What Jesus Did! 'Baptized' — Mark 1:9

Sunday, January 7, 2024

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.
— Mark 1:9 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus was a real person who came from a real place called Nazareth in the province of Galilee. He was baptized in a real river, the Jordan. In other words, Jesus' story is more than a story; it is history. Yet more than just history, it is God's saving history. A special part of that history is Jesus' baptism. His baptism is important for a number of reasons:
  • It is a signal of the beginning of Jesus' ministry.
  • It is an opportunity for God to affirm his Son, as we will see in subsequent verses.
  • It is a way for Jesus to identify with people seeking to be ready for the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God.
  • It is a way for Jesus "to fulfill all righteousness." [1]
  • For us, however, there is another great truth about Jesus' baptism: It is something we can join him in doing if we truly turn our lives toward God as those who came to John did.

God's saving history demonstrated in Jesus can intersect our lives. What a blessing of grace!

[1] Matthew 3:13-15 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, thank you for offering me the opportunity to share in the life of Jesus. Help me know your will more fully as I study Jesus' life in the Gospel of Mark. Thank you for letting my life intersect the life of your Son through baptism. Dear Father, please conform me to the character of your Son through the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Dear Loved by God
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"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..."
Pride of God's Life!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[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..."
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.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:9 NLT — One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, January 7, 2024

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Called to Make Disciples, Everywhere!'
"Jesus came to them and said:I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Malachi 2:16
""I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,"...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Vulnerable God'
"Dear Beloved, The story of My first two years speaks of vulnerability. I was born to a young woman far from home and without friends and family with...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Matthew 10:34
"The Christian will be sure to make enemies. It will be one of his objects to make none; but if to do the right, and to believe the true, should cause...."

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!