The Time Has Come, The Kingdom Of God Has Come Near (Mark 1:14–20)

 

The Time Has Come, The Kingdom Of God Has Come Near (Mark 1:14–20)

In Mark 1:9–13, Jesus was baptized and then tempted by the devil. Though He is the Son of God and without sin—meaning He had no need to be baptized and could not be tempted as we are—He still chose to be baptized and endure temptation. Why? Because He came to take our sins upon Himself.

God the Father was pleased when His Son, Jesus Christ, obeyed His will and was baptized in place of sinful humanity. In that moment, the heavens were torn open (Greek: schizó), the Holy Spirit descended, and the Father's love for His Son was confirmed for all to witness.

Immediately after, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan. Again, even though He, the Son of God, could not be tested at all, He chose to face temptation to stand in our place. Jesus overcame the devil not with argument or strength, but by speaking the Word of God. This shows that we can only overcome Satan by the Word—never by our own strength.

Then, in Mark 1:14–20, Jesus began preaching the good news of the kingdom of God in Galilee and called His first disciples.

The Kingdom of God Has Come Near (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11)

“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’” (Mark 1:14–15)

John the Baptist had prepared the way by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was a forerunner who turned the people's hearts toward Jesus, the true Savior. John boldly pointed to Jesus and declared:

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

John was also a righteous voice against injustice. He rebuked King Herod for taking his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias, which eventually led to John's arrest and execution (see Matthew 14:3–10).

When Jesus heard of John's imprisonment, He began to proclaim the good news of God. He didn’t step in to free John because He was committed to fulfilling the Father’s plan of salvation. As the Lamb of God, Jesus came to save the world from sin. For the first time, He began preaching publicly, saying:

“The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” (Mark 1:15)

“The time has come” means that the long-awaited promise of the Messiah, prophesied in the Old Testament, had finally been fulfilled. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising to give his descendants the land of Canaan, but said the judgment on the Amorites would not happen until their sin had reached its full measure (see Genesis 15:16).

The Hebrew mind of "complete" is shalem, which can mean peace, wholeness, fullness, or payment in full. This same meaning is echoed in Jesus’ words on the cross:

“It is finished(τετέλεσται in Greek and שָׁלֵם in Hebrew).” (John 19:30)

So, God's judgment on sin was held back until Jesus completed His redemptive work on the cross. He came in the flesh to pay the price for sin on our behalf.

Now, through Jesus—the second Adam—the time for forgiveness and salvation has arrived.

“The kingdom of God has come near” means God’s eternal kingdom has broken into the present. His kingdom is full of glory, honor, power, wisdom, and majesty (see Revelation 5:12). Though it's not visible to the human eye, it can be seen through faith. And it is the true hope of all people.

To enter this kingdom, one must first receive the forgiveness of sins. All people have sinned and cannot stand before the holy God on their own. That’s why John preached a baptism of repentance. The only way to receive forgiveness is through the blood of Jesus Christ. He died on the cross as the Lamb of God, shedding His blood to pour out this grace.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

So if the kingdom of God is near, we must repent and believe the good news. Repentance means turning your heart and changing your direction. What direction must we turn from? The pride of thinking we can save ourselves. Salvation is only by the grace of God.

We must also turn away from hate and judgment and take on the love and forgiveness of Christ. Though He is the Judge, He chose to be condemned in our place. We must lay down grumbling and bitterness and instead fill our hearts with thankfulness and praise. Complaining poisons our peace, rest, and joy. But thankfulness restores them.

In truth, from beginning to end, we have every reason to give thanks and praise.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is always present tense and everlasting. Anyone, anytime, anywhere who repents and turns to the Lord will find that our merciful God does not break a bruised reed. He will wash away sin with the blood of Christ and clothe us in righteousness.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)

That is the hope of all who believe—the promise of God.

The message that “the kingdom of God has come near” was true in the 1st century, and it’s just as true today. Human life spans are set by God: seventy years, or eighty if we have the strength (see Psalm 90:10). Each person has only this lifetime to respond to the gospel. Since the time is already fulfilled, we must repent now and believe in Christ.

