Prepare the way of the Lord

I hope you've had a chance to think about the questions we talked about last week. Here are a few thoughts based on our discussion and the questions. Please feel free to comment.

John the Baptist came preaching a new Baptism of Repentance for the forgiveness of sins. God's mission for him was to prepare the way for Jesus to begin His ministry. Baptism is the symbol of cleansing used to show repentance and the receiving of forgiveness. This was necessary in preparation for the Messiah whose role was to baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ the Son of God. By calling Jesus the Son of God, and the Christ, it would have caught the people's attention. These were names from God. A title sets the listener/reader up for expectation. A name places you in society, and names/positions of respect have to be earned.

Does the idea of someone being both human and Divine prove to be a difficult concept to grasp? Some at our study last week said yes, some said no. We don't understand everything that Jesus taught, or who He is, nor do we need to know everything. We just need to believe. To accept through faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Before Jesus began His earthly ministry he may not have given too many hints about what was in store for Him on earth. But He was most likely not just like everyone else. Think about Him talking with the church leaders when he was only 12 years old. Not every 12 year old could do that so easily. But then to many who knew him from living in the same town, He was a local boy - Joseph's son - a carpenter. So when Mark opens his Gospel by introducing Jesus as "Jesus Christ the Son of God" it would cause some people to sit up and take notice... they would want to see what was so special about Jesus.

So, this is where John comes in. The Old Testament prophesy says, "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way - a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' " (Mark 1:2-3).

If John the Baptist had not gone ahead, the people would not have been ready. Think of when a king would come to a town in ancient times, a messenger would go ahead and make the people ready. They would make sure their town was clean, and that there was a path for the king to ride on, perhaps an elegant place to stay, etc. When I was a Page in the BC Legislature, each day the Sargent at Arms would come to the back of the house and call out in his loudest voice, "Make WAY for Mr. Speaker." Then everyone would stop talking and stand... they were prepared, so they could be ready. If you have been to a wedding, you know that this happens then, too. The pastor would tell you to rise, and you would stand and watch a glowing bride walk down the aisle.

The Bible is like this for us, too. It has all we need to know about how to get ready for when Jesus returns. We should not be surprised at what is going to happen. Even though we may not be told everything about what is going to happen, we know how to be ready.

We meet again tomorrow to talk about Jesus' "Early Galilean Ministry." We will be looking at Mark 1:14 - 3:6. We'll be meeting at the church tomorrow at 9am. Hope to see you there, and if you can't make it, join us online, right here, afterwards!