Mark 1:1-3 (MSG)
The good news of Jesus Christ—the Message!—begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
Watch closely: I'm sending my preacher ahead of you;
He'll make the road smooth for you.
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God's arrival!
Stories impact our lives. The opening verses of this Gospel introduce us to the greatest story in existence- Jesus, God wrapped-in-flesh, coming to reconcile us to Himself. And in its introductory verses, an old story, recently resurfacing again in the film Facing the Giants, mirrors this news.The story goes that there was two farmers, both of which were praying for God to deliver rain. One of the farmers, however, not only prayed for rain, but cultivated his fields in preparation for the downpour. Which do you think received the answer to his prayers?
This story reflects the Gospel story. God stands excitedly ready and willing to shower us with his unwavering, unconditional love, peace, and hope. We simply must prepare the field of our hearts to receive Him. And how do we do that? We follow the direction of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the words He inspired in the Scriptures. Verse three says, “Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!” (The Message). To “make the road smooth and straight,” we need to take an honest, probing look at ourselves. Take note of anything that stands in our way of a transparent love relationship with Jesus. Confess the mess to God and to a close friend. Begin life anew in Jesus Christ. Walk with Him on a daily basis.
Is your heart prepared for a downpour of God’s Spirit?
