I want to renew a journey through the Gospel of Mark. Mark’s Gospel begins with a quote from the prophet Isaiah that was written some 700 before the birth of Jesus. In this quote the prophet Isaiah predicted that John the Baptist and Jesus would come into this world. So, I wonder, how did the prophet Isaiah know?
As we start a journey through the Gospel of Mark, realize that:
1. God keeps His promises!
2. This is more than a story!
3. YOU are a part of God’s story; indeed, WE are a part of God’s story!
Mark 1:1-3 (TNIV)
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, 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.’ “Isaiah 40:3 (TNIV)
3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
God promised a redeemer, a Messiah and He promised that a messenger calling in the wilderness would prepare a way for this Messiah. The Prophet Isaiah’s words to God’s people were a huge comfort in that time. What is important us, I think, is that we too can be comforted that God keeps His promises.
As we will see in the coming days, it was John the Baptist that was promised by God and was sent to prepare the way.
SO, WHY SEND SOMEONE TO PREPARE THE WAY? People didn’t know Jesus in that time just like many don’t know Jesus in this time. I believe that just like today, people needed to be prepared to meet Him, why, because Jesus left a PROFOUND mark on our world, our society and each and every life that He touched.
YOU are apart of this story! Either by being John the Baptist to those who God places in your path or by responding to Jesus because the way has been prepared by someone you know.
HOW do we prepare the way? By explaining our need for forgiveness, by demonstrating God’s love and His wisdom by the way we live our lives and by sharing the impact that Jesus has had on our lives.
YOU (WE) help make paths straight by clearing up many misconceptions about Jesus, indeed, about God……misconceptions that have been perpetuated through the ages……misconceptions that hinder people form approaching our Messiah, our redeemer.
Is there someone you know that might be open to a relationship with Jesus? What can you do to prepare the way?
