The Beginning of the Good News about Jesus
Mark 1:1-15
Key Verse: 1:1
“The Beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God”
This year we will study Mark’s gospel, the account of the life and ministry of Jesus by Mark. He was not among the twelve apostles. However, as a young man, Mark might have been around Jesus during His earthly ministry, following his mother, Mary. (Ac 12:12) His House was a gathering place for the early church. Later, Mark became a help for Paul and Barnabase on their first missionary journey. (Ac13:5) But in the middle of the mission, he deserted them and went back home to Jerusalem. Mark did not want to serve, but to be served. He did not want to give his life, but save his life. However, under Peter’s shepherding (1Pe5:13), Mark changed completely – he was shaped into a true disciple of Jesus, a faithful servant. In this book, Mark depicted Jesus as a suffering servant of all and one who gave his life as a ransom for many. (Mk10:45) He was deeply moved by Jesus who served him and saved him by sacrificing his life. This Jesus transformed his life to be a servant of all like Jesus In the same way, Jesus, who served sinners with humility and sacrifice, can change each of us into life-giving servants of God for this generation. Learning Jesus’ servantship and Learning Jesus’ shepherd heart – these are our purposes and prayers as we study this book together.
This passage is about the beginning of Jesus’ earthly messianic ministry; the beginning of the gospel. We will look into the following three topics. 1)The Good News and its beginning 2) The Ministry of John, the Baptist 3) Jesus’ baptism and inauguration.
I The good news about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God (1-3)
Mark begins with a declaration of the good news about Jesus. Look at verse 1. “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” As you know, “Gospel” means “good news.” Good news fills us with joy and strength, while bad news can rot our bones. We all want and need good news. This book is about Jesus. And it is good news. How can this be the good news? What is good news to one may become bad news to another. Then, how is this good news related to you and me?
Mark boldly declares that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. This explains why and how His story is good news and great joy for all people. Messiah is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word “Christ.” Both Messiah and Christ mean “Annoited one.” To the Jews, the anointed one was a promised prophet, priest and king whom God would send to deliver His people. Here Mark declares that Jesus is this promised anointed prophet, priest and king who will give the words of life; who will offer prayers and sacrifices acceptable to God for his people; who will defeat the power of sin and death and deliver his people through his death and resurrection. Not only that, this Jesus is the Son of God who has all authority and power; who will reign with justice, righteousness, peace forever in His kingdom. This gospel is the story of the Messiah, God’s annoiced one, the Son of God. This is Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God who we want to learn more about and grow more in our faith. Let’s see how this story begins.
Look at verses 2-3. “as it is written in Isaiah the prophet; “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” – “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’” These are prophecies about John, the forerunner of the Messiah, which are from both Malachi (about 430 B.C) and Isaiah (about 700 B.C) Two prophets from different time periods foretold – centuries in advance, that God’s messenger would come and prepare the way for the Messiah. Verses 4-8 tells that John precisely fulfilled these prophecies.
What does this tell us about the gospel of Jesus? This gospel does not appear by accident or coincident. It is not a clevery devised story made by man. It is what God promised through the prophets many centuries before and finally what God fulfilled. It is the truth from God so that it is trustworthy. Throughout history, everything has changed consistently and rapidly, so nothing in the world lasts forever. However, the word of God, the promises of God, endures forever; the words of God never fails because God is almighty, eternal and unchanging. All Scriptures, the Bible is God-breathed, the very living word of God, therefore completely trustworthy. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jn3:16) This good news is an old, old story which has endured a long time in history. Over 2000 years, everything has changed. Still it remains the unchanging truth today. And it will remain so until our Lord Jesus comes again in glory and power.
II The ministry of John the Baptist (4-8)
What did John do as the forerunner of the Messiah? Look at verse 4. As was prophesied, John the Baptist came and appeared in the wilderness. He prepared the way for the Lord by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Here the key word is “repentance.” It is the way he prepared people for the way. This is also the way we should prepare everyone -ourselves, children, and Bible students – for the Lord. He proclaimed “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Mt4:17)
Then, what is repentance? It begins with acknowledging our sins before God. It means recognizing how detestable our sins are to God and how our sins caused Jesus pain and suffering on the cross. Repentance is not only feeling sorry. It is turning away from our sins and turning back to God, seeking His grace for forgiveness. We cannot remove or wash away our sins by ourselves. Only God can forgive and cleanse us. So, we repent of our sins and ask His mercy. Confessing our sins before God, we humbly ask for help from our savior to forgive us, to cleanse us, and to make us new. True repentance leads us to depend fully on God’s mercy. In this way, we become ready to accept Jesus as our Lord, and to be baptized by the Holy Spirit for the cleansing of our sins. “Repent!” Have you ever heard it from others, or even spoken to others? It is painful to hear, and even more painful to say. Then, how should we respond to it?
