Daily Word Of God
Mark 1:2-8
It is written in the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you. A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.
John the Baptist was in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.
John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, ‘After me is coming someone who is more powerful than me, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- This passage tells us that John the Baptist, as the Prophet that prepares the way of the Lord, encourages all the people to follow and believe in Jesus. This marks the fulfilment of the “Old” through the coming of the “New” in the person of Jesus.
- Jesus begins a radically new era of God’s Love that fulfils all that the Patriarchs and Prophets have prepared and prophesied. This is an era of great joy, revelation and grace.
- Jesus’ coming is to redeem us from our sins and to restore our relationship with God once and for all. During this second week of Advent, let us ponder on how we can be Christ’ peace to others daily.