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The Second Sunday in Advent

Mark 1:1–8

Notes on This Reading

Each of the gospels begins in its own distinctive way. The Gospel of Mark, most likely the earliest of the gospels, shows little interest in the story of Jesus’s birth. There are no references to shepherds or mangers or magi. The evangelist cuts to the chase, right off the bat telling the reader that what follows has to do with the Good News of Jesus. The author then introduces John the Baptist, who comes as a forerunner to the Messiah. There’s an urgency to the whole gospel. The word “immediate” comes up again and again. It’s as if the author can’t wait to tell the story of Jesus, the good news of the fulfillment of God’s promises. Time is of the essence.

Questions

1 What do you think of the rather abrupt way Mark begins his gospel? Why do you think he omits stories about Jesus’s birth?

2 Why is John the Baptist so important in the gospels and in the church calendar? What do you like about him? What do you find off-putting?

3 When John the Baptist calls people to repentance, what do you think he means? When have you had to repent? Does it help to know that the word really means to change direction?