So many people wonder why the Gospel of Mark begins with the actual ministering of John the Baptist, rather than the record of the birth of Jesus, as the other accounts do.
With the profound truth that the four Gospels catalogue the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, the most simple explanation that I can think of, is that Mark actually bridges the gap between the Book of Malachi, and his prophecy of the messenger coming again.
As a side note; I find it troubling that there are some who do not see the benefit, and value, of the entire scope of Scripture. The Bible is, on its own, an amazing magnifying glass on the very nature of God – through the ages.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; [2] As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. [3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. – Mark 1:1-3 KJV
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord : [6] And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. – Malachi 4:5-6 KJV
The other synoptic Gospels (Matthew and Luke) trace the genealogies back through King David, all the way back to Adam. These prove that Jesus is the legitimate heir to the everlasting throne of David.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. – Luke 1:32-33 KJV
Meanwhile, the Gospel of John takes the reader all the way back to eternity, showing that Jesus is, not only the King of Israel, but He is God, and IS God forever.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. – John 1:1-5 KJV
These simple truths show the incredible order in the Bible. The more we study the Scriptures the more we see the grand design of the Lord. His ways are perfect, indeed. And, He has given us, mere mortals, access to His wonderful will.
The Believer – one who has believed the Gospel of Salvation, has this access to God – through the Bible!
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. – 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 KJV
In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, – Ephesians 1:13 KJV
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. [15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. [16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 KJV
Christian; if you are not reading, and studying, your Bible you are missing out on the greatest opportunity to know the Lord. It is a sad state that the professing Church is in. So many have turned away from the exposition of Scripture, and replaced it with human philosophy, and other vain practices which only make the flesh feel better.
Bob Picard, Pastor, God’s Grace Bible Church,
Millbury, Massachusetts – www.godsgracebc.org – info@godsgracebc.org
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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