How did people respond to his preaching? Look at verse 5. “The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” It is amazing to see that people came, confessed their sins, and received the baptism from John. Although it was not yet the complete forgiveness, the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. This reveals how deeply people were suffering under the power of sin and its consequences and how desperately they longed for forgiveness.
Since sin came into the world through one man’s disobedience and then death through sin, all people have remained trapped in guilt, condemnation and the fear of death. Because of sin, all men are destined to die. No one is free from sin; everyone needs the forgiveness of sins and deliverance from this slavery. Our deepest need is the forgiveness of sins – the restoration of our broken relationship with God. That’s why the crowds were drawn into the wilderness.
How can sins truly be forgiven? Nothing can cleanse us from sins except the blood of Jesus, the son of God. That is why Jesus, the son of God, came to this world, to give his life as a ransom for many. That is why this is good news for all the people. I love to sing the Hymn. “What can wash away my sin? “Nothing but the blood of Jesus” “What can make me whole again? – Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Nothing but the blood of Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God.
We must remember that repentance is the starting point through which we enter true life with God – not just better life, but forgiven, restored and eternal life. Acknowledging and confessing our sins is difficult and humbling. But repentance is the way of blessing. It opens the door to life. Repentance is not weakness; It is spiritual power – it breaks the power of sin; it restores our relationship with God. When we repent, we open the way for God, so that God comes and works powerfully in our lives. 1John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
John did not try to soothe suffering people with kind words. Rather, he challenged them to turn their hearts to the living God. He rebuked Tax collectors – “Don’t collect any more than you are required to.” He rebuked Phereses – “You brood of vipers! Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” He rebuked the Soldiers – “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay.” He rebuked the king Herod even – “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” He did not hate them, but he truly loved their souls. Real love is to help people turn their hearts to God through repentance. The best way to help or serve our children, campus students, and our friends is to lead them to repentance to receive Jesus, the Lord.
Why do you think John’s message had the power to bring so many to repentance? His message was closely associated with his lifestyle. First, he lived a pure and simple life, as a servant of God, focusing on God’s mission. Look at verse 6. “John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” He lived in the wilderness, wearing camel’s hair and eating locusts and wild honey. He did not waste his time worrying about what to wear or what to drink. Instead, he devoted himself to listening to God and proclaiming the word of God. His mission centered life was the source of His spiritual authority and power as a servant of God.
We are living in a land flowing with milk and honey, America. It is not easy to find time to read the bible and hear the voice of God because phones, games, internet, TikTok’s, shorts, and all kinds of fun and entertainment distract us everyday and every moment. Playing games until mid might, we could not get up to gather Daily Bread; Surfing shorts, movies, games, we hear only the voice of the world. Then, as a result, we lose our spirit of mission and become useless. To be filled with the Holy Spirit, we need to live a pure and simple, mission-centered life. In this sense, we need to practice “living in the wilderness.” In reality, we are very busy doing everything – work to support our family, run business, study, raise children, grocery shopping, exercise, cook, watch movies, and fellowship with friends, and so on. Then, 24 Hours a day never seems enough. That is why Jesus teaches us to “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness.” That is John’ attitude in carrying out the mission. To do daily bread, we may go to bed early. To read the bible, to do bible study or to go out campus, we need to quit playing games or cut back on Nexfix-Youtube time. When we focus on God’s mission by seeking first God’s kingdom and his righteousness”, we can experience the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. A Mission-centered life leads us to live a humble and holy life, filled with the Holy Spirit.
Secondly, John focused on Jesus. Look at verses 7-8. “And this was his message: ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’” John’s message was all about Jesus. At the time, John was greatly respected as a servant of God. But he said, “I am nothing. Jesus is everything.” John makes it very clear that he was a mere man who could only baptize people with water, but Jesus is the Son of God who will baptize them with the Holy Spirit. He urges people to go to Jesus, whose ministry is far greater than His. He introduced Jesus, saying “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Then, his disciples began to follow Jesus.
