Mark 1:1-11

Illustration of Mark 1:9-11 NLT -- 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.'

Illustration of Mark 1:1-3 NLT -- This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began 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!' "

Illustration of Mark 1:9-11 MESSAGE -- [When John the Baptizer was proclaiming the coming of Jesus], Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life."

Illustration of Mark 1:6-7 NLT -- [John the Baptist's] 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."

Illustration of Mark 1:11 -- And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Illustration of Mark 1:5 NLT -- 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.

Illustration of Mark 1:1 NLT -- This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

Illustration of Mark 1:11 NLT -- And a voice from heaven said [to Jesus following his baptism], "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy."

Illustration of Mark 1:8 NIV -- [John the Baptizer:] "I baptize you with water, but [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Illustration of Mark 1:10 MESSAGE -- The moment [Jesus] came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him.

Illustration of Mark 1:10 NLT -- As Jesus came up out of the water [after his baptism], he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.

Illustration of Mark 1:4 NLT -- This messenger [to prepare the way for Jesus] 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.

Inspirational illustration of Mark 1:11 -- And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased."