Mark 1:1-8
"Prepare For The King"
Author
Acts 12
Mother was Mary where the church met
Missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas.
2 Tim 4:11 Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Recipients
Explains Jewish customs
Interprets Jewish and Aramaic phrases (5:41, 7:11, 34, 10:46, 15:22, 34)
Ex: Mark 5:41He took her by the hand and said to her, Talitha koum (which means, Little girl, I say to you, get up ).
V.1 Son of God See V.11
V.2-3 Malachi. 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3
A continuity not a conflict
V.3 fulfills what Gabriel said
Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Why was John so attractive?
1. Sent by God
John 1:6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
2. Uncompromising
Josephus
A figure popular with the people
Highly respected for his godliness
His strong call to righteousness
Matt 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
3. Humble
Matt 11:11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist
See V.7-8
Just a voice
John 1:19 Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." 21 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." 22 Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"
John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.
The King is coming Prepare
Preparing for the coming of the King means going over every inch of the road with a fine tooth comb. Every boulder that has fallen into the road must be removed. Every place where the pavement is cracked must be repaired. Every pothole must be filled in. Even the loose gravel and sand that has accumulated must be swept away.
Why doesnt the paint stick?
John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
Johns message and Jesus message (See V.15) is Repent
Repentance is not just feeling sorry, although thats part of it. Repentance is about realizing youre heading in the wrong direction, admitting it, regretting it, making a decision to turn, and then turningall by the grace of God and with his help. If I admit I am heading in the wrong direction, but neglect to turn around, I will keep on heading in the wrong direction.
Repentance isn't just a one time event
1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
How long had John been in the desert before Jesus showed up?