As we come to the end of this series, we need to consider how we ought to respond to the gospel. The gospel is basically good news. It is not a story and neither is it a character description. What are we telling people when we share the gospel is important because that message will have a corresponding response. 

 

An introduction to repentance: turning away from sins and seeking forgiveness (Mark 1:1-8)

The Gospel of Mark in verse 1 picks up where we left off in Romans 3, describing “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God”. It is rather self-conscious, and in the first verse, it tells the readers that this is the beginning, not of a book, but of the good news specifically about Jesus Christ. Why is this significant? This first sentence would have been confusing for a first century reader. He is the promised One who came to save who is also the Son of God. The latter phrase would be controversial too. What does it mean for us today? We know that this good news is about a particular person and this would only be good news if this was your allegiance. We have to ask ourselves -- is Jesus Christ good news to me, or is He just news? Is He just an ancient, far-off historical figure or does His name stir in us a response? How good is that news to us today?

In the opening section of this book, we are introduced to John, not Jesus (Mark 1:2-6). John has a specific message -- he speaks of "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins". This act is a declaration of turning away from sin, where baptism is an outward sign of repentance. It wasn't just about walking away with just a mental assent. Mark 1:5 also tells us that "all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem" responded by going out to where John was in the wilderness. This must have been some sort of movement, and people were convicted enough to make the effort to respond to Mark. It wasn't necessarily casual or convenient. 

Mark also tells us about John's attire.  He was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt, and ate locusts and wild honey. This was similar to what Elijah wore, and Elijah was the prototypical prophet (c.f. 2 Kings 1:8). His attire was also similar to those who were "destitute, afflicted, mistreated" (c.f. Heb 11:37). We can see that John is not from the elite and upper class, and was more similar to that of the prophet. He deviated from the cultural norms, and his clothes made him seem like a wild man. He also preached and unconventional message. It is far easier to preach a message that detailed the steps to heaven, than to say that our problems are within us and we cannot save ourselves. John's attire was in line with his slightly offensive message. 

The first part of his message spoke about the sins of the people. But in the second part, his message was that there is one who will come after him that is mightier. In his message, he highlights the timing, power and worth of this person. John had a specific message, and also a specific purpose.  John's appearance was predicted before he actually appeared (Mark 1:2-3, c.f. Mal 3:1, Isa 40:3). This is needed because of the prophetic nature of John's message. It had the credibility because it was an ancient message. John is careful to put himself down and to lift Jesus up! He is not even worthy of removing Jesus' sandals. John's attitude is so different from what we're used to! It's not about low self-esteem, but John sees something more in Jesus. He sees the good news of a good Savior, and it doesn't matter what he thinks of himself in light of how good Jesus is (c.f. John 3:30). Do you see how Christianity is such a counter-cultural religion? Every where in this world, we are told how to be better people if we do things. But John seeks not to prop himself up! This is the basis of repentance! If you don't have the right view of yourself and God, you will not repent. There is false repentance, where we respond out of the fear of the consequences of our misdeeds, and we learn not modify our behavior to avoid the consequences. For many of us, we think of heaven and hell in this form of conditioning. True repentance is not motivated by these fears, but arises from seeing who we truly are and how wonderful God is.

 

An introduction to Jesus, the second Adam: tempted in every way but still sinless and baptised into our sins (Mark 1:9-13)

Jesus appears, but notice what's the first thing that He does -- He was baptised. Why is this so? Isn't baptism a proxy for repentance, and a precondition for forgiveness of sins? Jesus went to identify with the sinners, and in some sense, was a part of a national movement. Matt 3:15 records for us how Jesus did it to fulfill all righteousness. The only sinless one was baptized into our sin, so that we can be cleansed. Baptism a picture of salvation -- going in and having someone lift you up. We really can't baptise ourselves and in the same way, we cannot save ourselves!

How does heaven react to what Jesus does (Mark 1:10-11)? When Jesus emerges from the water, the fullness of the triune God is manifest - the only time in the whole Bible. The Son is in the water, the Holy Spirit descends on Him like a dove, and the invisible Father speaks in love “you are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased”.  The Father declares his love for the Son, as the Son stepped forward to identify with sinners. And it is this love that compelled the Son to come down and wade into our sins -- insecurities, greed, lust, anger etc. Do you see then, how amazing this is? If this is true, it means that we don't need to psych ourselves up and love ourselves. We have the love of God shown in Jesus Christ! 2 Cor 8:9 tells us that He who was rich became poor for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Do you see, know and experience this love?

What happens next might seem to some of us abrupt and bizarre. After His baptism, we are told in verses 12 and 13 that Jesus goes straight into temptation by Satan. Why? On the face of it, this seems rather random and unconnected.  Mark tells us that right after appearing as our Savior He goes straight to face temptation, just like the Tempter Adam and Eve faced in Eden. Mark is showing us that Jesus has come as a new Adam; He must triumph where Adam failed. Just as Genesis 3 (the temptation) follows Genesis 1 (man’s first appearance), so the temptation of Christ follows his first public appearance at his baptism. Jesus was tempted as we are in every way, yet he was without sin (c.f. Heb 4:15). Death entered the world through one man, but life enters the world through another man (c.f. Rom 5:17). Can you see Him tempted and yet triumphing for you? 

 

An introduction to faith: faith on the other side of repentance (v14-15)

Jesus comes on the scene and begins His ministry after the arrest of John (Mark 1:14-15). Mark tells us that Jesus proclaims the gospel of God, not a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus also declares that the time is now, but modifies it slightly, adding an element of faith and belief in the message. What is faith? Is it just sincere trust? Faith is not the absence of doubt and neither is it blind trust. Faith is instead, putting confidence and trust in something. We must have an object of faith. Faith is not how strong you hold on to something, but it is about the reliability of the thing you hold on to.

What, then, does it mean when we believe the gospel of Jesus Christ? It means that we are trusting that this news is reliable and true. This is the goodness of the news which is not imaginary. It really happened and God had said it. Sometimes faith also means challenging God to hold on to His promises and to uphold his end of the contract. As the hymn goes, when Satan tempts us to despair, and tells us of our guilt within, upward we look and see Him there, who made and end to all my sin. It means taking this truth and coming to God, not on a righteousness that comes from my obedience, but clinging on to that non-law righteousness, achieved by the Jesus who propitiates, redeems and justifies. Repentance is not a one-time decision, but we do it every day, every moment. It means holding on to the truths of Gal 2:20 and living by faith. 

Faith is on the other side of repentance. It is turning away from sin and also my righteousness, and to cling on to Jesus. Faith leads to joy, because it is grounded in the amazing and secure work of Jesus. What has God been saying to you? How should you respond to the gospel? 

Reflection questions

  • What does the gospel of Jesus Christ tell us about Him or, what are we supposed to know about Jesus?
  • How should we respond to the gospel? What does this mean practically?
  • What is keeping you from responding if you have not yet responded to it? Are your objections intellectual or personal?