The evidence that we truly believe the gospel is a daily turning of our hearts toward the Lord in repentance. When we respond to God’s invitation and draw near to Him, He draws near to us and pours out the blessings of His kingdom.

Jesus Calls Fishermen to Follow Him (Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11)

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. (Mark 1:16–20)

Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John to be his disciples. He first saw Simon and Andrew casting their nets into the sea and said, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” These men were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. As young Jewish men, they likely carried the hope that the Messiah would one day come to restore Israel’s strength and dignity.

It’s possible that Jesus wasn’t a total stranger to them. According to Luke 5:1–11, Jesus once got into Simon’s boat while he was mending his nets and asked him to push out a little from shore. From there, Jesus taught the crowds. Simon must have heard Jesus preaching the good news of the kingdom of God.

Then, Jesus told Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Simon, likely discouraged after fishing all night and catching nothing, responded,
“Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When he obeyed, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Amazed and overwhelmed, Simon fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

In that moment—before the authority, power, and divine wisdom of the Son of God—Simon saw just how unworthy and small he really was. It was like when Isaiah saw the glory of God and cried out in despair. No one can stand in God’s holy presence without being undone.

But not everyone responds this way. Many Pharisees, Sadducees, and priests heard Jesus proclaim the kingdom of God and refused to bow down. Instead of submitting, they opposed, accused, and condemned Him.

Yet the one who falls at the feet of Jesus and confesses, like Simon did, is truly blessed. It shows they’ve come to see themselves honestly—as a sinner before a holy God.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

This wasn’t just a call to follow, but a moment of forgiveness and commissioning. In essence, Jesus was telling Simon, "I will forgive you—and I will use you." Just as in Isaiah 6:7, when the angel touched the prophet’s lips with a live coal and said, “Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for,” Jesus was showing Simon that grace comes before mission.

No one can stand before God by their own merit. It’s only by God’s mercy and forgiveness that we can live in His presence. And God, in His great love, is pleased to wash our sins through the blood of His Son.

This calling wasn’t meant to stop with Simon—it was to be passed on. As we see in Acts, Peter (Simon) became one of the key apostles who led many to faith in Christ. That’s God’s plan for every believer: to receive grace and to share grace.

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus rebuked the servant who buried the talent he received and did nothing with it. He called him wicked and lazy, and ordered that the talent be taken from him and given to the one who had ten talents.

Here’s how the master replied in Matthew 25:26:

“‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?’” 

Simon and Andrew left their boat and nets to follow Jesus. That was the first step in becoming fishers of people. But it took time for them to fully understand the Christ of suffering the Scriptures had spoken about. At first, they hoped for a Messiah of glory and power—but they came to embrace the crucified and risen Savior, the true Son of God. In the end, they followed Him even through suffering, taking up the cross as Jesus did.

James and John were also mending their nets when Jesus called them. Immediately, they left their father and the boat to follow Him. That too was their first step. Later, James would become the first of the Twelve to be martyred for Christ (Acts 12:2).

John, even through great trials and persecution, led many to Jesus in the first century. He wrote the Gospel of John, the book of Revelation, and the three epistles of John. His writings have touched countless lives, from his time to ours.

But even they struggled to grasp the suffering Messiah. When Jesus was approaching Jerusalem, they asked through their mother if they could sit at His right and left hand in His kingdom (Matthew 20:20–23). Like many young disciples, they dreamed of an earthly kingdom. Their desire to follow Jesus was real, but their hope was for a strong, restored Israel.

That longing, in some sense, reflects a common human desire—we all yearn for something better than what this world offers. That longing reminds us this world can’t truly satisfy us.

What we deeply want—whether we realize it or not—is forgiveness, true peace, rest, and joy. These are found in the kingdom of heaven. And Jesus, through His suffering, brings not just the restoration of Israel but salvation to all humanity.

All of us who follow Jesus do so by God’s grace. Every believer is also called to ministry—not necessarily to be pastors, but to serve God according to the gifts He has given. The twelve apostles preached the gospel from Judea to Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

Today, we are each sent into our homes, workplaces, and communities. That’s why we must keep our eyes on Jesus, the Son of God, and keep following Him.

