Mark 1:1-8 "John's Water and Jesus' Spirit"
Pray
Mark 1:1-8 John’s Water and Jesus’ Spirit
Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the gospel (Good News) about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way"- (Malachi 3:1)
3 "a voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'" (Isa. 40:3)
4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
(from New International Version)
Learning from this Scripture:
This is likely the oldest Gospel- It starts similar to Genesis- "The beginning"- Mark knew that this writing he was recording was the story of a "new beginning"= of the same old story.
V.1: The beginning of the gospel (Good News) about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Quotes both Isaiah and Malachi-
It was the beginning of the Good News- but it was the continuation of the story of God reaching out to His creation
JBAP- quoted from the Hebrew scriptures- Promises of the Christ. common to give credit to the major prophet, even though two sources were quoted
Isaiah was the longest or largest prophetic Hebrew writing
Malachi was understood in JBAP’s time to be the last prophet
In using Isaiah AND quoting from Malachi-
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way"- (Malachi 3:1)
3 "a voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'" (Isa. 40:3)
The Gospel of Mark portrays John as the link between the Hebrew scriptures and the Christ
The story continues- JBAP is making a statement to a Jewish audience-- God is not done SPEAKING- God is still Speaking
v.4a begins: And so John came
John talked people into the water-
v.4-5: John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins Ceremonial Washings- common- Once for all washings- common way to bring a gentile into the Jewish faith
As one scholar put it, "John told them that they had to come to God the same way non-Jews did. The point of John’s baptism is that everyone has to come to God on the same terms."
V5: Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River Gentiles and Jews were entering the Jordan River and equally proclaiming their need for forgiveness. They were proclaiming that they wanted a fresh start in life.
John had simple tastes- he rejected the largesse and luxury of the world
v6: John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
John wasn’t the only one who ate locusts. One dead sea scroll contains instructions for the community at Qumran on how to eat locusts
Elijah dressed like John 2 Kings 1:8
John talked the talk and walked the walk. He connected his living to his talking
John’s Message: JBAP was saying two Radical themes:
1. Individuals can ask for forgiveness- it does not have to be a sacrifice- or a community ritual- it can be a changed heart and a decision to change the direction of your life
2. An amazing person will come and bring the very Holy Spirit of God into your lives- as Mark says the Son of God- this Son of God will bring the Holy Spirit of God into the lives of repentant people
JBAP was unafraid to preach these radical messages.
JBAP must have received a message from God to proclaim the coming of the messiah- and He knew the Messiah would bring the Spirit of God into people’s lives- this is HUGE of course. Because the Jews believed- and the scriptures taught that the Spirit of God dwelt in the Temple- in the holy of holies- where only a select few could go in- you had to be born into the right family- receive proper training- go through certain initiations - then and only then were allowed to be in the presence of God and make a sacrifice to God
STORY: While the soldiers stood at attention during a parade, a private waved to someone in the audience. "Jones, never do that again!" the drill instructor barked.
But a few minutes later, the soldier waved a second time. Back in the barracks after the parade, the DI stormed in and barked for Jones to come front and center. "Son, you knew I was going to see you," he screamed. "You knew it was wrong. Aren't you afraid of me?"
"Yes, sir!" replied Jones. "But you don't know my mother!"
JBAP- knew who his Boss was: he knew where real power was held
John was unafraid to preach a message that was radical to the world- because He feared God more than he feared popular opinion.
I’ll say this to you- and make sure you understand this:
I am a lot more afraid of Jesus than I am of you- I hope that’s true for all of us
I hope we fear and respect God more than the opinions of our friends
I pray that we fear and respect God more than the shifting sands of government
Challenge from this scripture:
Are we people led by a vision?-
Or are we people controlled by circumstances
Do we use our circumstances as Hints and encouragement to our calling/vision in life (individual and church)
Or do we get beat up by our circumstances- tossing vision aside
What if JBAP had said, "God is done speaking now. I certainly can’t be a prophet of God." or "I am poor. No one will listen to me. I have nothing to offer." Are we overcome or do we overcome
Do we get plowed over- or do we choose to plow through
JBAP obeyed God’s calling on his life- he was led by vision.
Are we as a church listening to God’s Voice?
