Believe God Exists

Quote: From the start of the Gospel of Mark

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way;

the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with[ water; but he will baptize you with[g] the Holy Spirit."

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

-- end quote


How better for a valley to be lifted and a mountain made low than by economic equalising by people with two coats giving to those with none. What better way to make way for Jesus. When there are no bumps and all is level as a plain then light travels further and all can see it. The glory of God was seen far and wide when oppulence and wealth was replaced by charitable giving to create a level field and then when that way is made the Son of Man from heaven appears to all in first century AD Judea - to Israel and then to Gentiles and then the ends of the Earth. As prophesies had foretold. Put in some deliberate fight to fend off doubt and believe.

Here is that quoted prophesy of Isaiah centuries before John the Baptist's preaching

3 A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all people shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Luke's gospel wrote of John the Baptist's preaching

Luke 3:10-12New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”