July 8, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:9-13
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
Jesus knew about John the Baptist, and purposefully travelled the 80 miles (4 days travel) to see him.
The land was buzzing with stories of people changed, sinners repenting, even religious leaders and roman soldiers.
Jesus knows that He too must submit to God and repent – not because He is a sinner but because He is a humble saint.
Though Jesus’ is the Word of God in flesh, His primary self-awareness was as a human being.
He did not live each day thinking, ‘I am God’; He emptied Himself of that identity and consciousness.
“Though he was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7, RSV)
When God says ‘You are my Son’, He is not honouring Him because He is the God in the flesh, but because He is a faithful, humble, obedient ‘Adam’ (see Luke 3:38), the kind of Son that God is looking for!
We too can hear this declaration – “you are my son, my daughter, whom I love!” – because through Jesus we have received the right to be called sons and daughters of God (John 1:12).
Notice that this new identity does not guarantee us an easy life – God’s Spirit drives Him into a wilderness experience to be tested by the devil – but it does guarantee Him God’s support (angels and animals) through that wilderness.
This is our confidence too: if we humble ourselves before God, hating sin and hungering for rightness, God will honour us as His children and provide for us along the way, until we arrive home with Him!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I am Your brother; I am not sinless, like You, but I am forgiven, and I am loved. Help me to daily humble myself like You, and trust that like You, I will be cared for through the wilderness until my final homecoming.
Observation:
Jesus was baptized by John and God’s Spirit came upon Him. Up to this time very little is known about the Christ. The Father was pleased by His Son. Then Christ was sent into the wilderness to be tempted but the angels attended Him.
Application:
God’s Spirit also rests upon His people and can it be said that He is well pleased by me? As first Adam was tempted so the second Adam – Jesus Christ – was tempted. So am I. What is my response? I too have the promise that He is with me wherever I go. I too have His protection.
Prayer:
Help me on my journey Lord. Lead and guide me by Your Spirit Lord.
Lead on, O King eternal,
We follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning
Where’er Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted over us,
We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.