Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1:1 – The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark begins his gospel by telling us who and what its about. Mark is a book of questions and he begins by answering the most important. Who is Jesus? The Son of God. Of all the ways he could have begun this gospel, he starts by stating that it is about Jesus, and that Jesus is the Son of God. It’s a great intro, in my opinion.

I found Mark to be a book of questions. There are many instances of people questioning Jesus, people asking questions to him, and about him. There are also many questions that Jesus asks. Mark begins with the foundation that Jesus is the Son of God, and it’s a good place to start.

Mark 1:2-3 – 2It 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 desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”

Mark quotes Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 in verses 2 and 3. Many times in the gospel, either Jesus or his disciples refer to ancient prophesies that for told the coming of Christ. Here, Mark is referring to a prophesy that spoke of John the Baptist, who would come before Christ to prepare the way for him. John is the voice calling in the desert. The reference about “making straight paths” comes from ancient times when people traveled on rough dirt pathways. When news came that the king was coming, the people would go out and prepare the way, making it straight and presentable for the king. This is why John came, to prepare the way for Christ, making the way straight. John came preaching repentance, and that people should turn their hearts to God. He told his followers to follow Christ.

Mark 1:4-5 – 4And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5The 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.

So this is the brief history of John the baptizer (also known as John the Baptist). He came and preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and baptized those who repented as a sign of their changed life. John was the cousin of Jesus, born to Elizabeth, the cousin of Jesus’ mother Mary. Many people came to John, seeking forgiveness and a changed life. He had a large following throughout Judea and in Jerusalem as well.

Mark 1:6 – John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

John was a wild man, who lived in the desert region, eating bugs and honey, and wearing an outfit of camel’s hair. Many believe he had large, wild hair that may have resembled an afro. He is a great example for us that outward appearances do not matter to God. Christ said in Matthew 11:11 that among those born of a woman, none has been greater than John the Baptist. He didn’t eat bread and he didn’t drink wine, but he was passionate about pointing people to Christ.

Mark 1:7-8 – 7And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John’s message was simple. He had a large following, but made it clear to them that Christ was the important one, and that he was just a servant. He actually says in verse 7 that he is not even worthy to be Christ’s lowly servant. (The lowest servant in the household was the one who would bend over and untie the sandals of the master.) He says that the baptism he gives is only of water (symbolic of a changed life), but that the baptism Christ will give (of the Holy Spirit) is what actually changes a life.

John was great because he knew his purpose…to make Jesus look good. He had a large following of people, and could have very easily used that for his personal gain. Instead, he pointed everyone to Jesus. He had no pride in himself, but instead boasted in Christ. This is why Christ could say that of all those born of woman, none was as great as John. He serves as a great example to us of what our mission should be…to point others to Christ.