Podcast 12-4-16 Pastor Josh VanLeeuwen

You Are Part of a Plan (Mark 1: 1-20)

“In the beginning.” It’s a good way to start a story, especially one as epic as the story of the creation of everything that has ever been or will ever be. And even then, in the beginning, when God was speaking the universe into existence, he was setting a plan in motion: knowing that sin would cause everything to go wrong, God planned for the world’s redemption at the very start. As the first man and woman were expelled from the Garden, God promised a Savior. Messiah. A person who would, in time, bring all of creation back into alignment with God’s original intent and purpose. An agent of restoration and reconciliation who would take on the sins of the whole world and bear God’s punishment for them, conquer death, and open the way for everyone to stand in his holy presence once more. The Plan.

So it is fitting that the apostle Mark echoes the introductory words from Genesis: “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the son of God.” It’s a good way to start a story, especially one as epic as the story of the redemption of the world. He goes back to the old covenant, to the words of Isaiah, to the prophecy foretelling not the birth of the Messiah but instead the one who would prepare the way for him. This prophecy refers, of course, to the man we know as John the baptizer, who was a cousin of Jesus. A wild man who lived in the desert, wore the camel hair garb of the prophets, dined on locusts and honey, and preached the coming of the Messiah. He was part of the plan.

There’s a lot of journey imagery in his words: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him.” But John wasn’t building a road of gravel and concrete. He was making a path for his listeners and followers that began in the book of Genesis, continued through the prophets, and ended right there in their midst. He was preparing the hearts of people to receive the good news that their savior was coming to them in their present day and place. God’s plan, devised in the beginning, was about to be realized, and they would be the witnesses. They were part of the plan.

After Jesus was baptized and completed his trial in the desert, he called his first followers. These young men were not important members of the community. They had no social standing, no political power, no wealth, no influence. They were nobodies except to their families. But when he looked at them, Jesus did not see nobodies; he saw potential. He saw dedication, loyalty, and hard work. He saw love and courage and sacrifice. In Simon and Andrew, James and John, he saw the makings of a community that would grow over time into the church. They were part of the plan.

Do you remember your baptism? Did you feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit, calling you to a life much bigger and grander than any you could imagine? A life of worship and prayer, service and gratitude? A life that would begin anew with Emmanuel, the indwelling of Christ in you? Perhaps you aren’t there yet. Even so, you are part of the Story that God has written. You are the beneficiary of his extravagant love and mercy and grace. The path John was called to prepare for the Lord’s coming passes through your heart, and it ends with the gospel: the Good News of a King, who left his heavenly throne and took on flesh to become a rabbi, a teacher, a mentor, a savior, a champion and advocate. For you. You are part of the plan. Because his gift of salvation is offered freely to everyone, everywhere, who accepts it, we are all part of the plan. “The time has come; the kingdom of God is near. Repent, and believe the good news!”

 

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