Mark 1:1-15
New International Version (NIV)
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.’”
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(F) 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.”
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark would be a lousy mystery writer. No subtlety at all. He is like the old school preacher who tells you what they are going to tell you, tells you and then tells you what they told you.
Who is Jesus? There is no slow development or revelation. Sentence one he lets the cat out of the bag. He's the Messiah, the Son of God. So every time you see that name for the next sixteen chapters you know who he is. Messiah, Son of God.
But Mark does leave us with some questions as well. The beginning of the good news--and no story of a manger, angels or shepherds? The beginning of the good news--and it is not Jesus at all, but John? The beginning of the good news--what will be its end?
John the Baptist and Jesus both just sort of appear. We aren't told much of anything about their lineage or why anyone would pay particular attention to them. They just come full formed into the narrative like angels (messengers). It seems similar to the way that God and God's leaders just kind of show up in the Hebrew Bible. I'm thinking particularly of Abraham's visitors at the oaks of Mamre. The men just appear out of nowhere and before Abraham can figure out exactly what is happening it turns out he is talking to angels or maybe even directly with God.
I think as we study Mark, we are going to be reminded again and again that while the modern person seeks out God as a solution to their problems, in the gospel it is God who seeks us out and shows us our problems (maybe even ones we didn't know we had). And it has been true often in my own life, when I least expected it, God just showed up looking for me.
The people respond to John's message of repentance and forgiveness. I don't know whether people would flock to this strange man in the wilderness anymore. Not because of his clothing or rough style, but because he puts repentance before forgiveness. Many people I know aren't sure that they really need to be forgiven and they certainly see no need to repent as a precursor.
But the people came to John and among them was Jesus. After some uncertainty about his worthiness to baptize Jesus, John relents. And a voice from heaven says "You are my son", did I mention that Mark isn't subtle? That's twice in eleven verses--once from the omniscient narrator the other from a heavenly voice. We'd do well to pay attention to who does and does not refer to Jesus as the son of God.
Mark is a rough, unpolished gospel. No effort is made to smooth things over, so when Jesus goes into the wilderness, he is not "sent" as the NIV has it but driven by the spirit. There he meets Satan, wild beasts and angels--much like the spiritual wildernesses that sometimes we find ourselves in, those places where we will either grow in trust or be devoured by fear. The ministry of Jesus does not begin until after he survives the wilderness.
So what did being the beginning of the gospel get John? It lands him in prison. What sort of good news is that? Probably the same sort of good news that will leave Jesus on the cross. And so we need to be prepared, this good news may lead us places we (or any sane, reasonable person) would not have chosen on our own.
But Jesus seems to ignore the consequences to John and picks up the Baptizer's preaching where he left off before they threw away the key. First words are always important and we know Mark isn't subtle, so when Jesus speaks for the first time and says "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news", we would do well to pay attention.
Who is Jesus? The son of God. What would Jesus have us do? Repent and believe.
What do you see in this passage?
