St Silas church recently had the privilege of putting on their first Mark Drama. The Mark Drama is a 90-minute performance of every scene in Mark’s gospel. Faithful to scripture and engagingly performed, attending is an immersive experience with scenes happening on every side of you.

I love Mark’s gospel because its short, punchy scenes build a picture of a man who has unfathomable power over sickness and even nature, uncompromising judgement for those who reject him and yet unending compassion for the least and the lost. The life of Jesus is shown in all its depth, and we meet the Son of God, the King of the universe. Through Mark, we see how He came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus’ unjust trial and death leaves the reader heartbroken, and then the empty tomb leaves you asking, ‘could this be true’? Is Jesus really alive?

The Mark Drama brings all of this to life in a beautiful way. Seeing every scene acted out before you doesn’t allow you to miss any of Jesus’ teaching or His character. Several aspects stood out to me that I’d never noticed before, but now when I return to read Mark, I see them there so clearly:

• The disciples really struggled to see just how upside-down Jesus’ kingdom was. Peter knows Jesus is the Messiah but cannot fathom that means that he will suffer in any way, never mind die on a cross.
• The Pharisees had missed who the God they were ‘following’ was so much that they had no regard for basic morality and love for neighbour. They choose their own Sabbath rules over saving a life.
• The agony of Jesus in Gethsemane is so intense. He knows the horrors that await Him; physical suffering and the pain of God’s wrath. And yet, and yet He shows humility and obedience through His love for the Father.

For many in the church family at St Silas, this was the first time they had seen the Mark Drama. Many didn’t know what to expect and were surprised by how well it demonstrated the good news of Jesus. Amazingly we still had roughly 170 attend over the two nights, at least 20 of whom were guests who do not know Jesus. Many were encouraged to see Mark in one sitting, and as a church, we are praying that those guests would be willing to sit down and read Mark for themselves and meet the real Jesus.

Jamie Payton – Jesus Actor