QT 10/10/2023 Mark 1:9-11, Events could be leading to major changes in our world

Mark 1:9–11 (ESV) —

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

 

NOTE: In this passage, we see the triune God inaugurating the mission to save mankind. God the Father speaks, the Holy Spirit like a dove descending, and Jesus, the son of God coming out of the waters. John participated, not only in preaching to prepare the way but in baptizing Jesus. Why was this important or even necessary? God is very clear in his use of miraculous signs that something different is happening. The law was given under a tremendous amount of miracles and change. Here, once again, God is using signs to clearly confirm that something different is happening. Signs and events are meant to wake us up. If we weren't so dull and blinded by sin, we would not need these markers. But God, in his grace and mercy, gives us signs and warnings so that we might not miss out on the truth.

 

There seems to be a lot happening these days in the world. None seems miraculous, only very noisy. It could be God speaking through events. It could be leading up to something. In the tribulation, two prophets will appear in Israel and perform signs and wonders to the disgust of the atheistic world. How far are we away from those days?

 

PONDER:

1. It seems like the most important question is: what am I doing in the last days (if they are the last days) to share the most important message the world can possibly hear?

 

PRAYER: Father, give me boldness to stand up for truth and to say things in a gently and respectful spirit. Fill me with power of the Spirit to be a witness in this dying world.