God's Realm Breaking In

God’s Realm Breaking In
(Mark1-3)

Jesus and the Realm of God (Mark 1:1–45)
Although “According to Mark” was added later, Mark’s Gospel does have a functioning title in 1:1: “The beginning of the good news [gospel] of Jesus Christ, Son of God.” Each term is important. While “Jesus” is a personal, biblical name (a form of Joshua), both “Christ” and “Son of God” are titles. “Christ” is the Greek form of the Hebrew “Messiah,” meaning “anointed one,” one called out for a special task, like a king, priest, or prophet. From the Jewish Scriptures, “Son of God” would be understood as one obedient to God—such as the king, or Israel as a nation, or the righteous individual…