Mark 1:2-4 CSB
[2] As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.  [3]  A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight!  [4] John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

700 years before the birth of Christ, God spoke through Isaiah to His people.  Promising to send a messenger before them to prepare the way.

As I read the first few words of Mark I am astonished at how much is actually being said.  It’s truly mind boggling when you see it.

What do I see?  Well first of all I see that God was enacting parts of a plan formed from the beginning.

The text says “written in Isaiah”.  History tells me that Isaiah was 7 centuries prior to the actual event.  But it started even before then.  Look at Mark 1:1.  As I said in the last post Mark proclaims the deity of Christ from the beginning. So that 7 centuries just became 20 or so.  God’s been working on this from the start.  It’s astounding. 

When I first read the second vs. of Mark I wondered who the “you and your” was that He was talking to.  I’m sending my messenger ahead of you.  It kind of sounds like he’s talking to Christ at first but that’s because I’ve been taught the story.  I have to actually go to Isaiah 40 to see he’s addressing his people.

Isaiah 40:1-3 CSB
[1] “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. [2] “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of hard service is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” [3] A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

Now what’s the messenger doing?  Preparing your way.  What does that mean?  When you prepare, you plan and get ready, you remove any obstacles and make sure that things go smoothly.  This is exactly what that means. The messenger is doing that for you by telling you what to do.  I mean if there is a messenger?  He probably has a message, right?

One crying out in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord, make His paths straight!  When I see this. Suddenly I have questions.  What is the way?  What are His paths?  To answer those questions I have to see the next verse. I have to know who the messenger is and hear what he is saying.

John.  Vs.4 tells us that John is the messenger.  Look at the words used.  The word wilderness tells me that he’s the guy.   The one talked about in Isaiah. What’s the message?  Repent, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.

But wait! There’s more!

By physically baptizing people John is demonstrating a profound truth.

The truth that one should baptize themselves in repentance.  What do I mean? We’re all sinful.  Repentance needs to be a staple of our lives.

Now back to those questions.

What is the way?  The way is a few things.  First it’s the area between you and the Lord.  Prepare it, remove the obstacles that are in the way.  What are those obstacles?  Sins.  Whatever is blocking the path.  Only you and the Lord know what they are for sure.  How do you remove them?  Repent, turn away from those sins and don’t go back.  Do it every time they happen.  They will happen and repentance is the way towards forgiveness.  A baptism of repentance are the words used.  An immersion into repentance.  Just like the symbolism of being plunged under the water and being made clean we need to be continually plunged into repentance. We are all sinners, we have sinned, we are likely sinning now in some way, (you know I’m always saying pray constantly, that’s one reason) and we will sin again.  The Bible says our hearts are wicked.  Immerse yourself in repentance to create that lifestyle.

What are His paths? His paths are the way forward.  His paths are that which in time will bring restoration.  His paths proclaim His victory.  His paths are many many things and His word tells us every one.  Perhaps though some of the more important paths though are…

You and I.

The takeaway?

God makes promises.  God keeps promises.  Every one.

God sent a messenger and a message.  Enter into a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

There is forgiveness of sins.  If you haven’t accepted Christ already please don’t wait.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God came as a baby through a virgin birth as promised, lived a sinless life and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  He rose again on the third day defeating death.  He ascended back to heaven and sits at the right hand of God.  He offers everyone eternal life.  Simply believe in Jesus. 

Pray to Him telling Him that you believe as soon as possible.  If you prayed honestly then you’re forgiven.  Find a Bible believing Church and ask the hard questions. 

Finally we have a calling to proclaim what we know.  Exactly what we’ve just seen in 3 small verses in Mark chapter 1. 

Live in a baptism of repentance go forth and tell all that you’ve learned and then dig deep and learn more.

Was this long and boring?  Maybe.  But it was necessary to show the mighty works of our loving God.

I hope this helps you study more and better.

Love in Christ,

Colby