Mark 1:1-8

Last week we studied the mini-apocalypse in Mark 13.  Apocalyptic language does NOT predict the future.  It addresses the current realty faced by the people of God.  I submit that our nation is moving into a period of time in which apocalyptic language can help the Church interpret our daily reality!  Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines/hunger are now endemic to our culture.  Maybe I am suffering from child-like naivety; when I think of such disasters –the heavenly being torn asunder – my mind’s eyes focuses on places like the Sudan or Nicaragua.  The apocalyptic things taking place around us are revelations or the uncovering of what has been hidden from view that now urges us to stand upon faith while proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Good News always speaks of faith that triumphs over fear.  Therefore, the opening words of Mark’s gospel invite us to Good News.  This Good News is a revelation.  Note the words:

• “See” verse 2b
• “voice” verse 3

Humankind’s ability to see and hear represents the “beginning” of hidden things emerging out of the darkness of the world and/or the blindness of humanity into the light.  Furthermore, revelation bears two qualities.  We see and hear through our physical senses.  Second, we awaken spiritually to hear and see with our hearts, minds and souls.  I submit that when a person finds unity of the physical and spiritual he or she enters the Kingdom of God and begins a life of Christian perfection.

• Take a moment to write or think through your understand of “Good News”.
• Now, describe how your Good News has transformed your life?  Describe the changes that have taken place in your heart.  How have your thoughts and opinions of people changed through your living out the Good News?  Do you look beyond the physical appearance of a person to call forth and encounter Jesus emerging in his or her life? Do you encounter sinners or emerging saints?
• Looking back at your answers to the last two questions do you see a straight path emerging out the wilderness of life that prepares a way for persons to come to the Lord?
• Are you aware that Christians are called to do the very same work as John the Baptist?

Mark tells us that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness.   Let’s think about the meanings of the “wilderness” to the Hebrew People.

• See Exodus 14 and following.  The Wilderness of Sin is the place of journey with God.  The Israelites experienced God in the barren wilderness.  Through their suffering some of the Israelites learned to trust God. 
• See Leviticus 16.  You may want to read the entire chapter.  If not, then focus on verse 6-10.  The Azazel or scapegoat bears all of the sins of Israel.  The scapegoat is led into the wilderness to die.  Therefore the wilderness is a terrifying place where evil spirits live.  It is an “unclean” place.
• See Isaiah 40:3-5.  The wilderness is the place where “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.” 

The wilderness therefore is the place where we learn to trust God as we find that God is with us.  Second, we experience all our sins and evil in the wilderness.  Third, the wilderness is the very place we expect to see Messiah emerge.     

• Looking at the three descriptions of wilderness and write a journey-story of Good News. 
• Where do we see wilderness-places in and around Kingsport?
  • Name the places of sin and suffering.
  • Name the places where one expects to encounter evil or the demonic.  (What areas of town do you prefer not to go?  What places do you fear?)
  • Name the places you expect to see Messiah.

John the Baptist lives and goes about his ministry in the wilderness.  The Israelites were taught that God abides in the Temple in Jerusalem.  Jews went to the temple to atone for sin and repent.  Why are people flocking to the wilderness instead of the temple?  

The Temple had been seized by politics!  It was almost impossible for common folk to enter the temple and or afford the cost of the sin offering.  Temple Taxes were collected to maintain the building.  The priests were paid puppets of the government.  The focus of the temple moved from worship of God and personal holiness to legalism and building maintenance.  Moreover the people expected Messiah to emerge from the wilderness not the temple!!!

John’s Baptism is not your grandmother’s immersion!

If you want a glimpse of Jewish baptism read the rites of purification in Leviticus 12-15.  Note that the immersion in water in all of these rites is an outward cleaning of the body ONLY after the person had repented of their sin.  Repentance is a longing to be one with God and acceptable in His sight.  Repentance requires the fruit of transformation of the person’s life.  Note also how a person’s sin infringed on the holiness of their family members and neighbors.  Repentance, then, is threefold.  Repentance is a desire to be in community with God, self and neighbor. 

Note that baptism herein is personal.  The person being baptized immerses him or herself beneath the water.  Think about it.  If a clean person assists the unclean person in the immersion he or she becomes immediately unclean.  If an unclean person assists the immersion is a waste of time.  Note that handicapped and elderly people where allowed to have assistance. 

Therefore, John’s baptism is radical!!!  He touches unclean people without any fear of becoming unclean himself.  He has no fear of evil.  He has no fear of sin.  He has no fear of being rejected by God.  He is a man of faith.  The straight way to the Lord is an offering of grace through faith. 

• Why aren’t people flocking to the Church?
• What might we be doing intentionally or unintentionally that prohibits people from entering the Church.
• I hear a lot of people say they expect Messiah anytime.  Where does scripture say that we can expect him to emerge?  When was the last time you saw a “cloud” in Church?  (See Mark 13:26)
• If we desire to share the Good News where must we go? 
• Is it time we focused on the wilderness places you named above? 

One in Christ

Robert Burlingham, pastor