Day 235 – Mark: Birth and preparation of Jesus, the Servant
“John announced: ‘Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am – so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.” Mark 1:7 NLT
Read Mark 1:1-13
Jesus did not arrive unannounced or unexpectedly. The Old Testament prophets had clearly predicted the coming of a great deliverer, sent by God himself, who would offer salvation and eternal peace to Israel and the entire world. Then John the Baptist announced that the long-awaited Messiah had finally come and would soon be among the people. In God’s work in the world today, Jesus does not come unannounced or unexpectedly either, yet many still reject Him. We have the witness of the Bible, but some choose to ignore it, just as many ignored John the Baptist.
In Mark, we see Jesus demonstrating His divinity by overcoming disease, demons, and death. Although He had the power to be king of the earth, Jesus chose to obey the Father and do His earthly ministry as a servant to the people he came to die for. This includes you and me, too. When He rose from the dead, He proved that He was indeed God, that He could forgive sin, and that He has the power to change lives and hearts. By trusting in Him for forgiveness, you can begin a new life with Jesus as your friend, guiding you through it.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the affirmation that serving in Your Kingdom does not mean it makes us less; instead, we are daughters of the King and ambassadors of Heaven here on earth already. May Your Word be our constant guide as we seek more and more of Jesus. Amen.
