Mark 1: 1-11

Mark starts off making a huge statement right from the get go: "Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (1:1). There's no question for him this is who Christ is anymore, its right there for the world to see...bam! Then we get back to the history, starting with Isaiah's prophecy. Mark seems to start off very dynamically, there's not really a history here. No birth of Christ, no lineage, just stating the facts. I remember hearing from someone that Mark wasn't educated, maybe he didn't know Jesus' lineage which is why he didn't include it, I don't know, but I do find it interesting.

In the next paragraph, we get a quick glimpse of John. Yet some minor details are given, that you would normally think wouldn't matter, like what he wore and ate. It must have been quite odd to wear camel's hair with a leather belt and eat locusts and wild honey (vs 6) if Mark felt he needed to mention these details, yet not include Christ's birth or lineage. Marks tells us that John proclaimed "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (vs 4) yet later preaches of Jesus who's "sandals I am not not worthy to stoop down an untie" (vs 7).

I've seen a quote from C.S. Lewis multiple times around the web right now that says "Selflessness is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less". I can link that to John's attitude towards Christ. You can't proclaim to baptize for the forgiveness of sins is you think very little of yourself. John made bold claims, with faith in that God would follow through, while at the same time, knowing where he stood when it came to the perfectness of Christ. John didn't care of about fine clothes and food, or big houses. He cared about preparing the way for Christ. Getting hearts ready, sewing the first seeds in the field.

Jesus makes his way from Galilee to the Jordan river to be baptized by John (vs 9) "and immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove" I don't know about you, but when I think about the heavens opening up and a dove descending I think "TRIPPY!!" How could anyone who was there and witnessed that amazingness doubt who Christ was?

And we end today's ripple with the sound of God's voice telling Jesus "you are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased" (vs 11). The start and end with the bold statement of who Christ is, God's son. Love it!