A way to live a mission in the wider world;
Confessing wrongdoing and looking to be forgiven on issues in public life is the first step toward a new way of living.
Based on Mark 1:1-8
A way to live a mission in the wider world based on Mark 1:1-8, a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the Second Sunday of Advent, 12/10/17.
Mark announces the start of his account of the good news that Jesus brings. The prophet Isaiah foretold a messenger would prepare the way for Jesus. [A prophet is a forth-teller, one who tells forth the truth; a prophet does no foretell the future.]
John the baptizer is the forerunner. John comes calling for the people to confess their sins, their wrongdoings. He will baptize [simply means to dip in water] as a sign of wanting to be cleansed or forgiven for past wrongs. John wears minimal clothes and eats minuscule food as prophets did in the past. John proclaimed [told forth] that he would be followed by one greater than himself. This coming one would baptize not with water but with the Holy Spirit.
A theme: Be ready to repent [change your ways] of wrong doing. Prepare to hear and live Jesus’ teaching by confessing what you have done wrong and looking for forgiveness
