This Mark is John Mark. (Mark being his Roman name, John being his Jewish name) Hopefully he is familiar to you from his work with Paul and Barnabas on missionary journeys. As we think of John Mark writing an account of the life of Christ it is important to consider where Mark learned what we wrote about. Mark was probably an eyewitness to at least some of Jesus’ life. Yet Mark’s Gospel has also been associated with the apostle Peter. John Mark first became associated with Peter when Peter was freed from prison and went to the home of Mark’s mother. (See Acts 12:11-16) In his first letter Peter mentioned that Mark was with him (See 1 Peter 5:13). According to tradition, Mark wrote down Peter’s account near the end of Peter’s ministry in Rome. Introduction, v.1. Mark introduces his account, beginning differently than all the others. John begins at creation, “In the beginning…” Matthew and Luke begin at the birth of Christ. Mark begins at the beginning of the gospel! (1) Gospel is a term familiar to us today referring to the sinless life, sacrificial death, and supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Mark’s day it was a term from political or personal reporting and correspondence, meaning “good news.” The Greeks used this word for events such as the birth of an emperor or a major military victory. It was a term of good tidings or good news! Uniquely the greek word for it is evangelion (ee-von-jell-e-on), which surely brings to mind evangelist — one who shares the gospel! This is where Mark begins the story of the life of Christ — as the ministry of Christ begins. And Mark is clear from the very start — this book is about a real man — Jesus … Who was really God … the Christ … the Son of God! Jesus was a common name, Joshua from the Hebrew, carrying the meaning “yahweh saves” or “the Lord is Salvation”. Very popular, even before anyone knew about Mary, Joseph, or their Son. Still, that part of His name had meaning — further was the meaning from His surname and title. The Christ. The Messiah, the anointed one. Israel had been awaiting their “Christ”. Next, Mark states, “the Son of God”. Jesus the Christ was the Son of God. This is the introduction, but also the main point of Mark’s Gospel. The historical Jesus was a real man. (And named God Saves) He was sent as God’s servant — the promised Messiah. He was divine — God, as Son, come to save His people. The Past, v.2-3. From this introductory phrase, Mark takes this account back into the past — the prophets — the conveyors of the Old Covenant writings. What is “now” happening (their present), that was predicted back then (the past before Jesus came)? God would send a messenger to prepare the way for the Christ. (2) The messenger would preach in the wilderness. He would preach a message of preparation for the soon arrival of the Christ. (3) In vv.2-3 Mark merges together phrases from Exodus, Malachi, and Isaiah all pointing out what God had said He would do. (Exodus 23:20; Malachi 3:1; and Isaiah 40:3.) By quoting these verses, Mark certifies that: the Torah (Exodus), the Major Prophets (Isaiah), and the Minor Prophets (Malachi), All confirm what he is about to tell. (Garland) In Exodus God illustrated to His people a future deliverance as He delivers them from Egypt. In Isaiah and Malachi God foretells His people of the new deliverance yet to come. And that a forerunner would preach a message to them of preparation for the One to come. In ancient times, before a king visited any part of his realm, a messenger was sent before him to prepare the way. (Wiersbe) This included both repairing the roads and preparing the people. By calling the nation to repentance, John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah and Malachi join voices in declaring that Jesus Christ is the Lord, Jehovah God. The Present, v.4-6. From the prophets of the past, Mark quickly moves his audience into his report of the events of the forerunner’s present. John “did” what the prophets said he would. That statement affirms 3 things: The prophets were true. What they predicted was fulfilled. John was the messenger / the one God said would come before the Christ. Jesus was the Christ. John lived with a purpose. He preached in the wilderness. (4a) A traditional meeting place for God and His prophets and/or God and His people. The wilderness was the place of receiving the Old Covenant as Moses went up on the Mountain for the tablets. This was all too conveniently symbolic. John was born for this specific purpose and lived unto it. “The summons to be baptized in the Jordan meant that Israel must come once more to the wilderness. As Israel long ago had been separated from Egypt by a pilgrimage through the waters of the Red Sea, the nation is exhorted again to experience separation; the people are called to a second exodus in preparation for a new covenant with God.” (Lane) He preached a specific message. (4b) Prepare! Get ready for the Messiah. He will take away your sins, get ready for this! Here John does not actually bestow forgiveness of sins. He guides the people in preparing for the New Covenant where Jesus would bestow forgiveness. The gospel of John records, John the Baptist testifies to Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This was John the Baptist’s purpose — He preached a specific message. He baptized Jews. (5) The Qumran community, which was responsible for copying and preserving the Dead Sea Scrolls, practiced ritual cleansings and baptisms. (Sproul) Also, converts of other nations to Judaism were baptized. John’s innovation was to require a one-time baptism of repentance for Israelites already within the covenant community. For him to require such a gesture of radical repentance is a sign of the approach of the new covenant. So you see what a purpose filled life John lived. John lived with passion. He dressed and ate like an OT Prophet. (6) Why does John dress in animal pelts and eat what he can forage? It was not the typical attire of his day. Practically, he was spending his time in the wilderness, he used what he could gather. Still, he looks and sounds like Elijah! John was passionate about his wilderness ministry & lived like it! He was the last OC prophet and lived out that role. His passion drew many to his ministry. (5) He was so passionate about the purpose with which God had commissioned him that everyone came to see. Did you notice that in Mark’s description? All the land of Judea… And they of Jerusalem. All were baptized. I don’t know if this means every single person, but the implication at leasts put in mind — very large crowds. Scholars estimate as many as 300,000 people came under the influence of John’s ministry. Large numbers aren’t the measure of success all the time. But in a ministry like John’s, certainly they were. The more who heard and prepared for the Christ the better! John’s passionate devotion to living with this singular purpose led to his being used of God in such a large way. The Future, v.7-8. In vv.7-8 we find the content of John’s preaching. Not only was his a purposeful ministry… Not only was he passionate as he ministered… John’s preaching was filled with Truth! We must never forsake truth. Purpose without truth is fallible. Passion without truth is only charisma. Preaching filled with truth leads to preparation!! The message of preparation from vv.4-6 was only effective because of the truth of vv.7-8. In vv.4-5 John preaches that the Jews should be baptized… “His message was that the people should repent (change their minds and forsake their sins) in order to receive the remission of sins. Otherwise they would be in no position to receive the Lord. Only holy people are able to appreciate the Holy Son of God.” (MacDonald) John preached this message and the people who came confessed their sins and had him baptize them. Next, in vv.7-8 we get the rest of the content of John’s preaching. Why prepare? Because the “one” is coming! (7) He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost! (8) John was helping with the temporal preparation. Jesus would bring eternal life! John had immersed them in water which was only external, but One would come who would fill them with the Holy Spirit. Immersion in water is a perfect picture in the physical of what happens spiritually when we are saved and receive the Spirit. When we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, He permeates every part of us. He drenches our life with His, and we are changed! Conclusion: (Future Still…) Like John heralded the first arrival of King Jesus, we herald His second! The church is the “advance team”! Let us live and minister as John, the initial forerunner lived: He was purposeful. He was passionate. He preached truth. As we await the second coming of Jesus… Live with purpose. Live with passion. Live proclaiming truth. Live….Preparing the Way!