The Mission of Jesus as Described in the Gospel of Mark

When Jesus asked his disciples about what people thought about him, they answered that some considered Jesus to be e prophet, some - John the Baptist. But Jesus wanted his disciples to understand his mission, the reason why God brought him to Earth. That is why it was important for him to make sure that people realize who he is and that his sayings are vital for the whole mankind. Jesus was the Messiah, the anointed one, above all other prophets. He was sent to suffer for the all human beings and the reasons why his suffering was necessary are described in Mark's Gospel 8:27-9:1.

Jewish people expected that He would bring deliverance through the conquest but Jesus explained that deliverance can be achieved only through the cross. Jesus will achieve victory through suffering. It is the cross, not crown He will take up. Explaining His mission to the listeners he requires them to adjust and raise their expectations of Messiah . Jesus is much more than they had anticipated and God's mean of deliverance is through death. Jesus knew that He was misunderstood as Messiah and corrected their view in the gospel of Mark.

Mark 8:34 is the only time on the Gospel when Jesus calls the crowd together with disciples because his message is of very high importance. The price for discipleship is a complete denial of yourself in the name of God . And the mission of Jesus is to bring this message to humankind through his suffering and death on the cross. In Mark's gospel Jesus provides his identity which becomes the turning point in the human history. Before He was teaching, healing the sick, had scraps with authorities and established a group of disciples . Was it his mission? No. Jesus is the Messiah.

After this passage ...

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... people today who do understand the consequences of the scarify Jesus has done for the salvation of the whole humankind.

References

Cole, Alan R. The Gospel According to Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries). Send the Light, 1990.

Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary Series). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.

France, R.T. The Gospel of Mark: New International Commentary on the Greek Testament (New International Greek Testament Commentary). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002.

Hengel, Martin. Studies in the Gospel of Mark. Fortress Press, 1985. 206 pages

Lane, William. The Gospel According to Mark: The English Text With Introduction, Exposition, and Notes (New International Commentary on the New Testament). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974.