• New Testament Reading: Mark 1:1-8
• Old Testament Passage: Malachi 3:1-5; Isaiah 40:1-11
• Points to Ponder:

“Prepare the Way for the Lord”

God’s preparation is perfect. At least two of his prophets spoke of the coming, not only of the Lord
himself but also, of a messenger who would prepare his way. In the opening lines of Mark both
Malachi and Isaiah are quoted. When you read those prophecies in context you can understand
better why the Lord was coming and why he needed someone to prepare the way.

Malachi speaks of the Lord’s judgment, that “he will sit as a refiner and purifier” and “testify against
sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers”. Isaiah says that the messenger will bring “good tidings to Zion”
and say “Here is your God” and that he (the Lord) “tends his flock like shepherd” and “he gathers the
lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.” To many, these are mutually exclusive
qualities, but not to God. Jesus would come as both the refiner and purifier calling sin sin and the
gentle and protecting shepherd providing for his lambs.

In the gospel of Mark we will see Jesus in both roles, not in opposition to one another, but in perfect
harmony in order to provide for each person at any given time exactly what they need, whether it be
refining or protection.

• Questions to Consider: Which picture of Jesus are you most drawn to and why do you think
that is? If you are drawn to Jesus the gentle shepherd, how do you feel about Jesus the refiner?
Can you appreciate and be grateful that Jesus is both?