The CROSSroads: Personal Lessons from Mark's Gospel by Rev. Mitch Schultz

Updated
2001-05-26; 14:34:14utc

Lesson One: GOD'S TRAFFIC DIRECTOR (Mark 1:1-8)

And so John came. (vs.4)

Just being able to hear his voice live made the moment memorable. This was my first opportunity to attend a Billy Graham Crucade and I did not mind at all that we were seated so away from the front that all I could see was the small speckled figure of someone standing there. The atmosphere and the voice that filled that stadium left me with no doubt that it was him. I was there and that was all that mattered. My two older children were also with me and having heard often of this legionary figure I knew this would be unforgetable to them. As I positioned myself to attempt a better look I wondered what it was that drew so many to hear the man. I guessed that it was simply that his life so adequately pointed others to Christ. That must be it. What other reason could there be to explain the someone with such a simple style and simple message for 50 years filling stadiums around the world. Here was an ordinary man who lived the whole of his life to bring others to the savior. He stands out in history as a man who stood at the cross roads directing the traffic of humanity to follow Jesus.

There are rare moments in our lives when we meet certain men or women of God who are completely sold out for God. You observe in their lives a single mind for the cause of Christ rarely seen in other people. Such a man was John the Baptist. Mark, the writer of this gospel, was so captivated by John the Baptist he chose to begin his gospel about the life and work of Jesus with John's story. Mark's interest in this gospel is Jesus, (see verse 1) but he begins with John. Why? Because John's life was so completely dedicated to the cause of Christ that his testimony was a logical start point. It would be well for us to emulate some of the unique characteristics that made up this man so that our lives can also promote our Lord in every aspect. In the next pages I want to trace those qualities that seem to distinguish John the Baptist, with the prayer that we might model our lives on his great example.

John the Baptist had a clear sense of his calling, and he lived it! John became what God wanted from him. He knew why he was here and he allowed nothing to prevent him from living God's way. Mark begins this section by quoting the prophet Isaiah who foretold a messenger who would come to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. Isaiah was clearly speaking about John. Verse 2 tells us what God wanted for John. His purpose was to prepare the way for Christ. Then, with child like enthusiasm, Mark cannot wait to inform us that this man John lived out his calling. "And so John came" Mark explains in verse 4, thus drawing a link between the prophecy and the man. Isaiah's prophecy unveils God purpose statement for John, but then in verse 5 Mark is happy to announce that John's life fulfilled exactly the plan God had for him.

Can we say that of our selves? "And so you came." Ephesians 1:4 helps us know what it is God plans for us. "For he chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight", is only one example of God's purpose statement for believers. The question we must ask ourselves is "are we living in such a way that God is having his way with us?" When our oldest son Travis was born we named him Travis Andrew. It was a significant name for us, rich with meaning and purpose. Travis Andrew means "man of God at the cross roads", and this is what we desire for Travis; that he will become such a person whose life would serve a spiritual cross road for others. In our prayers and parental involvement, this purpose statement has served as a guide in our relationship to Travis. Little did we know what this would mean. We never anticipated that this cross road would come sooner than we thougth and in a far more dramatic way then we thought. I will share through these lessons from Mark much of what it meant for him to stand at the cross road and what his suffering would teach me.

God expects us as parents to be steersmen impressing on our children why they are here, what God's purpose for them is and then encouraging them to live it! We never know how long we will have them. There is no greater desire for parents then for their children to become godly people who direct traffic, calling others to join the road that leads to the cross and to new life in Jesus. I suspect John's parents had a great deal to do with what John became. "As a prisoner of the Lord then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." (Eph. 4:1)

The gospel of Mark is a personal invitation to follow Jesus. This call is first heard in the broad and open air of Galilee but the path that Jesus calls us to is a specific one with a definite destination. John the Baptist was a traffic director, a man of God at the cross roads, urging people to take the road that leads to the cross. He was God's messenger sent ahead of Christ "who will prepare your way, a voice calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." (vs.2-3) Luke adds, "the crocked road shall become straight, the rough way smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation." (Luke 3:5-6) There is only one road that leads to God and it is the cross road. It is not an easy road. The sacrifices are great and the cost is heavy. But as you travel this path you will be overwhelmed by the presense of Jesus and the lives he touches along the way. As you travel this road you will also notice that the further you go the more visible the cross. So come and join Mark on this Cross road.