January 8, 2012 Baptism of the Lord Mark 1: 4 - 11



Baptism



Iona Baptismal Font



Have you been baptized?

Have you witnessed a baptism?

Remember what you can about those experiences--

        Journal those impressions.

Read of Jesus' baptism in Mark's account:

4-6John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.

7-8As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out."

9-11At this time, 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."

Why do you think Jesus went to the river Jordon and joined in John's baptism for repentance of sin?
How do you react to John--his work, his appearance, his proclamation?
Would you have joined the throng?
What do you imagine Jesus felt, experienced, as he came out of the water?

Ponder your life in the Spirit.  Offer yourself to God in prayer.  Listen for God's words to you.