Passage: Mark 1:1-8
This morning we begin a new sermon series through the Gospel of Mark entitled Following Jesus by look
ing at the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist. After 400 years of silence, God finally spoke again to his people through an anointed prophet. While John is a fascinating character, the real focus of this passage is on John’s message, and even more specifically, on the One who would be the subject of his message: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John fulfilled his divinely appointed role in preparing the way for the first coming of Messiah. Like John, Christians today have a critical role and message to share with the world.