The Beginning of the Good News

Illustration 813 - by Kallie Skaife, Missionary in Athens, Greece, International Teams

p 444 1001 Illustrations that Connect Larson, Craig Brian; Ten Elshof, Phyllis • Zondervan • 2008

A new series starting today: “The Story that Changes Everything” Fourteen messages from today through Easter as we go through the gospel of Mark. We won’t read every single verse, but we will journey through it together, highlighting some parts as we stop and dive a little deeper in others.

Introduction

Every story has a beginning—but Mark’s Gospel begins with urgency. No manger. No shepherds. No buildup. Just a bold declaration:

“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Mark wants us to feel the weight of this moment. This isn’t just another story. This is THE STORY—the story that changes everything. A story that causes conflict within ourselves.

In these opening verses, Mark shows us four movements that reveal how God begins His transforming work: in the world; and in us.

Mark 1:1–13 NIV

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, 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 comes the one more powerful than I, the straps 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.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Proclaiming the Promise (vv 1-4) God told Isaiah John is the bridge Repent is about direction

Before Jesus appears, God is already at work. Mark reaches back to Isaiah to remind us: this moment has been promised. God has been preparing His people for centuries. God told Isaiah all about it. God’s story is not random—it is orchestrated.

John the Baptist steps onto the scene—a voice crying out in the wilderness, calling people to repentance and readiness. “Preaching … repentance and forgiveness of sins.”

John is the bridge between promise and fulfillment. His message is simple:

“Prepare the way for the Lord.”

Repentance isn’t about shame—it’s about direction. It’s about clearing space for God to move.

Application:

The story that changes everything begins when we recognize our need for change. When we stop pretending we have it all together and allow God to prepare our hearts for what He wants to do.

Preparing the Heart (vv 5–8) Baptism: Water & Holy Spirit Reshape Priorities Soften Attitudes Redirect Steps

People flock to John from all over Judea. They confess. They are baptized. They are hungry for renewal.

But John makes something very clear:

“I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John’s baptism symbolized desire.

Jesus’ baptism brings transformation.

Repentance is not just turning away from sin—it is turning toward God. It is not just behavior modification—it is a heart renovation. It is opening ourselves to the work only the Holy Spirit can do.

Application:

Preparing our hearts today means cultivating openness.

It means letting God: reshape our priorities, soften our attitudes, and redirect our steps.

The story that changes everything begins with our hearts willing to be changed.

Powerful Affirmation (vv 9–11) Identity before Activity Not Earned - Given Not Fragile - Anchored Approval - Not for it, from it

Jesus arrives at the Jordan and steps into the water—not because He needs cleansing, but because He chooses solidarity; identification. He stands with us before we ever stand with Him.

And then heaven opens.

The Spirit descends like a dove.

The Father speaks:

“You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.”

Before Jesus performs a miracle…

Before He preaches a sermon…

Before He calls a disciple…

He is affirmed, loved, and sent.

Identity comes before activity. Being God’s beloved comes before mission.

Application:

In Christ, we receive the same affirmation. The Spirit whispers to our hearts:

“You are God’s beloved. You are chosen. You are called.”

Your worth is not earned—it is given.

Your identity is not fragile—it is anchored in Christ. Not conditional—it is secured in Christ. Romans 8:38–39 “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This is part of the story that changes everything:

We live from God’s approval, not for it.

Persevering the Wilderness (vv 12–13) Not Punishment but Preparation Not Wasted Moments God strengthens, shapes, prepares us

Immediately after this moment of affirmation, the Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness. The same Spirit who descended gently now leads Him into a place of testing.

The wilderness is harsh. Lonely. Dangerous.

Jesus faces temptation, isolation, and spiritual attack—yet He emerges victorious. He stands firm where humanity has fallen.

The wilderness is not punishment.

It is preparation.

Application:

We all face wilderness seasons—moments of uncertainty, temptation, struggle, or spiritual dryness. But Jesus shows us that wilderness moments are not wasted moments. They are places where God: strengthens us, shapes us, and prepares us for what’s next.

The story that changes everything includes wilderness chapters—but they are never the final chapter.

The Beginning of the Story That Changes Everything ++• Proclaiming the Promise ++• Preparing the Heart ++• Powerful Affirmation ++• Persevering the Wilderness

Conclusion: The Beginning of the Story That Changes Everything

Our scripture reading in Mark today is not just the beginning of Jesus’ ministry—it is the beginning of God’s transforming work in us.

• Proclaiming the Promise: God keeps His word.

• Preparing the Heart: God invites us into renewal.

• Powerful Affirmation: God names us His child.

• Persevering in the Wilderness: God strengthens us to overcome.

This is the story that changes everything.

And the good news is this:

It is still being written in the lives of those who follow Jesus.

As we begin this new series in the Gospel of Mark. As we begin this new year of 2026. As we begin this first day of the rest of our lives.

As we follow Jesus, our Savior and our Lord, may we live the story that changes everything.