Expecting the Divine?
Opening Prayer
Before you pray, quiet yourself before God and then ask him to increase your sensitivity to his Word.
Read Mark 1:1-8
[1] The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, [2] as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”- [3] “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” [4] And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [5] The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. [6] John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. [7] And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. [8] I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 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
Who is the "messenger" of whom Isaiah spoke?In this earliest of the Gospel accounts, Mark began by saying straight out that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God (1), and then dove straight into the Old Testament (2,3), making clear to his readers that Jesus fitted into the Jewish understanding of God’s salvation plan for the world. John the Baptist is portrayed as the messenger. He comes into a culture of expectation in ancient Palestine where the people of Israel were crying out to God to deliver them from Roman occupation. John comes calling people to repentance and to a moral cleansing in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He will be not just a political deliverer, but the very Son of God. This incredible miracle that God would come into the world in human form exceeds all our expectations. Jesus wasn’t what the Jews expected and his work in your life might not meet your expectations. We often look for a human savior, a way out of our situation; but God’s response is to enter into the midst of our lives and offer not just a cleansing water baptism but a transforming baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Apply
What expectations of Jesus do you have? Will you allow Jesus to transform you and your circumstances today?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray that You will remake my expectations, my circumstances and my very life with Your transforming power.
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