Text: Mark 1: 1-20
The Gospel according to St. Mark opens by telling us that the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, requires repentance. The first words of both John the Baptist (v. 4) and Jesus Christ make that demand very clear (v. 15). By quoting Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 in verses 2-3, Mark makes it clear that the Old Testament promises of the Kingdom of God had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and that those who heard His message of the Kingdom needed
to respond in repentance and faith. Neither the preaching nor baptism was an end in itself.
The ‘about-turn’ of the Hebrew word and the ‘change of heart’ of the Greek word for repentance are both used in this text. So, John’s baptism with water was a temporary outward cleansing of sins. The purpose of this baptism was to prepare the hearts of people to receive a greater baptism of the Holy Spirit (vv.7-8). The Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit is a permanent inward cleansing, a changing of the heart and the creating of a new spiritual life within. In the corresponding passage in Matthew 3:11, Matthew writes that Jesus will not only baptise with the Holy Spirit, but He will also baptise with fire. Fire like water is also a sign of cleansing, of burning away the chaff or impurities (Matthew 3: 10, 12; 1 Peter 1:7). Also note in verses 12-13 that when God is pleased, Satan is displeased. He hates to see any body dedicating himself/herself to the Will of God. However, the Lord Jesus has power to save and to satisfy His people.
Meditate on verse 15 and compare it with Acts 17: 30. What is God teaching you in these verses?
My heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me repent and be a citizen of Your Kingdom. Amen.