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Editors note: These devotionals are taken from the PS archives and are based on the time I spent with the Lord in His Word. I wanted to share them with you this new school year from the Gospel of Mark! Revisions have been made!

“And this was his message: ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’” (Mark 1:7-8)

^“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9)

Observations:

I learned 2 things concerning Jesus in this verse:

1. Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee.
2. Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Observations/Interpretations:

I asked myself what was the significance of Jesus coming from Nazareth in Galilee to the Jordan River?

Points 1&2: Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee to be baptized in the Jordan by John.

It is interesting that the Bible mentions that Jesus came all the way from Nazareth to the Jordan to be baptized as John prepared the way for Him. Nazareth was at least 70 miles or 3 days walking distance from the Jordan River. This showed me Jesus’ commitment to be baptized.

Not only that but 3 days stuck in my mind. In retrospect, when we look back, Jesus was in the tomb for 3 days before coming back to life. It took Jesus approximately 3 days to journey from his hometown to the Jordan River to be baptized. You have to wonder about the significance of that!

It becomes that much more interesting that John baptizes Jesus when John specifically told the people “And this was his message: ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’” (Mark 1:7-8)

If anything people may have expected John to be baptized by Jesus. It did not happen that way.

I asked myself what was the significance of Jesus’ baptism?

Mark 1:9 did not really give me the details so I looked to other Gospels to see if they gave me reasons. The Gospel of Matthew gave a reason.

“Then Jesus came into Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him.” (Matthew 3:13-15)

Jesus did not have to be baptized because He was already perfect but took the long trip and allowed John to baptize Him to set an example to the people of the importance of baptism. Not only that, but Jesus was identifying with humanity and setting an example.

It was so cool to read about Jesus’ commitment. Three days is a long trek to take to be baptized and yet Jesus took that trek. He did not allow obstacles to come in the way.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life. Baptism is important and should be followed just because Jesus Himself was baptized and was setting an example. Not only that but if I need to get something done, I should not let obstacles stand in the way. It could have been easy to reason that Galilee was right in Nazareth to be baptized in the Sea of Galilee but instead Jesus does not do that but goes all the way to the Jordan instead of asking John to come to Galilee!

I ask you now dear friend, will you take a stand?

Dear friend, Jesus set a wonderful example for us not only regarding baptism but about commitment. Jesus did not let obstacles come in the way. We too should take a stand for doing right and not let obstacles come in our way.

It will not be easy to take a stand many times for issues you believe in that are biblical but taking a stand for Jesus and the Bible is the best thing we can do. Taking a stand for doing right is the best way to go.

Trust in the Lord and allow Him to help you through the situations. Many people throughout history have taken a stand on many issues but it was not always peachy. I am not going to say that it is going to be easy but the Lord will strengthen you through the situations.

As your school year begins, your faith will be tested and put through the fire. Satan will try to burn you out and make you charred so you cannot stand up for your faith. He will bring all kinds of obstacles into your presence whether it is through professors who speak out against what is biblical, through doubts that creep in, through peer pressure to do things that go against biblical morality, etc. But, you don't have to give in!

You can take a stand! Yes, you can! Allow the Lord Jesus to help you to take a stand for Him, for He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, guiding and leading you! Yes, He will!

Jesus knew the importance of baptism so he did not let obstacles stand in the way of getting baptized. In the same way, as you are in school, taking a stand for your faith becomes very important.

I tell students whether they are followers of Christ or not really shows when they come to college. Before college, a lot of students take on their parents faith. In college, they become more independent and are bombarded with choices and situations they may have not experienced before which will determine whether they will continue to be followers of Christ or decide to go their own way. You can let obstacles control you or let the Lord of Heaven and earth help you through the obstacles. It starts with taking a stand for your faith regardless of how tough the journey will be. Friend, the Lord will get you through so don't give up regardless of the days that go by!

When you have to take a stand for a particular issue or reason and it glorifies the Lord, may you be given the strength and endurance to come through in the Name of Jesus Christ! Amen!

Savior’s Truth Accept Now Daily! (S.T.A.N.D)/”Will You Take A Stand?”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I thank you so much for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you for setting an example for us to follow. I thank you for the commitment you have shown and I pray that we will be committed to you. Help us to testify to you and point others to you, taking a stand on issues that you want us to be bold and faithful. We cannot on our own and need your help so we seek you Lord with our whole heart. Help us Jesus please. Thank you Lord. Thank you for being baptized to identify with humanity even though you did not have to. I love you Jesus and I turn my life over to you. Please Lord help each student and non-student to take a stand for you. Guide them and strengthen them through their experiences on campus. I thank you Lord Jesus for hearing our prayer and answering us. We depend on you for your help and thank you for loving us, dying for us, and coming back to life choosing to save us as we turn to you! In Your Name I Pray Jesus!!! Amen!

Love in Christ,
Ramesh