Father Snort

The beginning of the Gospel for Mark is not Jesus' birth, but his fulfilling of Isaiah's prophecy that God was returning peace, Shalom, to his people. Jesus healed people, forgave people, and then paid the penalty for all people on the cross. As we await Jesus' return, then, Peter tells us to be people of shalom (peace, love, heart to heart connection and reconciliation). We are told in Psalm 85:13 that Jesus pathway is the way of peace. When we seek and live shalom, we are making pathways for Jesus to walk with us. Trusting in him and accepting his peace, we find a return to Eden, walking with God as Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden. That is just the beginning of the good news, according to Mark.