Mark 1:1 Comparing with Isaiah 40:9-11 and the passage below, what do you think is the significance of this opening sentence?
Whereas the Providence which has guided our whole existence and which has shown such care and liberality, has brought our life to the peak of perfection in giving to us Augustus Caesar, whom it [Providence] filled with virtue for the welfare of mankind, and who, being sent to us and to our descendants as a Savior, has put an end to war and has set all things in order; and whereas, having become visible, Caesar has fulfilled the hopes of all earlier times... not only in surpassing all the benefactors who preceded him but also in leaving to his successors no hope of surpassing him; and whereas, finally, that the birthday of the God [i.e. Augustus] has been for the whole world the beginning of the gospel concerning him, therefore, let all reckon a new era beginning from the date of his birth, and let his birthday mark the beginning of the new year.
[Letter of the Proconsul to the Cities of Asia, 9 B.C.E.]
Mark 1:2-8 What was the role of John (often called 'the Baptist')?
Mark 1:9-15 What message is Jesus speaking? What impression are we left with concerning the significance of who Jesus is?