Text: Mark 1:1-8
Exegetical Point: The good news, prophesied in the past, begins to unfold in John.
Focus Statement: God makes beginnings in continuity with the past.
Function Statement: That my hearers would grab the new beginning as an opportunity in the
Spirit
Introduction
A popular song of a few years ago, more years than I’d probably want to think about, had the
line – “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” The pick-up line
context it was sung in - the church would frown upon, but the thought expressed has surprising
theological weight. Beginnings and endings. First Things and Last Things. The alpha and the
omega…But there is a big difference between that last phrase, the alpha and the omega, and the
thoughts expressed in that song. This current life has a definite first thing – at that moment of
conception. This current life has a definite last thing – the departing breath. Those are concrete.
That life flows from the source and returns to the source, the alpha and the omega, our Lord
Jesus. But in between those bright line capital letter beginnings and endings, there are several
new beginnings that come from some other beginning’s end. Life in this creation is a
continuity. What comes before prepares for new beginnings. And we don’t like that. We don’t
like endings. We don’t like beginnings. They all talk about change and we really don’t like that.
If it must happen, we like our endings and beginnings to be dramatic. In mathematics the term is
a singularity. At the singularity one pattern stops and another starts clean. People involved in
computers talk about a singularity. They are waiting for a bright line ending/beginning when
computers become smarter than us. Likewise the environmental movement took its beginning
from a Book called Silent Spring – a spring where all the animals had died – a clear singularity.
People involved in the environmental movement all fear that bright line ending/beginning when
the planet responds to our abuse.
Things of human making – like thoughts on thinking
machines and environmental religion - have clear beginnings and clear endings because that is
our desire. The things of God, other than the source and ending Himself, are a continuity.
Text
The Gospel we read speaks of beginnings - this is the beginning of the good news of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God. The biblical view of time is always of two ages. The present evil age
and the messianic age. And in good human style, we expected a singularity. The present evil
age would chug along, until, pop, the messiah would come and the sun would fall and the moon
turn to blood and the new age would dawn. But that is not how beginnings in God’s creation
work. The present evil age is now passing away, and the messianic age has already come. They
overlap. Instead of a flash and a trumpet in a major city spread around the globe instantaneously
by TV or electricity or lightening – God sends a herald to the desert.
And Mark clues us in – This is what God said he’d do. I’ll send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way…a voice of one crying in the desert. The messianic age, the good
news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begins with its roots in the past, prophesied by God’s
messengers the prophets. And John comes baptizing in the desert and preaching repentance.
John is dressed just like the Elijah of old. The message stays the same, repent…turn
around…make a new beginning. One coming right after me – right now he is right behind me,
that one is more powerful – I’m not worthy to untie his shoe. That is an amazing statement.
Jewish rabbi’s and even prophets – like John – all had students. And those students did all the
unpleasant things. But untying shoes was a task that was deemed even too low for students. The
rabbi that all Judea and Jerusalem is coming to see and hear is far below the one who comes after
him. John is heralding a change – a beginning - from within the tradition. This is not just
another prophetic vision of the messiah. This is the announcement – The LORD is nigh. And he
subscribes divine power to this person – John the mere herald - baptizes with water. The one
who comes next – He will inundate with the Spirit. That was the initial secular meaning of
baptism, an inundation. And at the start of the messianic age – God himself would pour out his
spirit. The prophet Joel captured that most clearly, from Joel 2:28-29 - I will pour out my Spirit
on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your
young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my
Spirit in those days. But the herald – John – says now, right behind me, is the guy who will
baptize you with the Spirit. Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end. John
– the herald - was the end of the prophets who also began the preaching of the good news, the
gospel of Jesus, the Son of God.
Application
After this service, after I stop talking, or more appropriately after we share communion with each
other, this congregation – St. Mark Lutheran in West Henrietta, will meet to talk about a
beginning. What prayerfully and hopefully is a beginning inundated with the Spirit. But as with
beginnings with God, they aren’t singularities, but continuities.
I had paged through a few books and a bunch of council minutes and other documents of the
congregation when I arrived in July. Two in particular caught my eye. I believe Brian Cook put
together this 100th anniversary booklet and the 90th anniversary booklet. Here is one apt photo –
the youth choir of 1986 standing behind a banner saying the beginning. If I’ve read correctly it
marks an updated constitution and congregational vision. A beginning out of some other
beginning’s end, but one also in continuity with the churches proclamation. The organization
changed, but the proclamation of Jesus Christ for sinners remained.
I also paged through looking at the dress of the ministers in the photos and was somewhat
amazed to find it quite varied. Pastor Bauch looking comfortable in a rugby and a sweater.
Pastor Hansel in the Roman Collar, while Pastor Wismar wore a full band. In 1948 a very young
looking Pastor Mikolon wears a crisp and high Roman collar, but in 1943 a stern looking Rev.
Huebsch has on black robes and a necktie. The 1919 confirmation class with a young looking
Rev. Rabold in a military cut suit and necktie. The oldest picture of Rev. Kreinheder has him in
a necktie while all the boys have bow-ties. The fashions changed, the bearing and style of the
minister’s changed, but the proclamation of Jesus Christ was continuous. I’m sure Rev. Huebsch
might look askance at what I wear in the office some days, but would recognize the continuity of
the message heard from this pulpit. Jesus Christ, regardless of the fashion His undershepherds
wear, remains at the right hand of God and shepherds his people through endings and
beginnings.
The 90th anniversary booklet lists all the pastors and their years of tenure. St. Mark has had 17
ministers in 107 years. It meets later today to discuss a call for the 18th minister. A new minister
always represents a beginning. We all have our crazy ideas. Our strengths and weaknesses. As
much as we pray to God to take away our thorns and make us perfect – God doesn’t do that.
Minister’s remain human. Those thorns help to keep you humble. Remind us that we are the
undershepherd. They remind us that it is that outpouring of the Spirit in the messianic age that
empowers and enables the church and her ministers to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God.
So, when you meet later, ask for a full measure of that Spirit. Without His presence any actions
belong to the age which is passing away. Under the Spirit’s guidance look for the opportunities
that beginnings bring. The Spirit has put things in the path of this congregation. Good works for
this congregation to walk in - prepared in advance.
The original founding of St. Mark Lutheran was just such a recognition of continuity of message
with change of externals through which the Spirit guided the congregation into 107 years of
proclamation. Before 1901, the founding members of this congregation worshipped in German.
That was the language of their tradition and culture. Believe it or not, it was a large debate in
Lutheran circles if the Spirit worked in English – if the Gospel could survive the translation.
That transition also spelled the loss of their new church building. A big beginning, but grounded
in the desire quote “that our children might hear and learn the Word of God also – in the English
language.” They could see their kids slipping away. They spoke a different language – English.
They had a different culture that came with it – American and not German. In a meeting lasting
until “after 11 PM” those founders voted for an ending and a beginning, and the Spirit has
blessed this congregation for 107 years.
I don’t think the decisions being made later reach that level, but that founding story is a great one
and an inspiring story. Change can be very tough. Beginnings are scary. But the Spirit calls us
to them. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God is important. We take risks to proclaim it.
Ask for His presence. The Good Shepherd will not fail to pour out his Spirit on all new
beginnings.
May our Lord and Savior inundate you with His Spirit today and everyday. Amen.