Alleviation
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December 7, 2008)
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December 7, 2008 - John the Baptist Prepares the Way - Mark 1:1-8
Open It
How would you prepare for a home visit from your boss or another important person?
Why is it important to prepare for the coming of an influential person?
What attitudes do most ordinary people have about "very important persons"?
Explore It
What do Mark's first words tell us about his Gospel? (1:1)
Who was John the Baptist? (1:2-3)
Who sent the messenger? Why? (1:2-3)
How was Isaiah's prophecy fulfilled? (1:4)
What were the two aspects of John's ministry? (1:4)
What reasons to be baptized did John give the people? (1:4)
What had to happen before John could baptize a person? (1:5)
When John said, "After me will come one more powerful than I," to whom was he referring? (1:7)
What was John's attitude toward Jesus? (1:7)
What was the theme of John's message? (1:7-8)
How did Jesus' baptism differ from John's? (1:8)
Get It
What is your reaction to the fact that Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled?
In what ways can we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us?
How can Jesus' gift of the Holy Spirit make a difference in our lives?
What does the message of Jesus offer to people?
What usually prevents us from being Christ's witnesses?
How can a person's witness reflect humility and respect for Jesus?
How can we ensure that our lives focus attention on Christ, and not on ourselves?
In what ways can you prepare others for Christ?
Apply It
What step could you take this week toward becoming a better witness for Christ?
With whom can you share God's promise of forgiveness of sins? How?
How can you encourage other Christians to be witnesses for Christ?
Notes
Mark 1:1: BIRTH AND PREPARATION OF JESUS, THE SERVANT (1:1-13)
Mark, the shortest of the four Gospels, opens with Jesus' baptism and temptation. Moving right into action, Mark quickly prepares us for Christ's ministry. The Gospel of Mark is concise, straightforward, and chronological.
1:1 When you experience the excitement of a big event, you naturally want to tell someone. Telling the story can bring back that original thrill as you relive the experience. Reading Mark's first words, you can sense his excitement. Picture yourself in the crowd as Jesus heals and teaches. Imagine yourself as one of the disciples. Respond to his words of love and encouragement. And remember that Jesus came for us who live today as well as for those who lived 2,000 years ago.
1:1 Mark was not one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, but he probably knew Jesus personally. Mark wrote his Gospel in the form of a fast-paced story, like a popular novel. The book portrays Jesus as a man who backed up his words with action that constantly proved who he is-the Son of God. Because Mark wrote the Gospel for Christians in Rome, where many gods were worshiped, he wanted his readers to know that Jesus is the one true Son of God.
Mark 1:2-3: Jesus came at a time in history when the entire civilized world was relatively peaceful under Roman rule, travel was easy, and there was a common language. The news about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection could spread quickly throughout the vast Roman empire.
In Israel, common men and women were ready for Jesus too. There had been no God-sent prophets for 400 years, since the days of Malachi (who wrote the last book of the Old Testament). There was growing anticipation that a great prophet, or the Messiah mentioned in the Old Testament, would soon come (see Luke 3:15).
1:2-3 Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. The second half of the book of Isaiah is devoted to the promise of salvation. Isaiah wrote about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the man who would announce his coming, John the Baptist. John's call to "make straight paths for him" meant that people should give up their selfish way of living, renounce their sins, seek God's forgiveness, and establish a relationship with the almighty God by believing and obeying his words as found in Scripture (Isaiah 1:18-20; Isaiah 57:15).
1:2-3 Mark 1:2-3 is a composite quotation, taken first from Malachi 3:1 and then from Isaiah 40:3.
1:2-3 Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Isaiah had predicted that John the Baptist and Jesus would come. How did he know? God promised Isaiah that a Redeemer would come to Israel, and that a messenger calling in the desert would prepare the way for him. Isaiah's words comforted many people as they looked forward to the Messiah, and knowing that God keeps his promises can comfort you too. As you read the book of Mark, realize that it is more than just a story; it is part of God's Word. In it God is revealing to you his plans for human history.
Mark 1:4: Why does the Gospel of Mark begin with the story of John the Baptist and not mention the story of Jesus' birth? Important Roman officials of this day were always preceded by an announcer or herald. When the herald arrived in town, the people knew that someone of prominence would soon arrive. Because Mark's audience was primarily Roman Christians, he began his book with John the Baptist, whose mission it was to announce the coming of Jesus, the most important man who ever lived. Roman Christians would have been less interested in Jesus' birth than in this messenger who prepared the way.
1:4 John chose to live in the desert (1) to get away from distractions so he could hear God's instructions; (2) to capture the undivided attention of the people; (3) to symbolize a sharp break with the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who preferred their luxurious homes and positions of authority over doing God's work; (4) to fulfill Old Testament prophecies that said John would be "a voice of one calling: in the desert prepare the way for the LORD" (Isaiah 40:3).
1:4 In John's ministry, baptism was a visible sign that a person had decided to change his or her life, giving up a sinful and selfish way of living and turning to God. John took a known custom and gave it new meaning. The Jews often baptized non-Jews who had converted to Judaism. But to baptize a Jew as a sign of repentance was a radical departure from Jewish custom. The early church took baptism a step further, associating it with Jesus' death and resurrection (see, for example, Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21).
Mark 1:5: The purpose of John's preaching was to prepare people to accept Jesus as God's Son. When John challenged the people to confess sin individually, he signaled the start of a new way to relate to God.
Is change needed in your life before you can hear and understand Jesus' message? You have to admit that you need forgiveness before you can accept it. To prepare to receive Christ, repent. Denounce the world's dead-end attractions, sinful temptations, and harmful attitudes.
Mark 1:6: John's clothes were not the latest style of his day. He dressed much like the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) in order to distinguish himself from the religious leaders, whose flowing robes reflected their great pride in their position (Mark 12:38). John's striking appearance reinforced his striking message.
Mark 1:7-8: Although John was the first genuine prophet in 400 years, Jesus the Messiah would be infinitely greater than he. John was pointing out how insignificant he was compared to the one who was coming. John was not even worthy of doing the most menial tasks for him, like untying his sandals. What John began, Jesus finished. What John prepared, Jesus fulfilled.
1:8 John said Jesus would baptize them with the Holy Spirit, sending the Holy Spirit to live within each believer. John's baptism with water prepared a person to receive Christ's message. This baptism demonstrated repentance, humility, and willingness to turn from sin. This was the beginning of the spiritual process.
When Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, however, the entire person is transformed by the Spirit's power. Jesus offers to us both forgiveness of sin and the power to live for him.
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December 7, 2008)
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