JESUS THEMES
Jesus was a very influential figure during the writings of Mark's Gospel. The themes and values which he encountered and displayed can be seen within today's modern society.
SUFFERINGToday many suffer, many are poor, have no food, live in poor areas, have unclean water and many more problems. People all around the world are in this situation from third to first world places these problems exist and continue to kill us as humans. Jesus also experienced suffering in the way of pain. He was nailed to a cross to get rid of our sin and left to starve and die just like the people of our day. “Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.” (Mark 15:37)
REDEMPTIONRedemption is something you see in lots of movies around these days, but Redemption is a thing that many normal humans seek as many have wronged in their life and want to make up for these mistakes and to be redeemed. Jesus although not being redeemed himself, redeemed very many others from their path of sin.
BETRAYALBetrayal is something which may be performed or experienced by people as young as those in high school. For example, you might find out that one of your best friends has been talking negatively about you behind your back. Another instance where this could be shown is where someone in a relationship is ‘unfaithful’ to their significant other. Jesus experienced betrayal during Matthew 18:1-12 when one of his closest companions, Judas, sold him out to the Romans who were going to arrest and crucify him.
BRAVERYIn today’s modern world, people are extremely brave in everyday situations. A particular area of the modern world in which bravery is expressed every day is the professions of the police, fire brigade and ambulance. These people show bravery by doing things that may risk their lives on a daily basis for the wellbeing of another. In the picture on the left, it shows a team of firemen being brave and storming into a burning building. Jesus was brave because even though he knew he was going to be tortured and crucified at the hands of the Romans, he still endured through this in order to atone for the sins of mankind. This can be seen in Mk 15:21-32 during his crucifixion.
COMPASSIONIndividuals being compassionate to one another is a concept which is very common. Nowadays, it is common courtesy to show compassion to not only those who you may love, but to those who you may not even know. It is simply part of being a decent human being. A certain aspect of the modern world in which compassion is expressed is through people with the profession of a nurse or doctor. These people take care of those who come into the hospital on a daily basis, not only because they are getting payed for it but because they are genuinely good people who care. Jesus was a very compassionate because like doctors and nurses, he healed the sick and genuinely cared about their wellbeing. This can be shown during Jesus’ lifetime when he showed compassion by healing others. For example, stories of Jesus being compassionate towards one another is Jesus Heals a Man (Mk 1:40-45), Jesus Heals a Paralysed Man (Mk 2:1-12) and The Man with the Paralysed Hand (Mk 3:1-6).
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