Following after Jesus #8

We have seen the last two days Luke and Matthew's introduction of John the Baptist and his ministry of preparing the way for the Messiah. Here is Mark's version: 

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.

Many of the details are exactly the same, but the interesting thing is that these are the very first words from Mark's pen. It all begins here! In order to understand all the things Jesus will say and do, we need to comprehend what John the Baptist said and did.  Here is what you need to know about the Savior, the One the Old Testament prophets talked about.  In his typical fashion Mark says: John appeared. Bam! He was there. He was way out in the wilderness, but his voice was strong enough to draw people from miles around. Even his name is inviting: John: "The Lord is Gracious." God has been willing to lovingly reach down and do something, to offer us a way to reconnect with Him, and John was sent to unveil His plan. He was the great promoter, advertising specialist, complete with ugly sweater contest, to get our attention. Does God have our attention?  Are we ready to really listen and respond to Christ?