What Jesus Did! 'The Heavens Split Apart' — Mark 1:10

Monday, January 8, 2024

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.
— Mark 1:10 NLT

Key Thought

Something dramatic, earthshaking, and eternally significant happened in Jesus' baptism. All who witnessed this event, and all of us who read about it, can't escape the power and significance of this moment. The heavens were torn apart. [1] The distance between God in heaven and mortals was collapsed. The Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove on Jesus to show God's approval, blessing, and anointing of Jesus as his Son, the King. Jesus' baptism was a turning point - not just for Jesus, but for us as well. Our baptism, though clearly not as dramatic as the Lord's, is a turning point, too. We need to think about the significance of both the Lord's baptism and our own.

[1] Mark 1:10 NRSV.

Today's Prayer

Father, I thank you for a clear marker in my past that designates the turning point of my life. Jesus is my Lord. You are my Father. The power of the Holy Spirit lives in me. I praise you and thank you for a fresh start and the power to have a new beginning. Please help me share this freshness of your grace with others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Moment of Glory
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"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."
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..."

Illustration

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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, January 8, 2024

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'What Causes Our Fights and Quarrels?' (Ja. 4:1-2)
"What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Instilled with Truth' (2 Ti. 2:8-13)
"Dear Father, Let my remembrance and my devotions be set upon Jesus Christ, a descendant of David according to the flesh but an heir of your riches..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'So We Can Thank You' (Ps. 106:47-48)
"Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. Praise the Lord, the God of..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Treasure in Fragile Clay Pots'
"Dear Precious Follower, In Paul's day, the Greek language had two words for two different types of pots. One was called an amphiphora. An amphiphora...."

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!