And he began to proclaim: "After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. Sermons I. OF WHAT IT CONSISTED. In each Gospel the descriptions are very general, and look as if they had been foreshortened in order to give due prominence to the gospel narrative that had to follow. Yet a fairly complete impression may be received of his main doctrines and rules of discipline. Generally in his ministry there are four elements discoverable. 1. Exhortation. A direct appeal to the moral sense, the chief note of which was "Repent." It is a sharp word often repeated, refinement upon it being likely only to dull its edge. It meant, primarily, "to think after another," then "to change one's mind or opinion," the faculty addressed being that of moral reflection (nous). Accordingly we read of repentance "unto acknowledgment of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:25), "toward God "(Acts 20:21), "from dead works" (Hebrews 6:1), and "unto life" (Acts 11:18), or "unto salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10). The two last expressions correspond with that of Mark, "unto remission of sins." The idea involved is intellectual as well as moral, thought being exercised as well as feeling. The mind is to be twisted back upon itself; spiritual resolution is demanded according to new principles. "Take a right view of sin - your sin - and quit it." John thus prepared men for Christ by making them prepare themselves, casting down every imagination and every high thing that stood in the way the coming King was to use for his glorious "progress." 2. Ceremony. There was but one rite - baptism; not created for the occasion, but simply adopted out of the multiform ceremonial of Judaism. Its use is explained by its symbolic suggestiveness of the spiritual change John sought to produce. The physical purifying set forth the spiritual, and was ineffectual without it. 3. Example. He himself was what he desired others to be. His habitat - the wilderness - was a protest against the corruption of the cities, and indeed of the whole social fabric. He dwelt apart, as being thus better able to seek God and serve him. His personality, too, was eloquent of the same truth. With clothing the coarsest and least comfortable, and food the simplest and cheapest, he maintained a strong, flee, independent life, consecrated in Nazarite-like vows to God. 4. Prophecy. Not only a backward but also a forward look was implied in his teaching. It was by virtue of the coming of Another that all these moral acts were to be rendered valid and effectual. The atonement of Christ, as a prospective thing, is therefore the key-stone of all John's preaching. Not the baptism, the ascetic life, not even the "repentance," was in itself a saving principle. These only availed as they brought men to him who baptized not with water but with the Holy Spirit. His whole ministry did not confer, but simply prepared for, "the remission of sins." II. ITS RELATIVE, SIGNIFICANCE. It was, therefore, not of absolute or independent value, but only auxiliary to the advent of Christ. He stood midway between the Lair and the Gospel. In this light, his recognition of the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" is at once the linking on of his ministry to Christ's, and its consummation and disappearance in it. III. ITS RESULTS. Not substantive or permanent. A deep effect was produced upon Jewish life, but it did not last. Yet, in many instances, notably within the circle of the apostles, it was the preliminary stage, the "strait gate and narrow way," into the Divine life which Jesus brought. John's message exerted a far-reaching influence, thrilled the nation in all its classes and tribes, and then died away in ever fainter echoes, amidst the returning indifference or spiritual opposition to the Truth. It was not, therefore, useless; rather in the highest sense was it effectual only as it succeeded in making itself unnecessary for the further progress of those who received it. "He must increase, but I must decrease." - M.