June 29, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

You Are My Son, Whom I Love; With You I Am Well Pleased (Mark 1:9–13)

You Are My Son, Whom I Love; With You I Am Well Pleased (Mark 1:9–13)

In Mark 1:6–8, we see who is truly great before God and what baptism really means. True greatness before God is marked by being full of the Holy Spirit and by helping people to turn back to God, preparing the way for Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. He preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins with the spirit and power of Elijah, turning rebellious and sinful hearts back to God.

Baptism symbolizes the death of the old self (the flesh) and rebirth into a new person through the power of God’s resurrection. It teaches us that the flesh not only resists God but cannot submit to Him — so it must die (Romans 8:8). Though we should die and face judgment, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the sins of the world and receive the baptism of death in our place. That is so anyone who believes in Jesus may receive eternal life. Amen!

Mark 1:9-13 tells that Jesus is baptized and tempted in the wilderness.

Jesus Is Baptized (Mark 1:9–11, also Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 3:21–22)

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9–11)

Jesus had no need to be baptized — baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was completely without sin. That’s why, when Jesus came to John to be baptized, John tried to stop Him:

“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14)

Yet Jesus insisted on being baptized. Why? Because He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). It was the will of God the Father — set before the creation of the world — that His Son be sacrificed for our sins. That’s why Jesus said to John:

“Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. (Matthew 3:15)

This had been foretold 700 years earlier through the prophet Isaiah — that God would be pleased to forgive and cleanse the world through the suffering of His Son:

“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10)

So Jesus came to die for the sins of the world. But He didn’t stay dead — He was buried and rose again after three days. In the same way, baptism(immersion) doesn’t end with death. It represents dying to the old self and rising again into a new life clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This transformation is made possible only by the precious blood of Jesus, shed as the Lamb of God.

He Saw Heaven Torn Open

When Jesus came up out of the water, He saw heaven torn open…

What’s amazing is that the word “torn open” (schizō in Greek) is the same word used in Mark 15:38, when the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom at Jesus’ death. This shows that Jesus’ baptism was a symbolic foreshadowing of His death on the cross for our sins.

Also, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove. But this doesn’t mean Jesus received the Holy Spirit for the first time here — He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was always one with Him. Instead, this moment reveals that when someone receives the baptism of repentance, the Spirit comes from heaven upon them — just like it did upon Jesus.

The Voice From Heaven…

And again, the voice from heaven said:

“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)

Just as Isaiah prophesied, God is pleased with His Son’s sacrifice for the world (see also John 1:29). No father enjoys seeing his child suffer — yet God loved the world so much that He gave up His Son. That’s because only the blood of Jesus has the power to save us from our sins.

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness (Mark 1:12–13; also Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13)

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. (Mark 1:12–13)

Right after being baptized, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. Mark gives a brief account, but Matthew and Luke describe the details of each temptation.

As the Son of God, Jesus cannot be tempted in the same way as we are:

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” (James 1:13)

So why was Jesus tempted? Because He came as the second (last) Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45). He became the Son of Man to carry the sins of the world.

Jesus fasted for forty days and nights. Unlike Adam, who was tempted in a perfect garden, Jesus was tempted in the harsh desert. He was hungry, surrounded by wild animals, and needed the care of angels. This test in the wilderness shows the true humanity of Jesus — fully God, but also fully man — who overcame temptation and remained without sin.

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

First, the devil tempted Jesus by targeting His hunger. “The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’” (Matthew 4:3)

This temptation was pushing Jesus to solve His hunger problem Himself—suggesting that if He truly were the Son of God, He shouldn’t be suffering. This kind of temptation often comes to believers in everyday life—right in the middle of our stress, responsibilities, and pressing challenges.

But Jesus overcame this temptation with the Word of God. “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4; cf. Deuteronomy 8:3)

The background to this verse is God’s daily provision of manna from heaven for the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness—except on the seventh day. God, as the Creator, rules all things He has made, running the universe with perfect precision. He also feeds, clothes, and protects people and animals alike. Sunlight and rain are clear signs of His care. Looking back on our own lives, we’ve all faced hardship—but we’ve also experienced God’s grace in His provision.

“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.”

