The Beginning of Something Amazing – Mark 1 v 1-6

And we’re going. It’s the beginning and we are introduced to someone special – Jesus!

Verse 1: “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God…”

So, right from the start, Mark is telling us that this story is all about Jesus. He’s not just an ordinary guy, but the Messiah, the chosen one sent by God to bring good news and salvation to the world.

Verse 2-3: “as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’ — ‘a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'”

Here, Mark is quoting from the Old Testament, specifically the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah is telling us get ready, because something incredible is about to happen! But the book of Isaiah was written 800 years before!

Verse 4: “And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Now, we meet John the Baptist. John has an important message: turn away from wrong ways and be forgiven. He is getting people ready for Jesus’ arrival.

Verse 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.”

Imagine a massive crowd heading out to hear John and they’re seeking forgiveness and a fresh start. This shows how hungry people were for something real, something meaningful.

Verse 6: “John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.”

This might seem a bit odd, right? John’s appearance and diet were pretty unconventional, but it was a way of showing that he was completely dedicated to his mission. It’s a reminder that sometimes, doing something important means going against the norm.

So, what can we take away from these verses? This story is about Jesus, who is coming to bring good news, forgiveness, and a fresh start for all of us. It is time to get excited about our faith, to prepare our hearts for Jesus, and to be bold in living out our mission, just like John the Baptist!

A bit of background

I suggest having a read of these posts to give some extra information.