The Promised Savior Is Coming

Who Is this Man?

Week 4 — The Promised Savior Is Coming

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mk 1:4)

  1. God promised His coming.

  2. God __________________ sinners for His coming.

5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. (Mk 1:5)
Old Testament vs. New Testament Judea:

After the reign of _______________:

  • Israel — the _________________ Kingdom

  • Judah — the __________________ Kingdom

New Testament:

  • Galilee — ___________

  • Samaria — _____________

  • Judea — ___________

Judea in the New Testament occupied _________ of the same territory as the Southern Kingdom of Judah in the Old Testament, but its _______________ had ______________.

John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. (Ac 19:4)
6 John was clothed in camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. (Mk 1:6)
They told him, “He was dressed in clothing made of hair, with a leather belt tied around his waist.” Then Ahaziah said, “That was Elijah from Tishbe!” (2 Ki 1:8)
Look! I am going to send Elijah the prophet to you before the great and fearful day of the Lord comes! (Mal 4:5)
13b Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. … He will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a prepared people for the Lord. (Lk 1:13b, 16–17)
21 But among all the winged swarming insects that walk on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which they leap off the ground. 22 Of them you may eat the following: all species of locusts, all species of bald locusts, all species of crickets, and all species of grasshoppers. (Le 11:21–22)

John fulfills what __________________ told us about the ___________________ God would send to “Prepare the way of the Lord.”

  1. God's messenger ____________ us to the Coming One.

7 He preached, “One more powerful than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals! 8 I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mk 1:7–8)
For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. (Ac 1:5)
2 Suddenly a sound like the rushing of a violent wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw divided tongues that were like fire resting on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, since the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak fluently. (Ac 2:2–4)
7a They were completely baffled … 12 They were all amazed and perplexed. They kept saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocked them and said, “They are full of new wine.” (Ac 2:7a, 12–13)
On the contrary, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: This is what God says will happen in the last days: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. (Ac 2:16-17a)
You will know that I am in the midst of Israel and that I am the Lord [יהוה (YHWH)] your God. (Joel 2:27a)
So, after he was exalted to the right hand of God and after he received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out what you are now seeing and hearing. (Ac 2:33)
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Mt 22:37–39)

Points to Ponder

  1. According to Mark 1:5, how did the people respond to John's ministry?
  2. What two contrasts does John make between himself and the Coming One in Mark 1:7–8?
  3. Why does Mark tell us about John's clothing and lifestyle?
  4. How does the promise that the Coming One will “baptize with the Holy Spirit” help reveal who Jesus is?
  5. John received enormous attention, yet deliberately redirected attention toward Jesus. Why can that be difficult for Christians today?
  6. Why is the statement “I am not worthy” both frightening under the Law and comforting when understood alongside the Gospel?
  7. Where are you most tempted to seek attention, recognition, or praise for yourself rather than quietly directing attention toward Christ?
  8. How can the truth that salvation does not depend on your worthiness help you when you are troubled by guilt?

Homework: Mark 1