Saturday, February 16, 2013

Mark 1:9-11


Summary


Jesus came from Nazareth to where John the Baptizer was baptizing, and Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River.  When Jesus came up out of the water He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit was descending upon Him as a dove.  A voice from heaven sounded out and told Jesus that He was God’s beloved Son and that God was well-pleased with Jesus. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Have you ever wondered why Jesus was baptized by John?  After all, we just learned that the water in baptism represents a turning from the ways of our old life.  Certainly Jesus didn’t have old ways to turn from – He was sinless!  For Jesus, this is largely a moment of identification and approval.  John the Baptizer has been out in the wilderness calling people to change and wait for the Messiah.  Now, the Messiah was here.  It was time for Jesus to identify with this spiritual moment and receive the public approval from God.  Certainly, Jesus didn’t need to repent.  But those who repented needed to identify with Jesus.

What does it mean to you to realize that Jesus’ ministry began with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and your ministry begins with the same moment?  Does the fact that Jesus went through the baptism of the Holy Spirit help you feel connected to Jesus?

Second Thought:

The heavens are torn open.  This picture is similar to the event we have at Jesus’ crucifixion where the veil in the temple is torn in two.  Jesus’ ministry begins with God – who was thought to live far separated from earth in heaven – tearing down that barrier and speaking directly into the world.  At the crucifixion we’ll see how God goes one step further and through the tearing of the veil demonstrates that anyone can have direct access to God.  It is neat to see at each end of Jesus’ ministry that God made a point to demonstrate just how near He desires to come to humanity.

Have you thought about this voice from heaven with respect to God drawing near to humanity?  How does this point teach us about how closely God is willing to come to us?

Third Thought:

Jesus receives God’s approval.  The ministry of Jesus is blessed by the voice of God.  With the Holy Spirit, Jesus embarks upon a journey to change the world.  This is also mirrored by an event at the end of Jesus’ story.  After the resurrection – according to the Gospel of John – Jesus appears to His disciples and breathes upon them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.  He then tells them to go out and change the world, too.  They do.  The point we can learn here is that those with the Holy Spirit go out and change the world.

Do you have the Holy Spirit within you?  How does thinking about this passage help you to understand the significance of having the Holy Spirit within you?  How does this passage help you desire to be active in what the Holy Spirit is calling you to do – that is, to change the world?

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