John The Rabbit (Mark 1:1-8, Malachi 3:1-4)
Rev. William L. Barron, November 4, 2018Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Mark, one of the four gospels, begins with a description of a forerunner (a “rabbit”), foretold in the prophets Isaiah and Malachi. This is John the Baptist, who is important to the understanding of the gospel message. His was a miraculous birth to aged parents, Elizabeth and Zachariah, a priest. As with a rabbit/pacesetter in a race, he will diminish and fall by the wayside. John was part of God’s plan; born for a specific purpose. He brought a message for his own time and for the future. He was the last Old Testament prophet, bringing a message of repentance and preparation. Following the prophecy of Malachi came 400 years of silence until John. He dressed like Elijah and came preaching. He delivered the truth not just by words, but also through his personality. John’s baptism of repentance symbolized a washing or ritual cleaning. Elijah preached a similar message, but his hearers did not listen. John’s character drew many crowds of people. Another connection with the past is that Israel needed to come once more to the wilderness to be washed, as at the time of the exodus. It was a time of preparation for the new covenant. 1 Corinthians connects the crossing of the Red Sea with the new covenant, and its promise of freedom from the world passing away (Rome). It was a time of preparation for the coming of the promised Messiah. The law shows us that we are powerless to keep it and justify ourselves. Only the Holy Spirit can free us by grace and lead us in the truth. The gospel comes to us first with pardon; then we can repent. Salvation is all about Jesus and not us.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Servant And Steward | None | Jesus Came Preaching » |
Mark 1:1–8 (Listen)
1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(ESV)
Malachi 3:1–4 (Listen)
3:1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.
(ESV)