Thursday, June 2, 2005
Mark 1:9-13
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. (ESV)
by Jo Anne Kandel
The baptism of Jesus was no ordinary baptism! What a thrill it must have been to witness the opening up of the heavens (signifying a new phase in the communication between heaven and earth), the decent of the dove (a symbol of gentleness and peace), and the voice of God identifying Jesus as his beloved son with whom he is well pleased! Jesus’ obedience by being baptized was affirmed by the reassuring words of his Father. God still affirms and reassures us today. Try to notice the times this week when God expresses his love and pleasure in your actions.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
