The Good News: Mark Part 1

The Gospel of Mark starts with a beautiful statement that we sometimes breeze through to get into the heart of this book. "This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God..." Mark 1:1.

As we begin to read about the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we must first realize that we are reading, "Good News". So often we find ourselves reading the passages of scripture seeking our flaws, our failures. We look for judgment for our selves and others but John Mark wants us to look for something else, he wants us to find Good News in what he is telling us.

Being that this is how the book of Mark starts out I have challenged myself to go through the book of Mark and share the "Good News" in this blog. I am sure I will not write on every verse but I will be looking a sections of this Gospel account in hopes that we can grow deeper in our understanding of the Good News that God has given each one of us today.

Part 1:

As we begin to look at the writings of Mark we find Mark leading us to the pages of the Old Testament. He wants everyone to know that God's plan for the redemption of mankind has been planed and promised by God. This wasn't just a momentary choice but a well thought out plan. God had planned our redemption before the beginning of the world and at various times relieved bits and pieces of this plan to His prophets who He called to share His word and love with others.

I also love Mark's approach, he says look what Isaiah said and the prefaces Isaiah with a quote from Malachi 3:1 in which Malachi tells us the same thing then quotes Isaiah 40:3.

Malachi 3:1 says, "Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." - Be ready, there is a messenger coming and when he shows up the messiah is coming soon.

Isaiah 40:3 says, "Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,“Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!" - Isaiah tells us about the very teaching of this coming messenger.

Mark then tells about the coming of John the Baptist, who showed up preaching this message of repentance, yet with these great words of hope, "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

John is announcing to everyone that will listen that the power of sin is about to be broken, that salvation is near at hand. One is coming who will bring the very Spirit of God to the masses. No longer will human tradition and man made buildings be needed to draw men to God. There is one coming that is so great and so mighty that we are not even worthy enough to be His slave yet He will immerse (baptize) us in the Spirit and Power of God Almighty.

The Good News:
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
The Calling of the First Disciples
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"” - Mark 1:9-15

Jesus came into the world and John the Baptist told us this is the one. The God-man who will take away the sins of the world. Salvation has come.

When Jesus came on the scene His message was this, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" In the King James Translation it says, "the kingdom of God is at hand" What Jesus is telling us from the very beginning of His earthly ministry is that the Kingdom of God is attainable. That is can be reached, NOW! It is now longer something we have to wait on.

Jesus came that you can experience God's kingdom in this life and in the life to come. We have a God who is active, now. He desires to give you blessing now. He desires you to experience the Fruit of His kingdom today. His Love, His Joy, His Peace, His Patience, His Kindness, His Goodness, His Faithfulness, His Gentleness, and His Self-Control.

May this Good News encourage you today as you draw deeper to God through the free gift of salvation found in Jesus, who is both Christ and Lord. Amen