Mark 1:1-11  This gospel account is shorter than the others.. going "immediately" from one scene to the next as Mark gives us snapshots of "Jesus Christ, the Son of God".   May we see and know Him more as we read and study this gospel book.. 

Mark starts with a brief look at John the Baptist.  Isaiah had foretold of a "messenger" that would "prepare the way" for the Lord and John fulfilled that prophecy.  " John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (v4)  People came to John to be baptized, "confessing their sins".  He spoke continually of the One who was coming.. the One mightier.. the One who would "baptize.. with the Holy Spirit." (v5-8) 

The testimony of John prepares the way for the entrance of "Jesus.. (who) came from Nazareth in Galilee".  As John baptized Jesus three things happened..  the heavens opened.. the "Spirit like a dove descended upon Him, "  and the "voice came out of the heavens"...saying "Thou are My beloved Son, in Thee I am well pleased." (v9-11)  Then "immediately"  Jesus was taken by the Spirit into the wilderness where He fasted for 40 days and was "tempted by Satan".. and finally ministered to "by angels."  (v12) 

I want to read this familiar passage with a focus on knowing more about Jesus and coming to know Him more.. to look at each of Mark's "snapshots".. to allow the Spirit of God to draw me into the picture.. so to speak... 

The first "picture"  Mark gives us is of John the Baptist.  A man who wore "camel's hair" and a "leather belt around his waist".. A man who ate locusts and honey.  A man who preached repentance and told that the Messiah was coming.  John's father was Zacharias, a priest, a descendant of Aaron.  John would have also been able to serve as a priest.. but God called him for a different purpose.. to announce the coming of the Savior and to prepare his people by calling them to repent and to be baptized.. to gain forgiveness from their sins.  John was called upon to baptize Jesus and he did.. not because Jesus had any sin, but because God wanted to publicly pronounce that this was His Son, that He was given His Spirit.. and that He was well pleased! 

Father in heaven, give me eyes to see.. to see Jesus.. submitting to the baptism of John.. being filled by Your Spirit.. hearing Your voice come out of heaven.. going out into the wilderness and resisting the temptations of Satan...  Coming to bring Your kingdom.. preaching repentance.. leading me to believe! Let the Good News be proclaimed again today!  Let the eyes and ears of those who need repentance and salvation be opened up so that they might also see Jesus! Let Your Kingdom come, Father, with power and glory and blessing, in the name of Jesus. Amen.