Mark 1: 7 “And he (John the Baptist) preached, saying, ‘there comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.”
Dear God,
Thank You God for Your precious word. Mark 1 is such a rich chapter, in revealing Christ to me – as well as the ministry of John the Baptist. Though Christ had not sinned, He was baptized by John, thus identifying with all sinners, thereby giving us an example for when we accept Christ and start our converted life with Him. Those who had witnessed the baptism of Christ received a special blessing, by seeing a dove come down upon Him, as He came out of the water, which signified the Holy Spirit, descending down upon Jesus, verse 10. John in Mark 1:8 had said that he baptized with water, and then referring to Jesus “but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit”.
Mark 1: 11 is a wonderful picture of love, as the Father of Jesus spoke from heaven “You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The onlookers that had heard God’s voice from heaven would never forget this scene, which would have filled them with awe, and maybe fear. Surely for most, their faith in Jesus must have begun to grow, and they would remember this day well, as the ministry of Jesus unfolded before them. Sadly however, some went away unimpressed; especially the church leaders, with their preconceived ideas unshaken.
Please, God as I read, grow my belief and faith in You, and keep me from allowing these marvelous workings and acts, from becoming ordinary, or be taken for granted in such a way that I feel no need to draw closer to You?
Then the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, for a testing by Satan. From this Jesus could not be shielded. Jesus withstood His test without miraculous intervention from heaven, or using any other defense, other than the mighty strength of the Holy Spirit, and He was victorious over Satan. His public ministry now had begun, through the Spirit; based on His communication by prayer, with His Father in heaven.
Jesus knew His great need of prayer, and again is our example, in that, even after a long day occupied in many aspects of His ministry, such as teaching, healing the sick and casting out demons, Jesus still got up early to go to a quiet place and pray to His Father, as seen in V 35 “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed.”
Please Lord; enable me to get up at Your time for prayer and meditation each morning, after having slept a sweet sleep, in trust and confidence in your abiding love and protection?
Amen