Mark 1:1-8

 

 

background - We’re in Advent but minus the birth of Jesus; yet this is not so incongruous since our lesson marks the beginning of a story that heralds a clear announcement of the advent of the Lord. Verses 2-3 connect John the Baptist’s preaching of repentance and forgiveness with ancient prophecy. Past, present, and future are held together as John calls his hearers to respond in the present to God’s promises made from of old in light of what God is about to do in the future. [1]

baptisms? - What about John’s baptism? What was its significance? It wasn’t purification rite never to be replicated nor did it create a righteousness that could never be lost. From the context we could surmise that John’s baptism was preparatory, it qualified those baptized as the elect who were prepared to receive the one to come. The other baptism that John mentions suggests a qualitative difference: "He will baptize you with/in the Holy Spirit" which suggests a permanent change or reorientation in an individual’s relationship with God that will come about only fully at the eschaton. [2]

cyril of jerusalem [fl. 348 ] - John the Baptist fed on locusts to make his soul grow wings. Sated with honey, the words he spoke were sweeter than honey and of more profit. Clothed in a garment of camel’s hair, he exemplified in his own person the holy life . . . so enter in at the straight and narrow gate, squeeze yourself through by fasting, break yourself away from perishing, put off the old nature with its deeds. [3]

 

Recall the wildest preacher you’ve ever heard! How did you respond to their message? What was shocking about their presentation-dress, delivery, persona?

Why do you think John’s message was so popular (vs. 4-5)?

What qualities of a preacher would cause you be inconvenienced in order to hear her/him? What felt needs might draw people today to our communities of faith?

 

Please see the DPS homily posted on Mark 1: strange way to begin a story.

 

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[1] Lamar Williamson, Jr. , Interpretation: Mark (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1983.
[2] The New Interpreter’s Bible VIII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page 532.
[3] Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture II  (InterVarsity Press, 1998), page 8.