Mark: The Gospel of Jesus Christ, V. 1-15

The Beginning of His Ministry: 1-3

1: He is the bearer of good news:

A. John the Baptist makes a way for Him, as foretold, Malachi/Isaiah

B. He walks in the old path.

2. John the Baptist: 4-8

A. John prepared the way by preaching repentance

a. The path/highway was confession/contrition and turning to Christ.

b. The Jews were baptized just as Gentiles.

B. He came as Elijah, dressed in camel’s hair, with a strange diet.

C. John’s ministry style

a. He went to the wilderness, not the city.

b. It was truly a work of the Holy Spirit that people flocked to him.

D. He foretold about Jesus’ ministry and His greatness and his own feebleness

a. John was not even as the lowest servant compared to Jesus.

b. John confessed He was “the Son of God” John 1.

3. John meets/baptizes Jesus: 9-11

A. Jesus is baptized by John, to “fulfill all righteousness”

a. Unlike Isaiah/6, He didn’t have unclean lips

b. Unlike the Levites He didn’t need an elaborate ceremony to make Him holy.

B. The Holy Spirit came down upon Jesus, readying Him for His ministry, signifying God’s approval and a picture for future believers.

C. The Father blesses this holy meeting.

4. Jesus prepares for and begins His ministry: 12-15

A. Jesus, the 2nd Adam, is tempted in the wilderness by Satan

a. Remember the first Adam’s temptation

b. Contrast with Jesus’ temptation

c. What Adam could not accomplish Christ did

B. John is imprisoned

a. He paid the ultimate price for confronting wickedness in the highest places.

b. Jesus moved His ministry to Galilee.

C. Jesus preaches the gospel of the Kingdom of God

a. Notice the similarity of His message.

D. “The Time is fulfilled” the King/Priest has come

a. “the kingdom of God is at hand” Jesus has set foot on earth, to do the will of the Father for our redemption.

b. “Repent and believe in the gospel”