But I’m not one of the cool kids
Did you ever think to yourself that since I’m not one of the cool kids, but just one of the in crowd, I really don’t have much to offer?
Jesus had His 12 disciples. These were the big 12, the main ones, the cool kids so to speak. In addition there was a group of about 70 or so others hanging around. (OK I’m being a little overdramatic and thinking from a junior high perspective).
These others followed Jesus and listened to His teachings, they took part in discussions, asking questions and learning. They were actively involved in Jesus' ministry in His mission here on earth. One of these was Mark, the author of the gospel. He spent his time with Jesus and the next 30 or so years gathering information and stories from Peter, Paul and others, as well as his own firsthand experience. He put all this together to show a picture of the life and mission of Jesus Christ.
Knowing this answered a lot of questions for me. Questions like why are there differences in the stories told in the gospels, such as the story of Jesus walking on water? Mark may not have been there at the time but relaying the story as he heard it sometime later. Why are there things that seem to be left out of Mark’s story? He is not trying to write a textbook or present a play-by-play account. Mark may be emphasizing a particular angle of the story while Luke or Matthew or John is focusing on a different facet of that same story. In the end Mark paints a good picture of Jesus and the meaning of His life.
Something that I take away from the idea of Mark and his account of Jesus’ life is that we do not have to be one of the 12 chosen disciples to tell the story of Jesus. In addition, we do not need to know or present every single fact or detail before we share the word.
To sum it up, Mark might say something like “I may not know it all, but let me share something amazing that I’ve learned.” Hopefully you can say that in your own life as well.