Meeting King Jesus

Are you tired of bad news?

Are you worn out worrying about possible bad news?

Have you noticed how much more bad news there is in the media than good news? It used to be said that bad news, not good news, sells newspapers. I think that applies to all modern media.

I find it a bit overwhelming at times. I take breaks from watching the news or programs like Carte Blanche because of that.

I go through phases, on Facebook, of not looking at the comments section below posts. There is always some peanut who is going to take a simple post and put a negative spin on it.

Wouldn’t it be great to hear more good news?

And I mean genuinely good news. Not just some positive thinking person trying to put a positive spin on bad news, when it is just simply bad news.

We need more of the kind of good news that cannot be undone by any bad news or bad people.

Well, if you are longing for that, you have come to the right place this morning.

We are starting a new series in Mark’s Gospel this morning.

The purpose of Mark’s Gospel is to give its readers good news 1: 1.

What good news? “Good news about Jesus”

What is the good news about Jesus?

That He is the Messiah/the Christ/God’s promised King and that He is the Son of God.

What about Him being God’s promised King is good news?

We will see that now.

And a lot more in chapter 1 – 8 where that is the focus. And that focus reaches a high point when in 8: 29 Peter (one of the disciples) declares that Jesus is the Christ.

What about Jesus being the Son of God is good news?

Although we will also get glimpses of this earlier … that is the focus of chapter 9 – 16. The high point of which is in 15: 39 where we see a Gentile, Roman Centurion declare that Jesus is the Son of God.

So, let’s jump in. Let’s start coming to grips with this good news wrapped up in Jesus by…

Meeting King Jesus

1: 1 – 15.

How would anyone know that Jesus is God’s promised King?

Because it was announced in different powerful ways.

Firstly, the Old Testament announced this King 1 – 3.

The OT said that you would know that God’s promised King had arrived when you saw the rise of a prominent messenger (prophet), out in the wilderness, announcing that the King (who is the Lord) had arrived and that people must get ready to receive the King.

And guess what?

Mark’s Gospel records the rise to prominence of a messenger (prophet) announcing that the King was on His way 4 – 8.

John the “baptizing one” appeared in the wilderness by the Jordan river announcing the arrival of God’s powerful King.

By the way, this was the same wilderness that Israel centuries before had wondered in for 40 years in disobedience to God before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land.

It had also been 400 years since Malachi the last recognised prophet of God had spoken. This was good news.

The fact that John preached a baptism about “repentance for the forgiveness of sins” pointed also to the good news of what this King was going to be all about.

John’s water baptism was only the symbol of that … this King would bring the reality of it with Spirit baptism.

And the contrast between John and this King is reinforced even more by John’s words in verse 7.

What is striking in this passage is that we see a major shift in the history of what God is doing with His people.

Baptism was common in Judaism. But it was part of what Gentiles had to do to become a Jew… as a symbol of their desire to lead a new life of repentance because of God’s forgiveness of sin.

But John was calling all Jews to be baptised in the Jordan. It was a call to return to God from their disobedience to God and ultimately a call to accept God’s new King and enter a new Promised Land/Kingdom with Him through the water of the Jordan in baptism.

And then John shows us that this King announced by the OT and who he was announcing is Jesus of Nazareth by baptising Him.

And at the baptism, God the Father Himself announces Jesus (His Son) as King 9 – 11

If Jesus was superior to John, why did Jesus submit Himself to John’s baptism?

In the OT, God’s kings were always anointed by a prophet and then received the Holy Spirit as king. We have a record of that happening to both Saul and David. Even the title son of God was given to God’s anointed kings.

And what is happening here with Jesus is following a similar pattern (it is an inauguration / anointing of Him as King) although with differences…

• John anoints Jesus in baptism (Good news about that: His Kingship would be about the forgiveness of sin).
• The Holy Spirit descends on Him identifying Him as the King.
• And then the voice of God the Father announces that Jesus who is being anointed King is His Son and that He is pleased with Him (Good news, this King is not corrupt, He will not fail, He is God’s perfect Son – those who will be saved by Him will also be well pleased).

Father, Son Holy Spirit together at such a pivotal point in history.

But…

King Jesus has opposition 12 – 13

King Jesus has an enemy, Satan. Who tempts Him now in the wilderness and will constantly oppose King Jesus throughout His ministry in many ways, even using people, shockingly even those close to Him.

But spoiler alert … Jesus wins … not only in this temptation but the whole war.

And then finally, King Jesus makes an announcement Himself.

King Jesus announces the good news 14 – 15

(Opposition went after John too)

And this was at the heart of what King Jesus preached – He proclaimed the good news / gospel.

• “The time has come” (is fulfilled). It’s a turning point in history. Good news, there is no more waiting.

All that the OT looked forward to … all that God had promised regarding defeating the sin that condemns us all … was about to be fulfilled. Good news: When God promises something, He always does it.

• “The kingdom of God has come near” because the King has arrived at last. The kingdom is about to be set up and the good news is that people will be saved from their bondage to sin and enter in to the forgiveness, freedom and rest of Christ’s kingdom. Not a geographical kingdom, but an everywhere kingdom. People under King Jesus’ rule whoever they are and wherever they are. So…
• “Repent and believe the good news!” Repent – change from living life your own way (sin) and live in obedience to King Jesus. Believe – fully commit to all that Jesus says, especially that He is the promised King who alone can save you from your sin. The benefits of the good news are only applied to those who repent and believe.

So, we have met King Jesus

Who He is and what He had come to do is the good news that supersedes all our bad news forever. He is the good news our hearts are longing for.

Jesus is God’s promised King come to conquer our greatest enemy, sin.

And we know Jesus is this promised King and this good news, by the powerful announcements of the OT, John, the Holy Spirit and the Father.

But maybe when you think of the bad news in your life, you might be tempted to think that what I have said to you so far this morning is religious mumbo jumbo that doesn’t even vaguely begin to practically be good news for you.

So, let me show you why it is the best news you will ever hear.

Rope (2 people to hold):

• Perspective (rope folded / rope stretched out / same with good news)
• Difference between this life and eternity
• Problems in this life (the bad news that overwhelms us now) is only for this life but sin is bad news forever if it not dealt with
• King Jesus came to defeat sin and offer you a new life of forgiveness, freedom and rest in peace forever and ever and ever … (down rope).
• He will also help you with the bad news things in this life (Miracles / perspective … that we will see as we go through Mark’s Gospel) … but the worst news is taken care of…

If you repent and believe.

Let’s do that now. Get the good news!

Give away the good news! Let’s encourage another Christian with this good news this week.

Let’s share this good news with someone this week. Gossip the gospel / good news. Use this very passage of you want to…

Questions:

1. What does Mark 1: 1 – 15 tell us about who Jesus is and what He came to do on earth?
2. Why is that good news?
3. How did Jesus say we should respond to the good news?
4. In what areas does this message challenge you to repent and believe?