Walking with God, Being Built Up Together
Rev Hong.
Translated By Allan
Mark 1:1-8
Mark speaks of the beginning of the gospel, quickly laying out its foundation: The one whom the messenger testifies of, the one who suddenly comes to his temple, is most truly the Son of God. (Malachi 3:1) And that messenger was none other John the Baptist, whose fame had spread all across Jerusalem. In accordance with the promise God made in the book of Isaiah: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way", John the Baptist went among the countryside and preached of the baptism of repentance. Now, so powerful was his message, that even the highest officials in Jerusalem sent people to inquire whether or not John was indeed the promised Christ. (John 1:19-20) However, John gave a stunning reply: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Dear brothers and sisters, how great a message is this! How blessed a group of people are we! For each of us are partakers of the gospel, that is, we have believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Only those who have received the baptism of the Spirit, who have been spiritually reborn can do such a thing. (John, 1:13; 3:5) Please meditate upon and offer up in prayer the following: What is the relationship between my life and the word of God, which I have received today? In this time of disease and pestilence, how may I trust in the Holy Spirit and receive victory?