Daily Devotionals

Trouble Maker Week 2: Wednesday

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. Mark 1:9

Looking at the life and ministry of Jesus, one thing that stands out to me is His humility. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Son of God. When He was living on earth, He had all reason to seek to be served and live for Himself, but instead, He practiced humility. He thought about other people. He lived His life to save the rest of the world from sin. One of the places we can observe Him practicing humility in Scripture is through His baptism.

Yesterday in our Bible study, we looked at Matthew’s account of His baptism. Today let’s look at the account of Jesus’ baptism in Mark chapter 1. Like Matthew’s account, Mark explains that John the Baptist called people to be baptized “to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven” (verse 4). In the middle of this baptism, Jesus came and asked John to baptize Him (verse 5). This was an incredible act of humility. You see, Jesus did not need to repent from sin and be forgiven. Jesus was sinless. Jesus was God. In His humility, He chose to be baptized. He set an example for each of us to choose baptism when we have placed our faith in Him.

Baptism still requires humility. You see, it requires us to recognize that we have sinned and are repenting, or turning away from, our sins. It requires us to let go of our old way of life to our new life in Christ. It is not always easy to acknowledge our sins and struggles, but it is necessary. When we come to Him, He is always willing to forgive us and restore our relationship with Him.

Not only did Jesus show humility when He was baptized, but He walked 80 miles from His hometown to take this step. This required a sacrifice on His part. In that same way, when we are baptized, this act of humility might cost us something. It might be friends, comfort, or the approval of our parents or other relatives, but it is always worth it!

Moving toward action

When was the last time you practiced the act of confession, or acknowledging your sins and telling God that you are sorry for your sins? Take time right now to do just that. Confess your sins to God. Tell Him the ways you have lived in a way that has dishonored Him. Confess your sins. Tell Him you are sorry and commit to leaving those sins behind. Ask Him for help as you seek to do these things.

Going Deeper

Mark 1:1-15 (NLT)

"This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began 2 just as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way.
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’”

4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

7 John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.

14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News.m15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”