John might be a powerful and spiritual man, but he cannot solve the sin problem; he cannot give the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We need forgiveness; we need to be changed in the inner person; Who can do so? Only Jesus can do this. Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit solves our sin problem from the root. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we die to sin and rise and live with Christ; we can live a new life in the holiness of God and bear good fruit of the Holy Spirit. Like John the Baptist, in spring semester, we may live – mission-centered life, we may focus on Jesus! Our preaching, our Bible study, our fellowship, our testimony may be the powerful instruments that lead students to repentance and to Jesus.
III Jesus begins His ministry (9-15)
How did he start his ministry? Verse 9 says, “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in Jordan.” Jesus did not need to be baptized. Still, Jesus was baptized from John to succeed and continue God’s redemptive work. In this way, Jesus recognized God’s work through John’s ministry as the fulfillment of God’s promises. It is also his decision to commit himself to God’s purpose; to take up his cross of mission in absolute obedience to God.
See how God was pleased and blessed his obedience. Look at verse 10-11. “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And the voice came from heaven; “You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” God was so pleased that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. Moreover, God spoke to him from heaven. God said, “You are my Son.” God confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. Also, God said, “…whom I love. With you I am well pleased” What a great conviction and encouragement from God. Jesus treasured God’s love in his heart. This love of God for him was His source of strength, joy and motivation in doing God’s work. Though religious leaders, his family members and all his own people rejected and persecuted him, Jesus lived in assurance that he was God’s beloved Son all the days of his life. He never questioned God’s love even when he was going through suffering and pain of death on the cross.
This love of God changed a sinner and empowered him to be a great servant of God, Paul. He was once an enemy of God who persecuted God’s people. However, Jesus loved him to the end. He came to him, forgave all his sins, and even appointed him to be His witness to the gentiles. This love of Jesus became the foundtaiton of Paul’ life of mission. In Romans, Paul confessed, “ If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? …In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Ro8:31-37) We must have conviction of God’s love for us – assurance that we are God’s loved children.
What did Jesus do first? Look at verse 12-13. “At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals and angels attended him.” God sent him into the desert to confront the enemy Satan. Jesus was tempted for forty days. But Jesus overcame Satan’s scheme by holding on to the word of God. Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are. Yet Jesus won the victory over Satan (Heb 2:14-15). This is the beginning of a New History of victory over Satan. Jesus won a spiritual victory for all mankind as the Second Adam. So, in Christ, we can victory over the devil’s power. When we try to serve God, Satan’s temptation comes strong. We should be equipped with the love of God for us and the word of truth. Then, we can overcome the temptation and become more than conquer through the love of God for us
What did Jesus do after? Look at verses 14-15. “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come.” He said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” Jesus withdrew into Galilee and began to proclaim the good news of God. “The time has come. The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” The kingdom of God has come near! What good news for all who are under the power of sin and death. All people need to hear this message “The kingdom of God has come near,” The kingdom of God is a living hope for all humankind. Because the kingdom of God is where God reigns with peace and love; where Jesus reigns as a good shepherd for all sinners.
Then, How should we respond to the good news? “Repent and believe the good news!” The good news is this; Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God. God sent Jesus, his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Only in the gospel of Jesus, there is forgiveness of sins; there is the living hope of the kingdom of God. What should we do when we hear this wonderful gospel of Jesus? “Repent and believe this good news!” Not long ago. America was known as the land of freedom and the land of opportunity; America had been a shepherd nation by sending Missionaries to all nations. However, this nation is so broken and ruined by sin and the work of the devil. We see clear evidence of this in broken families, broken communities and corrupted society, authority, and government. It seems that there is no solution.
But, there is a solution. “The kingdom of God has come near.” The gospel of Jesus is the solution. When God reigns in our hearts, in our families, and community, each person will be a kingdom of priests, a family will be a kingdom of priests, a community, and this nation can be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, shepherd nation again. The gospel of Jesus is the solution. All we need to do is repent and believe the good news. When we repent and believe the good news, we can experience a great new beginning – personally, as a family, a community, and even as a nation.
May God help us to hold firmly to the Message of the Gospel of Jesus. May God help us to live mission centered and Jesus Centered life. May God give us faith and vision to call students to repentance. So, they may meet Jesus through our preaching, Bible Study. Let us proclaim the Kingdom of God.