David J. Collum

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Day 4: When You Don't Know Where To Begin (Mark 1:4-8)

Today’s Passage: Mark 1:4-8


Ever sat and stared at a blank piece of paper or computer screen, wondering where to begin?

Any sort of task or project always has a beginning, and sometimes starting can prove a challenge. 

You can further complicate this situation by being the first person to do it. That is what Mark faced. His written story of Jesus will be the first ever! 

So far, Mark has hit us with a big opening sentence, and then used an Old Testament quote. 

The Old Testament quote, while making sense to Bible scholars, may or may not grab your attention. I noodled over those verses because I believe there is no superfluous material in the Scripture. In the process I reached a conclusion. Mark wants to make sure we understand that Jesus coming to planet earth is huge AND has always been a part of God’s plan.

Later writers, such as Matthew and Luke, will accomplish this drawing on Jesus’ birth and lineage. Mark made the same point with fewer words.

Now Mark, in his typical “get to the point” style starts with Jesus’ ministry—and Jesus’ ministry begins with his baptism by a fella named John the Baptist (JB).

As I read verses 4-8, and know JB’s story, I am again feeling that it is easy for me to rush past these verses.

Let’s not. JB’s current modus operandi is that of an Old Testament prophet. He wants to make sure the people of his day understand what is happening.

We would also be well advised to understand.

Amid a world where things are wrong: 

  1. God is coming to put things right.

  2. People, even (or especially) religious people, need to therefore get themselves the “right way around”. They need to repent.

JB notes differences between himself and Jesus. First, that he is not worthy to untie the strap of Jesus’ sandal. Second, that his baptism is with water while Jesus’ will be with the Holy Spirit. He is saying, “Don’t look at me, look at Jesus!”

I began this reflection with, “Wondering where to begin?” I noted that Mark began with Jesus’ ministry. 

Yet, you might say that he started his Gospel about Jesus, with us in mind. With you and with me

Mark wants to make sure that we more than merely understand his message of what is happening in our world, and God’s plan for it all—but that this message penetrates and changes us. 

We will in the coming days see some people as onlookers. They will be impressed by Jesus, but they will stay an arm-lengths distance away. 

The question for us: Will we be mere onlookers, standing aside, pondering curious points of the text, googling different versions, and even allowing ourselves to be distracted by curious characters, such as JB? (It is so easy to do when we engage Scripture.)

Or will we let God’s Word penetrate our hearts? “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”

I invite you to take a moment and pray that God would make straight a pathway in and into your heart, that Jesus may further live in you. Would you pray that right now?