The four gospel explains traditions about Jesus spread in the early churches in small units which include his parables, prophetic warnings, proverbs, debates, and rules. Also, the gospel is accompanied by narrative forms such as healing, exorcisms, nature miracles, and passive narratives (Harrington, 2014) . The belief about Christianity is based on the death, resurrection and his coming back. Mark gospel applies canonical narratives giving the impression as biographies. Also, mark gospel begins with the baptism of Jesus without the infancy life of Jesus and end with the tomb (Mark 16:8). Mark seems to have been the first gospel portraying Jesus as a suffering Messiah and the twelve as fools and coward who depended on Jesus. The setting of the Mark gospel is connected with apostle persecution of Christian at Rome A.D. 70.
The calling of the first disciples describes Jesus as strategic (Mark 1: 16-20). Jesus called the first four disciples who were fishermen and told them they would be fishers of men. The strategic character is displayed by Jesus’s first choice of men who had a common occupation. Additionally, the healing of the man with withered hand portrays Jesus as a merciful and wise. The merciful character is portrayed when Jesus heals the man even though it was on a Sabbath illustrating Jesus compassion (Mark 3: 1-6). Consequently, Jesus as an intelligent leader questions the congregation whether it was permitted to do right or wicked on a Sabbath, to protect life or to kill. By asking the congregation this question, Jesus they were confused, defeated, and could not answer to show their stand.
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The parable of the sower illustrates Jesus as a mind provoking and simple teacher (Mark 3: 22-30; 4: 1-20) Jesus explanation of the parable based on a simple sower life and complex interpretation enables him to provoke the thought of the congregation to think more of the kingdom of God. Additionally, Jesus calming of the storm shows the human character of Jesus (Mark 4: 35-41) . Jesus falls asleep just like normal people due to exhaustion from preaching. Similarly, the calm down of the storm demonstrates Jesus’ divinity. Jesus was divine, and like God, he could make wind and water obey him. Jesus raising of the Jairus daughter portray him as a miraculous and faithful master. The mysterious character is seen when Jesus raises Jairus, a daughter from the dead which has never happened before (Mark 5: 35-36). Jesus tells Jairus only to believe and not to worry which illustrate the significance of faith even in the worst situations. Similarly, Jesus portrays a compassionate character by telling the people not to cry and encouraging them that the daughter was not dead but asleep.
The power of saving is the main subject according to Paul on Jesus life, death, and resurrection as the roots of the Christian faith. Paul states that Jesus is like the second Adam and his resurrection makes him the head of everything in the church, which is his body (Ephesians1: 22-23). Finally, Paul gives a message of hope to those who wait on Jesus for restoration (Romans 8).
Harrington chapter 6 describes how Catholics read old and new testament. Although the Catholics mostly apply the new testament in their readings, old testament too creates a strong foundation of the prophecies about the coming of Jesus (Harrington, 2014) . Catholics relate both new and old testament in their reading. The four gospels act as a witness to Jesus and the early church. Mark begin the gospel in a narrative way of acting as a biography.
The catholic readings are divided into- A, B, and C. The Christians are exposed to new both new testaments and old testament readings. This method has been adopted by the Protestants to bring continuity from the old testament to new testaments (Hoffman, 2017) . In year A Mathew is read, year B Mark is read, year C Luke is read, and John is only read during Easter and lent season. Through the exposure of the new testaments reading the Catholics can learn the experience of early Christians. Additionally, Catholics have the access of large chunks of both new and old testaments bit by bit making it more resourceful although the daily readings can be too short sometimes.
Mark gospel give light on the prominent features of Jesus’s life. Also, the gospel depicts the daily life of Christians, showing concern to the lame, sinners, and poor, challenging the Christians to love their enemies, and how Christians should proclaim the kingdom of God even when faced with strong resistance. Jesus used healings, parables, proverbs, and passion narratives to spread the gospel. The apostles such as Paul act as the witnesses of the life of Jesus (Hoffman, 2017) .
Christians should relate the strategic way Jesus used in calling the first disciples. Also, the healing of the man with withered hand portrays Jesus compassion should be seen among Christians when they help each other in difficult time. Additionally, Jesus uses parables in his teaching such as the parable of the sower which relate to different ways Christians live after hearing the gospel. Also, the Jesus portrays faith when he raises Jairus daughter and should be applied in every Christian life. Similarly, the miracle of calming the storm shows Jesus divine power which is only present when Christians act according to the world of God (Henry, 2017) . Paul letters give the impacts of Jesus life, death, and resurrection and teach Christians on the essence of faith. Also, Paul brings mainly preach about morality which is also witnessed today among the Christians.
In conclusion, all Protestants should emulate the way Catholics read the scripture by following a chronological order. Mark gospel give light on the prominent features of Jesus’s life and how Christians should emulate Jesus teaching in helping the less privileged, and staying awake in the spirit world to experience miraculous work from God. Also, Paul letters and the early church act as a witness of Jesus works, death, and resurrection.
Reference
Harrington, D. J. (2014). The Interpreting the New Testament: A practical guide (Vol. 1). Liturgical Press.
Hoffman, A. (2017). Called to Teach: Daily Inspiration for Catholic Educators. The Catholic Library World , 87 (3), 194.
Henry, M. (2017). The Greater Miracle of Forgiveness.
