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Read Mark 1:1-13
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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.
Mark begins his account of the gospel of Jesus Christ not with the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, but instead by jumping right to the ministry of John the Baptist: preparing hearts and minds for Jesus by calling for people to repent. By doing so, Mark would gather us to the person of Jesus in much the same way. We are called to repent, honestly coming to terms with the wretchedness of our sins and our desperate need for a savior. Whether we have heard these words a million times or if this is the first time, our need to hear these words never changes.
But the purpose behind Mark’s beginning is just as important. This is after all “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ”…literally translated the “good news” of Jesus Christ. As we read through this Gospel, Mark shares the life and ministry of Jesus in order that we see the “good news” that Jesus is the Son of God who overcomes sin, the devil, and even death. Mark tells the story so that we hear Jesus declare his victory as a victory that is for us. Mark writes so that we live confident of God’s grace given in Christ, restored by his forgiveness, assured of the presence of his Holy Spirit, and certain of the promise of eternal life! If we miss that during our reading this Lent, we miss the point of Mark’s Gospel altogether.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me of my sins and restore me in your steadfast love. Bless my reading through Mark this Lent that it would daily direct me to your cross, strengthen me in faith, and keep me steadfast in the certainty of your grace. Amen.