PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 1:1-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“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 the Spirit on us.
And an inward, powerful transformation will result (not just a symbolic washing).
God does not want religious rituals or traditions, God 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.
PRAYER
Lord, this IS good news. When I admit my desperate need for help, you will personally meet me there and help me with real, life-changing power.
“I baptize you with[e] water, but he will baptize you with[f] the Holy Spirit.” It seems like there is a wilderness experience for all God’s people – we have to leave the distractions and enticements of this world behind – to be washed clean of them – to be open to the spirit’s leading. So often the cares and concerns and worries of this world get in the way. I know I need the wilderness to put all these things aside and focus on what’s important. I need to be open more and more to the HS’s leading. Help me Lord to focus – to cast all the unimportant stuff aside and allow you to lead me. Help me to walk in the complexity of life by having a clear focus on your kingdom!
The wilderness.
The Israelites wandered there after Egypt land. The Lord was in the wilderness before His ministry. Meeting John in the wilderness was doing totally out of the regular was of life. To follow Jesus meant a total change of life – a new beginning – a separation from the former way of life. A decision to follow Him. Breaking former ways and opening ourselves to live for Him. Jesus first.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.