The Good News of Peace December 10th, 2023
God of grace, still our busy minds as we listen for your Word speaking through the Scripture. By your Spirit, create a space within us to receive your wisdom, your mercy, and your invitation to live for you. Amen
On this second Sunday of Advent, when we lit the Candle of Peace, our Gospel lesson came from the opening verses of the Gospel of Mark which introduced both Jesus and John the Baptist to its readers but contained no mention of peace. But if we look more closely, we can find that there is an underlying theme of the peace which will come one day.
But first of all, since it’s been a while since we’ve heard from the Apostle Mark, who also wrote the book of Mark in the Bible, let’s have a quick reminder as to just who he was. We’re first introduced to him in the book of Acts, where the Apostle Luke, the author of Acts, tells us that Mark’s mother, who was called Mary, was a rather wealthy woman who had a home in Jerusalem. At that time Peter, the disciple of Jesus, was in Jerusalem preaching the Gospel when King Herod, in an effort to appease the Jewish authorities, had him thrown into prison. Luke says that Mary and the rest of the believers held a large prayer meeting in her house for Peter.
When Peter was released from prison this is what took place, “Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying.” (Acts 12:11-12) So, Peter, having been put in prison by the Roman ruler of Jerusalem, King Herod, and certainly facing death, was rescued by an angel and he made his way to the home of Mary where his fellow believers in Christ were praying for his release from prison.
Mark’s name next appears when he is invited to go on a missionary trip with the Apostle Paul and a fellow believer, Barnabas, who actually was a cousin of Mark’s. Perhaps that’s how Mark ended up being asked to go. The Apostle Luke describes that trip in this way, “But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Paul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John Mark also to assist them.” (Acts 12:24-25, 13:4-5)
But while they were in Cyprus something changed with Mark. Luke tells us, “Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem,” No one is sure exactly what happened, but it’s thought that Mark became discouraged and returned to Jerusalem without telling Paul and Barnabas.
That desertion caused problems between Paul and Barnabas, so much so that they went their separate ways. There was also a rift between Paul and Mark, but the Apostle Peter took Mark under his wing and eventually Paul and Mark reconciled. It’s thought that much of the information that Mark got for his gospel came from the time he spent with Peter, who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Mark heard day after day the stories of Jesus, as Peter and he went out into the streets of Rome and preached the gospel.
So, despite his earlier wavering faith, and the dissension he had caused amongst the other disciples, God still chose Mark to write one of the gospels of Jesus Christ, his Son. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Mark wrote the gospel which still bears his name.
And he begins his gospel with these words: "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Unlike the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, Mark doesn't tell us anything about Jesus' birth or childhood but jumps right into the action with Jesus as an adult, as he was starting his ministry to the people of Israel.
And those opening words of Mark, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." are so important to us today. The good news began with God fulfilling the promise he made through the prophet Isaiah which we heard read in our Old Testament lesson this morning, “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” That voice prophesied by Isaiah was that of John the Baptist who, when Jesus began his ministry, was preaching in the wilderness and baptizing people in the river Jordan. John was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah.
As a confirmation that he was the son of God, Jesus would have John baptise him in the Jordan and the Holy Spirit would descend upon him to show that he was the long awaited Messiah for Israel.
“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,” are the first words which Mark wrote. Behind the “good news” is the very Gospel of God. Behind Mark’s interpretation of what God is up to in Jesus is what God has been about all along — good news. So, the good news for us this morning is that God is the God of beginnings—After the many years of trials and tribulations with the people, God forgives and begins again with his people by sending his Son to offer them salvation and eternal life.
In talking about this good news, it’s important to understand that Mark was writing to people who were in distress. It is believed that Mark was writing to believers in Rome who were under persecution. This meant that the message had to be short, sweet and to the point. He wants to get across that which is most important to people who are in distress, and that is – don’t despair, I have good news to share, Jesus Christ, the Son of God has come.
Mark asks us to view God’s good news in a different way. We find God’s good news not in Jerusalem but in the in the wilderness where the people of Jerusalem were going out to meet John the Baptist. In only eight verses, we not only hear the words of Isaiah spoken for a new day but also learn of a new purpose and presence for the Holy Spirit. The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ reaches back to the promises of God and helps us imagine God being with us, both now, and in our future life with him.
The words of this gospel break into our often troubled lives with the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This is the one who has come, who is present, and who is to come again to bring peace to a broken world. And in our lives today, we too are called to announce and make known God’s Son in this season of Advent. Like the witness of John the Baptist, we too are to be witnesses to the one who came to earth to bring to all mankind the beginning of the good news, the gospel.
The good news today is that the gospel continues! As followers of Christ, we are the latest chapter in this continuing story of God’s good news. That’s a word of hope. That’s a word of promise. That’s the gospel.
And as we go through this season of Advent, we need to prepare ourselves in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Today we have lit the Candle of Peace, to remind us that Christ is the peace we have. As Christians we are preparing every day, or least should be preparing, for Jesus to one day return to earth and claim his church. Even though we don’t know when that day will be, we still prepare for it by making sure we are ready by following Jesus in our own lives. Also there are so many without faith that could use this good news to bring some peace to their lives. This Christmas season is a wonderful time to share your faith with someone and help them.
So, what can we learn from these opening verses from the Gospel of Mark? First, we can learn that God is always at work in history, fulfilling his promises and preparing the way for his salvation. Mark tells us that John's ministry was a fulfillment of prophecy, a sign that God was about to do something new and amazing in the world. God had not forgotten his people, but he was sending them his Son, his beloved, his chosen one. God is still at work today, in our lives and in our world, fulfilling his promises and preparing the way for his kingdom. We can trust him and follow him, knowing that he has a plan and a purpose for us.
And we can learn that Jesus is the ultimate source of our peace. John was a great prophet, a faithful servant of God, but he knew that he was not the main attraction. He pointed people to Jesus, who was greater than him in every way. He said: "I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Jesus is the one who can give us the gift of the Holy Spirit, who can fill us with his love and power and presence. Jesus is the one who can transform our lives and make us new. Jesus is the one who can save us from sin and death and give us eternal life. Jesus is the one who can give us peace. As he said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
So let us thank God for Mark’s Gospel, for John the Baptist and his ministry of preparing the way for Jesus. Let us also prepare our hearts to receive Jesus anew this Advent season. Let us repent of our sins and seek God's forgiveness. Let us rejoice in Jesus' name and celebrate his coming. And let us share the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with everyone we meet.
Let’s remember these important, life changing words of the Apostle Peter from our New Testament lesson this morning, which he wrote to the members of the churches in Asia Minor, “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9)
Let us Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the good news of peace that you have given us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for reconciling us to yourself and to one another, and for making us one in your family. Thank you for the peace that surpasses all understanding, that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the peace that inspires us to share your gospel with others, and to be peacemakers in this world. Amen