Mark’s gospel is like a high-speed train, zipping from one event to another without pause. This rapid pace might be disorienting for some, but it’s not a sign of haste. Instead, it’s a deliberate choice to present the life of Jesus in a dynamic and impactful way. But what is this dynamic impact that he is trying to make? Let’s delve deeper.
The answer can be found in two short words, “Servant King.” While each gospel account may record Christ’s life, teaching, and ministry, they each approach it from various viewpoints and with multiple audiences in mind. The Gospel of Mark has two dominant themes: The Authority of Christ and The Humility of Christ. On the surface, they may seem contradictory, but Mark beautifully weaves them together. These two themes divide the book, with chapters 1-8 displaying Christ’s identity as King over all things. Then, in chapters 9-16, you see Christ’s purpose on the cross. So, as you move through this book, I pray that Christ will open our eyes to his beauty and sacrifice and that it will motivate us to be greater disciples and disciple-makers. The Book of Mark is a gift from God to equip us, our families, and our church to embrace Christ’s purpose and cherish his identity.
In this week’s passage, we don’t start with Christ but with one destined by God to point to Christ. We begin with John the Baptist, who is technically a cousin to Jesus. But John has a greater purpose than merely being related to Christ. So, let’s consider three things about John that may help us see Christ as King in his life and ours.
First, we see John as a promise fulfilled by God concerning the coming king. In Mark 1:1-3, he records, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah, the prophet says, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” Over 700 years before the coming of Christ. God prophesied through the prophet Isaiah that he would send a King to rescue his people. The question was, how would they know he had sent a king? The answer was that he would send a messenger before him that would prepare for his arrival. At the beginning of Mark, he declares that the messenger has come and that we should prepare our lives for his arrival.
Second, the messenger comes preaching a relevant message for the coming king. It was a message of repentance and forgiveness. In an honest assessment of their lives, they were not living in a way that represented the coming king well. Therefore, John declares that we should prepare for his arrival not by changing his clothes, setting out the fine china, or killing the fattened calf but by confessing his sins, cleansing himself of unrighteousness, and seeking the forgiveness of God.
Finally, we see John’s lack of pride. While he may have had prophecies written about him 700 years before his birth, he points to the one who deserves all the praise and honor. One he describes as mightier than he. He says he’s not even worthy to untie his shoe. John’s example should capture our hearts, too. When we grasp the greatness of Christ in comparison with ourselves, we are less prone to make life and ministry about us and see God’s graciousness in us. It is a gracious gift to be used by God to further His Kingdom and should humble us.
Take It To Heart
- When you consider how God planned and executed the coming of Christ for hundreds of years, how does that affect your heart?
- John’s message is a message that we, too, should pay attention to. He calls us to repent of our sins and seek forgiveness from the Lord. How are you actively doing that? What things do you need to repent of today?
- Pride is a sin that plagues us all, but John’s view of Christ helped him minister in humility. In what ways can you more actively seek humility in your life? How can you be putting others before you?
Take it To God
- Acknowledge God’s Greatness, especially in the person and work of Christ.
- Confess your pride in various areas of life.
- Thank God for how he has been using your life as a blessing to others.
- Ask to help you be humble and repentant throughout your daily life.
