Daily Devotions
Mark
Day 20
Text: Mark 1 "That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes." 1 Peter 1:7
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
The baptism of Jesus was quietly noted with the following words.
“It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from
Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised by John in the Jordan.”MARK 1:9
1. What the Baptism of Jesus did not represent
a) Though the word “baptism” was employed, it held a different significance.
b) Jesus had no sins to confess and thus was not a repentance of baptism for Him.
2. What the Baptism of Jesus must have represented
a) This was Jesus’ inauguration to His public ministry.
b) The Baptism of Jesus may thus be described as His anointing for ministry.
THE ANOINTING OF JESUS
How may we know that this is in fact the case? Let us take time to ponder the following words.
“And immediately, coming up from the water,
He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him
like a dove.
Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.'”MARK 1:10-11
1. The significance lay in this anointing of the Holy Spirit
a) The significance did not lie in John’s work of baptizing Jesus.
b) The true significance lay in the giving of the Spirit of God to Jesus.
2. The significance lay in the declaration of God Himself
a) The declaration that Jesus was indeed His beloved Son.
b) The heavenly declaration confirmed that God was most pleased with Jesus.
What a spectacular sight that must have been. Out of thousands who came to be baptised, only ONE Person was given the special unction of the Holy Spirit.