Skip to main content

repentance

Mark 1:4&5
"4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins."

You and I know the Gospel events, and we have the word of God to read and study. All of us can read and appreciate the words of the Apostle John we read yesterday. "Behold, what manner of LOVE the Father hath bestowed upon US, that WE SHOULD be called the SONS of GOD: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."

The world doesn't know our Lord and Savior. Much of it is willful ignorance. When someone wants to know Jesus there are plentiful places to help them. And, there are several times during the year when it's right to get to know Jesus. One of them is the Epiphany.  Observed on January 6, it is the OLDEST of the Christmas festivals and ORIGINALLY the MOST important. It is also a season that lasts until the beginning of LENT. During these weeks it's right and proper to remember the events that revealed the divinity of Jesus Christ. 

This week we will study Jesus's Baptism from the verses of Mark's Gospel. Today's verses "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of REPENTANCE for the REMISSION of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins." The Baptizer is the voice calling out in the wilderness making way for the Messiah. He is telling everyone who will listen that the Savior is about to arrive. John offers them the chance to repent of their sins and turn their hearts and minds towards GOD!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

to be taller

Matthew 6:27 "27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" Jesus has questions... Beginning our study this week with "Why Do You Worry?" Questions have always been a cornerstone of education, used to assess students’ knowledge, promote comprehension, and stimulate critical thinking. Well-crafted questions lead to new insights, generate discussion, and promote the comprehensive exploration of the subject. It makes sense that GOD would use questions VERY effectively. In yesterday's verses, Jesus asked "Are you not MUCH BETTER than birds?" His questions do not end there. In today's verse we read another one, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" This is a sentence our culture needs to learn. No anxiety, no thinking, no wanting will alter our bodily height, or any other condition of our life that is fixed by God’s laws. We often wish things were different than they are, but our "wo...

we also...

Romans 6:3&4 "3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." In our studies we are striving to understand God’s love and care. God's unconditional love for His followers, appreciating that we are part of GOD’S family! God is with us from cradle to grave. His divine presence is always giving us purpose and guidance. One of the most important milestones in the life of a Christian is baptism. When we are baptized, an indelible mark is made on our soul. This mark signifies a permanent transformation and dedication of the individual to God. The act of Baptism involves water and the invocation of the Holy Trinity. This ritual is seen as a symbolic washing away of original sin and a new birth into the life of Christ. Baptism is a foundational s...

praise Him

Luke 1:51-53 "51 He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away." This is Mary's Magnificat. Beginning with verse forty-six Mary's responds to Elizabeth’s blessing is EPIC! In this poem Mary praises GOD for His blessing to her and His faithfulness to Israel.  Mary's Magnificat also highlights a series of reversals in which the proud are humbled and the humble are exalted! Which we read in today's verses; "He hath shewed STRENGTH with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and EXALTED them of low degree. He hath FILLED the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away." We should marvel at GOD'S choice of this poor young girl to be the m...