‘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. 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. ‘ Mark 1:4-5(NLT)
‘just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord ’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ ” 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. 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. 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. 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. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”’ Mark 1:2-11(NLT)
‘Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!’ Philippians 3:8-11(NLT)
QUIET MOMENT
As women, we don’t necessarily have a hard time following. In fact we are very inclined to follow current trends, the culture around us, or whatever is accepted in our social setting. Following only seems to become difficult when we are asked to be different, to go into the unknown, or to go against what everyone else is doing.
Are you willing to head off to a place you do not know? To venture out and follow Him wherever He calls you to go?
GOING DEEPER
Throngs from Judea and Jerusalem were going out to meet John. Some have estimated that perhaps around 300,000 people went out to be baptized by John. While this number may or may not be accurate, it is safe to say many more people came than we might envision.
Read Mark 1:2-11.
1. What did Isaiah the prophet say about John? Whose way was he preparing?
2. Who was going out to see John?
3. Who was John, and why was he in the wilderness?
4. What did John say about the one who was coming?
5. Why do you think the Father was “well pleased” with his Son?
All of those who came to be baptized by John in the Jordan traveled a considerable distance. It was not a ride to the local grocery superstore. Quite a sacrifice was involved. Are you willing to head off to a place you do not know and follow God wherever He leads? It takes time and deliberate effort to seek after the things of the kingdom. I hope you will leave everything behind to follow Him. You may have done this when you first came to Christ, but it is a continual way of life. Daily we are to pick up our cross, die to what we want, and follow Him. Read how Paul put it in Philippians 3:8-11. What would it cost you to follow the Lord? What does He want you to leave behind?
REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Allow the Spirit to search your heart. What is He showing you? Close in a prayer to the Lord.
TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART AND BRINGING IT TO LIFE
Choose one truth from today and apply it to your heart. Take it with you throughout the day.
from Jesus, I Need You Part 3