Mark 1:1-8

Mark's gospel pronounces that is is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and opens with the story of John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way for Jesus. Mark quotes Isaiah, who wrote in Isaiah 40:3 "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way, a voice of one calling in the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."

John's purpose was to preach a baptism of repentance and sin, to prepare the hearts of the people for the eventual message of salvation through Jesus. He baptized people with water, but pointed them to Jesus, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus' messengers on earth today, we should follow John's example and point others to Jesus. As fellow sinners, we can wash ourselves and others, and repent of our sins, but ultimately the only forgiveness comes only through Jesus.

When I think too highly of myself or of other believers, I should remember that we are all fallen, and only through the saving work of Jesus through the Holy Spirit can we find salvation.

I love a story of Rich Mullins, Christian musician and writer who died in 1997 in a car crash. Shortly before his death, his friend and photographer was shooting pictures for an upcoming project of Rich's. I believe Rich was in the hills of Ireland, and as he climbed higher, his friend asked him to pose with his arms outstretched. "Like Jesus?" Rich asked, with his arms straight out to his side, forming the shape of a cross. "No, lower," his friend said--"There--you're an arrow pointing to heaven!"

May we, like John and Rich, be arrows pointing to the salvation of Jesus.




- posted by Suzi @ 6:03 AM