The Word of God: Filling Us With God’s Wisdom! 01/04/2015 Introduction Mark 1:1-20: Mark’s Gospel opens with John the Baptist calling people to turn from their sins and be baptized. Jesus is baptized by John and is then led by the Spirit into the desert where he is tempted by Satan. Jesus begins his public ministry by calling his first disciples. Today’s Scripture: Mark 1:15 “The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!” Today’s Reading The Preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3.1-12; Luke 3.1-18; John 1.19-28) 1.This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2.It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: “God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’ 3. Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” 4.So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. “Turn away from your sins and be baptized,” he told the people, “and God will forgive your sins.” 5.Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6. John wore clothes made of camels hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 7He announced to the people, “The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals. 8.I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 3.13—4.11; Luke 3.21,22; 4.1-13) 9.Not long afterward Jesus came from Nazareth in the province of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw heaven opening and the Spirit coming down on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.” 12.At once the Spirit made him go into the desert. 13where he stayed forty days, being tempted by Satan. Wild animals were there also, but angels came and helped him. Jesus Calls Four Fishermen (Matthew 4.12-22; Luke 4.14,15; 5.1-11) 14.After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God. 15 “The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!” 16.As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew, catching fish with a net 17.Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” 18.At once they left their nets and went with him. 19.He went a little farther on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat getting their nets ready. 20.As soon as Jesus saw them, he called them; they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus. Reflect What is your understanding of the “Good News”? What impact does the “Good News” have on your life? What prompted Jesus’ first four disciples to follow him? What does being a follower of Jesus mean for you today? Pray!! Lord Jesus, you ushered in the Kingdom of God with the Good News of salvation. Thank you for inviting me to follow you and leading me in the way of love as a beloved child of God. Amen.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 06:06:59 +0000
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