2026-09-09 HEAR Journal: Mark 1:1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark 1:1 (ESV)

That’s it. That’s the whole verse. Mark doesn’t waste words. No genealogy, no birth story, no shepherds. He gives you the headline and moves on.

Explain

Most scholars think Mark was the first Gospel written, even though it sits second in your Bible. If that’s right, this is the first sentence anybody ever put down to tell the story of Jesus. And the first word is “beginning.”

The beginning of what? The gospel. The good news.

Here’s the good news as plainly as I can say it. We were separated from God by sin. That goes all the way back to Genesis 3, to the fall. But even there, God protected us. He put humanity out of the Garden so we wouldn’t be eternally cut off from Him. He cared for us when we had just walked away from Him.

And He didn’t stop there. He made a way back.

Jesus Christ lived a sinless, perfect life. He was crucified, dead, and buried. Three days later He rose from the dead. He ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of the throne of God. He took our sin on Himself and made the payment we could not make. If we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that He is the Messiah (Romans 10:9), we are restored to God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Forgiven. Justified. Declared free.

That’s the gospel. That’s what Mark is beginning.

But notice what Mark is not saying. He is not saying this is the beginning of Jesus.

Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. He was there in Genesis 1:1. He existed with the Father before anything was created. The New Testament is not the beginning of Jesus. It is the beginning of the gospel. It’s the beginning of His story as a human being, born supernaturally of the virgin Mary so the inheritance of sin passed down through every generation would be broken in Him. So He could be our Redeemer.

The Son of God. God the Creator. Our Father. All in one sentence.

Apply

John 3:16 says God loved me so much that He sent His only Son to die for me. That’s personal. That’s not a doctrine I hold at arm’s length. Through faith in Jesus I get to live free for the glory of God. Not bound by shame. Not dragged around by guilt. Free, by the blood of Jesus, who made the payment I couldn’t.

And good news is meant to be shared.

That’s the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. I received the good news, so I should share it. Actually, not should. I’m commanded to. Jesus didn’t suggest it. I’m commanded to share it so other people can experience the same freedom and redemption. So they can be restored to their Heavenly Father, their Creator, the One who loves them and is already pursuing them.

Romans 12:2 says our minds are supposed to be renewed and transformed so we can discern the will of God. And the will of God is not a mystery here. It’s to draw people to Himself. It’s to share the good news.

So as I work through Mark, I don’t want to treat it like a history lecture. It’s the beginning of the good news. It’s still good news. And there are people in my life who haven’t heard it from me yet.

Respond

God, thank You for Your mercy, grace, kindness, patience, and long-suffering. Thank You for the ultimate sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue, redeem, and restore me to Yourself. Thank You for not leaving me lost and imprisoned by my sin. Thank You for freeing me from shame and guilt. Thank You for filling me abundantly and giving me a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26). Help me walk and live faithfully to You. Help me be bold in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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HEAR Journals are a simple way to engage Scripture daily: Highlight the verse, Explain what it means, Apply it to your life, and Respond to God. This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about drawing near to the One who desires to spend time with you. Share your own HEAR journal in the comments; let’s learn and grow together.