The Way Starts From A Desert

Mari Ikeda

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The Way Starts From A Desert

Mark 1:1-8

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”―
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”.

A. Jesus is the Son of God; that is the Gospel (1-3)

B. It starts from John in the desert

1. John was sent by God (2-3, 6)

2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”―
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”

6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

2. We repent in the desert (4-5)

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

3. God’s work more than human efforts (7-8)

7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”.

4. Jesus is the way, and the power to keep walking on the way

Summary

Our relationship with Jesus gets deepened by our experience of a desert (crisis) in life. The desert experience leads us to recognize our sin and to seek God. Just as God sent John ahead of Jesus to this world on purpose, it is in HIs plan that we are sent to the desert. Let’s receive God’s grace in the desert, and meet Jesus there.

For Discussion

1) Do you have the experience of deepening your relationship with Jesus by going through your desert?
2) What shall we do when it is too hard to go through the desert?