Mark 1:1-8
Read Mark 1:1-8 picturing the scene.
The crowds making their way out to see John in the wilderness are Israelites from all over Judea. Some of them have even come from Jerusalem – the center of the Jewish religious establishment. Is it personal inner guilt that drives them there? Are they looking for something beyond the strict religious customs and laws that govern their lives? Are they troubled by the exclusivity and oppression they see in their religious system?
Most likely, some are just curious, but surely others feel the emptiness of their religion and want more. Many choose to be baptized as a sign that they are turning away from their empty way of life to look toward the coming Messiah.
What is your relationship with religion? How do you feel about it or what do you think about it?
Before you read the passage again, consider figuratively laying down your current ideas about Jesus and what it means to follow him so you can see him as he really is.
Now read Mark 1:1-8 a second time and imagine yourself as one of the crowd listening to John. Try to imagine his voice as he calls you to turn around and go a new direction.
What are you longing for right now?
Is there some secret shame or inner guilt that you carry?
What would it mean to you to be forgiven by God?
It has been said that religion is humanity’s attempt to reach God. The Good News Mark speaks of is that God reached out to humans through Jesus.
How does that strike you?
For the next few weeks, would you be willing to lay aside your attempts to reach God and see if God might reach out to you instead as you get to know Jesus? Talk to him about all of this now.
