Prepare the Way (2 of 4)
Series: Advent
Patrick Edwards
Mark 1:1-8
Introduction: If there is one thing that gives me chills every time it's the very opening of The Lion King. Out of darkness we hear this beautiful voice singing unknown words as we watch the darkness overtaken by the light of the rising sun. We're meant to sense that with the new day is a new work beginning; indeed a new life is entering the world. But with this birth is also the acknowledgment of the reality of death, that we all live our lives through various ups and downs, and eventually our lives end to give way for new life to come.
As I read the opening of Mark's Gospel I can't help but hear Lebo M's voice breaking through the silence. A new thing is happening; a new beginning. And yet, at the same time, this is the beginning of something promised of old. The beginning of the Gospel doesn't begin with the birth of Jesus but dates back to the prophets of old who foretold of it to come. New Creation will bring to end, therefore, the work of the Old Testament prophets. John the Baptist will decrease, will fade away into the night, in order for the Son to rise and usher in a new dawn.
Thus, as we enter into the second week of Advent this morning, we do so in a similar spirit, experiencing tastes of the new creation, of the new beginning, that has already begun. But it can be said we also continue to wait in the darkness, for dawn to fully come. We still groan with the creation awaiting the full children of God to be revealed. We still wait for the end so that a new beginning may follow. And so, it's in this light that we hear John the Baptist's words preparing the way for the first coming of Jesus Christ and we consider the way being prepared now for His second coming. We consider how King Jesus has inaugurated a new work of God in creation, which we join in with through faith and repentance.
1. We await the completion of new creation v. 1-3
As already mentioned Mark begins ...
Series: Advent
Patrick Edwards
Mark 1:1-8
Introduction: If there is one thing that gives me chills every time it's the very opening of The Lion King. Out of darkness we hear this beautiful voice singing unknown words as we watch the darkness overtaken by the light of the rising sun. We're meant to sense that with the new day is a new work beginning; indeed a new life is entering the world. But with this birth is also the acknowledgment of the reality of death, that we all live our lives through various ups and downs, and eventually our lives end to give way for new life to come.
As I read the opening of Mark's Gospel I can't help but hear Lebo M's voice breaking through the silence. A new thing is happening; a new beginning. And yet, at the same time, this is the beginning of something promised of old. The beginning of the Gospel doesn't begin with the birth of Jesus but dates back to the prophets of old who foretold of it to come. New Creation will bring to end, therefore, the work of the Old Testament prophets. John the Baptist will decrease, will fade away into the night, in order for the Son to rise and usher in a new dawn.
Thus, as we enter into the second week of Advent this morning, we do so in a similar spirit, experiencing tastes of the new creation, of the new beginning, that has already begun. But it can be said we also continue to wait in the darkness, for dawn to fully come. We still groan with the creation awaiting the full children of God to be revealed. We still wait for the end so that a new beginning may follow. And so, it's in this light that we hear John the Baptist's words preparing the way for the first coming of Jesus Christ and we consider the way being prepared now for His second coming. We consider how King Jesus has inaugurated a new work of God in creation, which we join in with through faith and repentance.
1. We await the completion of new creation v. 1-3
As already mentioned Mark begins ...
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