Mark 1:4-11 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:4-11 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."
Verse 9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Verse 10And 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. Verse 11And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Devotion
At his baptism, Jesus was declared to be God’s Son, commissioned to proclaim the good news, and given the Spirit. This led to a mighty conflict in the world between God and the forces of evil, beginning immediately when the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (1:14-15; cf. Matt. 4:1-11). Immediately after that, Jesus began to proclaim that the reign of God was at hand and people should repent and believe the good news of salvation (1:15). Ultimately this conflict led to Jesus’ death on a cross because of the world’s and our sin.
When we are baptized into Christ and his way, we are baptized into his death (as Paul writes in Romans 6). Christ’s way is at odds with the way of sin and evil and if we are his they will seek to conquer us as well. Yet just as God the Father raised Jesus from death, we too are given the promise that we will be raised. This sets us free now to live as new creatures.
Prayer
O God our Father, keep us faithful, grant us courage, and give us insight. Through your Spirit turn us to you in prayer, to your Son in discipleship, to those who have not yet heard the good news in love and in speech, and to the needy in service. We ask all these things through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.