14/02/11 Chapel Warari Bible School.
I. The Gospel of Mark is a fast moving account of Jesus’ life probably written for Roman Gentiles. Mark 1: 1-12
A. Of the gospels Mark was written first and most of Mark is found in Mathew and in Luke. Most people think Matthew and Luke copied Mark but revised it to meet their situation. Matthew wrote to the Jews and Luke to Gentiles. Both Mathew and Luke added their own material.
Punishment Isa. 39
The initial prophecy “I will send my messenger to prepare the way” that Mark quotes was written by Isaiah to give comfort to those who would be exiled. Isaiah prophecies the punishment in chapter 39; was Hezekiah too proud of his treasures that he showed it all to the visiting Babylonians? Perhaps he did not give God the glory. More than likely there were many reasons over the years and Hezekiah’s indiscretion was the last straw. Judah was to be exiled.
B. Isa. 40: 1-5
But in the next chapter Isaiah is directed to comfort God’s people by prophesying their release from hard service and that their sin is paid for. Salvation is the tie on point where the passages are connected to Mark’s gospel and connected to God’s provision for his people and for all the people of the world.
II. Prepare the way for the Lord
A. The way back to God
“A voice calling in the wilderness; prepare the way for the Lord, fill in the valleys and level the high places, the rough ground smooth”. This Isaiah passage is a direct reference to John the Baptist and all the authors of the gospels make that connection. But Isaiah also has a more graphic connecting point; coming to Jesus and back to God. Isaiah chapter 35
B. The Highway Isa. 35
1. Not only is the way open for Jesus to come to us, (his incarnation) all the obstacles that prevents us from coming to God are removed as well. Isa. 35 describes the highway: it is called the “way of holiness, only the redeemed walk on it, they enter Zion with singing and everlasting joy, gladness and joy will overtake them and sorrow will flee away.”
The whole chapter is a wonderful description of restoration and redemption.
We are on it and nothing; not Satan and not our confessed sins, will remove us.
2. That highway is here today, many people don’t know how to get onto the highway. Where is the “on ramp”? Isaiah’s prophecy applies to us the church and the people of the church. We are to remove the obstacle of self righteousness, the barrier of condemnation, the deep gully of lack of compassion and the mountain of tradition or whatever it is that keeps people from seeing the “on ramp” to the way of the redeemed. What is it here in this place, here at Acre, that keeps people from seeing the road of righteousness? What is it that keeps people from finding the way? Maybe nothings stands in the way, maybe there are no obstacles. We are on the way of holiness and the only way we can help others find the way is to walk with them, we are to make the path smooth and straight and easy to find. Amen? Isaiah’s prophecy is a two way street, Jesus’ coming to us and all of us coming to Jesus, and Mark begins with Jesus’ baptism.
III. Jesus is Baptized
A. John objects. Matt. 3:13-15
1. Jesus tells John, go ahead and baptize me “in order to fulfill all righteousness”. Baptism is about Jesus. Baptism is not about us.
2. Baptism symbolizes our participation in Jesus’ death and resurrection; the washing away of our sins, baptism therefore is about God.
3. Listen to what God says at Jesus’ baptism; “you are my Son, whom I love; with whom I am well pleased”. When anyone of us is baptized God says to us and he announces to the whole world: this is my son, this is my daughter, I love you, I am pleased with you.
4. God loves you no matter what, baptism or not ,but baptism gives God the opportunity to announce his love for you to the whole world.
CONCLUSION:Jesus’ baptism is the beginning of his public ministry.
In much the same way at our baptism or our profession of faith, if baptized as a child ,we also begin a new phase of service for God; we have a new sense of calling and a new sense of power in the Spirit. Let us thank God for His blessings, and for opening up for us the highway of holiness. Praise be to God!
Heavenhigh 