Next, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and placed Him on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Matthew 4:6; Psalm 91:11–12)

Since Jesus had used Scripture to resist, the devil tried quoting Scripture too—this time, Psalm 91. That psalm is indeed a promise of God’s protection. But the devil twisted it to tempt Jesus. He was suggesting: “If you’re really the Son of God, then surely God will protect you even if you jump.”

This is how the devil misuses God’s promises—by pulling verses out of context. It’s called cherry picking. For example, Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” If you isolate that verse, you might think believers should never face lack. But later, Psalm 23 also says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley…” (Psalm 23:4a). Lacking nothing and walking through the darkest valley might seem contradictory, but the psalmist continues: “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4b)

God’s Word is progressive revelation. Every verse is true and without error, and all Scripture together reveals God’s consistent truth. The Bible shows that God is love. How does He show His love? It is a love that patiently endures pain and gave His own Son as a sacrifice. So when believers share in Christ’s sufferings, they also share in the holy love of God.

Jesus again resisted the devil by quoting Scripture. “Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7; Deuteronomy 6:16)

Yes, Psalm 91 is a real promise—but Jesus makes it clear: we are not to test God. Obedience to God's will must come first. Jesus obeyed God's will to the point of death on a cross. But then God raised Him from the dead on the third day and gave Him a glorified, resurrected body. That fulfilled Psalm 91—and indeed all of Scripture.

God will never put to shame those who obey His Word. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32–33)

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor, and said: “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8–9)

This was a deadly temptation—to worship the devil instead of God. This is idolatry. Sadly, many fall for this today.

But the devil lied. All glory and power belong to God alone. Though Satan is a created being—once a glorious angel, a morning star—he rebelled against God, lost his place, and now lives under God’s curse, awaiting judgment (Isaiah 14:12–15).

Again, Jesus used Scripture to defeat him. “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10; Deuteronomy 6:13)

Jesus commanded Satan to leave. Worship belongs to God alone—the Creator. Satan is not someone to negotiate with. He must be resisted. As James wrote: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

The devil is always looking to destroy. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

God created everything and said it was good. That means all creation exists according to His will and purpose. Though the world is full of war, conflict, hatred, and chaos—God still reigns without being shaken. Everything will eventually be exposed by God’s judgment. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

God is forever worthy of glory, praise, honor, power, and authority. Only the Creator God is worthy of all worship. The apostle John was taken up into heaven to witness this glory firsthand:

“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come. Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’” (Revelation 4:8–11)

June 22, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

He Will Turn the Hearts of the Parents to Their Children and the Disobedient to the Wisdom of the Righteous (Mark 1:6-8)

 

He Will Turn the Hearts of the Parents to Their Children and the Disobedient to the Wisdom of the Righteous (Mark 1:6-8)

After the prophet Malachi, there was a four-hundred-year silence. Then a voice shattered that silence. Mark opens his gospel by declaring that voice as “the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). That voice was the forerunner of Jesus—John the Baptist. He preached “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4), and many people came to him and were baptized. This shows how urgent it is to receive the gospel of Christ for salvation, and how important it is to bear fruit—love and forgiveness—that comes from the Holy Spirit, as a sign of genuine repentance.

Mark 1:6–8 describes who is great before God and the purpose of baptism.

In the Spirit and Power of Elijah

“John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” (Mark 1:6)

John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. His birth and ministry were foretold by an angel to his father Zechariah, a priest. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had no children because they were old (Luke 1:7). During his priestly service in the temple, Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter and burn incense. There, the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said:

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” (Luke 1:13)

It is extremely rare for a heavenly messenger to announce both the birth and the name of a child. Jesus’ birth is the only other example. Normally, parents name their children with no heavenly announcement. Yet, God knows every person even before birth. As the Lord said:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

The angel continued:

“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:14–17)

John’s birth brought joy and gladness to his long-childless parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, and also to many others, because he would prepare the way for Jesus Christ, the true Savior. The angel declared he would be great in the sight of the Lord. Jesus Himself said:

“Among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” (Luke 7:28; see also Matthew 11:11)

Later, John boldly rebuked King Herod for taking his brother’s wife, Herodias. She deeply resented him, and when the opportunity came, John was beheaded.
How could such a righteous man suffer such a tragic death and still be called the greatest? Because greatness in God’s eyes is very different from the world’s standards.

