Jesus: The Man Who Changed HistorySample

Who do your friends or family think Jesus is?

A good teacher

A prophet

A political leader

Mark begins his book of good news with three statements about Jesus:

1. The Old Testament prophets said someone would come before Jesus to prepare the way for him.
2. That was John the Baptist, who was himself a great prophet. He said that Jesus is “more powerful” than him.
3. God described Jesus as his own Son, whom he loves and with whom he is pleased.

When Jesus speaks or acts, what sorts of things happen?

Mark 1:21-22

“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

The Jewish people realized they weren’t just studying the Scriptures as they would do on any other Sabbath with any other teacher. The things he said made more sense and went right into their hearts in a way they had never experienced before. The only explanation they seemed to find made them only too amazed.

Jesus, the divine author, who inspired the human writers of the Scriptures, was right there.

God himself, in the flesh, speaking and acting.

It’s important to get the identity of Jesus right – otherwise we’ll relate to him in the wrong way.

Mark gives us all the historical evidence we need – evidence that comes from the firsthand, eyewitness accounts of people who spent years by Jesus’ side.

What is your view of who Jesus is?