The Messenger | Mark 1:1-11
Introduction
The gospel narrative that we are going to study is a very important part of all of our faith because it carries a unique perspective and focus on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It's special in several ways. First, it is the shortest gospel of the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is also the earliest written gospel. Sometimes people think Matthew, Luke, or John might be the earliest, but Mark was the first gospel completed in its entirety.
Interestingly, the Gospels of Luke and Matthew repeat verbatim 95 percent of the Gospel of Mark in their gospels, including their own thoughts along the way, of course. Another aspect that makes it unique is that the author of this gospel was a young, early follower of Jesus by the name of John Mark.
John Mark was the son of a well-to-do woman in Jerusalem, and their home was used often to host meetings of the early church. Acts chapter 12 talks about several instances where people gathered at John Mark's family home, ministering to the community. It’s without question that Mark, who wrote this gospel, personally met many early church founders. Can you imagine sitting with James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, and experiencing ministry as the gospel was going out for the first time all around the world?
Imagine growing up in that kind of environment. That was John Mark. He had an incredible gospel experience. But not only did his family have connections in Jerusalem, he was also related to a later church leader named Barnabas. If you know anything about the New Testament, you've heard of Barnabas, a companion of the Apostle Paul. On the first missionary journey we read about in Acts, John Mark himself went on that trip.
Imagine this young man with Barnabas, his mother's cousin, and the Apostle Paul. How many of you would pay an exorbitant amount of money to go on a missionary trip with the Apostle Paul, right? Imagine that. Here he goes on this journey, and yet, when they were in the city of Perga, John Mark abandoned Paul and Barnabas, leaving them during that first missionary journey. Paul was so frustrated with Mark that he refused to take him on a second missionary journey, even though Barnabas wanted him to come along.
The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas was so strong that they went their separate ways, finding other companions for their separate missionary journeys. It was all because of Mark. Think about it. It was all because of the contention over Mark. However, about a decade later, there was a reconciliation between Paul and Mark.
Even after a sharp disagreement, there was some reconciliation, speaking to the reconciliation nature of the gospel. As followers of Jesus Christ, there isn't anything we cannot work through together. It's sometimes hard because we go through difficulties and have disagreements, but here we see a picture of two people who went their separate ways and came back together later.
Later on, when Paul was in Rome, he requested Mark because he was profitable for the ministry. Mark had incredible experiences in his early days, getting to be around great people. One of the most foundational aspects of Mark's life was his close relationship with the apostle Peter. He spent a lot of time with Peter, who referred to him as his son in the faith.
Mark collected information and stories of Jesus' ministry from Peter's firsthand accounts. You could call Mark Peter's ghostwriter. Mark was sitting there, listening to Peter, writing down eyewitness accounts. One of the earliest extra-biblical statements about the gospel of Mark was written by Papias, the bishop of Hierapolis, in A.D. 140.
Papias said Mark was writing down what Peter told him. The story of Mark's life is a picture of the restorative power of the Gospel. He went from someone who deserted Paul to being restored as a devoted follower and a trusted biographer of Peter. Mark's writing was so accurate that both Luke and Matthew used his work to write their own gospels. It's amazing how the Word of God is preserved, backing each other up.
Mark takes a unique literary approach in presenting this gospel to Gentile, specifically Roman, believers. He uses specific Greek and Latin terms throughout and rarely mentions Old Testament prophecies because they would have been foreign to Roman readers. The tone of the book is one of action, focusing on what Jesus does rather than what he says. This would have appealed to Roman Christians, who were a society of action.
Mark does not mention his name, focusing from the beginning on Jesus Christ and his ministry. The gospel is divided into two narrative structures: the life of Christ and his earthly ministry, and the journey to the cross. Themes such as discipleship, faith, and the differences between insiders and outsiders stand out, portraying the authority and servanthood of the Son of God.
That's why our series is titled "The Servant: Following the Steps of Jesus Through the Gospel of Mark." Jesus described his own ministry in Mark 10:45, saying, "Even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." This is a reminder that true greatness comes in serving others.
Mark's gospel often shows Jesus serving and meeting the needs of others. This is the background for where we are in the book. Now, as we begin in Mark chapter 1, verse 1, Mark gets right into it, telling us who this gospel is about: the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Your life should be all about Jesus. This church should be all about Jesus.