What is God saying to us? What is His vision for us? What does He want us to do? How can we obey God’s calling for us- if we don’t first listen to Him?
I read an author the other day who said a person who has a calling in their life and is convinced of their calling- will be willing to storm hell armed only with a water pistol. Once an individual or a church is convinced of their calling- they understand that circumstances and events are in God’s control- and God can even use the difficult circumstances to benefit their mission. People convinced of their calling don’t pray for more faith- they just start with what they have. They don’t complain about their lack of resources- they start with what they have. JBAP didn’t have wealth or resources. He simply trusted God.
People convinced of God’s calling in their life- trust God against all odds.
John stormed the hells of this world with a water pistol- and he got his head chopped off because he spoke truth to the people who thought they held the power in this world
Whose story are we living in? Are we living in the wrong story?
John preached a baptism of repentance- for the forgiveness of sins
John baptizes with Water = But Jesus with the Holy Spirit
John is standing in the river of tradition- the same river as the ancient prophets
The river of faith stories- the heroes of these faith stories: Elijah, Isaiah, Malachi and others stood in this tradition with John
Sometimes we get consumed with the story of our own lives-
We get consumed with the details, delights and despair of daily life
We forget the larger story- we are part of a much larger story
JBAP- understood that he was just the guy announcing the HERO of the story- he himself did not deserve worship- the one following Him deserved being worshiped- JBAP did not feel worthy to even untie the sandels of the one that would follow him.
Advent is a time of calling-
JBAP is calling people to repentance- because the Lord is approaching
We have 2- two testaments- two sets of stories saying the same thing- There is a God who loves us and is going to pursue us until we all become His people
I said earlier This is likely the oldest Gospel- It starts similar to Genesis- "The beginning"- Lets read from Genesis 1.
Gen 1:1-2
1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
John is saying- soon we won’t be people who just wash in Water
Soon there is coming one who will bring the very Spirit of God- the very Spirit who hovered over the waters in Gen. 1:2- to wash over us.
The Spirit of God is calling you
The Spirit of God has written a story for your life that you can follow
The Spirit of God is calling.
Amen
Mark 1:1-8 John’s Water and Jesus’ Spirit
Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the gospel (Good News) about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way"- (Malachi 3:1)
3 "a voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'" (Isa. 40:3)
4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
(from New International Version)
Learning from this Scripture:
This is likely the oldest Gospel- It starts similar to Genesis- "The beginning"- Mark knew that this writing he was recording was the story of a "new beginning"= of the same old story.
V.1: The beginning of the gospel (Good News) about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Quotes both Isaiah and Malachi-
It was the beginning of the Good News- but it was the continuation of the story of God reaching out to His creation
JBAP- quoted from the Hebrew scriptures- Promises of the Christ. common to give credit to the major prophet, even though two sources were quoted
Isaiah was the longest or largest prophetic Hebrew writing
Malachi was understood in JBAP’s time to be the last prophet
In using Isaiah AND quoting from Malachi-
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way"- (Malachi 3:1)
3 "a voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'" (Isa. 40:3)
The Gospel of Mark portrays John as the link between the Hebrew scriptures and the Christ
The story continues- JBAP is making a statement to a Jewish audience-- God is not done SPEAKING- God is still Speaking
v.4a begins: And so John came
John talked people into the water-
v.4-5: John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins Ceremonial Washings- common- Once for all washings- common way to bring a gentile into the Jewish faith
As one scholar put it, "John told them that they had to come to God the same way non-Jews did. The point of John’s baptism is that everyone has to come to God on the same terms."
V5: Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River Gentiles and Jews were entering the Jordan River and equally proclaiming their need for forgiveness. They were proclaiming that they wanted a fresh start in life.
John had simple tastes- he rejected the largesse and luxury of the world
v6: John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
John wasn’t the only one who ate locusts. One dead sea scroll contains instructions for the community at Qumran on how to eat locusts
Elijah dressed like John 2 Kings 1:8
John talked the talk and walked the walk. He connected his living to his talking
John’s Message: JBAP was saying two Radical themes:
1. Individuals can ask for forgiveness- it does not have to be a sacrifice- or a community ritual- it can be a changed heart and a decision to change the direction of your life
2. An amazing person will come and bring the very Holy Spirit of God into your lives- as Mark says the Son of God- this Son of God will bring the Holy Spirit of God into the lives of repentant people
JBAP was unafraid to preach these radical messages.
