Crumbs 78

 

We begin a study of the Gospel according to Mark. With Matthew and Luke he recorded similar events in a similar way; hence the synoptic Gospels. There is evidence it’s Peter’s view of events. It’s a bare bones account of with the essentials.

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 78 The Beginning

Scripture Mark 1:1-8 1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,     who will prepare your way”—
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Crumbs No genealogies, no manager, no shepherds, simply “ Jesus the Messiah the Son of God” ; that is the essence of what we need to know. It is the very origin of the Gospel ; the person of the Saviour. Mark uses few Old Testament references but here refers to Malachi and Isaiah for the beginning of the Gospel is way back in the mind of God, in prophesy.

Everything about John was dedicated to his role of announcing the coming of the king of kings. His diet was strictly clean. His clothing was of the coarsest and simplest He preached in a place far from urban distractions. To hear him folk had to go on a pilgrimage away from everyday life. He says three things about Jesus. He is of higher status than John and of greater strength. These two mean His baptism can immerse the hearers in the presence of God.

For the coming of the Saviour the heart must be made ready in two ways. There must an open admission of guilt and a turning away from the origin of that guilt that is sin. Then the Saviour will fill the heart with the Spirit of God

Questions1. What do we learn about the Gospel from this passage? 2. What changes in our life style would prepare us for God’s service ? 3. What do we learn about the Messiah from this passage ?