The Martyrdom of John Mark

After writing the Gospel of Mark, John Mark traveled, sowing the seeds of the faith throughout Northern Africa and Egypt, and finally settled in Alexandria and established a church there.

On April 21, A.D. 64, Mark preached a sermon remembering the suffering and death of Christ as part of Passover, or what we would consider Easter Sunday. He had been at odds with the local heathen priests, and they took this day to incite the general population to rise up against him.

The rebels stormed the church and seized John Mark. Using hooks and ropes, they dragged him out through the congregation, into the streets, and out of the city. He left a trail of blood and flesh that stained the rocks over which they dragged him. Blood flowed from virtually every spot on his body as the mob jeered and mocked him. With his last words, he commended his spirit into the hands of his Savior and died.

Even with Mark’s death, the crowd’s thirst for violence was not satisfied, and the priests called for his body to be burned instead of buried. Suddenly, a storm erupted, scattering the mob in every direction, and Mark’s body was left where he had died. A group of Christians then came and took the body and gave Mark a proper burial.

Jesus never led a military campaign, never incited a rebellion, and never spoke words of war, yet his followers have been and continue to be violently opposed. Jesus’ message speaks of love, peace, and reconciliation, yet public and government officials have banned the gospel as if it were a declaration of war. In reality, we are engaged in a war—with our Savior and Satan locked in a spiritual battle. The evil one will make every effort to thwart the kingdom by bringing a violent end to Christianity. Will you be on the winning side when the battle is over?

Extreme Devotion topic at www.vomgroups.com