Scripture

Mark 1:1-13

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 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 just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Devotional

At Christmas, we love to read Luke. At Epiphany, we often read Matthew. During Holy week and Easter we read John. But Mark doesn’t really get a season. Often, when we read these first verses, we focus on the voice that cries out in the wilderness; the voice is sometimes the reason we connect Mark to the image of the winged lion. As we prepare for Lent, though, it is the next words that make Mark appropriate for us: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” That’s our focus during this season—preparation. So throughout the rest of Lent, we will stay with Mark as we read, pray, and prepare. 

Message provided by the Miller Summer Youth Institute.

Scripture

Mark 1:1-13

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 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 just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Devotional

At Christmas, we love to read Luke. At Epiphany, we often read Matthew. During Holy week and Easter we read John. But Mark doesn’t really get a season. Often, when we read these first verses, we focus on the voice that cries out in the wilderness; the voice is sometimes the reason we connect Mark to the image of the winged lion. As we prepare for Lent, though, it is the next words that make Mark appropriate for us: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” That’s our focus during this season—preparation. So throughout the rest of Lent, we will stay with Mark as we read, pray, and prepare. 

Message provided by the Miller Summer Youth Institute.