Prelude: How do we prepare for the Lord’s Coming? How did John prepare? What is the way back to God? Purpose: Let’s discuss the way from worldly Babylon to heavenly Zion. Plan: Let’s look at John the Baptist’s message in Mark 1:1-8.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Roman Emperor's birthdays were proclaimed as “good news.” The world is run by highly intelligent, very well-educated people who can’t solve our world’s problems. The real answers are spiritual. Mark used the political language of his day, but pointed us to Christ not the bad news of this world’s politics.
Mark 1:2-3 As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”
Most Jews were deported to Babylon from about 597 to 539 BC. The king of Babylon, Nebucchadnezzar and the four successive beast-like Empires after him, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Macedonia-Greece and Rome (Daniel 7), symbolize worldly greed and oppression (Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:1-2; 18:9-10; 18:21).
Mark refers to Isaiah 40:1-11. Our Babylonian captivity is soon over. Exiles are on a road to heavenly Jerusalem, an angel highway back to God. The bringer of good news announces that God gathers the little lambs of His flock into His arms and gently leads His sheep home.
Mark 1:4-5 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
Baptism is not literal immersion only. It’s a washing (Acts 22:16), “into His death” (Romans 6:3-4), His suffering (Mark 10:38), a spiritual circumcision (Colossians 2:11-15). Israel was “baptized into Moses” (1 Corinthians 10:2-5). There is “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:6) “into Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
Mark 1:6-7 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
John was a preacher in what was then considered country clothing. In that culture, a household servant would often be asked to take the dirty sandals off the feet of a wealthy homeowner. It was beneath him. John considered himself to be even unworthy of this dirty and lowly task.
“The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.” (Psalm 147:6) “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Mark 1:8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In baptism we pass through the sea escaping slavery (1 Corinthians 10:2), are washed (Mark 7:4), suffer with Him (Mark 10:38-39), are sprinkled (Hebrews 9:10), and baptized with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), which is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Postlude: What do we need to prepare for Christ’s coming? What’s blocking our way back to heavenly Zion? We have all been taken captive to Babylon, deluded by the deceitful riches and glamor of a lost world. Jesus is the only way from Babylon to heavenly Jerusalem. Are you coming?
Readings:
Isaiah 40:1-11 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!
2 Peter 3:8-15 we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
