Daily Devotions
Mark
Day 17
Text: Mark 1 "Who are kept by the power of God..." 1 Peter 1:5
THE PHENOMENALLY SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
How effective was the preaching ministry of John the Baptist? Mark made this observation.
“Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem,
went out to him and were all baptised by him in the Jordan River,
confessing their sins.”MARK 1:5
John’s success as the forerunner of the Messiah was phenomenal. No one for centuries had this kind of success in drawing such huge crowds.
1. Judea was reached.
2. Even the capital, Jerusalem was also drawn to John the Baptist.
THE UNDERLYING REASONS BENEATH THE SUCCESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
What were some of the underlying factors that accounted for the success of John’s ministry?
1. The Power of the Lord
It was the Lord who sent forth John as the forerunner of the Messiah. His power would be mightily exercised through the ministry of John.
2. The Power of the Spirit of God
The Spirit of God covered John from the time he was conceived. That same power must have been at work in ministry. The Spirit of God must have mightily, convict people of their sins.
3. The Power of the Word of God
How wonderful it is to read and to believe that there is such power in the Word of God. Let us ponder this precious word in the following text.
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”ISAIAH 55:11
4. The power of Preaching
John’s preaching was not focused on condemning people for their sins. Yes, he did address the problem of sin. John preached a message of forgiveness, of remission of sins. He also proclaimed a message of preparation of the soon-arrival of the Messiah.