Mark: Introduction.

Authorship: Anonymous, but presumed to be written by Mark in conjunction with Peter’s memories.

Date: Around A.D. 50-60.

Audience: Gentile Christians living around Rome.

Genre: Composed in Ordinary Greek, with emphasis on the use of present tense.

*AHA!: The presence of the “Messianic secret” in the book of Mark is especially intriguing. This occurs when Jesus performs various miracles, yet asks those involved to remain silent and alert no one to the miracle performed. He does this most memorably in Mark 5:43 following the healing of a little girl, and Mark 9:9 after the Transfiguration. Jesus’ intent in this request, was to prevent people from thinking that he was not the true messiah, but only a miracle worker and political deliverer. At first, this is slightly confusing, but it works towards the mission of truly exemplifying Jesus as coming to earth to die on the cross for mankind.

Matthew: Insight.

A passage from Matthew that has truly taken on special importance to me is Matthew 6:25-34, which speaks to those of little faith concerning anxiety. Jesus compares the worries of humans concerning such things as food and clothing, to the lives of birds and flowers. Verse 26 says, “Look at the birds of the sky: they don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” He goes on to speak of flowers in verses 28 and 29 saying, “And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!”

Even though I may struggle with worrying about material possessions, this passage assures me that I truly have nothing to worry about. It also heals my worries about any other issue. My God loves me so much that the love he has even for nature echoes even deeper in the love he has for me! The mere beauty of the flowers He has created, and the mere survival of they birds in the sky, attests to the love God has for his creation. God’s intentional care is evident in these things. Yet how God loves me is even more illustrious in my life. He cares for me and blesses me immensely, and so many things are evidence of this: family, friends, community, nature, fellowship, love, laughter, etc. Whenever the idea that I have been abandoned by my creator overcomes me, I turn to this passage and truly meditate on the enormity of love and care He has for me. I have no reason to fear or worry about anything. God’s sovereign plan and unending love is my comfort.

Matthew: Introduction.

Authorship: The Apostle Matthew, formerly the tax collector Levi.

Date: Around A.D. 55 to 65.

Audience: Jewish Christians, living in Antioch or Syria.

Genre: Composed in Ordinary Greek, a concise book focused on the fulfillment of messianic prophecies.

*AHA!: It is interesting too see the distinctness of authorship in Matthew. Being a tax collector, the organization and fondness for numbers is clearly visible. Also, the book of Matthew is heavily concerned with establishing the idea that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Jewish Messiah. Several prophecies from the old testament are referenced, including the impacting and important prophecy of the virgin birth, from Isaiah 7:14, being presented again in Matthew 1:23.