Marching Through Mark

Isn’t it interesting how quickly the newness of a new year wears off? There’s always excitement leading up to December 31st, but January is the kind of month that is usually cold and dark in our area; and before long the new year kind of loses its shine. Thankfully we can keep looking to the Lord and recognizing that our hope is in him not in how we are feeling or how the weather is. Although the year isn’t so new anymore, I will begin a new series today going through highlights from the gospel of Mark. The four gospels have different emphases. Most scholars recognize Mark as the one who focuses on Jesus as the Son of Man. It views Jesus as the servant Messiah. Compared to other gospel accounts, Mark looks more at the actions of Jesus and less at his words. Bible scholars believe that Peter was the eyewitness who provided Mark with what to write as he reflects on Jesus’ life and times.

Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark does not look at the birth or childhood of Christ. He jumps right into the words of Isaiah which John the Baptist proclaimed. John knew his role was to prepare the way for his cousin. His message was simple and like that of Jesus. His baptism represented repentance and the forgiveness of sins. John was one who had a big following despite his challenging message. People were coming to him as they confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan River. I have been to Jordan and, in some places, it is more like a creek. The water doesn’t exactly look like a swimming pool. But it wasn’t meant to clean the body but be a symbol of inner cleansing. There was a true humility about John. He recognized his place and purpose. After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:7-8).

We do not have to dress in camel’s hair and eat locusts and honey to be like John. I am sure the honey helped the locusts go down. We can imitate him by lowering ourselves and pointing others toward Jesus. When Jesus baptizes someone with the Holy Spirit it means powerful and permanent life change. Our lost world needs that message.

Jesus’ public introduction was impressive as God the Father and Holy Spirit were involved. This is one of the few places in the Bible where the members of the trinity are mentioned together. Jesus was not baptized because of repentance. The perfect Son of God does not need to be forgiven and cleansed. He did it as an example and to kick off his public ministry which would touch so many lives. Heaven would somehow be opened as the Son of Man came out of the water. The voice of the approving Father could be heard. For this instance, there was some type of physical appearance of the Holy Spirit. It was he who prompted Jesus to go to the desert. There he would be tempted by Satan. The crafty adversary was no match for an all-powerful God and the Bible that he quoted and applied.

Whatever temptation we face in life, we know that we can overcome it. The Father, Son, And Holy Spirit give us the power, along with Scripture, to resist whatever the enemy sends our way. But we must not give him a foothold. We must remain strong in the Lord.

Once Jesus passed the wilderness forty-day test he was ready to choose those men whom he would invest so much time and effort on to ultimately prepare them to carry out his message and mission. It was a significant decision. We can’t be sure how Jesus knew who to select out of all the men who were in the area. But he did have the advantage of being God. So, he knew. We may not understand why God chose us for salvation and service, but he knows.

John the Baptist had a price to pay for being bold in proclaiming truth. He would be put in prison and eventually beheaded. We think that we live in challenging and dangerous times. The gospel accounts portray how violent it was way back then for those who did not fall in line with the wicked leadership of the day. The disciples whom Jesus selected would find that out several years later.

Just before he chose them, we read of the nature of Jesus’ message – “the good news of God”. The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news (1:15). The message has not changed. The news of Jesus is as good as it ever was. And even as we marvel at the fact that it is already 2025, we should still recognize that the kingdom is near. We should call others to follow Jesus. In the weeks ahead, we will see what that looks like as we march through Mark.