The media today is on overload, mainly reporting “bad” news about trouble here, near and far away. Humanity is bleeding from wide-spread global unrest, natural disasters, violence, corruption, lawlessness, and injustice… the “juicy” stuff that is given headline priority… the stuff we are being fed every day.

The primary function of believers world-wide is reporting, not “churching.” The Lord has commissioned us to “be” His reporters… reporting to the world the Good News about Him. Jesus said to His followers, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses [reporters], telling people about me everywhere…” (Acts 1:8).

The job of a reporter is to “tell” the news – honestly, simply, and clearly… not manufacture” news! Mark strongly believed in Jesus so much that he decided to report about Him, to make Him more widely known. Mark was not a writer. His Gospel account of Jesus began with the statement, “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God (1:1). A few verses on he recorded, “Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where He preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” He announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (vv. 14-15).

Friends, make no mistake about it, without repentance of sins and acceptance of the Good News of Jesus Christ there is nothing but doom and gloom awaiting human beings at roads-end. Humanity desperately needs to hear the Good News about the Messiah, the Christ. And, we have been appointed, and are privileged, to report this news in a respectful, sensitive, and timely manner to our family, friends, and acquaintances. We need to re-present to the world, “Jesus, the Son of God!”

As the mindset of most people today is worldly, not godly, we must not assume that our audience has an accurate and adequate understanding of God, the Bible, and the Church.  It is therefore wise of reporters to dissect the Good News about Jesus into smaller portions and present each essential element in simple, clear, and intelligent ways.  Our reporting must be free of manipulation and coercion. Our audience must feel comfortable and free to say “no” to receiving the Good News about Jesus.

From experience, I have learned that reception of the Good News is more effective when presented in six weekly parts: Part 1. Introducing Jesus, Part 2. His Crucifixion, Part 3. His Resurrection, Part 4. Grace versus Good Works, Part 5. Repent, and Part 6. Believe.

The following is the beginning of my reporting of the essential elements of the Good News about Jesus, commencing at Part 1 with the question, “Who is Jesus?”

After introducing Jesus as the Messiah (the Christ) in chapter 1 verse 1, Mark went on to present convincing evidence to prove the veracity of his reporting that Jesus is the Son of God. Mark accomplished this by highlighting Jesus’ remarkable “authority” – all the authority of God! The following five references reveal ways Jesus’ authority was evidenced during His public ministry…  

1. As a TEACHER: Mark reported, “The people were amazed at His teaching, for He taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law” (1:21-22). Jesus did not quote the thoughts of other rabbis or teachers, as was the Jewish tradition of the day. He went one step further. As the original source of the Scriptures, Jesus brought the Scriptures to life! 

2. Over SICKNESS: From just a word from Jesus, a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding was healed instantly (5:25-34). The Bible records over 30 of such miraculous events – the sick, blind, lame, leprous … all were healed by Jesus, completely and instantaneously! (cf. 1:29-34.)

3. Over NATURE: In a violent storm at the Sea of Galilee, while in the company of several disciples, Jesus stood up in a boat and commanded the wind and the waves, “Silence! Be still!” … and they obeyed instantly!  Notice how Scripture describes the result … “there was a great calm!” (4:35-41.)

4. Over DEATH: Through the exercise of His authority, Jesus brought Jairus’ daughter back to life (5:35-42). There are two other similar recorded cases.

5. To FORGIVE sins: When Jesus said to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,” the religious leaders rightly saw this as His claim to be equal with God. Through this incident Jesus demonstrated that He has the authority of God to forgive sins – for only God could heal the paralysed man (2:1-12). 

Friends, the rest of the New Testament underscores the fact that there is no part of creation – animate or inanimate, human or spiritual – over which Jesus does not rule and have absolute authority. Mark has presented us with a substantial weight of evidence. What must we do? Every person must make a decision concerning Jesus. He can either be a liar, a lunatic, or Lord… not a combination. Who is Jesus to you?

(Next week, Part 2 – “The Good News: His Crucifixion”.)

Bill