Mark 1:4-8 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:4-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Verse 5And 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. Verse 6Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Verse 7He 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. Verse 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Devotion
Today in the United States there are many signs with this inscription: "God Bless America." When I was a young lad, I saw signs, too. Not as many, but enough to make me take notice. They read: "America, repent or perish."
John the Baptizer had that kind of message for his nation, his people and his time. He proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Thousands came out into the desert and were baptized.
Our baptism into Christ is also a baptism of repentance. But we often neglect that part, the part that Luther put in the Small Catechism: What does Baptism mean for daily living? "It means that our sinful self, with all its deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever." Amen!
Prayer
Forgive us, Lord, our sins of omission, especially the daily repentance. Rekindle in us, by your Spirit, the drowning of our sinful self and the resurrection of a new self. In Jesus' name, Amen.