Daily Devotional in Mark 1

Daily Nugget:
The Scriptures have much to say about baptism. In Mark 1, one can glean some important facts about this step of obedience. Some of what is seen in this chapter should dispel what many think or practice in baptism.

In Mark 1:9, one reads that even Jesus was baptized. This should prick the hearts of those that are saved and never humbled themselves to be scripturally baptized. If Jesus was baptized, certainly those that are saved should also.

The fact that Jesus was baptized should show baptism does not “wash away sin” as some believe. Jesus had no sin to wash away. Baptism is simply a biblical commandment that should be obeyed.

When Jesus was baptized, God immediately spoke to Him and expressed that He was pleased with what His Son had done (Mark 1:11). When we follow Christ’s example by being scripturally baptized, the Father is also pleased with one of our first steps of obedience. Unfortunately, too many do not obey God in this area and never grow spiritually because they have grieved the Spirit of God by their disobedience. The rest of their lives may be affected by their never taking that first step of doing what God has required of them.

Right after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit directed Him to do something else (Mark 1:13). If Jesus did not get baptized, His ministry might not have gone any further. Right after we show God that we will do whatever He tells us by obeying His first command, He will use us further. Our obedience to God’s commandments is paramount.

This instance also teaches that baptism is by immersion, not sprinkling christening waters over a baby’s head. We read in verse 10 that Christ came “out of the water.” He was physically in the water. Christening does not picture the death, burial, and resurrection that immersion does in the baptismal waters.

When christening is performed today, it is done to babies. In the Bible, all instances of baptism involve believers. How can a baby know who Jesus is, let alone that what they are doing is picturing what the Saviour did for him? Christening is not scriptural baptism and is a relatively modern denominational practice.

If you have been saved, have you obeyed God by being baptized? God will be pleased if you obey Him in this area.

Additional Reading: Baptism.

Today’s Thought: 
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Col. 2:12

Words to Understand:
Latchet: laces, as a shoe lace; a leather strap used to attach a shoe to a foot
Repentance: Halting from continuing in sin, often replacing that iniquity with behavior that God commands or approves of; behavior changing remorse in doing wrong.
Straightway: immediately
Synagogue: A Jewish place of worship

Today’s Reading:
Mark 1
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
14 ¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 ¶ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
29 ¶ And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
40 ¶ And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

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