JBAP must have received a message from God to proclaim the coming of the messiah- and He knew the Messiah would bring the Spirit of God into people’s lives- this is HUGE of course. Because the Jews believed- and the scriptures taught that the Spirit of God dwelt in the Temple- in the holy of holies- where only a select few could go in- you had to be born into the right family- receive proper training- go through certain initiations - then and only then were allowed to be in the presence of God and make a sacrifice to God
STORY: While the soldiers stood at attention during a parade, a private waved to someone in the audience. "Jones, never do that again!" the drill instructor barked.
But a few minutes later, the soldier waved a second time. Back in the barracks after the parade, the DI stormed in and barked for Jones to come front and center. "Son, you knew I was going to see you," he screamed. "You knew it was wrong. Aren't you afraid of me?"
"Yes, sir!" replied Jones. "But you don't know my mother!"
JBAP- knew who his Boss was: he knew where real power was held
John was unafraid to preach a message that was radical to the world- because He feared God more than he feared popular opinion.
I’ll say this to you- and make sure you understand this:
I am a lot more afraid of Jesus than I am of you- I hope that’s true for all of us
I hope we fear and respect God more than the opinions of our friends
I pray that we fear and respect God more than the shifting sands of government
Challenge from this scripture:
Are we people led by a vision?-
Or are we people controlled by circumstances
Do we use our circumstances as Hints and encouragement to our calling/vision in life (individual and church)
Or do we get beat up by our circumstances- tossing vision aside
What if JBAP had said, "God is done speaking now. I certainly can’t be a prophet of God." or "I am poor. No one will listen to me. I have nothing to offer." Are we overcome or do we overcome
Do we get plowed over- or do we choose to plow through
JBAP obeyed God’s calling on his life- he was led by vision.
Are we as a church listening to God’s Voice?
What is God saying to us? What is His vision for us? What does He want us to do? How can we obey God’s calling for us- if we don’t first listen to Him?
I read an author the other day who said a person who has a calling in their life and is convinced of their calling- will be willing to storm hell armed only with a water pistol. Once an individual or a church is convinced of their calling- they understand that circumstances and events are in God’s control- and God can even use the difficult circumstances to benefit their mission. People convinced of their calling don’t pray for more faith- they just start with what they have. They don’t complain about their lack of resources- they start with what they have. JBAP didn’t have wealth or resources. He simply trusted God.
People convinced of God’s calling in their life- trust God against all odds.
John stormed the hells of this world with a water pistol- and he got his head chopped off because he spoke truth to the people who thought they held the power in this world
Whose story are we living in? Are we living in the wrong story?
John preached a baptism of repentance- for the forgiveness of sins
John baptizes with Water = But Jesus with the Holy Spirit
John is standing in the river of tradition- the same river as the ancient prophets
The river of faith stories- the heroes of these faith stories: Elijah, Isaiah, Malachi and others stood in this tradition with John
Sometimes we get consumed with the story of our own lives-
We get consumed with the details, delights and despair of daily life
We forget the larger story- we are part of a much larger story
JBAP- understood that he was just the guy announcing the HERO of the story- he himself did not deserve worship- the one following Him deserved being worshiped- JBAP did not feel worthy to even untie the sandels of the one that would follow him.
Advent is a time of calling-
JBAP is calling people to repentance- because the Lord is approaching
We have 2- two testaments- two sets of stories saying the same thing- There is a God who loves us and is going to pursue us until we all become His people
I said earlier This is likely the oldest Gospel- It starts similar to Genesis- "The beginning"- Lets read from Genesis 1.
Gen 1:1-2
1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
John is saying- soon we won’t be people who just wash in Water
Soon there is coming one who will bring the very Spirit of God- the very Spirit who hovered over the waters in Gen. 1:2- to wash over us.
The Spirit of God is calling you
The Spirit of God has written a story for your life that you can follow
The Spirit of God is calling.
Amen
posted by Palouse Fed. Church at 4:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home