The Gospel of Mark: Prepare the Way

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.’” ~ Mark 1:1-3


For the purposes of this devotional series, I want you to try really hard (it will be hard I know) to forget everything you've read already about Jesus and his story. Imagine you are reading this gospel for the first time - you are first learning about this good news. (Try also to forget you've read the other gospels as well).

You don't yet know who John the Baptist is.

But if you are a 1st century Jew, you do know who Isaiah is. And you know that this prophesy isn't simply from Isaiah. There's a sprinkling of Malachi in here as well.

What can that possibly mean? Who is this prophesy talking to? Who is it talking about?

It's an introduction that's going to grab you. Intrigue you. These are your prophets being quoted.

Whatever or whomever it is that's coming, is going to be big...


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen


Engagement Question:

Who are our modern day prophets? Who is someone who you trust to tell you the good news about Jesus?


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