Jesus’ Deity in Mark’s Gospel Part 3
Christian and Ahmet discuss how Mark's Gospel presents the diety of Jesus.
Christian: I’m really pleased we can keep meeting up to talk about these things. How are you getting on reading Mark’s Gospel?
Ahmet: I’ve been really enjoying it. I have lots of questions, of course. But let’s continue our discussion about who Jesus is. This has been really fascinating.
Christian: So, you said you a specific question, what would you like to talk about today?
Ahmet: We’ll the thing is, the question all my friends keep telling me to ask you is, you know the one, “where does Jesus say himself, I am God, worship me?” I know we’ve talked about this before. You’ve shown me that in John Jesus uses God’s name saying, “before Abraham was, I AM”. But what about in Mark, is there anything like that?
Christian: It’s funny you should ask that, I was just reading Mark 14, there is an amazing verse right near the end of the chapter, but before I show you that, I want to show you a couple of verses from the Old Testament. Have a read of Daniel 7:9-13. What do you see?
Ahmet: Well, God is there on his throne, he sounds amazing and so does his throne, flaming with fire!
Christian: Yes, that is a picture of God’s purity, power and authority. What do you think about verses 13-14?
Ahmet: Well, there is a man, but he seems very special. In fact he kind of sounds like a man and God at the same time, especially that phrase about him being worshiped. Is it saying that there are two Gods?
Christian: It can sound a bit like that, but no, the Bible says there is only one God, but you are right that the man in Daniel 7:14 can only be God himself. In the Bible only God “comes on the cloud” and is worshiped.
Ahmet: That’s interesting. What is the other verse?
Christian: The other verse is this one from Psalms 110:1. This is actually one of the most quoted verses in the New Testament. It says, “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” What comes to your mind as you read this?
Ahmet: Well, it sounds a little bit like Daniel 7. There seem to be two who are called “Lord”.
Christian: That’s right. And what do we learn about the second “Lord”?
Ahmet: We’ll he seems to be seated in the same place as the first Lord, at his right hand, and he seems to have a huge amount of authority. Who could this be?
Christian: Well, it’s interesting that Jesus, although Mark says his is the Son of God, Jesus loved to call himself, the Son of Man. But have a look at Mark 14:62. Jesus is on trial, and the high priest asks him if he is the Messiah and the Son of God…
Ahmet: Wow, no wonder they said he is deserving of death!
Christian: Yes, they knew exactly what he was claiming…