Are you ready?

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:1–8

Mark’s gospel (or good news) begins with a message from John the Baptist to prepare, get ready, and repent. John quotes the prophet Isaiah, "Prepare the way of the Lord." The God of Israel, the maker of heaven and earth, and the judge of the living and the dead, is on his way. His arrival is imminent. For those who are ready, his arrival means liberation. But the unprepared may find his arrival to be a let down or even a cause for anger. 

Some heeded John's message, and they prepared the way. They let the Spirit of God show them where they fell short. They confessed their sin and acknowledged their need for baptism. 

Others wrote John off as an unsanctioned preacher—more of a freak than a prophet. They awaited the coming of a messiah but saw no need to prepare. Baptism? There was no need, they believed they were clean. Repentance? Of what? You have to be a sinner before you need to repent. 

What about you? The gospel is only good news if you see your own need. The King of kings has come to dwell with us and establish his kingdom in your heart. But have you made room for him? 

Take a moment, right now, and ask the Lord to show if you need to make more room for the rule and reign of Jesus in your life.