Reflection on Mark 1:4-11

January 7, 2015 / newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

Scripture

“I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”

Observation
John comes baptising in the wilderness. The whole of Jerusalem and Judea come to him to confess their sins and be baptised.

John tells the people that someone else, much greater than John, is coming. John baptises in water, but He will baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus comes to be baptised by John. As He comes out f the water, the Holy Spirit descends on Him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven says, “You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.”

Application
John baptised with water, but Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit.

Water baptism is about dying to ourselves and living for Christ. Spirit baptism is about dying to my own abilities and letting God’s power work in me and through me to others.

As John received the Holy Spirit at His baptism, we need to receive the Holy Spirit to be able to do the tasks that Jesus calls us to each day.

Unlike water baptism, which is a one-off event, Spirit baptism is a daily process of allowing Holy Spirit to immerse us, surround us, soak deeply into us. We need that daily infilling as surely as we need our daily food.

Prayer
Come Holy Spirit. Fill me. Baptise me. Energise me. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 1:1-8

December 4, 2014 / newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

Scripture

“I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”

Observation
Isaiah the prophet wrote, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way.” Mark tells us this messenger was John.

John appeared, baptising in the wilderness and preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins. Everyone came out to confess their sins and be baptised.

John told them that someone more powerful and more praiseworthy than him was coming. While John baptised with water, the Messiah would baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Application
John was the one who prepared the way for Jesus to come in. He prepared the hearts of the people for a new move of God.

John was not the main player. He pointed people to Jesus who would baptise with the Holy Spirit.

We are not required to convert people, but just to point them to Jesus. It takes a Saviour and the Holy Spirit to bring a person to salvation. All we can do is show the way.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for John the Baptist whose role was to prepare people for what was to come. Help me to likewise show the people around me that they need Jesus. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 13:24-37

November 27, 2014 / newlifenarrabri / 2 Comments

Scripture

“What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch’”

Observation

Following the distress of the present age, signs will occur in the heavens. The Son of Man will come in power and glory.

Just as we tell the natural seasons from observation of the signs around us, we need to be tuned in to the spiritual seasons.

Nobody knows when these yhings will happen, but we need to be ready. Just as servants of a man who goes away are alert for his return, so we need to be ready for Christ’s return.

Application

We are in the last days. In fact the last days have been continuing since the Day of Pentecost.

While this passage is about the actual return of Jesus, I think there is also something else being spoken of here.

We are to be constantly aware of the possibility of Jesus’ return at any minute. In other words, our concerns must be for the kingdom of God, not just our own self-interest. We need to learn to live with that sense of expectancy that Jesus could come back today or tomorrow, but not with an obsession about end-time scenarios.

Will Jesus find me doing His will? Will Jesus find me living a life of faith and obedience?

Prayer

Lord please help me to walk in your ways, to live a life of faith and to be prepared for your coming. Amen.