The Encourager
“The Story that Changed the World”
The Story that Changed the World
By Jeff Curtis
Almost thirty years of the Savior’s earthly life passed quietly in the little town of Nazareth. These years could be labeled “Years of Preparation for Jesus’ Earthly Ministry.” The ministry of Jesus was going to be so powerful that the world of that day could not endure it for more than three years. In fact, the second year dovetailed into hostility that finally ended in His crucifixion at the end of the third year. The absolute truth that Jesus brought would shine with such brilliance that the sinful world would reject it and crucify the One who embodied truth.
In one beginning sentence, the Gospel of Mark braces us to receive the world-changing story. This story isn’t about a philosophy, a collection of supreme laws, or a listing of the finest social ethics. It is about the greatest Person who ever walked upon this earth. How did Mark prepare us for this story?
- He began by implying that his story is credible. This story he gave us presents the facts of history concerning Jesus. This narrative he gave us presents the facts of history concerning Jesus. It exhibits integrity from the beginning to end. The text begins with three words: “The beginning of.” The earthly ministry of Jesus is historical, actual and factual. Jesus really came, He really lived among us, and He really brought us the opportunity for eternal life.
- Mark continued by implying that his story is understandable. His intent was to provide us with “the gospel of Christ,” or the good news of Jesus Christ. His life, ministry, death and resurrection compose the “gospel,” a message of hope and redemption for a world that had gone astray from God.
The Gospel account is readable, comprehensible, and digestible. Our loving Father gave us this record so that we could understand it, cherish it, follow it, and be saved by it. The good news would not be good news if it could not be understood by those who receive it.
- Mark also implied that this story he was writing is salvation. He identified it as “…the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” He used four words that should be considered among the four greatest words of the English language: “Jesus,” “Christ,” “Son,” and “God.” “Jesus” means “Savior”; “Christ” denotes “Messiah”; “Son,” with its capital “S,” depicts His deity; and the name “God” declares Jesus to be the second member of the Godhead.
In these four words, we see the story of redemption. The story has a Savior in it, and it features the Messiah sent from God. Really, it contains the eternal purpose of God, because it shows us that the eternal Son of God came to be one of us. Who is this One who story is being told? He is Jesus, the Man; He is Christ, the Messiah; He is the Son of God, Deity, God in the flesh. He is just as much human as if He were not Deity at all, and He is just as much Deity as if He were not human at all.
Conclusion. The story written by Mark isn’t just a gospel. No, it is the gospel, the only means of our salvation. This good news is the highest news. What message could be greater than this? It includes all that is good, meaningful, purposeful, righteous, and holy. Further, it is the most crucial news anyone can receive, the news that one simply cannot do without. So, it is the most glorious and most wonderful news that world has ever received. With the coming of this message, the world has changed forever.
