John Prepared the Way
Pray
Begin with prayer, opening your heart to God’s Word and Spirit.
Read 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.”
Reflect
Journeys always require preparation, and so it was with Jesus. This week we will look at John the Baptist, the baptism of Jesus and his testing in the wilderness to see how God prepared his son for the work he had come to do. It is not surprising that John the Baptist attracted attention from the religious leaders. Proselytes were coming to him from everywhere, confessing their sins and being baptized. John knew his mission and his message—calling sinners to repentance and preparing the way for the ministry of Jesus.
Closing prayer
Merciful God, thank you for those who were committed to you in Scripture, and for those you have placed in our lives who prepared the way for us to know Jesus. Help us to point others to Jesus with the humility and boldness of John. Amen.