Who is jesus?
A Study from Mark 1:1–8
Everybody wants a savior.
Some people want a savior from stress. Others want a savior from financial trouble, political chaos, loneliness, or difficult circumstances. We all long for someone—or something—that can rescue us from the burdens of life.
That desire is not new.
In Jesus’ day, the Jewish people wanted a savior too. They were living under Roman oppression and desperately hoped for a deliverer who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s glory.
But what if our greatest problem is not around us—but inside us?
What if our deepest enemy is not politics, bad circumstances, or difficult people? What if our greatest problem is sin?
That is exactly why the Gospel of Mark begins the way it does.
Mark spends no time with genealogies, Christmas narratives, or extended introductions. He opens with a bold declaration:
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1, NKJV)
In one sentence, Mark tells us what Jesus came to do and who Jesus is.
Jesus is:
the Messiah—God’s promised Deliverer,
and the Son of God—God in human flesh.
And if those things are true, then no one can remain neutral about Him. Every person must respond.
Jesus Is the Messiah
The Gospel of Mark begins with Jesus Christ. That title is important because “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name. The word Christ means “Messiah” or “Anointed One.”
In the Old Testament, anointing symbolized God’s appointment and authority. Three groups of people were commonly anointed:
Kings
Priests
Prophets
When Samuel anointed David as king in 1 Samuel 16:13, it symbolized God’s choosing and empowering. Priests were anointed for service to God (Exodus 28:41), and prophets were sometimes anointed for their divine mission (1 Kings 19:16).
But the Old Testament pointed toward One greater than all of them—the ultimate Anointed One. The Messiah would be God’s promised Deliverer.
The prophet Isaiah described Him this way:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me…” (Isaiah 61:1)
For centuries, Israel waited for this Deliverer. Yet many expected the Messiah to rescue them politically. They wanted freedom from Rome.
Jesus came for something far greater.
He came to deliver people from sin.
Throughout Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is shown fulfilling the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament Messiah:
Descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:12–13; Mark 10:47–48, 11:9–10, 12:35–37)
Ministering in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1–2; Mark 1:14–15, 1:39, 2:1, 3:7, 6:6)
Betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9; Mark 14)
Suffering and dying for sinners (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Mark 10:45, 14:24, 15:1–39,15:34)
Rising again from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:1-6)
These were not random coincidences. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies God had revealed for centuries.
Why does this matter?
Because it tells us what Jesus came to do.
Jesus did not merely come to improve our lives or make us more comfortable. He came to rescue us from the penalty and power of sin. He came to do what no political leader, self-help strategy, or earthly savior could ever accomplish.
The Messiah came to save sinners.
Jesus Is the Son of God
But Mark does not stop with what Jesus came to do. He immediately moves to something even greater: who Jesus is.
The title Messiah tells us what Jesus came to accomplish. The title Son of God tells us His identity.
Mark wants every reader to understand that Jesus is the Son of God.
This title does not mean Jesus was merely a created being or simply a special man honored by God. Hebrews 1:3 explains that Jesus is:
“the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…”
Jesus possesses the very nature of God. He is God revealed in human flesh.
This matters because only God can fully reveal God, fully represent God, and fully save sinners.
Throughout the Gospel of Mark, Jesus demonstrates divine authority in unmistakable ways.
Authority Over Demons
Jesus commands unclean spirits, and they obey Him immediately (Mark 1:21–28; 5:1–20).
Authority Over Disease
He heals fevers, leprosy, bleeding disorders, and countless illnesses with a touch or a word (Mark 1:29–45; 5:25–34).
Authority Over Sin
In Mark 2:1–12, Jesus forgives sin—something only God has the authority to do.
Authority Over Nature
He calms storms, walks on water, and miraculously feeds multitudes (Mark 4:35–41; 6:45–52; 8:1–10).
Authority Over Death
Jesus raises the dead and ultimately rises from the grave Himself (Mark 5:21–43; 16:1–6).
Mark’s Gospel repeatedly answers one question: Who is Jesus?
And the answer is clear—Jesus is the Son of God.
Sadly, only one human declares Jesus to be the Son of God:
God the Father declares Jesus as the Son. “You are My beloved Son” (Mark 1:11)
Demons recognize Him as the Son of God. (Mark 3:11)
Finally, a Roman centurion declared, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39)
From the first verse Mark wants everyone to know that Jesus is the Son of God. But only one man, one of the men responsible for nailing Jesus to the cross, proclaim Jesus to be the Son.
What Is the Right Response?
If Jesus is the promised Messiah and the divine Son of God, then there is only one question left:
How should we respond?
Mark 1:2–8 introduces John the Baptizer, the forerunner sent to prepare people for Jesus. John’s ministry reveals the proper response to Christ.
First, John pointed people to their sin.
Mark 1:4 says John preached “a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Before people could receive salvation, they needed to recognize their spiritual need.
Second, John pointed people to Jesus.
John said:
“There comes One after me who is mightier than I…” (Mark 1:7, NKJV)
John understood he was not the Savior. His mission was to direct people to Christ.
The proper response to Jesus can be summarized in two words:
Repent and Believe
Repent
Repentance means a change of mind.
At its core, rejecting Jesus is wrong thinking. Many people reject who Jesus is and what He came to do. Repentance means changing your mind about Christ. It means agreeing with God that Jesus truly is the Son of God and the Savior from sin.
Believe
Belief is more than acknowledging facts. It is placing your trust in Jesus Christ.
Believe in who He is:
the Son of God,
the promised Messiah,
God in human flesh.
Believe in what He has done:
He died for your sins,
He rose again,
and He offers eternal life to all who trust Him.
Salvation begins when we understand who Jesus is and what He came to do.
An Invitation from Mark’s Gospel
Mark 1:1–8 is more than an introduction to a book. It is an invitation.
Jesus is the Messiah → He came to save you.
Jesus is the Son of God → He is worthy of your worship.
There is a right response → repent and believe.
The Gospel of Mark forces every reader to answer the same question: Who do you believe Jesus is?
If Jesus truly is the Messiah and the Son of God, then He deserves more than casual interest or religious admiration. He deserves your faith.
Do you know who Jesus is?
Do you understand what He came to do?
Today is the day to believe. Today is the day of salvation. Jesus came to rescue sinners, and He still saves all who trust in Him.