Hi everyone! This is the first blog in a very long time. I'm trying something new. I'm trying to get back into blogging by printing a Bible study that I've been doing. I am reading the book of Mark and commenting after every paragraph or so. I'm not using this as a new direction for this blog. Instead, I am trying to come back from over two years of anxiety and depression so deep that I stopped writing altogether by trying this direction. This is just for a while, and I hope to go back to my original blogging topics when I feel ready.
Please comment and tell me what you think. It means the world to hear from you.
1 The beginning of the good news[a] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[b]
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,[c]
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,[d]
who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
The way was made before Jesus ever came, made by his cousin John. This is an example of humility. John knew from the beginning that his way was not the way of glory. His job was preparing the way for One greater than him. It isn’t a stretch to believe that this understanding was with him from the womb. After all, he lept with joy when Mother Mary came to visit Elizabeth with Jesus in her womb.
4 John the baptizer appeared[e] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with[f] water; but he will baptize you with[g] the Holy Spirit.”
John came to prepare. He didn't seek to do anything else; that was not his job. John was preparing his flock to become the Shepherd’s sheep. As will later be seen with Jesus, not all his followers understood that. The fact that he did not glory in his disciples or seek his own acclaim speaks to his humility before God.
In fact, everything about John speaks of his humility and his desire to direct his followers toward God's coming Messiah, not himself. He chose to dress austerely, in the same style as Elijah and other OT prophets. He did this not to bring attention to himself, but (I think) to point toward the humility of the coming Messiah. He didn't feast with his disciples but ate locusts and wild honey. He was who he was, and his manner and demeanor drew people to him.
The Baptism of Jesus
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved;[h]with you I am well pleased.”
It’s always great to hear Daddy’s pleasure with your work. Some of us got just the right amount-not given when not deserved, but not withheld when good work was seen. Others of us suffered through a father who was never satisfied. “That was okay, but it can always be better,” followed by a string of complaints thinly disguised as constructive criticism. Still others received praise for everything we did, whether or not we did it well. As a result, we stopped striving. Why bother.
Jesus’ Father was God, but that didn’t make him any less a proud dad. He wanted to make sure that the Son understood that he was watching and pleased with what he saw. Imagine the scene-the Son stepping out of the water and the Father proudly saying “This is my Child. I love Him so very much; listen to Him!
And not just the Father. No, the Spirit also took part. The visible representation of the Father’s voice came through the opened heavens. Did He open them himself? He came as a dove met Jesus as he was baptized. What promise this gives us! He didn’t come as an eagle or hawk. He didn’t come to scavenge or throw his power around. No, he came to intercede in the life of the poor and weak, the bruised reeds that he’d promised not to break.
