[H]e 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. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:7-8
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. This morning, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 1:4-8, the second division for Mark 1:1-8 - the commentary's title for this division is We Can Trust God to Send His Preachers. Excerpts from the commentary:
- "John was greatly esteemed in the eyes of our Savior. John was the Elijah to come, the one who would announce the coming of the Messiah. He was truly at a turning point in redemptive history. While John prepared the way for the Messiah, he rightly understood his role in God’s plan of redemption: 'He must increase, but I must decrease' (John 3:30, emphasis added). His ministry was not about himself; it was rightly centered on Jesus Christ."
- We are referred to John 10:41-42 where it shares that the people who came to John said '[he] did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.'"
- "They came from everywhere to hear him, even Jerusalem! Rich and poor. Rural and urban. They responded to John’s preaching by repenting (turning from sin), confessing (acknowledging their sin), and being baptized (an outward sign of humility giving evidence of the inward change of their hearts). He called people to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah."
- John is further described as an unexpected prophet, reminding us that unlike the world, God chooses those with a heart-inclined towards God and humble such that God can work through them..."Not only does he appear unusual by today’s standards; he was unusual by the standards of his own day. He had no credentials, had not studied in a formal school with Pharisees or rabbis, and wore funny clothes and ate weird food!" He was humble in all ways, including in appearance, in home (the wilderness), in diet, and in message (drawing attention not to himself but to the One greater than he. John was ultimately imprisoned and beheaded but He faithfully fulfilled His call from God to prepare the way for Jesus and to offer salvation.
Humility is one of the most important and prominent themes - to be humble - in the Bible. John is one of many throughout scripture that answer God's call to make much of God and to do His will and not their own. Noah is one such example - God saved Noah and his family from the flood and they became the basis for all succeeding generations. Noah and all of the other humble servants in scripture were broken and sinful but no matter, God uses these ordinary people and works both in and through them to accomplish His will. We have many such examples in our time. Believers must submit to God and allow Him to work in and through us.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has equipped me to serve You - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You bless me and equip me in my roles as father, husband, worker, etc. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
