One of the things that we often overlook, more than likely because of our being almost 2,000 years removed from the historical context, is that there were multiple ideas of "good news" competiting for attention and allegiance in the first century. Consider this inscription about Octavian, whom we know as Augustus, the first Roman emperor:
“Because providence has ordered our life in a divine way…and since the Emperor through his epiphany has exceeded the hopes of former good news, surpassing not only the benefactors who came before him, but also leaving no hope that anyone in the future will surpass him, and since the birthday of the god was for the world the beginning of his good news [may it be declared that]…”
Perhaps you picked up on the fact that Augustus is referred to as a god. It is shocking to us, but you have to credit the ancients for at least being honest. Perhaps the difference between us and them is not that they worship mortals as gods, but that they are at least honest when they do so. The stark truth is that in our day, just as in theirs, there are multiple ideas, multiple forms of "good news" fighting for our loyalty.
The thrust of the gospel (good news) of Mark is that while there may be many messages passing themselves off as good news, there is only one gospel that is rooted in eternity. If we look closely enough, we will see that most things trying to pass as good news betray their temporality. Consider this section of the inscription mentioned above, "surpassing not only the benefactors who came before him, but also leaving no hope that anyone in the future will surpass him". The good news of Augustus advent as emperor was firmly rooted in the past, and while that advent may have been good news to those alive to witness it at the time, it would actually be depressing news for those who would come after, for whom there was "no hope that anyone in the future would surpass him."
Contrast this with Mark's message, which begins with the words "the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ…” The good news preached by John the Baptist is rooted in the present, and even in the future, as opposed to the world's good news of things past. John's message referred to one coming who was mightier than he (v. 7), to one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit (v. 8).
More than likely the first recipients of this gospel were Roman Christians in the 60's AD. I won't go into the details of why we think that is the case, but it has a lot to do with internal evidence found in the gospel. I point this out because the commentator William L. Lane highlights what this good news would have meant to a group of Christians who as they received it, were in the midst of intense persecution. Lane points out that as they heard the gospel preached, they would have found multiple ways to identify with the story of Christ.
- Just as they were driven underground to live and worship in catacombs, Jesus was driven into the wilderness, by the Spirit no less, to experience temptation. (1:12)
- Juast as they were led into the coliseum to be devoured by wild beasts, suffering martyrdom for the name of Christ, so Jesus lived among the wild beats during his time in the wilderness. (1:13)
- Like them, he was misrepresented (3:21, f. 30)
- Just as they were often turned into the authorities by their friends, and even family, Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of his closest friends from his inner circle. (3:19)
- Just as they were lifted up on poles, and burned as torches in the emperor Nero’s garden, Jesus was lifted up on a cross and crucified.
- Most importantly, just as a Roman centurion, a representative of the empire that was so intensely persecuting them, would confess the truth that Jesus was the Son of God, so would they experience vindication ultimately through Christ's resurrection.
The good news offered by the world, like a carton of milk, comes with an expiration date. That date may seem far off, but I can promise you that it will get here sooner than you realize. The resurrection, on the other hand, is eternal, and it ensures that the good news of Jesus Christ is always relveant, always available, and always fresh.
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