Mark 1:4-11 v 8 “I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the holy spirit.!”
The messenger was John the Baptist. He preached in the wilderness. People came from all over to listen to him. They confessed their sins and were baptized with water. His clothes were basic , camel hair and leather. His food is locusts and honey. His message- Someone is coming soon who is greater than I. I baptize with water; He will baptize with the Holy Sirit! One day Jesus came. As he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting open and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and a voice said” You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
I just picked up my book for the newest university course I am taking. It has the title” Life Examined” Foundational themes in ethical and socio-political thought edited by Nick Garside, Johnathan Lavery, and Charles Wells. Today’s passage is a foundational thought regarding Christian religion. We worship one God, but He has three distinct parts, and all come together here. Another foundational thought is that anyone can hear the voice of God and follow Him. In the detailed description of John, the Baptist his clothes, living arrangements and food are minimalistic. Yet people from all over came to hear what he was saying. There is something about the word of God that all people find they can relate to. Once they hear it they cannot go back, they change who they are. Why? For the simple joys demonstrated here. To hear God’s voice, follow the teachings of Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit. The first theme we discussed was an essay by Kant, written a few years before the French revolution about Freedom and enlightenment but obedience both needed for maturity identifies for me the joy found in obedience to God’s plan and freedom found in pursuing it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank you for the Good News in the bible that shows us how to find you and joy in this world. Amen.
CrossWalk 