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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Jesus Will Baptize with the Holy Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[John the Baptizer:] "I baptize you with water, but [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.""
A Life in Service
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[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. ..."
Preparing Hearts for Jesus
Article by Phil Ware
The sequence of grace — serving before saving! Phil Ware shares insight on the beginning of Mark's gospel and how salvation is preceded by service, serving comes before saving, and the gospel always begins with a servant.
The Good News of Jesus Begins with a Servant
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus emphasized that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is a servant, and then defined his personal mission as serving those who are lost. Phil Ware continues his reflections on his gospel studies and shares how we can become JesuShaped by becoming servants like John the Baptizer and four friends.
See All 6 Related Resources about Mark 1:7-8

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!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, January 6, 2024

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 148:14
"The dispensation of the old covenant was that of distance. When God appeared even to his servant Moses, he said, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 John 4:16
"We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Sing with Joy!' (Je. 31:7-9)
"Sing with joy for Israel. Shout for the greatest of nations! Shout out with praise and joy: "Save your people, O Lord, the remnant of Israel!" For I....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Faith Saves and Is Rewarded' (He. 11:7)
"It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!