First, those filled with the Holy Spirit are great before God. Like Samson, John was a Nazirite, consecrated to God, and filled with the Holy Spirit. He turned many people back to God. Those who believe in Jesus Christ also receive the promised Holy Spirit, who lives with them forever.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” (John 14:16)

Second, John was great because he came “in the spirit and power of Elijah,” preparing the people for the Lord. He turned the hearts of the parents to their children and led the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous. This is what it means to prepare the way for the Lord.

John lived in the wilderness, dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt, eating locusts and wild honey—just like the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). Elijah had confronted idol-worshiping kings and people with God’s zeal. On Mount Carmel, he challenged over 800 prophets of Baal and Asherah to prove who the true God was (1 Kings 18:17–40). He also prayed, and drought struck the land for years (1 Kings 17:1). Elijah called the people to repent and return to the Lord. That was the unchanging love of God toward sinners.

Nothing is more urgent and important than turning to God in repentance and receiving eternal life.

For example, Jesus spoke of the lost sheep and said:

“Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…” (Luke 15:6–7)

Jesus welcomed the tax collector Zacchaeus when he repented. He went to his house, declared salvation had come to him, and said he too was a son of Abraham (Luke 19:7–9). Tax collectors were seen as public sinners, like prostitutes. They were expelled from society and could not even enter synagogues.

Look at Jesus Himself. Though He was equal with God, He came down and took on the nature of a servant.

He, the highest, became the lowest. He was the Son of God and Messiah, but He was not welcomed. Instead, He was falsely accused and condemned. Ultimately, He was sentenced to death under the charge “King of the Jews” and was crucified.

Jesus was born in a lowly manger and lived with no possessions. Yet through His shed blood, He brought forgiveness of sins to all and gave eternal life.

Then the Father raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to the highest place:

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11)

He Will Baptize You With The Holy Spirit

7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7–8)

John the Baptist was a forerunner who prepared the way for the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. His message began with a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. That’s because the authority to forgive sins belongs to Jesus Christ alone. It is only through the power of His blood shed on the cross that anyone who believes can receive forgiveness.

John cried out to those who came to him for baptism, telling them someone far more powerful than he was coming. That someone is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. John said he wasn’t even worthy to stoop down and untie His sandals. Jesus is greater than John because while John baptized with water, Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

John’s baptism was with water. Baptism (immersion) is a symbolic act of going under water and then being raised back up again. It represents dying to sin and being brought back to life. Spiritually, it symbolizes dying with Christ, who died because of the sins of the world, and rising again with Him, just as He rose from the dead after three days.

The apostle Paul explained baptism this way in Romans:

“3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:3–5)

The people of Israel, after escaping Egypt, walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. Paul explained that this was like being baptized in the cloud and in the sea. That’s why John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins—because baptism marks the entrance into the way of salvation through Christ.

“1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” (1 Corinthians 10:1–2)

But water baptism is only a shadow that points to the forgiveness and new life God gives in Christ. The water itself doesn’t make a person clean. It is possible to receive baptism only as a formality, without truly believing in the heart. True forgiveness comes only when someone believes with the heart and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord.

The real substance behind water baptism is Spirit baptism. To those who repent of sin and confess Jesus as Lord in faith, He gives the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit baptism cleanses and purifies us through forgiveness and clothes us in the righteousness of God.

So both water baptism and Spirit baptism are essential. In order to receive the gospel of God’s Son, Christ, a person must first confess and repent of sin. Jesus told Nicodemus:

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5)

At its core, baptism means death. Every person must die because of sin:

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)

Baptism is a sign that one recognizes and believes this solemn truth. Yes, it refers to the physical death of the body. The body has nothing in it that can please God. It is full of sin—rebellious, resistant, and disobedient toward God:

“The mind governed by the flesh is death… The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Romans 8:6–7)

So the flesh must die.

But baptism also means being raised to life again. Those baptized into Christ by His blood no longer live by the flesh, but now live through Jesus Christ who dwells in them. Therefore, they no longer bear the fruit of sin, but rather the fruit of Christ—love, peace, and joy.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

June 15, 2025
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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.