There cometh one mightier than I after me. This not then apparent. As the two met on the banks of the Jordan it appeared the reverse: John the embodiment of matured strength; mighty in word, wondrously successful; the great man of the epoch. Jesus had given no evidence of greatness. But things are not what they seem. Jesus is mightier than John.I. In HIS PERSON. "The power of God." II. In HIS PREACHING. Neither in manner nor matter did John "astonish" as Christ did. Christ's words were spirit and life. III. In HIS WORKS. John did no miracle. IV. In THE PERMANENCE OF HIS MINISTRY. We hear the last of John's disciples in Acts 19:1-7. Christ's disciples are an ever-increasing belly today. V. In HIS DEATH. Christ's death really began His ministry: John's closed his. VI. In HIS POWER OVER THE HUMAN HEART. John could only move its fears while he was here; Christ can win its love and devotion now that He has gone. (Anon.) The custom of loosing the sandals from off the feet of an Eastern worshipper was ancient and indispensable. It is also commonly observed in visits to great men. The sandals, or slippers, are pulled off at the door, and either left there or given to a servant to bear. The person to bear them was an inferior domestic, or attendant upon a man of high rank, to take care of and to return them to him again. This was the work of servants among the Jews, and it was reckoned so servile that it was thought too mean for a scholar or disciple to do. The Jews say: "All services which a servant does for a master, a disciple does for his master, except unloosing his shoes." John thought it was too great an honour for him to do that for Christ, which was thought too mean for a disciple to do for a wise man.(Burder.) The highest buildings have the lowest foundations. As the roots of a tree descend so the branches ascend. The lower the ebb the higher the tide. Those upon the mountains see only the fog beneath them, whilst those in deep pits see the stars above them. The most fruitful branches bow the lowest. The best trees refused to be king, but the bramble affected it (Judges 9).(Trapp.) Amer. Sunday School Times. He retired with dignity and ease, and with a glowing tribute to our Lord's Divinity. He had the instinct of the true teacher. That one who would not rather see his disciple surpass him in memorable service for humanity is far too small for his position. Michael Angelo's monument in the Westminster Abbey of Florence is magnificent, and attracts all eyes; but his humble teacher lies beneath a slab of the church floor, and the very name is worn by the feet of worshippers during the centuries. Who will complain that the two are misplaced? The teacher did his work well, and shines too in the fame of the master. But the disciple had what the master never had. So He who had been baptized by John, possessed what John did not have, and the beauty of John's ministry lay in a recognition of this fact. He knew as well how to close his life as he had known how to begin it.(Amer. Sunday School Times.) This is what John understood, and what you must understand, that it is an honour to be permitted to do the humblest work for Jesus Christ. If when the queen was riding through our streets, with soldiers before her and soldiers behind, and crowds of people all along the way, you stood there with a little bunch of flowers in your hand and offered them to her, and she took them and thanked you with a smile, I fancy you would be very proud because the queen had been pleased to accept your little service. It was so John the Baptist felt: he felt that there were great, strong angels who would have reckoned it an honour to be allowed to untie the Lord's shoe latchets, and while the Lord could have such pure servants as these, he felt that he was unworthy the honour.(J. R. Howat.) People Andrew, Ephah, Isaiah, James, Jesus, John, Simon, Zabdi, ZebedeePlaces Capernaum, Galilee, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Judea, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Wilderness of JudeaTopics Announcement, Fit, Greater, Latchet, Loose, Loosen, Mightier, Powerful, Preached, Preaching, Proclaimed, Sandals, Sandal-strap, Saying, Shoes, Stoop, Stooped, Thong, Thongs, Undo, Unfasten, Unloose, Untie, Unworthy, WorthyOutline 1. The office of John the Baptist.9. Jesus is baptized; 12. tempted; 14. he preaches; 16. calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John; 23. heals one that had a demon; 29. Peter's mother in law; 32. many diseased persons; 40. and cleanses the leper. Dictionary of Bible Themes Mark 1:7 2366 Christ, prophecies concerning Library What 'the Gospel' IsThe beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.--Mark i. 1 My purpose now is to point out some of the various connections in which the New Testament uses that familiar phrase, 'the gospel,' and briefly to gather some of the important thoughts which these suggest. Possibly the process may help to restore freshness to a word so well worn that it slips over our tongues almost unnoticed and excites little thought. The history of the word in the New Testament books is worth notice. It seldom occurs in those … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Christ's Touch The Strong Forerunner and the Stronger Son Mighty in Word and Deed Healing and Service A Parable in a Miracle A Composite Picture. The Way to the Kingdom The Repentance of Believers The Lord and the Leper Faith and Repentance Inseparable Answer to Mr. W's First Objection. The Fellowship of Prayer Healing a Demoniac in a Synagogue. Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement. The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation. Jesus' Conception of Himself John the Baptist Links Mark 1:7 NIVMark 1:7 NLT Mark 1:7 ESV Mark 1:7 NASB Mark 1:7 KJV Mark 1:7 Bible Apps Mark 1:7 Parallel Mark 1:7 Biblia Paralela Mark 1:7 Chinese Bible Mark 1:7 French Bible Mark 1:7 German Bible Mark 1:7 Commentaries Bible Hub |