"This is the beginning of the Good News of JESUS CHRIST, the Son of GOD. It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, 'I AM sending MY messenger ahead of you, to prepare YOUR way. Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the LORD, level HIS paths.'
So, John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance, for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins, and to be baptized by him in the river Jordan.
John was clothed in camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and honey. He preached to the people, saying, 'After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but HE will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.'
At that time, JESUS came from Nazareth, a town of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And the moment HE came up out of the water, heaven opened before HIM, and HE saw the Spirit coming down on HIM like a dove. And these words were heard from heaven, 'YOU are MY Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen.'" - Mark 1:1-11
(In verses 1 to 13, Mark gives us in three short presentations three important insights about JESUS' salvation.
Verses 1-7. John the Baptist announces the coming of the One sent by GOD: this JESUS about whom the Gospel will speak to us has been announced, prepared by all the great witnesses of the Old Testament. In HIM and by HIM GOD 's salvation will be accomplished.
Verses 9-10. JESUS goes down into the Jordan to open the gates of the true Promised Land [see the Book of Joshua]: HE is the beloved Son of the FATHER on whom the Spirit rests. JESUS comes to reveal the mystery of GOD, the mystery of the love of GOD--FATHER, Son and Spirit.
Verses 11-13. JESUS is at peace with the wild animals as HE is with the angels. In HIM and by HIM will be accomplished the reconciliation of all creation with its GOD. Such had to be the Messiah announced by Isaiah [Isaiah 11].
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