Advent and Anticipation Mark 1:1-13

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

anticipation What is the longest you have ever waited for something? What is the longest you have ever waited for something?

The OT ends with the promise of restoration and salvation unfulfilled The OT ends with the promise of restoration and salvation unfulfilled anticipation

Israel continued to live ‘in exile’ waiting for God to redeem and restore his people (cf. words of Zechariah Luke 1:67-79; Simeon 2:25-35; Anna 2:36-38) Israel continued to live ‘in exile’ waiting for God to redeem and restore his people (cf. words of Zechariah Luke 1:67-79; Simeon 2:25-35; Anna 2:36-38) anticipation

The voice of prophecy had been silent for 300+ years The voice of prophecy had been silent for 300+ years anticipation

– Why were the willing to wait? anticipation

The voice of prophecy had been silent for 300+ years The voice of prophecy had been silent for 300+ years – Why were the willing to wait? Mark abruptly announced the time of fulfillment had arrived in Jesus Mark abruptly announced the time of fulfillment had arrived in Jesus anticipation

the beginning of the gospel

Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not refer to his written account Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not refer to his written account

the beginning of the gospel Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not refer to his written account Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not refer to his written account – Roman context: ‘glad tidings’ re long- awaited fulfillment of longings for peace and happiness

the beginning of the gospel Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not refer to his written account Mark’s use of the term ‘gospel’ does not refer to his written account – Roman context: ‘glad tidings’ re long- awaited fulfillment of longings for peace and happiness – Jewish context: ‘glad tidings’ of the announcement of salvation (cf. Isaiah 40:9; 41:27)

Jesus was the one in and through whom God would fulfill his promises of redemption and restoration Jesus was the one in and through whom God would fulfill his promises of redemption and restoration the beginning of the gospel

Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist the beginning of the gospel

Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist – John was a prophet the beginning of the gospel

Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist – John was a prophet NB his clothing and location (cf. Elijah 2 Kgs 1:8) NB his clothing and location (cf. Elijah 2 Kgs 1:8) the beginning of the gospel

Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist – John was a prophet NB his clothing and location (cf. Elijah 2 Kgs 1:8) NB his clothing and location (cf. Elijah 2 Kgs 1:8) The OT citation is from three texts (Ex 23:20; Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1) that was already used in Jewish tradition The OT citation is from three texts (Ex 23:20; Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1) that was already used in Jewish tradition the beginning of the gospel

Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist Mark began his account with reference to John the Baptist the beginning of the gospel

John called people to repentance (1:4) John called people to repentance (1:4) the beginning of the gospel

John called people to repentance (1:4) John called people to repentance (1:4) The wilderness was a symbol of their failure The wilderness was a symbol of their failure the beginning of the gospel

John called people to repentance (1:4) John called people to repentance (1:4) The wilderness was a symbol of their failure The wilderness was a symbol of their failure The Jordan was a symbol of God’s faithfulness The Jordan was a symbol of God’s faithfulness the beginning of the gospel

The response was significant (“all” of Judea and Jerusalem) The response was significant (“all” of Judea and Jerusalem) the beginning of the gospel

The response was significant (“all” of Judea and Jerusalem) The response was significant (“all” of Judea and Jerusalem) – Yet the response to Jesus was minimal the beginning of the gospel

the baptism of Jesus

Mark’s description is sparse Mark’s description is sparse

the baptism of Jesus Mark’s description is sparse Mark’s description is sparse The audience learns of Jesus’ true identity The audience learns of Jesus’ true identity

the baptism of Jesus Mark’s description is sparse Mark’s description is sparse The audience learns of Jesus’ true identity The audience learns of Jesus’ true identity – NB the heavens were ‘torn open’ (cf. Isa 64:1; Mark 15:38)

the baptism of Jesus Mark’s description is sparse Mark’s description is sparse The audience learns of Jesus’ true identity The audience learns of Jesus’ true identity – NB the heavens were ‘torn open’ (cf. Isa 64:1; Mark 15:38) – The Spirit descends

the baptism of Jesus Mark’s description is sparse Mark’s description is sparse The audience learns of Jesus’ true identity The audience learns of Jesus’ true identity – NB the heavens were ‘torn open’ (cf. Isa 64:1; Mark 15:38) – The Spirit descends – The Father speaks to Jesus

the testing of Jesus

No specific details are given No specific details are given

the testing of Jesus No specific details are given No specific details are given The testing suggests Jesus is the one who will fulfill Israel’s sonship (cf. Ex 4:22; Mark 1:11) The testing suggests Jesus is the one who will fulfill Israel’s sonship (cf. Ex 4:22; Mark 1:11)

waiting in anticipation

The longed for Messiah had arrived The longed for Messiah had arrived

waiting in anticipation The longed for Messiah had arrived The longed for Messiah had arrived – Were they prepared to meet him?

waiting in anticipation

The longed for Messiah will return The longed for Messiah will return

waiting in anticipation The longed for Messiah will return The longed for Messiah will return – Will we be prepared to meet him?

waiting in anticipation The longed for Messiah will return The longed for Messiah will return – Will we be prepared to meet him? 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; ESV)