August 1, 2010: A New Beginning – Michael Hidalgo

Mark begins his gospel by using the words “beginning,” “gospel,” and “Christ.” This is already bound to be a best seller. Mark uses words to the Romans that any would have been familiar with, but in a Roman context – words that were all used of Caesar. 

But Mark is telling a different story. So we ask, Just what is this good news? Is Christ more than a surname for Jesus? And why is this the beginning? What did Jesus come to start? The Church? Or was he just reforming Judaism? 

We will explore these questions and more as we dive into the deep end right away. Our goal in this initial teaching will be to understand just what Jesus was up to, and what his movement was about. Ultimately asking, “What was the good news about and how do we hear it, speak it, and live it today?”

The good news of Jesus was about the radical availability of his kingdom to all people. Anyone can enter his kingdom. This was not a place that was reserved for the best, brightest, and the most talented. The good news was present in Jesus himself – who lived out the kingdom ethos and ideal in everything he did. 

He came to the poor, the oppressed, and the “sick” … in him we see that the Kingdom is for everyone. We also see that the invitation into the kingdom is to be a part of something, which means both receiving and giving. Because in the kingdom we both find healing and extend healing. We both find hope and give hope. We both discover freedom and proclaim freedom.