1. Beginning of the Gospel…
Mark 1:1-13

2. Thinking about the Middle
Could Jesus have just lived off in a cave?
Is only his birth and death important?
Looking at why Jesus life was important

3. Mark 1:1-13
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.

4. Mark 1:1-13
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.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

5. Mark 1:1-13
11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

6. A Promise that God was coming
John the Baptist is clearly important to the Gospel
Until Yahweh returned, the Jews still felt exiled
The verse applied to Jesus originally referred to God

7. A Promise that God was coming
God took on the form of man in Jesus Christ
He is with us still today to comfort us
His presence is an incentive to not sin

8. A Promise that their hearts would change
Jesus would baptise in the Holy Spirit
Was this talking about miracles and the supernatural?
More likely the reference is to Ezekiel

9. Ezekiel and the Holy Spirit:
Ezekiel 11:19: “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel 18:31: “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.”

10. Ezekiel and the Holy Spirit:
Ezekiel 36:25-27: 25“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

11. A Promise that their hearts would change
Israel exiled due to their hearts that led to sin
Jesus is the one who can change our hearts
We become acceptable to God by coming to Jesus

12. A Promise of a new Israel
John’s baptism parallels that of gentiles converting to Judaism
John’s baptism says that even Jews need to “convert”
Jesus is declared to be God’s Son

13. The Son of God Unique, divine child of Yahweh (Luke 1:35)
Referring to the king, the Messiah (Psalm 2:7)
Referring to the nation of Israel (Hosea 11:1)

14. A Promise of a new Israel
Jesus baptism and temptation in the wilderness parallels Exodus
To be Israel (the people of God) we need to be in Jesus
As the new Israel, we are called to be a light to the nations

15. The Gospel in three promises
In Jesus, God is with us
In Jesus, we can be given a new heart
In Jesus, we are a new Israel (the people of God)