Preparing the Way!

Introduction

Last week we ended our study of the book of 1 John. I was looking over my records and realized that I have not preached through one of the Gospels since 2015. So this morning we are going to begin a study of the book of Mark.

Before we start, let’s get a little background about the book.

Author

While the gospel itself does not identify Mark as the author, He has been widely recognized as the author by the early church fathers. Mark was a companion of the apostle Peter. He was often referred to as the person that translated for Peter, but the better understanding is that he worked to help people understand Peter—thus he explained Peter.

Date

Most scholars accept that the book of Mark was written before A.D. 70—before the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. Since the Gospel predicts the destruction of the temple, but there is no comment about that prediction being fulfilled.

Most scholars pin down the date believing the book was written between A.D. 57 and 59. This would have been at the beginning of Nero’s reign (A.D. 54-68).

Purpose

While Mark does not directly give us a reason or purpose for writing, Mark works hard to show Jesus as the Suffering Servant. He is writing to a predominantly Greco/Roman audience.

John the Baptizer

So let’s begin looking at our passage today. If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Mark chapter 1. Mark begins his gospel by telling us who the book is about. Look at verse 1.

Mark 1:1 NIV84

The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

This phrase, “The beginning of the gospel. . .” is a technical term which refers to the preaching—or proclaiming of the gospel. You see, the primary job of every believer is to proclaim—or preach—the gospel.

This gospel, that we are to proclaim, is about Jesus Christ the very Son of God. From this point, Mark jumps right into the story.

Mark 1:2–3 NIV84

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 desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”

Mark says he’s quoting from Isaiah the prophet. In reality, Mark blends at least two passages. This fact, has caused some scholars a huge problem. However, the part that Mark is emphasizing comes from Isaiah so that is the reference he states. In reality verse 2 quotes Malachi 3:1 which says:

Malachi 3:1 NIV84

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

—and sounds a lot like Exodus 23:20.

Exodus 23:20 NIV84

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.

Now, verse 3, is actually a quote from Isaiah. It is Isaiah 40:3.

Isaiah 40:3 NIV84

A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.

So Mark emphasizes this part, by identifying as from Isaiah. Mark uses this quote to introduce the voice that is calling which actually means shouting—this voice is shouting! The message is so important that this voice is shouting! The thing is the voice is shouting in the desert. In the Greek, the word translated “desert” and it has the idea of wilderness, or lonely place. I like the way the NET Bible translates this verse.

Mark 1:3 NET

the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”

Mark picked this verse out of Isaiah to describe John’s job. First he was to prepare the way—some would say clear the way. Secondly, John was to make paths for the one coming.

Right after Mark quotes this passage, he introduces the voice that is shouting in the wilderness! That voice is “John the Baptist” or as the NET Bible calls him, John the Baptizer.

Mark 1:4 NIV84

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark is going to present John as a “prophet.” He is going to present John as being the opposite of the religious leaders of his day.

1. John was in the desert

Or the wilderness.

2. His message

He called people to be baptized—identification.

He called people to repent from their sins.

3. The people.

Verse 5 tells us who came out into the wilderness to hear John.

Mark 1:5 NIV84

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.

The whole Judean countryside came out to see John.

Along with the people of Jerusalem.

4. The people’s response.

First they confessed their sins.

Secondly, they were baptized—that is they identified with John’s message.

In these two ways, John prepared the way for the Lord.

John as Prophet

I love the description of John in verse 6.

Mark 1:6 NIV84

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

1. Clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt.

He dressed the opposite of the religious leaders of the day. This was seen in two significant ways.

First he was out in the wilderness, so the people had to go to him—he wasn’t sitting in the synagogues teaching—no he was out in the middle of nowhere.

Secondly, he wore a simple outfit. Camel hair clothes with a simply leather belt around his waist. The religious leaders wear flowing robes with lots and lots of tassels that drew attention to person wearing the robe.

John’s outfit was not the outfit of a great religious leader, it was similar to the outfit that Elijah the Tishbite wore. Look at 2 Kings 1:8.

2 Kings 1:8 NIV84

They replied, “He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist.” The king said, “That was Elijah the Tishbite.”

John dressed much like one of the more revered prophets of all times—Elijah.

2. His diet of locusts and honey

First of all, locust was actually clean food. Look at Leviticus 11:22.

Leviticus 11:22–23 NIV84

Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. But all other winged creatures that have four legs you are to detest.

3. His Message.

Like the prophets of old, John did not elevate himself, but rather pointed to another. The prophets of old pointed people to God, by speaking for God.

John points people to Jesus by preparing the people by showing them their need. So his message is found in verse 7.

Mark 1:7–8 NIV84

And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

I am nothing—but the one that is coming is everything!

John baptized with water—something that will pass. The one to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit!

SO WHAT?

Here’s the thing! John knew his job was to point to someone else. Our job is the same! We are to point people to Jesus. We need to understand that we are not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals.

Everything this world has to offer is temporary! All that you and I—in and of ourselves—can offer is temporary. It will all pass away. Our friendships, financial help, meals, even the comfort we give will all pass away. But Jesus! Jesus still baptizes with the Holy Spirit! Jesus gives those who believe in Him a family—they (we) become the Children of God! And that will NEVER pass away!

So let me ask you a question. Do you show people Jesus? Those who come into your lives—are you pointing them to Jesus?