Project 119: Mark 1:1-8
| Project 119
“Preparing the Way”
The gospel of Mark has been called an “action” gospel. It doesn’t take the reader long to realize that Jesus is in a hurry to get to some place. The word “immediately” occurs 42 times in a 16 chapter gospel! So, where is Jesus in such a hurry to get? The answer should not surprise anyone. Jesus is rapidly moving toward Calvary, where “the Son of Man (will give) His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
The gospel begins with Jesus designated as “the Son of God,” a name that will occur again at Calvary when a centurion confesses Jesus in that way (Mark 15:39). The opening scenes in the first chapter contain numerous testimonies to Jesus’ significance in God’s plan of salvation, the first of which is John the Baptist.
Each of the four gospels tells John’s story because of his importance as the forerunner of the Messiah. Preparation was an important function of representatives tasked with removing obstructions from the path of a coming monarch. As “Son of God,” a title often applied to Caesar, the Roman Emperor, Jesus deserves someone to clear the way for Him to come as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive promises.
Great emphasis is placed on how John’s baptism is so closely connected with the notion of repentance, which makes it a good text for us to hear as we move into the season of Lent, which is a time for self-examination, confession, and repentance. At a time like this one, we have the chance to look into our hearts to see if there is anything that is obstructing our witness to Christ today. If so, we need to confess it and turn from it so that the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8) might empower us to point others to Jesus in a clear and compelling way.
Mark 1:1-8 (ESV):
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”