Synopsis of the Armenian Message

Mark 1:1-8

Opening the way

This morning I am going to speak about a strange man. I don’t think any pastoral search committee would consider his name as a pastoral candidate.

His name was John. He was related to Jesus and was almost his age. They probably played together as they were growing up.

Baptist was his nickname. He lived in the wilderness of Judea. His food consisted of honey and locusts and his clothes of camel’s hair.

He knew the Word of God very well; he used to quote it frequently.

The Pharisees and the experts in law rejected him. However, he was accepted by the general public (Luke 7:29, 30). He baptized many people and had disciples who later followed Jesus. Some thought that he was the Messiah while others argued that he was Elijah.

However, the Gospel of John describes him as the one who prepared the way. He was not the light but he prepared the way for the true light. “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives life to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:6-8)

Why did people follow John?

- He was an unusual man. He was eccentric. He was a voice in the wilderness.

- After a silence of 400 years, a new prophetic voice was being heard.

- Some thought he was Elijah coming back.

What do we see in John the Baptist today?

On the first Sunday of Advent, as we started preparing for the coming of the Messiah, we thought about the hope of the glory of God. On the second Sunday of Advent, we are reminded of John the Baptist who prepared the way. God reveals Himself in various ways. In John the Baptist, God revealed Himself in the most uncommon way.

The Gospel of Mark does not have an account of the Christmas story. It does not describe Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, the wise men nor a baby. It just starts with the words: “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”(Mark1:1)

Does this remind us of any Biblical verses?

How about Genesis? “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1) This was the creation story. Stars, moons, and this wonderful galaxy.

Mark starts his gospel with a new creation. No stars, no planets, but the new creation in the universe. Whatever sin destroyed, this new creation will recreate. This new creation will restore whatever was broken by the human beings. Therefore, Mark prepares our minds about this new creation by introducing John the Baptist who will also prepare the way for this wonderful creation.

The application will be continued in the English sermon.