Prepare the Way

The Kingdom Draws Near · Mark 1

Story guide: The Gospel opens in the wilderness as John prepares the way through repentance, baptism, and expectation.

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1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.

2Just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way.’

3A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight,’

4John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of reorientation toward God for the forgiveness of sins.

5And all the Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and he was eating locusts and wild honey.

7And he was proclaiming, saying, “The one stronger than I is coming after me, of whom I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.”

8I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

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