Read
The Son of God: The Cornerstone of Faith
It is a commonly held tradition that the Gospel of Mark was written by the one whom we sometimes refer to as ‘John Mark’ (Acts 12:12). Mark grew up in Jerusalem and was an early companion of Paul on his missionary journey (Acts 12:25) along with his cousin Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), but ultimately became like a spiritual son to the apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13). This close relationship and partnership brought Mark to Rome with Peter where he continued to help Peter in the work of an evangelist. It is believed that the gospel bearing Mark’s name is really Peter’s recounting of Jesus’ ministry. Mark merely listened and wrote what Peter said to him.
With that in mind, look at what is said in the opening moments of the gospel of Mark (Peter).
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11)
Almost from the moment that the writing begins, Jesus is divinely announced as the son of God by the dramatic tearing of the heavens and voice of God penetrating the earth. There is no question, there is no vote, there is only the declaration of Jehovah Himself. What an introduction!
In the remaining chapters of this book Jesus’ sonship is emphasized over and over again through miracles and authoritative teaching while being related to the reader in a very fast-moving and quick-hitting way (that can only be described as Peter-esque) and you arrive at nearly the end of the book and it says:
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:37-39)
Just like at the beginning of Mark’s writing, Jesus is proclaimed the son of God emphatically. Although, this time comes with an entirely different context. Instead of the heavens being torn in two, the veil of the temple is torn in two. Instead of God’s declaration that Jesus is the son of God, a Roman centurion is declaring Jesus the son of God.
In many ways, these bookends reveal Peter’s goals for his recounting of the gospel through Mark.
1.) The first bookend shows Peter’s audience that Jesus is, by divine right, the only son of God. This is a crucial reality for a Roman reader or listener to let sink in because they were entrenched in a culture that told them Caesar was the son of God. Caesar’s image and ‘son of god’ was even printed on their money.
2.) The last bookend shows Peter’s hope for the Romans as they are presented the reality of Jesus’ sonship. That they too can be like the centurion and declare that Jesus is the son of God.
Finally, there is this. In Mark 8:27-30 it says this:
“Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” And He warned them to tell no one about Him.”
Peter had himself built his life on the same reality that God declares in Mark 1 and what Peter hopes the Romans would declare like the centurion in Mark 15. It is sandwiched between these bookends like the climactic and personal event that it was for Peter. It is here, in the middle of the book, that we find our application. If you’ve read Mark 1 then you’ve seen the declaration of God in Jesus’ obedience and if you’ve read Mark 15 then you’ve seen the declaration of man in Jesus’ death. Will you be like Peter and make a personal declaration that Jesus is the son of God? This is the building block of a real faith in God.
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
