Mark 1:1-8 John The Baptist

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”—
 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,    make straight paths for him.’” (Mark 1:1-8 NIV)

We begin the Gospel according to St. Mark with "The beginning of the good news about Jesus..." The messenger is Jesus' cousin John. John the Baptist is one of my favorite characters. I often wonder what would happen; how everyone would react, to a character like him in their community today. A man wandering around in the wilderness; dressed in camel's hair; eating locusts and wild honey; ever reminding people to repent. I'm pretty sure he'd be avoided in most communities. But, in that time, he; apparently, had crowds coming to be cleansed of their sins through repentance and water baptism.

I often wonder how people would react to me, if my approach to the good news were more like that of John the Baptist. Would anyone listen? But, on the other hand, do they now? There are times when I feel quite sure that eyes do not see nor do ears hear. But, then I also know the word of the LORD and am confident that "...faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Rom 10:17) As long as we keep preaching the good news about Jesus;  people will hear and they will receive faith in the Messiah, the Son of God. It may not be as quickly as we (I) would like. It will be in God's time. Faith will come.

God calls us all to be messengers of His love through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 89 - Son of God and Son of Man

There are days when I wonder what it is really all about.  Everything seems to be going so smoothly, so peacefully along, and then blam.... chaos enters.  I have to admit, that there are times when it really feels like God has turned His back on us.  How, I wonder, can the same people keep making the same mistakes?  Why do they keep doing the same things that have bad results over and over again?  They hurt not just themselves, but throw a clinker into every one's lives around them, as well.

And... I remember... as Psalm 89 reminds us today that he has made a covenant with His chosen one. He swore to David his servant to establish His line forever.  Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are members of that blood-line.  We have become God's children, heirs of the covenant through Jesus Christ, descendant of David.  Son of God, begotten of our Father in heaven and son of man, descendant of King David, Jesus is the one through whom we have received an eternal place in our Father's, His Father's home. Through Him, we have inherited an eternal home.  As Matthew:22:41-45 NIV (see also Psalm 110:1) reminds us:

     "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the      Messiah? Whose son is he?”
     “The son of David,” they replied.
     He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
           “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
           “Sit at my right hand
          until I put your enemies
          under your feet.”’
      If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions."

God has not turned His back on His children, his sons or his daughters. His promises are fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, is the one through whom the covenant with David was promised.  God has not turned His back to us, rather He welcomes us into His heavenly home, through His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. Blessed are they who have learned to acclaim Him, who walk in the light of His presence! (vs 15)

"Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen." (vs 52)

God's Peace - Pr. J