Understanding Gospel Accounts

When you read the Gospel of Mark, you might notice something unique: the sequence of events doesn’t always align with our modern expectations of a perfectly chronological narrative. This might feel disorienting, but it’s essential to approach ancient texts with an understanding of their purpose and audience.

The Gospels are historical accounts, but they’re also sermons—crafted to make theological points and written with specific audiences in mind. Mark’s Gospel, for instance, is addressed to Christians in Italy and Rome, believers facing intense persecution. It’s a rapid, action-packed narrative, likely reflecting Peter’s vivid recollections of Jesus’ ministry.

Unlike modern biographies, ancient writers were less concerned with chronological precision and more focused on meaning. To read a Gospel like Mark through a purely modern lens is to risk missing its richness and depth. The question isn’t just what happened, but what the author is trying to teach us about who Jesus is and what He’s doing in the world.

Beginning in the Wilderness

Mark’s Gospel starts not in a city or a temple but in the wilderness. Why? The wilderness holds deep symbolic significance. John the Baptist steps onto the stage of redemptive history in this barren, solitary place. It’s here, in the midst of the dry and desolate, that God begins His work of renewal.

The wilderness is more than a backdrop; it’s a theme. Throughout Scripture, God does something profound in wilderness spaces. It’s in the wilderness that He meets His people, strips away distractions, and brings new life to dry places.

Life’s wilderness seasons often feel isolating. Comforts are removed, and hidden truths about ourselves rise to the surface. But these hard, empty places are not meant for our destruction. Hosea 2 reminds us that God allures His people into the wilderness not to harm them but to draw them into deeper intimacy. The wilderness is an invitation to reflection, repentance, and renewal.

Are You in a Wilderness Season?

How do you know if you’re in a wilderness season?

• You feel isolated.
• Familiar comforts are gone.
• Life’s challenges expose areas of your heart that might otherwise stay hidden.

This season can feel harsh, but it’s also an opportunity. Don’t waste the wilderness.

Whether it’s a relational challenge, a job loss, or a time of spiritual dryness, ask God what He wants to reveal. The wilderness is a place of preparation, where the old is removed to make way for the new.

Stepping Into Wilderness Intentionally

Even if you’re not in a wilderness season, you might need to create one. Why didn’t John the Baptist preach in the city? Because people had to step away from their routines to truly hear.

In our busy lives, we rarely make space for reflection. What could it look like to step back from comforts or distractions to prepare the way for the Lord?

Consider:

• Removing something that’s crowding your time or heart—social media, endless commitments, or even unhelpful relationships.
• Reflecting on areas of your life that need adjustment.
• Allowing God to highlight what needs to be cut out to make room for renewal.

This isn’t about misery; it’s about creating space for God to move.

Preparing the Way in 2025

What would it look like to prepare the way of the Lord in your life this coming year? This isn’t self-actualization or a quest for personal improvement.

It’s about inviting Jesus to take center stage. The life Jesus offers is always preceded by death—death to self, to old habits, and to anything that hinders His work in us.

This year, let’s embrace the wilderness as a space for God’s transformative work. Bring Him your time, your passions, and your resources. Allow Him to remove what’s unnecessary so that He can renew what’s vital. Reflection leads to repentance, and repentance leads to renewal. And in this process, we prepare the way for the Lord’s presence in our lives.