Devotional 12-4-20

 Please read Mark 1:1-8:

The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: 

“Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.”

John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It’s hard to imagine hearing about Jesus for the first time from Mark. From as early as I remember, probably not unlike many other cradle Christians, I learned one blended version of the stories of Jesus. It wasn’t until I was much older that I began to realize that each gospel writer had his unique perspective, context, and audience. I can understand why Matthew and Luke, who both used Mark as a source for the gospels they authored, included more about the background and birth of Jesus so we could have a chance to get used to the idea of who this Jesus is.

The Gospel of Mark jumps right an urgent message of preparedness. There are no angel messengers, no Baby Jesus or wise men. We learn nothing at all about the birth of Jesus from Mark. Instead, Mark begins by referring to the prophetic writings of the Hebrew Scriptures that point to the coming of the Lord when valleys are lifted up and mountains torn down. This is a message that would have comforted those who lived on the margins of society and would have disturbed those in positions of comfort. 

Mark then turns to the wilderness and the preaching of John the Baptist, who called the people to repent and to be baptized as an outward sign of the change in their hearts and lives. We can think of the Advent Season as an invitation to repentance and forgiveness. And don’t I know some people who can use that invitation!

Whether we care to admit it or not, this is surely an invitation we all need to hear. Even though I don’t care to admit it, this is the message I need to hear this Advent Season. Repentance means turning from our old ways and going in a different direction. It means being open to receive the gift of forgiveness and new life. 

But there is more to it than repentance and forgiveness. John knows, according to Mark, that something huge is about to happen. The world is about to change. So welcome to the Advent wilderness, where John the Baptist invites you to get ready: Jesus is coming!

Rev. Jeff Taylor