Mark starts from a different vantage point than the other gospels. Matthew begins with the ancestry and birth of the Jewish Messiah, Luke with the birth of John the Baptist, and John goes back to the Lord's pre-incarnate existence as the Word. Mark begins with the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The word "gospel" used here is a Roman word, describing the announcement of a new emperor's birth. But here, the Holy Spirit, through Mark, redeems the word to describe the news about the long-awaited Savior.
The Description of the Messenger
Just as earthly kings' births were announced publicly, God also sent a herald to announce Jesus Christ's coming. In verse 2, it says, "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." This prophecy is about a herald, a man named John the Baptist, who would come to announce the coming of Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist was born miraculously to aging parents, Elizabeth and Zacharias. He came in the spirit and power of Elijah, speaking for God to Israel for the first time in over 400 years. Prophesied as the forerunner for the Messiah in both Malachi and Isaiah, John had a unique message of repentance and anticipation of the Messiah.
John was not concerned about what others thought of him. He fulfilled God's calling to prepare the way for the Savior. Now, let's move to verse 6 for the description of the messenger. It says, "And John was clothed with camel's hair and with a belt of skin about his waist, and he did eat locusts and wild honey." John had a unique appearance, covered in camel's hair, with a leather belt, and ate locusts and honey.
John followed the Nazirite vow, a commitment to never cut his hair, touch alcohol, or touch dead animals, symbolizing his set-apart nature for God's calling. Despite his privileged upbringing, John chose to live a life of simplicity and devotion to God's will. His lifestyle was a protest against the godlessness and self-serving materialism of his day. He was used by God to touch the eternal and make an incredible impact in this world.
Many believers today are embarrassed by any stigma associated with being a follower of Jesus Christ. However, John did not care about others' opinions. He followed God's calling, even if it meant standing out. As believers, we should not minimize our faith but embrace our unique calling. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, meant to show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness.
John had the power of God on his life. His calling was clear, and he followed it with unwavering dedication. Now, let's look at the preaching of the messenger.
The Preaching of the Messenger
John's message was one of repentance for the remission of sins. In verse 4, it says, "John did baptize in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." People from all over Judea and Jerusalem came to him, confessing their sins and being baptized in the Jordan River.
Baptism was a foreign concept to Jews, who only associated it with Gentile converts to Judaism. John's baptism was a powerful symbol of genuine repentance. Imagine John, clothed in camel's hair, preaching a message of judgment, warning people about their sins, and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance.
John's message of repentance is still applicable today. We are all sinners, and we need to hear that message to understand our need for a Savior. The Gospel is not a discussion or a debate but an announcement of the need to turn away from self-sufficiency and acknowledge our rebellion against God.
John's message was well received, with hundreds and thousands of people coming to hear him and be baptized. They needed more than an outward expression of repentance; they needed something internal to genuinely change them. John preached that they needed more than an outward expression; they needed the Holy Spirit.
In verse
7 and 8, John says, "There cometh one mightier than I after me, the lachet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water, but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit." John was right. In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus said, "For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit began to indwell believers permanently for the first time. The baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at the moment of salvation when you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit seals us, gives us confidence in our salvation, and helps us understand God's Word.
For the Jews, this announcement would have been mind-blowing. They knew God through the law, but now they could have a personal relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. Emmanuel happened—God with us. The Holy Spirit's indwelling is a privilege, blessing, and honor.
The Confirmation of the Messenger
It's one thing for John to preach repentance and baptize people, but it's another thing for it to be confirmed. In verse 9, it says, "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan."
As Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descended upon Him. A voice from heaven said, "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This was the first introduction of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus identified Himself with John's ministry and with sinners, picturing His role as the innocent taking the place of the guilty.
Matthew captured this conversation in Matthew 3:13-15. Jesus said, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus' baptism was not for His own salvation but for ours, identifying with sinners and foreshadowing His sacrificial role on the cross.
As Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended, and the Father's voice confirmed Him. This moment affirmed Jesus as the one who came to save the world from their sins. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—was present, affirming Jesus' ministry and mission.
What an incredible moment as the commencement of our Savior's ministry in the Gospel of Mark. As we continue our study, we will follow His steps, witnessing unique moments and situations where God, in the form of a man, became a servant for you and me.
