What Jesus Did! 'Prepare the Way' — Mark 1:1-3

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
"Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
 and he will prepare your way.
He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
'Prepare the way for the Lord's coming!
 Clear the road for him!'"
— Mark 1:1-3 NLT

Key Thought

Where did the Gospel actually begin? Where did God's Good News originate? Matthew and Luke began their accounts of Jesus' life with the stories surrounding his birth. John began before the creation of the world where the Son of God was not only present, but he also did the creating. Mark, with his focus on Good News, chose to begin in a different place. If folks are going to be open to the Good News of God, then someone is going to have to be a servant and prepare the way for Jesus to come and for his word to be heard. In many respects, the Good News always begins in this way. The real question is whether we are willing to be used as servants like John the Baptist - who is introduced in the next verse - and prepare the way for Jesus' Good News to be heard by our friends.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, please use my life to prepare the way for Jesus to come with his Good News into the lives of my friends, acquaintances, and family. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Mark 1:14-15
  • John 3:26-30
  • Mark 8:35

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8 Related Resources by Heartlight

Preparing Hearts for Jesus
Article by Phil Ware
The sequence of grace — serving before saving! Phil Ware shares insight on the beginning of Mark's gospel and how salvation is preceded by service, serving comes before saving, and the gospel always begins with a servant.
Good News!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God."
God's Good News Always Begins with a Servant
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Servant of God, I love the way Mark begins his good news story about Me:This is the beginning of the good news of Jesus, the Anointed One, the....."
Prepare Him Room
Article by Phil Ware
'Prepare Him room': Inviting Jesus to reign in our hearts is how the strange beginning of the Gospel of Mark fits into the Advent season. Phil Ware shares how Mark's gospel, which doesn't even mention the birth of Jesus, fits into the Advent season.
See All 8 Related Resources about Mark 1:1-3

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:1-3 NLT — "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,  and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord's coming!  Clear the road for him!'"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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