The writer of Mark's Gospel has captured what Jesus did in a lively way, with one event following rapidly on another, in an almost ceaseless even excited telling of the story.

Probably it is the earliest of the Gospels, written for the earliest Christians. They were living with the threat of persecution, and the impending destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. The writer wants to tell what Jesus did, what He meant to them all, urging them to be courageous and faithful to this same Lord.

In this Gospel we see Jesus as very popular with the people. Perhaps in no other Gospel is the compassion of Jesus more evident. On almost every page He goes about healing, encouraging, urging on His disciples. However, at the same time because of His popularity He becomes an object of jealousy on the part of the leaders. This jealousy grows to hatred, and the determination to kill Jesus. From the beginning of the Gospel we sense the looming conflict that will end for Jesus only on the cross.

For us the message of Jesus is clear, "Whoever wishes to hold on to life will lose it, but whoever gives it away for my sake and that of the Gospel, will save it."