Know someone who talks a good game? Whether it’s your trash-talking sibling or the colleague who embellishes her past experiences, we’ve all heard stories that seem too good to be true. 

When Mark wrote this account of Jesus’ life and ministry, he wanted people to see that Jesus’ claim to be God’s Son was more than just words. Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah was evident in His actions as well. 

As a result, Mark focuses more on Jesus’ healings and miracles than His sermons. Reading Mark, we see Jesus is more than a great teacher. He is a Spirit-filled servant, a mighty worker, and a beloved Son. 

Mark’s non-Jewish audience was a lot like us — people who valued common sense and straightforward facts. They weren’t going to be moved by genealogies or prophecies, and they weren’t going to believe based on what someone said. They were going to weigh the evidence and make a decision for themselves. 

That same invitation is open to us today: Read the stories, weigh the evidence, and see if Jesus is who He says He is.