“The beginning of
the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 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.”’
And so, John the
Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:1-4 NIV
Mark starts his
Gospel with prophecy given about the ministry of John the Baptist. It is an
extremely powerful statement; the book of Mark starts with the fulfillment of
prophecies, plans, and purposes.
Upon
first reading, it is easy to see why John the Baptist was able to move
powerfully in his ministry; it had been clearly prophesied. There was mission
to his devotion and it guided John the Baptist to the fulfillment of Christ’s
coming and water baptism. Like John the Baptist, Christ’s followers have the
same prophesy spoken over them; go, prepare the bride, and preach according to
what Christ has revealed.
The unique
location of John the Baptist is similar to the atmosphere of the current
culture. While there is not the presence of geographical wilderness, as
described by Mark, there is a spiritual dryness and ruggedness to the
post-modern culture. Christ followers are not called to hang out getting fat on
the lush landscape of the church, but to go the “wilderness” of culture. While
not every community reflects this attitude of disengagement with the “wilderness”
around them, it is common in the American Church.
It is easy to
become discouraged with the day-to-day monotony, and loose sight of the reasons
behind actions. To realize that there is fulfillment in life in the areas of
prophecies, plans, and purposes; gives life and vision to live out to the
fullness of what God has intended. Identifying with the purpose of John the
Baptist, that the church is to prepare for Christ’ second coming is a centering
reminder through the chaos of life.
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