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Prepare: In God’s presence write down how you feel right now. You may be hungry or sleepy, anxious or excited about a big event or new season in life. Be honest with God and with yourself and offer up your feelings to him now, asking him to speak to you.
Man of action
Mark certainly doesn’t mince his words. His Gospel is the most succinct and the most action-packed. Mark has a punchy message to deliver – that Jesus was the Son of God.
But Jesus didn’t just float around, glowing and bestowing miraculous gifts. He was also human and he went through a very human rite of passage: baptism.
Beginning with baptism
Baptism was understood to bring forgiveness for sin (1:4); but Jesus’ baptism was somewhat different; for him it was a pivotal moment of affirmation. The Holy Spirit came on him and his heavenly Father acknowledged him (v 11).
This marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and this strong affirmation of his identity prepared him for the time of temptation which followed. Jesus was the God-man and his time in the desert consolidated his dependence on God and his obedience to God. You can read a fuller account of Jesus’ temptations in Matthew 4:1–11.
Respond: The identity of Jesus changes everything for us – as God and man, he can redeem our humanity. Likewise knowing our identity changes everything for us: the decisions we make, the people we relate to.
Meditate on 1 John 3:1 today, and each time you make choices consider the options in the light of your identity as a child of God.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-01-17
Man of action
Mark certainly doesn’t mince his words. His Gospel is the most succinct and the most action-packed. Mark has a punchy message to deliver – that Jesus was the Son of God.
But Jesus didn’t just float around, glowing and bestowing miraculous gifts. He was also human and he went through a very human rite of passage: baptism.
Beginning with baptism
Baptism was understood to bring forgiveness for sin (1:4); but Jesus’ baptism was somewhat different; for him it was a pivotal moment of affirmation. The Holy Spirit came on him and his heavenly Father acknowledged him (v 11).
This marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and this strong affirmation of his identity prepared him for the time of temptation which followed. Jesus was the God-man and his time in the desert consolidated his dependence on God and his obedience to God. You can read a fuller account of Jesus’ temptations in Matthew 4:1–11.
Respond: The identity of Jesus changes everything for us – as God and man, he can redeem our humanity. Likewise knowing our identity changes everything for us: the decisions we make, the people we relate to.
Meditate on 1 John 3:1 today, and each time you make choices consider the options in the light of your identity as a child of God.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-01-17
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
