In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” – Mark 19-15
In this Mark passage, we read on the day of Jesus’ baptism, “the Holy Spirit came down upon him and set him apart. Along with the Spirit, a voice said, “you are my Son, my chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.” (Msg)
Every single time I read something in the New Testament that was a prophecy brought to life from the Old Testament, I am more and more in awe of God and my faith grows deeper. Reading and seeing that God carries through on his words and promises is reassuring to me beyond words. Here, in Mark, we have words from Isaiah written somewhere in between 700 BC – 600 BC that were brought to life at the very moment Jesus was baptized, hundreds of years later.
Isaiah11:2 – The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord –
Isaiah 42:1 – Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.
Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Take a moment to reflect now on all the things God said Jesus would now do along with the power of the Spirit. Which of these things has Jesus accomplished in your life? Has he given you wisdom when you lean on him for direction? What about counsel? Or knowledge? Think of a time when he helped clean up a mess you made in your life, your family, your work, or in a relationship? Perhaps you’re in the middle of those chaotic messes right now. Will you give the situation over to Jesus so he can provide you with the freedom he offers? Then, I encourage you to take a moment and thank him.
Tammy