Are You Ready?
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, I ask You to come and illuminate my heart and mind so I can learn from You and obey.
Read Mark 1:9-13
[9] At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. [11] And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” [12] At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, [13] and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How was Jesus’ divine sonship affirmed here?Jesus’ baptism marked the public start of his ministry and his identification as the “one who is more powerful” whose coming John had promised (7). Heaven was opened as the three Persons of the Trinity worked together. The voice from heaven endorsed Jesus’ credentials as God’s own beloved Son. And the visible coming of the Spirit signified that the power of God was at the Son’s disposal.
These are useful pointers for us to bear in mind. Are we certain that we belong to God and know him as our loving Father? If so, we’ve received the Holy Spirit. It’s good to be sure, because the next episode in our story reflects what happened next to Jesus—a time of testing.
From Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts of the temptation, we know that all Satan’s cunning couldn’t shift Jesus from his complete dependence on and trust in God. Jesus refused to misuse the power and the status which had just been confirmed to him. His responses showed that he understood the challenges ahead and was willing to follow God’s way, whatever the cost.
Apply
How well equipped are you to withstand temptation? What more could you do to ensure that?
Closing prayer
Lord, I pray for the presence of Your Holy Spirit so I can stand firm in my faith for You.
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