St. Mark 1: 1 – 13

November 28, 2022

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 thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Do you remember when you were little, lying on your tummy, chin resting on your palms as you watched your favorite show on television? Or maybe you remember being all tucked into bed and mom or dad reading your favorite book til you fell asleep? I get that same comfort and quiet joy from reading the verses I have read so many times.

This is, of course, Jesus on the way to His ministry. We know what happens in the wilderness and up on that mountain He climbed. Satan was no match for Him then and is no match for Him today. But it makes us feel good reading it again. A gentle reminder that regardless of anything, Jesus has overcome all evil.

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