:13).  Also at the Last Supper when he says that someone who is eating the same bread as him and drinking the same water at this table will be betray me.  He is implying that it will be one of the disciples but they all deny it.  Even Judas at this time does not know it will be him. Unfortunately he succumbs to temptaion.  Because of this he becomes very distressed and absolutley petrified by the notion of death which he knows is upon him.  He throws himself upon the ground and begs God not to make him go through with it.  ‘Father’ he says ‘All things are possible for you, take this cup of suffering away from me’.  This shows his fear.  However he concedes that ‘Yet not what i want, but what you want’.  This is quite significant for Christians as it helps them to have courage when going through suffering.  Jesus did not want to have to go through the experience he was about to but he knew that it was God’s will so he must.  Christians can do the same when in a time of suffering as they can rest assured that it is God’s will and therefore it is important that they go through with it.

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       In the next chapter where Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss (14:43-52) one of Jesus’ desciples, supposedly Peter, cuts off the ear of one of the guards.  However Jesus uses no violence and is angry that the guards arrested him bearing weapons.  He beleives he is being treated as an’outlaw’.  Then, in the same chapter, Mark includes a feature not included in the other three gospels; the naked man running away in the linen cloth.  Some beleive that this is Mark himself  but the more popular beleif is that it may be linked with the Old ...

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