The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness - Mark 1:3

Mark began Jesus' story of His “gospel” with the words, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”, and Mark referred to the prophet who said, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face. As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you”, and in chapter one and verse three of his book, Mark quoted more of the prophets words concerning “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” where we read:

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The verse reads, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ...” Mark began words, “the voice” which means “the sound and tone of uttered words and language” “of one crying” or “of a certain person who speaks with a high, strong and imploring voice” “in the wilderness” which means “in the solitary, lonely, desolate and uninhabited place”. Mark shared how the prophet wrote of a person who would “cry aloud” in the “solitary and uninhabited” place.

The verse continues, “... Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Mark added the words, “Prepare you the way” which means “make ready and fit the path, route and journey” “of the Lord” or “belonging to the One whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “make his paths straight” which means “prepare, produce, appoint and ordain the Lord's worn track or rut level, upright, true and sincere”. Mark shared how the commission given to the “one crying in the wilderness” was to “prepare” the pathway for the Messiah.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, it may help us to realize when an king, authority or one with great stature was expected in a certain area, people would go before he and his entourage to “clear” or “straighten out” the road upon which he would enter. Rocks, sticks, bumps and other obstacles were removed so the entrance of the noted one would be “smooth”. This was the purpose of the “fore-runner” (who was John the Baptist) of the Messiah (who was and is Jesus Christ). Malachi the prophet wrote concerning this “fore-runner” in chapter three of his Old Testament book, and Mark wanted his readers to know this aspect to the plan of God for the “salvation” of mankind. As all these details are revealed, let everyone who reads these words carefully consider them and understand, Jesus is the Messiah sent from God whose path was cleared by John the Baptist who fulfilled the prophesy of Malachi.

Next time Mark shares how, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".