Beginning with Baptism

What is the “beginning of the gospel”?

Is it just the opening of Mark’s gospel that we get in today’s reading?

Is there more to it?

Does beginning include all of the gospel since we are still living out the good news that began with Jesus?

What is meaning of the “good news of Jesus Christ”?

Is the good news about Jesus?

Is the good news given by Jesus?

Is it both?

Sometimes good news can be translated victory…how might that change our understanding if we read it as, “the beginning of the victory of Jesus Christ”?

“Christ” means “messiah or “anointed one”, what meaning was Mark trying to convey to the listeners/readers?

Term is often used to describe a conquering king, a prophet, or a priest.

Why does Mark use this uncommon word and why?

What does John mean when he differentiates between baptism by water and baptism by the Holy Spirit?

We don’t ever see Jesus baptize anyone, yet he commands us to do so.

The New Revised Standard Version Jesus Commissions the Disciples

14 Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. 16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.

The New Revised Standard Version Jesus Commissions the Disciples

14 Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. 16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Might being baptized by the Holy Spirit mean more about sacrificing our lives to live at Christ did, more than it means to be given the Holy Spirit?

How does this change our understanding of what baptism means for us?

The beginning of Mark’s gospel has a lot of heavy words that would have been new to the first listeners and it even has some heavy words for us to understand. I believe Mark is trying to help everyone to see that this isn’t some ordinary story with ordinary characters. This is a story that is only the beginning and it has some serious implications for the listeners.

We have begun the season of Advent and we are once again awaiting Jesus’ birth. Perhaps as we come to a new understanding of this text we can also come to a new understanding of what it means for this baby child to come into our lives.