Mark 1:1-11 (NRSV)
The Proclamation of John the Baptist
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,' "
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Reflection
"The beginning of the good news..." And then we read a passage from the Old Testament book of Isaiah proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. The beginning of the good news...
How well we know our need for a Savior. How well we know that we need a beginning of the good news. At some point in our life we start to realize a beginning of the good news but this good news has always been present, even from the beginning. What a thought. It's a thought beyond me. I can only think in terms of beginnings, but God seems to be able to think in terms outside of time. The beginning of the good news was already set and in place for me and you before we even knew about it. But for now let's deal with a beginning we may have a chance at understanding.
The beginning of the good news here started through a man named John. We commonly call him John the Baptist. He proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and prepared the people of the day through repentance and baptism. He announced the coming of Jesus.
People had expected a Davidic like Messiah to come again. A King to rule and take over the governments of the day and rule the world. But Jesus came in the midst of a religious revival. This is not what was expected of the coming Messiah.
This is a change of mind about the Messiah. It was a difficult change of mind for the people of the day. A Messiah that comes from such humble beginnings to rule the world in a way that was unexpected to all. A Messiah that would save all people through his actions of love and grace. A Messiah, not with weapons and forceful rule, but a Messiah that would draw near to us more closely than we could ever imagine.
The beginning of the good news was of Jesus who would come close to all of us and each of us. Close to our hearts and soul to show us how to love one another and radically change the world. A Messiah that would lead us beyond this life to a resurrected life with our God. Now that's the beginning of the good news! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Come Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,' "
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Reflection
"The beginning of the good news..." And then we read a passage from the Old Testament book of Isaiah proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. The beginning of the good news...
How well we know our need for a Savior. How well we know that we need a beginning of the good news. At some point in our life we start to realize a beginning of the good news but this good news has always been present, even from the beginning. What a thought. It's a thought beyond me. I can only think in terms of beginnings, but God seems to be able to think in terms outside of time. The beginning of the good news was already set and in place for me and you before we even knew about it. But for now let's deal with a beginning we may have a chance at understanding.
The beginning of the good news here started through a man named John. We commonly call him John the Baptist. He proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and prepared the people of the day through repentance and baptism. He announced the coming of Jesus.
People had expected a Davidic like Messiah to come again. A King to rule and take over the governments of the day and rule the world. But Jesus came in the midst of a religious revival. This is not what was expected of the coming Messiah.
This is a change of mind about the Messiah. It was a difficult change of mind for the people of the day. A Messiah that comes from such humble beginnings to rule the world in a way that was unexpected to all. A Messiah that would save all people through his actions of love and grace. A Messiah, not with weapons and forceful rule, but a Messiah that would draw near to us more closely than we could ever imagine.
The beginning of the good news was of Jesus who would come close to all of us and each of us. Close to our hearts and soul to show us how to love one another and radically change the world. A Messiah that would lead us beyond this life to a resurrected life with our God. Now that's the beginning of the good news! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Come Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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