“At that time
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the
Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being
torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came
from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
(Mark 1:10-11)
Observations:
I looked for all the CHARACTERS involved:
1. Jesus
2. John
3. Spirit
4. Voice
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what
happened as Jesus was coming up out of the water!
1. Jesus saw heaven being torn open.
2.
Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him like a Dove.
3. A voice came from heaven
Observations/Interpretations:
I decided to look at the 3 points more closely
and I was reminded of the previous devotional
S.T.A.N.D to remember the
reasons for the praise.
Point 1:
Jesus saw heaven being torn open.
That is so amazing that Jesus saw heaven being
torn open because He was baptized in the Jordan by John. Heaven opened
as Jesus identified with humanity as He was willing to be baptized. Not
only that but something remarkable happened twice which is evident in
Point 2.
Coming out of the water reminded me of baptism by immersion as
opposed to baptism by sprinkling. If people want to be baptized, it
would be awesome to be baptized as Jesus was baptized in the water. That
is my preference!
Point
2: ‘Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him like a Dove!’
When the heaven was torn open and the Spirit
descended on Jesus like a dove I was reminded of Jesus as the Prince of
Peace. The crowds who were there witnessed it too as revealed in another
Gospel. It did not end there which is evident by Point 3.
Point 3:
A voice came from heaven.
I asked myself what was
the content message of the voice and the significance of each point?
After the Spirit descended on Jesus, the voice
said 3 things:
-
You are my Son.
-
Whom I love.
-
With you I am well pleased.
I decided to look at these 3 statements:
Statement 1: You are my Son.
The voice is giving identity to
Jesus for humans benefit. I believe even as Jesus began to relate with
humanity, the voice made many in the crowd to realize there is a divinity aspect
to Jesus. The voice does not stop there which is evident by point 2.
Statement 2: Whom I love.
This is so cool to know that the
voice actually lets Jesus know that He is loved. It can be an awesome
feeling when someone tells you that they love you. It gives a sense of
belonging and worthiness. I believe the voice is speaking to the crowds
already there including John, the Baptist to let them know that Jesus is the One they
have been waiting for. Emphasis is placed on love after Jesus is
baptized. It does not end there which is evident by point 3.
Statement 3: With you I am well pleased.
Jesus is being praised by the voice for His
actions. The voice is not just pleased but well pleased. Jesus knows
that and those around could have been informed about that too.
Again, I was reminded of the previous devotional
S.T.A.N.D to remember the
reasons for the praise.
Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life.
When people do right it is so important to
praise them! A word of encouragement and praise goes a long way! This
reminds me of public praise as opposed to private praise for doing
right. Jesus was praised in front of the crowds gathered there. I need
to do the same by praising those who do right not only privately but
publicly for their actions.
I ask you now friend, how
is your loving praise?
Dear friend, if you are in a position to praise
someone, take that opportunity to praise them in public for their good
works. This will not only boost their level of competency because they
don’t want to disappoint but it will also increase their level of
responsibility. This way those around them may also want to change and
improve.
Will you praise Jesus in
front of others for what He has done in your life?
One way you can do that is by letting others
know what an awesome God you serve. Jesus in His humanity also has the
qualities and characteristics of His Divinity which are elaborated more
in the Gospel of John.
Today is Labor Day and you can take this opportunity to praise the Lord with other
people even as you pray with others for all the work Jesus has already
done in your life and will continue to do in your life.
You can praise Jesus privately
or publicly in a
worship setting, etc. When Jesus came to relate to humanity, He did it
because of His love for you. Yes, friend He loves you so much and you
are never out of His love and never out of His reach. He loves you as
you are and reaches out to you.
I don't know what you are going through but
Jesus does. One thing I know is it may not have been easy for Jesus to
have trekked three days so He could be baptized in the Jordan, yet He
did it. He overcame that obstacle to fulfill His obedience to the
Father. Whatever you are facing Jesus knows about it. Take it to the
Lord in prayer!
Whether you are facing issues with classes,
relationships, family, job, work, athletics, etc, Jesus wants to be there for you. Yes,
He does! Sometimes it could be hard to move ahead and you may even feel
so lonely because of the situation you may be in. I don't know if this
applies to you but if it does, take heart in the Lord even as you listen
to the background song.
Won't you reach out to
Jesus in praise and love?
He waits for you! Yes, He does friend! Now is
the time. Don't wait but make your life a worshipful sacrifice to the
Lord. Your spiritual act of worship can be the way you live your life
for the Lord. There are many ways to worship the Lord and it does not
always have to be singing.
May you experience the love of Jesus in your
life! Amen!
“Prayerfully Reiterate Almighty Immanuel's Service Everyday!” (P.R.A.I.S.E)/"How
is your praise?"
Prayer:
Jesus thank you so much
for what you have helped me to learn. I love you Jesus and need you.
Thank you Jesus that we are never out of your love, never out of your
reach. You are there for us always and we yield our lives to you. Help
us to praise you daily in our lives. Thank you so much Jesus. Forgive
ours sins and help us please. We thank you for your help Oh Lord. We
trust in you for guidance. Thank you for being there for us and we give
our lives to thee. In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!
If you would like to invite Jesus
Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can
this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises
for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His
wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to
the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in
your heart.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord.
I am so sorry for my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong
things I have done and messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now
and in the years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what
only you can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You
alone love me unconditionally for who I am. Thank you Jesus! I turn
myself to you Oh Lord in this Fall of September 2005. Please forgive me of
all my sins and come into my heart. I accept
you Jesus into my heart. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart. Thanks
for forgiving me of all my sins. Thanks for giving me a new identity in
you. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my
heart that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I
give myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you
Jesus for the coming days we can do things together. Thanks for being my
Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and
answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's
storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Friend, you may feel something
or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come
into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!
Get yourself involved in a
campus Bible study, fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing
church and be involved to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord.
They all need to be supplements for your own precious time with the Lord
in prayer and meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me
know!
If you
need anyone to talk to, pray with, or study the Bible with this Fall of
September 2005, you can email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
Next Devotional:
"How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?"
Express your view
