What Jesus Did! 'The Holy Spirit' — Mark 1:7-8

Saturday, January 6, 2024

John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am... I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"
— Mark 1:7-8 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus has the power and authority to send the Spirit and make us new. John could talk about the Holy Spirit and operate by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and he could promise the coming of the Holy Spirit. However, he could not baptize in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit wasn't part of his baptism. [1] Only Jesus can make us new by the power of the Holy Spirit. We each seriously need to consider whether we have let him make us truly new.

[1] Acts 19:1-3.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, thank you for the gift and power of the Holy Spirit who is at work in your children. Lord Jesus, thank you for sending this Spirit into our lives. Holy Spirit, I pray that you will mold me and make me into the person I need to be to share the grace of God with others as I should. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:7-8 NLT — John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am... I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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