Roadbed For The Way | Timberlane Church of Christ, Tallahassee, Florida

on February 6, 2017

“Roadbed for The Way of the Lord” – Mark 1:1-28

The link between Peter and Mark are fairly extensive, and lead to the general belief that Peter and the Holy Spirit guided Mark in writing his gospel, just as Luke was Spirit-inspired but also was informed by witnesses (Luke 1:1-3). Who is this guy Peter knew and gave eyewitness testimony regarding Jesus? Mark (aka John Mark – Acts 12) was a Hebrew living in Jerusalem with his mother, Elizabeth (Acts 12:12) and Peter came to her home upon his release from prison by the actions of an angel (Acts 13:13). Mark accompanied Paul at times during his work, but also worked with Peter (1 Peter 5:13). Think on these relationships, and be thankful he answered the Holy Spirit’s call to write these things down.

The message of his gospel is directed at the Roman mind and is action-packed. There are no wasted words as he proclaims the truth about the divinity of Jesus and His power through miracles displayed during His ministry on earth. These are among the alleged “myths and fables” (2 Peter 1:16) many even today accuse the disciples of spreading. How interesting to find no one that was actually there disputed the miracles of Jesus, including His enemies. Unlike the false charges leveled against Peter and Paul by modern “scholars” who claim they fabricated a new religion for their own purposes, the gospel of Mark and the writings of Peter simply point to Jesus. What a concept!

With rapid pace, Mark lays the foundation for the ministry of God’s Son on earth. Truth bears witness to truth and Isaiah enters the story from the beginning as he points to John the Baptizer, chosen herald of the coming King. Just as a Roman road needed a prepared roadbed (remember the durability of the Appian Way that was already 300 years old at the time of Christ), God needed to prepare the people for Messiah through prophecy and preaching.

Repentance was at the forefront of John’s message and still rings out to us today. The Jewish mind had to be changed just as certainly as the Roman mind. Only then could Jesus build the way of holiness (Isaiah 35, John 14:6). No sooner had the father bourn witness of His Son, Satan comes in to mix things up. There was no changing the mind of Satan, but the epic struggle for the minds of men culminates in the choice between these two antagonists.

It is not a fork in the road, it is two distinct roads (Matthew 7:13-14). Mark argues for the way prepared by John and trod by Christ. We are called to follow these steps.

Not coincidentally, the quick parade of characters into Mark’s drama includes Peter (“Simon”). Jesus preaches the same message of repentance as John, and now He calls on men to make their choice for Him. Notice how Mark uses action words like “immediately” to move the pace of the story along. There is urgency to the gospel and urgency in the lives of people even today. The time was fulfilled (Mark 1:15) for God to send Messiah and Jesus completed the redemptive work prepared from the beginning of the world (1 Peter 1:18-20).

We do not know when the time will be fulfilled for His return (2 Peter 3:8-10). Repentance is still the substance upon which the way to heaven is built. So, who is this Jesus?

That question above all others confronts the minds of men on the way into the hearts of men. The demons knew the answer (Mark 1:24), and Satan knew, too. How could God convince people? Power. The power of preaching proclaimed the power of repentance. Before any would hear the preaching, the miraculous power would be on display. Sure enough, John made a stir and many responded to his call to repent and be baptized in anticipation of Jesus. Only at the baptism of Jesus did the people hear the powerful voice proclaiming His approval of His Son (Mark 1:11). Now Jesus displays the power in Him and casts out a demon as astonished onlookers pondered the event (Mark 1:25-27).

Stop. You did not see this, you merely read about it.

Do you believe it? If you reject it as a myth or fable, quietly close your Bible, put it away and go about your life because in your mind Jesus is a myth. If Jesus is merely a myth, then you might consider burning your Bible because it makes blasphemous claims.

Are you unsure? Allow God to speak to you, and let Him change your mind. No man can do it, only God.

Do you readily accept the message about Jesus? Just what are you prepared to do about Him?

The mind must be opened before the way is open into the heart. Repentance (“change of mind”) precedes the confession of Jesus as Lord (“change of heart”) and the two combine to change the road you are traveling. The report about Jesus went out from Galilee. In the same way the word was not stagnant, you cannot be either.

A road is for traveling – it is not a parking lot.

Faith moves. Faith lives, loves, speaks and forgives. Just as Jesus moves in you … just as Jesus lives, loves, speaks and forgives. Is this the road you travel?