“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 verse 1:9:
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 by
John, the Baptist 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 the
Fall of 2005 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, through family life of those that are not followers
of Christ, 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, at home, or at work
this Fall of 2005, 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, at work,
at home, or wherever they are placed. 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!
If you would like to invite Jesus
Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can
this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises
for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His
wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to
the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in
your heart.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord.
I am so sorry for my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong
things I have done and messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now
and in the years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what
only you can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You
alone love me unconditionally for who I am. Thank you Jesus! I turn
myself to you Oh Lord in this Fall of September 2005. Please forgive me of
all my sins and come into my heart. I accept
you Jesus into my heart. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart. Thanks
for forgiving me of all my sins. Thanks for giving me a new identity in
you. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my
heart that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I
give myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you
Jesus for the coming days we can do things together. Thanks for being my
Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and
answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's
storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Friend, you may feel something
or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come
into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!
Get yourself involved in a
campus Bible study, fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing
church and be involved to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord.
They all need to be supplements for your own precious time with the Lord
in prayer and meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me
know!
If you
need anyone to talk to, pray with, or study the Bible with this Fall of
September 2005, you can email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
Next Devotional:
How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?
Express your view
