THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 1:1-8
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘prepare the way for the Lord.'” (Mark 1:3)
Mark starts his biography of Jesus when His ministry begins, as an adult.
John the Baptist is the unusual fanfare that announces the coming Messiah.
To prepare for God’s coming, people need to repent.
This act of repentance was extreme: being baptized by a madman in the wilderness.
There is an important message in this.
For us to benefit from God’s help, we need to come to the end of ourselves.
We need to admit our desperate need, and humbly open ourselves to God.
When we do this, then God will unleash His Spirit on us.
And an inward, powerful transformation will result (not just a symbolic washing).
God does not want religious rituals or traditions, He wants sincere heart change.
God will meet us in the wilderness (symbol of brokenness and transformation).
If I really want to know Jesus, then I need to be willing to go there.
I sense the Lord challenging us to meet Him in humility, honesty and desperation.
That will mark the beginning of the good news in our lives too.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, this IS good news. When I admit my desperate need for help, You will personally meet me there (through Jesus) and help me with real, life-changing power.