Strauss' Demonstration of Mark's Book

Student Name
Instructor
Course
Date
Reflection on Strauss Book Chapter 7
Strauss starts by acknowledging how Mark employs a vivid, fast-moving style. He compared Mark's approach to a news reporter in a war zone trying to paint a picture of the events unfolding quickly. Strauss considers the word “immediately,” which Mark uses 42 times, compared to other authors like Matthew and Luke, who use the term only five and once, respectively (Strauss 216). Such a fast-moving narrative aims to draw the reader into the unfolding events. Like any good writer, Strauss notices that Mark employs literary devices extensively. Mark incorporates intercalation, triads, and irony to capture the readers' attention and enable them to think deeply about the submission. The use of literati devices prepares the readers for the deeper themes Mark wants to convey.
Mark takes time to demonstrate to the audience who Jesus is and what he can do. Strauss notices how Mark introduces Jesus in the book's first verse as Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God (Strauss 221). Unlike Matthew and Luke, who dig into Jesus’ genealogy, Mark introduces a Jesus who is right the action. In Mark’s gospel, Jesus does not take much time to start his ministry. Strauss demonstrates how Mark seeks to present Jesus as fulfilling the promises made in the Old Testament, especially in Isaiah and Malachi. Right from the start, Strauss demonstrates that Jesus has the authority of God (Strauss 222). Jesus uses this authority to appoint disciples, cast out demons, and teachings that amaze the people. While such is an excellent start, Strauss quickly notes that Jesus’ authority coon encounters opposition. Jesus starts encountering spiritual forces that oppose his authority. Jesus is tempted, constantly encounters demons, and faces opposition from religious leaders. Strauss believes that because of the constant opposition, Jesus resolves the problem by developing a “messianic secret” (Strauss 224).
Strauss indicates that a significant shift occurs when Peter confesses Jesus as “the Messiah.” There is no doubt that the reader already knows this, given that several occurrences allude to the same. For instance, Mark has already introduced Jesus to the reader as the Son of God. In Mark 4:41, the disciples marvel at the authority of Jesus when he calms down the storm. The Father has already announced the same, and so are demons. However, the turning point comes in chapter eight when the first human character proclaims it. Peter, the key disciples' repres...