Gospel Beginning

Mark 1:1-4 (MSG)
¹ The good news of Jesus Christ—the Message!—begins here,
² following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Watch closely: I'm sending my preacher ahead of you; He'll make the road smooth for you.
³ Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God's arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!
⁴ John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins.

Mark 1:1-4 (NKJV)
¹ The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
² As it is written in the Prophets: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You."
³ "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.' "
⁴ John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

The gospel of Mark starts with the announcement of what this story is about and why it is important. The good news is that the very Son of God has come for us speaking the word from God. This account will unfold before our eyes and hearts as we hear the words of someone who was there, who lived with and followed this man Jesus.

Mark is believed to be based on the experiences and preaching of Peter. Mark tried to capture Peter’s words as he proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. This account offers a simple and straightforward story of God coming among us. He took on our humanity, with all the inherent frailties that come with the flesh, showing us the way to salvation and life.

John is sent before the Son of God, to prepare the people with the clear message of the repentance that needs to take place before sins are forgiven. He speaks of a life-change and there is one coming. Life will be changed indeed! Things will never be the same!