Analysis of Marks Gospel

Analysis of planetary houses gospel singingMuch of the traditionalistic focus of scholarship on Marks Gospel has concentrated upon the key and burster of the disciples, the twelve. However, through this exegetical study of five of the texts I try on to demonstrate that rather than seeing the disciples as the fashion model for mission in the Church, as a people of God, they are in fact failures and a successful model for mission is found in the electric shaver characters, specially blind Barthimaeus (1046-52) and the widow at the treasury, (1241 44).Marks Gospel, since the late nineteenth century has been used as the primary text. The primacy of Mark and his influence upon Matthew and Luke emerged at this time and most scholars have accepted the concept of Marcan priority. It forms the foundation for the astray accepted two-source theory, although a number of scholars support different forms of Marcan priority or reject it altogether. (Tuckett, 1-2). The structure of Mark c an be divided into several(prenominal) distinct sections. Chapters 1-9 the Nazarene ministry in Galilee, Chapter 10 his journey to Jerusalem, Chapters 11- 13 delivery boy ministry in Jerusalem culminating in his passion, death and resurrection, chapters 14 -16. While in that location are numerous passages that assist in our discernment of discipleship, it is important to receive with a focus initially upon the three central themes of the call, the commissioning and the equal.The shout of the First Disciples Jesus encounters Simon Andrew James John (116-20)The Sgoaling out of the xii apostles (67-13)The Cost of Discipleship 834-38Malbon (REF) stressed the need to turn ones attention to the minor characters. The first of these I seek to highlight is the healing of blind Barthimaeus. Barthimaeus if undefended and depended upon the generosity (or not) of the others. He is truly one of the outcasts. Yet in his let the cat out of the bag nothingness he declares an act of faith that none of the twelve were qualified to do, Son of David have mercy on me. (VV) when Jesus asks what he wants Barthimaeus seeks for his smoke to be returned. Jesus heals him by returning his sight. The response of Barthimaeus was one of faith, fruition and action, he threw off his cloak. much(prenominal) a gesture is important to view as he detached himself from his everyday existence. Such a result and response is in contrast with the disciples who remain blind to the necessity of Jesus suffering and death. (Heil 216, 217). Consequently, it is one of the minor characters who offers a model of discipleship for the contemporary church. A model whose eyes are fully open to the presence of rescuer in its midst and whose demands and costs are clear.Such a model is further developed in the story of the widows mite (1241-44). Here we demand of the contrast between those who give of their surplus and the one who gave all. Monetary donations at the temple treasury were seen as an act of devotion to God. By observant this practice of the Jews Jesus was attracted to the actions of the widow who gave a tine amount in comparison. merely she did so quietly and without every show. She gave not what was left over exactly gave all she had. Speaking to the disciples Jesus tells us that she has put in to a greater extent than all those contributing she out of her poverty has put in everything she had. (VV) Mark shows us that the widow, who, without a husband to support her would have been marginalized by Judaic society, givers her totality. It is what Emmanuel Levinas refers to as an event or a force that introduces a decisive break into the historical status quo it is relational, a human affair. (Levinas, 47) Written in the context of transcendence Levinas, while acknowledging his Jewish faith and without making any reference to the story of the widow, captures the essence of discipleship in the womans action. It is the giving of ones entire being, that which exi sts outdoor(a) space and time, that which is non-historical, that has a clear message for discipleship and mission in an honest Christian church today. Such an action emphasises what Jesus said to the teeming young man earlier in the Gospel. Jesus repeated the reproof of Deuteronomy 56 You shall love the Lord your God with all your nerve and love your neighbour as yourself (VV) In this Jesus turns his back on burn offerings and sacrifices. The widow, in essence is a model for discipleship that is in hold with the person of Jesus when he tries again and again to emphasise the cost to the deaf and blind twelve.What I hope to have demonstrated in the five texts I have chosen is the contrast between what I deem to be the failure of the disciples and the success of two minor characters. Essentially, I believe it points towards participation in the mission of the church. Fully understanding volume is not unlike an understanding of revelation. Until there is a response wherefore it remains dormant. Gadamer and Paul Ricouer were both of the opinion that real interpretation leads to actualization. Such an actualization, from an existential perspective1, is transformational it impacts and transforms ones life. If one is called to discipleship then one is commissioned to preach the Gospel in word and action (Mk 1615) by its very reputation it is a Gospel of liberation, a liberating and unifying love as punctuate so eloquently in John 316, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Consequently, the Church is one of mission local, national and international. Ones response to the movement of the Holy Spirit is missionary, it is both the end and the aim of the Church as a people of God.BibliographyTuckett, Christopher M. (2008). The current order of the Synoptic Problem. Oxford Conference on the Synoptic Problem. In Foster, Paul et al., eds. (2011). newfangled Studies in the Synoptic Problem Oxford Conference, April 2008. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologic arum Lovaniensium. 239. pp. 9-50Levinas, Emmanuel. 1969 Totality and Infinity An essay on Exteriority Pittsburgh Duquesne University Press1 . A pattern of human experience lived in the concrete.