At this point I would just like to pose a question related to what Mark is doing with his introduction. It appears that Mark is declaring that the gospel--the good news--has to do with Jesus as Messiah. "It is good news that Jesus is the
Messiah." There are a number of things we as evangelicals declare as a part of the good news. Is the reality of Jesus being Messiah a part? Have you ever declared to someone with excitement that Jesus is the Messiah? Do we even know why that is exciting? It seems that the gospel writers--specifically Mark for our present purposes--is doing that very thing. In fact, it seems that this is one of the key components of the good news for the gospel writers. To declare the good news without an understanding and exclamation of Jesus establishing himself as Messiah would be unthinkable to them. Why is it good news? Why is it good news for both Jews and Gentiles that Jesus is Messiah?
Along with spending much time in the 4 gospel accounts, there are two resources that have been helpful to
me as I have begun to mull over this gospel reality. "The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited" by Scot McKnight and "How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels" by N. T. Wright.
JC