You must know: The nature of Jesus from the titles used in Mark

Messiah/Christ  Messiah (Hebrew); Christ (Greek) - means ‘Anointed One’.  All the kings of Israel were anointed by God’s representative.  The Jews believed that God would send a new anointed one, who would bring in God’s kingdom.  The Messiah would be a descendent of David who would have power over sin, evil spirits and nature and would start God’s kingdom.

Messiah/Christ Mark’s Gospel shows that Jesus has power over sin, evil spirits and nature. Mark’s Gospel shows that Jesus has power over sin, evil spirits and nature. He is recognised as the Messiah by evil spirits, the people he cured and by his disciples. He is recognised as the Messiah by evil spirits, the people he cured and by his disciples. Jesus re-interpreted the title Messiah, teaching that he must suffer, be killed and rise three days later. Jesus re-interpreted the title Messiah, teaching that he must suffer, be killed and rise three days later.

Messiah for Christians In the Old Testament Christians see God making himself known to the human race, preparing them for the time when the Messiah would come. In the Old Testament Christians see God making himself known to the human race, preparing them for the time when the Messiah would come. Jesus saw himself as being foretold in the Old Testament. Jesus saw himself as being foretold in the Old Testament. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, prophesied in the Old Testament. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, prophesied in the Old Testament.

Son of Man  Some think Jesus used it rather than Messiah or Son of God to avoid causing trouble with the authorities.  Others think Jesus used it to show how he understood his role as God’s Messiah. (8:31; 9:31)  In the Old Testament, Daniel (7:13-14), the Son of Man represents God’s saints who have suffered for their faith and who will bring in God’s kingdom at the end of the world.

This is the main title used by Jesus when speaking about himself. Jesus uses the title to show that the Son of Man Has authority from God to forgive sins and overrule the Sabbath law Must suffer and die at the hands of sinful men to free humans from the power of sin Will rise from the dead and so give Christians the hope of eternal life Will rise from the dead and so give Christians the hope of eternal life Will be seen in all his glory and power at the end of the world. Will be seen in all his glory and power at the end of the world. Son of Man

Son of Man for Christians Christians don’t often use this title when speaking about Jesus. Christians don’t often use this title when speaking about Jesus. Christians believe: Christians believe: Jesus has God’s authority Jesus has God’s authority Jesus can forgive sins Jesus can forgive sins Jesus’ death means salvation for everyone Jesus’ death means salvation for everyone Jesus is with the Father in heaven Jesus is with the Father in heaven Jesus will come back to earth in glory. Jesus will come back to earth in glory.

Son of God  For some Jews, this title predicted the coming of the Messiah. Prophets in the Old Testament refer to Israel as God’s son. (10:47; 14:61)  Other Jews used it to describe any very holy Jew or Jewish miracle-worker.  For the Gentiles it showed a divine nature. (5:7: 15:39)

Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God (1:1) Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God (1:1) They believe that Jesus has always existed, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They believe that Jesus has always existed, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was born as a human being to make God known to the human race. Jesus was born as a human being to make God known to the human race. Christians believe that through the resurrection Jesus, the Son of God, is present with them in their everyday lives. Christians believe that through the resurrection Jesus, the Son of God, is present with them in their everyday lives. Son of God For Christians