I know that Hogmanay is a few weeks away, the New Year may beckon but the Church has got ahead of us once again. The New Year for Bible Readings starts again in Advent. A fresh start perhaps?
Which is your favourite Gospel? Matthew, for it speaks of the history of the Jews, full of Hebrew Scripture quotes; Luke, directed to Gentiles, speaking of helping others; John, as it rich in poetic description, of a godly Christ?; or Mark: because it’s short, pithy and written at an electrifying pace.
Mark’s Gospel
We are in Year B and we’ll be focussing upon Mark’s Gospel for much of this year. There are so many good things to see in this Gospel: it’s shorter than the rest so could be read in one go, as it was intended; there are lots of mentions of people who continually fail to understand but keep going – there’s something which might encourage us; and it’s honest, it speaks of a new way. It also doesn’t mention Christmas – no, really it doesn’t. Check it out yourself.
In our passage (Mark 1:1-8) it looks back at John the Baptist, it relates in the present to Jesus, and it looks forward to the kin_dom of God. So in essence it looks in all directions! Just as we do in Advent, which looks back at the promise of the Prophets, ponders the imminent birth, and forward to the kingdom of God. It also starts in a provocative manner.
Anyone saying “good news” back then would be talking of the Roman Empire. This was subversion. What a way to start the first Gospel!
Who are the main characters?
It speaks of two main characters: John and Jesus.
Both started in the wilderness; Galilee wasn’t the bustling hubbub of Jerusalem, it was a sleepy hollow. John was an ascetic whilst Jesus was also a wanderer, with no place to lay his head. Perhaps it’s a sign that we should reconsider whom we meet – especially if they look like foreigners. Time for a fresh start perhaps?
Both didn’t just have those who believed in them, but followers.
https://youtu.be/vZrf0PbAGSk a past Christmas on social media
Whereas followers on social media can be encouraging, being a follower in those days could be life and death. Being a follower today means putting you head above the parapet, acknowledging that we go to Church because we believe, perhaps more.
Both spoke of changing the current ways, not a political message, but one that meant changing the ways of living to promote love for all, focussed upon God.
Both were executed. And this Sunday the focus within Advent is Peace…
Eating Habits
John seemed to prefer the avant grade taste of the wildlife. His preference for locusts may have been a reference back to Egypt and the locusts of Pharaoh. Or it could relate to the Honey locust tree which provides food. Some have suggested that it could also be a spelling mistake of the transcribers. In Greek the word for locusts is akris, whereas for pancakes it is egkris. Albeit far-fetched for some, something similar to pancakes would be manna…for John would have been a vegetarian.
Which way to the Wilderness?
They both went in the Wilderness and that brought change, transition. We know from Scripture that the people went through the wilderness in Exodus, but came out into the promised land; John came out of the Wilderness with a fresh message of hope; that Jesus was in the wilderness with the accuser and moved on from that experience to tell all of the Kin_dom of God.
Is the road for us out of the Wilderness or into the Wilderness? Today, how might we describe this Wilderness?
Loneliness or the absence of the actual reality of many, that of poverty in it many forms?
The road was straight. This was akin for any King, or possibly alluding to the Roman Roads, to have a straight road rather than having a windy twisty track just right for peasants.
They both spoke of forgiveness, baptism and the kingdom. Forgiveness, or repentance, changing our ways, turning from what we have done in the past, knowing that God is with us as we prayed earlier. Knowing that we are not alone in either case. Just if we don’t seek forgiveness, God doesn’t walk away – that wouldn’t be love, would it? A fresh start perhaps?
Forgiveness
Someone recently wrote a message about forgiveness: “I can’t forgive until they do”. I replied that it wasn’t like buying something in a shop. It wasn’t a transaction. It was a one-way all time good deal. God has offered that forgiveness to us all. We come to God and seek to change our ways, to ways that we know will bring a positive change to our lives. What the other person does is up to them. That’s not in our control. Leave that to God. Walk with God. That’s a fresh start perhaps?
Baptism
With forgiveness can come Baptism. I always get a bit worried about baptism. In history Deacons were those who assisted with baptisms. I am talking about full immersion, big pools where the person walked in one side and came out baptised on the other side. The Deacon helped them in and out. Ah, but in those days – when it was probably warmer – they entered the pool naked….and the Deacon who held the towel to cover their modesty. If I ever have to baptise anyone, I promise you here we will be dressed!!
Baptism is that outward sign of saying that I am a follower, moving forward, following God. It can be transforming. That’s what it recognises.
And?
And then we have the kingdom of God. For many it is in the future, but Jesus spoke of it being here and now, if we have the eyes to see it today, wherever we live. See it when we interact with our neighbours, with those we don’t know. Mark’s Gospel speaks of the beginning – well as they say in America recently “it ain’t over yet”. What follows is up to us to complete. May we see a love which:
- sees the world as it is, not paralysed by fear or uncertainty or doubt.
- recognises that God has always been there for us, a love that can give to others.
- calls us to turn around and in the turning, to prepare for what is yet to arrive in the coming of Jesus once more.
So, today in Advent, it isn’t just looking ahead to Christmas Day, but looking further ahead, to what is to come. This is the beginning, but it ain’t over yet.
Cover picture taken from here
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