Read Mark 1:1-8

Read Mark 1:1-8

This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.^{a 2}It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: “God said,

‘I will send my messenger ahead of you

to clear the way for you.’

³     Someone is shouting in the desert,

‘Get the road ready for the Lord;

make a straight path for him to travel!’ ”

4 So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching.^b “Turn away from your sins and be baptized,” he told the people, “and God will forgive your sins.” ⁵Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the River Jordan.

6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁷He announced to the people, “The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals. ⁸I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Think

John anticipated the coming of Jesus the Messiah.  He told the people to repent - to change direction.

Do you need to repent?

What directions are you heading in that only lead to brokenness?

Pray

Lord Jesus, I am baptized with water - baptize me with your Spirit too so that I would be more like you.

Amen.

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^a Some manuscripts do not have the Son of God.

² 1.2: Ml 3:1

³ 1.3: Is 40:3 (LXX)

^b John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching; some manuscripts have John the Baptist appeared in the desert, preaching.

6  1.6: 2 K 1:8