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Mark 1:1-8 The Proclamation of John the Baptist
About Mark: Mark's Gospel was the first one written, according to many scholars. His successful design was copied by Matthew and Luke. He presents his account of Jesus as a biographical journey. It begins in the region of the Sea of Galilee - the northern province of Israel - and ends at Jerusalem, the capital, in the western hill country above the Dead Sea.

Later Christian writings say that Peter was Mark's main source. Peter features prominently in all four Gospels. Although a leading spokesman of the apostles, his stumbling steps as a follower of Jesus are typical of so many others. He portrays the real world of Christian discipleship.

As time passed the impetus grew to put Jesus’ story into writing. Early identities in the church were passing away, and the expanding church needed a written record. A reliable account would sort out fact from fiction about Jesus and discipleship.

Mark is also known as John Mark. The Last Supper was probably held in the upper room of John Mark’s home, by invitation of his mother. Mark himself may have observed Jesus there. Many scholars believe that Mark is the young man who followed the disciples into the night and slipped out of his nightshirt to escape capture (Mark 14:51-52); a story found in this Gospel alone. Mark's home became the first base for the apostles in Jerusalem. Mark was also involved with the great early missionary Paul. Like Peter, Mark had a stumbling beginning in that work, but recovered to become an important colleague in Paul's latter years. In Paul’s writings, Luke and Mark are often mentioned together.

Gospel means "good news". Each Gospel presents the good news that fired the first Christians to follow Jesus, as it has ever since. The emphasis on things Roman shows that Mark’s Gospel was written for a Roman audience. This accounts for its brevity and practical focus. Belief involves practical allegiance, just as Roman citizenship was openly owned and demonstrated.

All four Gospels begin by mentioning John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. Some of his followers became the first Christians.

Bible: Mark 1:1-8, The Proclamation of John the Baptist
1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
 

Comment: THE BEGINNING OF THE GOOD NEWS
MARK weaves into the journey of Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem, the journey that each person who aspires to be a Christian disciple must make. The "beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ" for us, requires us to accept some important challenges. Mark describes these through his portrait of John the Baptist.

We must follow the Scriptures
Mark wants his readers to realise that this account of Jesus is closely connected to the Scriptures of the Old Testament. For Mark, the gospel is "as it is written in the prophet Isaiah". Mark draws frequently on Isaiah, and he expects us to do so also. The Scriptures are trustworthy. John the Baptist himself is a fulfilment of OT promises in Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1 & 4:5 written centuries earlier.

We must repent
The Greek word means a change of thinking and attitude. Mark is writing his story to highlight the thinking and attitudes of a follower of Jesus Christ. The beginning for us of the good news depends on our openness to new ideas and attitudes, such as Mark presents. Of course Mark of all people knows it's hard to change, and shows it so in his story. But the good news can't begin without this readiness to repent, to rethink, to reform.

For example: John the Baptist should have followed his father into the priesthood of Jerusalem's temple. But this radical gospel is about forgiveness of sins through a baptism of repentance rather than through ceremonial sacrifices in Herod's Temple. The gospel is for poor folks in the wilderness – people used to camel hair, leather, locusts, and honey. Herod had rebuilt the temple to exclude the disabled, the Gentile (non-Jew), the women, and the commoner. This gospel includes all, and offers to all an inner renewal through a baptism of Holy breath (8).

Discipleship today: Putting this in today’s setting, we are presented with three challenges. God has communicated to the world he created, and the communication is both reliable and available. The Old Testament that spoke of John and of Jesus are part of that, and so is Mark's account here. Humankind has been made with an instinct for finding answers to the big questions of our existence, and how to live a satisfying life. God who has given us the thirst for answers has also given us the source of meeting it. God who made us to communicate, also communicates with us. The challenge is to fairly investigate what God has delivered to us.

Secondly, this tells us from the outset that a change of attitude is part of receiving the good news of Jesus. If you think you already know all the answers, and don't need to bother with what God has said and done, proceed no further. It will do you no good. The challenge is to approach this with a mind open to change.

Thirdly, something here works from the inside out. John's water for baptism washed the outside. Jesus speaks about a holy Spirit that affects us inwardly.