Wake Up People

The Back Story

The Exodus (Gen. 15:13-14; Ex. 4:22; 12:12-13;13:20-22; 14:21-22; Num. 13:26-14:38). [Deut. 18:15-18 - A new exodus story is being written: Jesus was God’s son; Israel was God’s son. Jesus was baptized; Israel was baptized in the sea. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness 40 days; Israel was tested 40 days/years. Jesus revealed God’s will after fasting 40 days; Moses revealed God’s will after fasting 40 days.]

The Captivity (Deut. 28:58-68; 2 Kgs. 17:7-23; Jer. 25:1-11; 2 Chron. 36:22-23; 2nd Temple Judaism). [Things were never the same; Jews dispersed throughout world; no complete independence - Vassal State; Israel had brief independence from 164-63 BC during the Hasmonean Dynasty (family name of the Jews who instigated the Jewish revolt against the Greeks in 167 BC with the help of Rome). Independence was short-lived and the Jews ultimately found themselves under Roman rule (63 BC), governed by a “puppet” king.]

The Promises (Ps. 110; Jer. 31:31-34; Eze. 36:26-27; Isa. 2:1-4; 11:1-5; 52:13-15; 61:1-11; Zech. 6:9-15). [Isaiah is Mark’s focus in vv.2-3. A descendant of David would establish God’s kingdom (2 Sam. 7:13-14; Isa. 11:1). The King will have God’s Spirit rest upon Him as He rules (Isa. 11:1-5). A messenger will prepare the way for the Messiah (Isa. 40:3). His kingdom will be established in Jerusalem, yet universal in scope (Isa. 2:1-4). The anointed King will preach, heal, console, rebuild, and repair (Isa. 61:1-11. This King will deal prudently, be elevated, startle other kings, and bring justice to the Gentiles (Isa. 42:1; 52:13-15).]

The Then Story

The wake up call (Mk. 1:2-3; Ex. 23:20; Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1). [John was the road builder for the Lord’s Messiah. His arrival was like a cold glass of water being poured on Israel’s head to wake them up and prepare them for the Lord’s Messiah.]

The call to leave Egypt behind (Mk. 1:4-5; Lk. 3:3-17; Mt. 3:1-12; Heb. 11:24-29). [John said TURN AROUND; STOP DREAMING; WAKE UP TO GOD’S REALITY; GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER; REPENT; CONFESS; BE BAPTIZED]

The Coming One is coming (Mk. 1:7-8; Jer. 17:9; Deut. 30:6; Isa. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 11:18-20). [What John did with water, the Coming One would do with the Holy Spirit. View 1: Limited, non-conversion event (Ac. 1-2; 10-11). View 2: universal, non-miraculous event (Mk. 1:8; Jn. 1:33). View 3: both (Deut. 30:6; Isa. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 11:18-20)]

The Now Story

“Now it is high time to awake out of sleep;” the King is coming back (Rom. 13:11-12a; Ac. 17:30-31). [God is calling for all men everywhere to repent! Judgment is coming]

“Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the Armor of Light;” leave Egypt behind (Rom. 13:12b-13; 2 Cor. 5:10). [Forsake Egypt and the passing pleasures of sin and look to the reward.]

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14; Gal. 3:26-27; Jn. 3:3-5; 7:39; Ac. 5:32; Eph. 3:14-21; Gal. 3:2, 14; 4:6-7; Col. 2:11-15). [We put on Jesus through baptism. In baptism we are born of water (our part) and Spirit (God’s part). In baptism we receive God’s Spirit and are adopted into God’s family (Rom. 8:9-17). In baptism, we receive new life and have all our sins forgiven (Col. 2:11-15).]