Mark1a (vs1-15) Notes
1 The beginning of the gospel |
Every tale starts somewhere. The Good News of Jesus starts here. "It all began this way..." |
of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. |
The Savior, the Chosen, the Divine One. In fact, a genuine, historical person |
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, |
Foretold by the God's spokesmen of old time (Isa40.3 / Mal3.1) |
"Behold, I send my messenger before your face, |
The Father says, "Look, I've dispatched a herald to enter the road in front of you... |
who will prepare your way, |
Royalty, Nobility must have a proper reception. The people should make ready for Him. |
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: |
The 1st prophetic voice in over 300 years, lifted up in desolate country |
'Prepare the way of the Lord, |
"Get the road ready for Yahweh (Yes, the Eternal One is coming!), |
make His paths straight,'" |
His entrance approaches near. The real road: the hearts & minds of people. |
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness |
As if dropped from heaven, the Baptizer was set down in the wild, giving ritual baths. |
and proclaiming a baptism of repentance |
His message constantly advancing the need for reformed lives and immersion... |
for the forgiveness of sins. |
in order to be forgiven. A bath required by God to wash away -- not dirt, but -- iniquity. |
5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem |
Figure of speech -- not the land, but -- the people who lived there & in capital city |
were going out to him |
traveled into his primitive chapel in the desert, heeding his call to prepare for Yah |
and being baptized by him in the river Jordan, |
& submitting to John immersing them in the waters of the Jordan |
confessing their sins. |
openly admitting their wrongs -- initial demonstration of repentance, with the voice |
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair |
The wilderness preacher, in the image and manner of Elijah (2Kgs1.8), rugged clothing |
and wore a leather belt around his waist |
& simple accessories - nothing extravagant or glamorous about this preacher |
and ate locusts and wild honey. |
most basic food (Lev11.22), as the poor would have to sustain on, gathered for free |
7 And he preached, saying, |
His primary occupation: speaking a message / not show or even miracles |
"After me comes he who is mightier than I, |
I'm the forerunner for my Master, the one you must watch for |
the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. |
I'm not good enough to be His personal servant, just a remote house slave |
8 I have baptized you with water, |
Speaking to followers, "Yes, I've immersed you in water," |
but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." |
"but He will immerse you in the Spirit." A superior cleansing and power on the way. |
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee |
While John was engaged in his work, the Savior came from His home town |
and was baptized by John in the Jordan. |
And did as all the receptive people had done -- identifying with humanity |
10 And when he came up out of the water, |
The physical motion of post-immersion: arising & ascending from the river |
immediately he saw the heavens opening |
Right away, the elevations were rend asunder, torn in two, parting lofty doors |
and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. |
The Holy Spirit, swooping down as a graceful bird in flight to land on the Lord, |
11 And a voice came from heaven, |
As a majestic voice sounded audibly from exalted plains (did it thunder?) |
"You are my beloved Son; |
"My dear Son -- in my image, from my side, divine & holy as I am - |
with you I am well pleased." |
I am so happy with Who you are!" Such exalted admiration and support. |
12 The Spirit immediately drove Him |
Under the influence of the Spirit, He went away, following wherever He was lead |
out into the wilderness. |
Some useful purpose must be met by being away, alone, in desolate places. |
13 And He was in the wilderness forty days, |
Not a comfortable camp. Austere & Long, without usual provision. |
being tempted by Satan. |
Pressed by the enemy -- in strain and hardship, to bend human will to poor ends. |
And he was with the wild animals, |
His natural companions only the un-tamed animals who call this lonely place home. |
and angels were ministering to Him. |
Yet, heavenly messengers sent to serve & soothe Him when the trial was past. |
14 Now after John was arrested, |
The conclusion of the forerunner's service came abruptly with imprisonment & death |
Jesus came into Galilee, |
And the Lord's public work began, first in the region of His earthly familiars |
proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, |
Also Preacher of the good news of God, announcing renewal of His rule |
15 "The time is fulfilled, |
"Now is the strategic opportunity, the occasion history has prepared for. |
and the kingdom of God is at hand; |
Divine rule is at your fingertips, reach out and take hold of the moment. |
repent and believe in the gospel." |
Take action to change your lives and demonstrate your trust in this announcement." |
notes by David Teel Thursday, August 28, 2014