This quotation calls the first disciples to Jesus. They respond to his call. They were stepping into the unknown and leaving family and friends. From this Christians today can learn we must also follow Jesus’ call and follow him.
To be a true disciple of Jesus one must not disown or deny Jesus but be loyal to him. Peter was very stubborn. When Jesus told him that he was going to deny him Peter said that he would never do that. We should risk death for Jesus for he did it for us in his time.
“I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered” (Mark 14:29-30)
This passage tell us that Jesus foretold all his disciples would leave him, so even the very first disciples flee in times of trouble. But Mark wants us to learn from this and stand up for what we believe in. We are human and we make mistakes but when we do we must seek forgiveness
Jesus told the disciples that they must put themselves last and they will be first. He also said those who strive to be first will be last because they only care about themselves. Disciples must put Jesus first and pay service to him for he came down to earth not be served but to serve and we should serve Jesus and pay homage to him.
“Many who are first will be last and the last first” (Mark 10:31)
What Mark meant by this was that if we want to be first in heaven we must become the servant to others.
Jesus led the disciples by example, such as ‘the widow at the treasury.’ We must make sacrifices for the well-being of others. We must exhibit love, compassion and generosity for these are the attributes of a considerate disciple.
“This poor widow has put more in than all others” (Mark 12:44)
This quotation is very relevant in Mark’s gospel because the poor widow was living out Jesus’ message; she was sacrificing all she had to live on while other rich men only gave a small fraction of their wealth.
After a while the disciples of Jesus started to ask “why have we give up everything for this man and not received a reward.” They had left everything to go and follow Jesus. In Mark 10:28-31 Jesus tells them that any follower that leaves everything for him will receive his sacrifice 100 fold, they will get eternal life in heaven and a feeling of doing something good for someone else.
“You will receive that 100 fold in the age to come” (Mark 10:30)
I have used this quotation because it explains my point that life on earth is just a pit-stop and heaven is eternal. So would we rather have a life of luxury on earth or eternal life in heaven?
Jesus wanted his disciples to be “unwavering” in their lives. He wanted them to be steadfast. A disciple should not be ashamed of Jesus or of his words. He said that anyone who is ashamed of him when it comes to the Day of Judgment the Son of Man will be ashamed of him.
“Those who lose their life for my sake and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35)
This was a warning to people who would deny knowing Jesus they will be denied in heaven. So basically Jesus was saying if you want to live in this life but deny Jesus you will be denied in heaven. He was asking why people would deny him when if they die for him they could have eternal life in heaven.
Disciples must exhibit love and compassion to others just as Jesus did when he fed the five thousand in the desert.
“He had compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:36-7)
Jesus saw they poor people and had compassion for them and fed them all, from five loaves and two fish. These people looked up to Jesus because they didn’t know where to turn. They loved him for his kindness. Christians today turn to priests if they are at a fork in their life.
One of the most important factors of a good disciple is to have faith. Without faith there can be no miracle. Jesus told his disciples to go out into the world and if they have faith they can come to no harm
“The one who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16-7)
Mark uses this in his gospel because he may have believed that in the time of Jesus if you didn’t have faith in him you would come to harm. But it may not have meant that no physical harm will come to you if you have faith but God will grant you a safe passage into heaven.
To conclude, a study of St. Mark’s gospel tells Christians that it is hard work to be like the disciples in Jesus’ time but we can succeed to a certain extent: Mark teaches us to show love and compassion towards God and our fellow man, to have faith and to put others before ourselves. Also to practice generosity, stand up for our faith, never deny Jesus and be steadfast.
“Do onto others as you would have them do onto you and love one another as I have loved you”
I used this reference because it shows clearly how Christians nowadays should treat each other and how we treat God
