The Beginning of the Good News
It's just the beginning!
Mark 1:1-15
Many biblical scholars and preachers make a big deal about the phrasing of Mark’s first verse, and for good reason:
The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ…
As we begin this new gospel, some things are notable: Mark is the shortest gospel. It moves quickly and to the point. This go around, we will be taking it more briefly than last year.
Mark doesn’t mess around, mastering brevity and getting straight to the point. Even so, it is a powerful narrative.
To say that it is the beginning of the good news is to say that there is not yet an end, at least, not in the book itself. Perhaps Mark simply meant to say that Jesus began it all. And the opportunity to receive it is ever-available.
Mark 1:1-15
The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah:
Look, I am sending my messenger before you.
He will prepare your way,
a voice shouting in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight.”
John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.”
At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”
Prayer
God,
Thank you for another new day. Thank you for life, for breath, for food, for connection. Thank you for the constant presence of your spirit and the ever-accessible person of Jesus. Help me to follow him today.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.