The gospel of Mark opens with several truth claims:  Jesus is identified as Israel’s promised One, the Messiah.  The man Jesus is not just a man but the Son of God, who, as sons do, carries on the work of the Father.  The very name Jesus carries the gospel message “Yahweh saves”, and Mark’s gospel account will go on to show that he is not only the bearer but the embodiment of that gospel message.   In Him and through Him God speaks and accomplishes his rescue of mankind from sin.