advent and anticipation mark 1:1-13. 1 the beginning of the gospel of jesus christ, the son of god....
TRANSCRIPT
Advent and Anticipation
Mark 1:1-13
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
anticipation• What is the longest you have ever
waited for something?
• The OT ends with the promise of restoration and salvation unfulfilled
anticipation
• The OT ends with the promise of restoration and salvation unfulfilled
• Israel continued to live ‘in exile’ waiting for God to redeem and restore his people (cf. words of Zechariah Luke 1:67-79; Simeon 2:25-35; Anna 2:36-38)
anticipation
• The voice of prophecy had been silent for 300+ years
anticipation
• The voice of prophecy had been silent for 300+ years–Why were the willing to wait?
anticipation
• The voice of prophecy had been silent for 300+ years–Why were the willing to wait?
• Mark abruptly announced the time of fulfillment had arrived in Jesus
anticipation
the beginning of the gospel
the beginning of the gospel• Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not
refer to his written account
the beginning of the gospel• Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not
refer to his written account–Roman context: ‘glad tidings’ re long-
awaited fulfillment of longings for peace and happiness
the beginning of the gospel• Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not
refer to his written account–Roman context: ‘glad tidings’ re long-
awaited fulfillment of longings for peace and happiness– Jewish context: ‘glad tidings’ of the
announcement of salvation (cf. Isaiah 40:9; 41:27)
• Jesus was the one in and through whom God would fulfill his promises of redemption and restoration
the beginning of the gospel
• Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist
the beginning of the gospel
• Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist– John was a prophet
the beginning of the gospel
• Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist– John was a prophet • NB his clothing and location (cf. Elijah
2 Kgs 1:8)
the beginning of the gospel
• Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist– John was a prophet • NB his clothing and location (cf. Elijah
2 Kgs 1:8)
• The OT citation is from three texts (Ex 23:20; Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1) that was already used in Jewish tradition
the beginning of the gospel
• Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist
the beginning of the gospel
• John called people to repentance (1:4)
the beginning of the gospel
• John called people to repentance (1:4)• The wilderness
was a symbol of their failure
the beginning of the gospel
• John called people to repentance (1:4)• The wilderness
was a symbol of their failure• The Jordan was
a symbol of God’s faithfulness
the beginning of the gospel
• The response was significant (“all” of Judea and Jerusalem)
the beginning of the gospel
• The response was significant (“all” of Judea and Jerusalem)–Yet the response to Jesus was minimal
the beginning of the gospel
the baptism of Jesus
the baptism of Jesus• Mark’s description is sparse
the baptism of Jesus• Mark’s description is sparse• The audience learns of Jesus’ true
identity
the baptism of Jesus• Mark’s description is sparse• The audience learns of Jesus’ true
identity–NB the heavens were ‘torn open’
(cf. Isa 64:1; Mark 15:38)
the baptism of Jesus• Mark’s description is sparse• The audience learns of Jesus’ true
identity–NB the heavens were ‘torn open’
(cf. Isa 64:1; Mark 15:38)
–The Spirit descends
the baptism of Jesus• Mark’s description is sparse• The audience learns of Jesus’ true
identity–NB the heavens were ‘torn open’
(cf. Isa 64:1; Mark 15:38)
–The Spirit descends–The Father speaks to Jesus
the testing of Jesus
the testing of Jesus• No specific details are given
the testing of Jesus• No specific details are given• The testing suggests Jesus is the one
who will fulfill Israel’s sonship (cf. Ex 4:22; Mark 1:11)
waiting in anticipation
waiting in anticipation • The longed for Messiah had arrived
waiting in anticipation • The longed for Messiah had arrived–Were they prepared to meet him?
waiting in anticipation
waiting in anticipation • The longed for Messiah will return
waiting in anticipation • The longed for Messiah will return–Will we be prepared to meet him?
waiting in anticipation • The longed for Messiah will return–Will we be prepared to meet him?23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; ESV)