Lenten Musings

So, it's Lent. I figured I'd like to somehow do something for Lent this year. Giving up something didn't really appeal to me. I've already given up Tim Horton's for this whole year as my New Years' resolution (so far, so good). So, I have decided that everyday in Lent I will read a chapter of the Bible and blog something about it. I'll read Mark and John, which technically is only 37 chapters, I believe, so maybe at the end I'll throw down something extra. If anyone reads any of this, feel free to comment and respond to some of my "thinking out loudness". Maybe we can get some good discussion going. So, here goes....

Mark Chapter 1
verse 4- "In the wilderness John the baptizer began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
My question would be, isn't it Christ's atonement that allows for forgiveness of our sins? Then why would John be preaching a "baptism of repentance" for the forgiveness of sins. The repentance part is obviously important for forgiveness, but it is a far cry from the blood sacrifices required by the law. John's message must have been fairly radical for people. And so does that "forgiveness of sins" part look ahead to what Jesus will do, or is there something else at play?

verses 12 and 13- "At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan."
verse 14 - "After John was put in prison..."
Neither of these options really appeals to me these days. Being led into the desert to be tempted, or being thrown in jail. Yet, this is what happens to those who are faithful to God. I pray for stupid things, and I don't expect much. I hope for comfort and whine when I don't get it. That's not the life you see Jesus or John living. So, is that sort of life meant for all of us? Can I be content in thinking I shouldn't have to go through difficulties? As much as I will give lip service to the thought of "suffering for Jesus", I really prefer not having to live that way.

verses 38 and 39- "Jesus replied, 'Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.' So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons."
Jesus sure did a lot of preaching. Why isn't more of it recorded? Sure there's bits and pieces, and the extended portions, like the "Sermon on the Mount", but likely they would only account for a small percentage of what Jesus would have taught over the course of three years. I get the sense from the writers of the gospels that it is Jesus Himself that is most important, not just what He had to say. Otherwise, we'd have a handbook of His teachings, and not the story of His life. The gospels are more biography than instruction manual.

That's probably good for today. Hope to see you tomorrow.