January 27 Readings: Read Mark 1:1- 3:6 Myers, chapter 1-3, pages 5-30.
Background. The Roman-Jewish war of 66-79 C.E. is the context for Mark. Myers introduces our study with the words of Isaiah, who is Mark’s favorite prophet. Isaiah promised that one day God would “destroy on this mountain the net that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations” (Isaiah 25:7). According to Mark, that day dawned with Jesus, who repudiated the Judean ruling class and the Roman imperial system (Myers, page xv). In this first session we will learn about social mapping and Jesus’ plan to subvert that status quo (break the net).