Here begins the narrative. John the Baptist is proclaiming to the nation a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The messiah was coming, and the Baptist was calling the people to prepare their hearts to receive Him. The author makes it clear that the Baptist wasn't the Messiah; in fact he wasn't even worthy to tie the straps of the Messiah' sandals. His baptism wasn't for salvation; it was only water; it symbolized an inward change of the heart. But there was one coming, and "... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

IV. Testimony of the Father and Spirit (vv. 9-11)

In verse nine Jesus of Nazareth enters the scene. Jesus requested to be baptized by John, not as a symbol of personal repentance, but as an act of obedience to the Father and as a declaration of His position and public ministry.

Immediately after Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened. The Spirit descended upon Him and the Father spoke. Who is this Jesus? He is the Christ, the Son of God. The Father's "beloved Son" with whom He was "well-pleased."

In the first eleven verses of Mark's gospel a strong case is made for the validity of Jesus as the Christ. Are you listening to the testimony? Can you see the fulfillment of the prophets message? Can you hear the cry of John the Baptist? Do you understand the testimony of the Father and Spirit in this glimpse of the holy trinity?

Who is this Jesus? He is the Christ, the Son of God. Have you placed your trust in Him for salvation? Are you living your life as a testimony to the good news? (Jonathan Kever)

Second Sunday after the Epiphany (B)

January 19, 2003

Live Accordingly!

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Addressing the sin of sexual immorality among the Corinthian believers Paul expressed a profoundly simple thought. Because all of the believer belongs entirely to God they must honor God with their bodies.

I. The Objection

Reading through this letter, it becomes clear the Corinthian congregation was a mess. They were divided into competing factions. Their gatherings for Communion were a joke of incredible misbehavior to the point of drunkenness! It seems that some were defining their "rights" to behave as they chose, including the freedom of sexual immorality.

That congregation would make even the most stout-hearted pastor wonder if I he Corinthian church was worth the work. Paul, however, had no such doubts. Firmly he reminded the believers who they were -- God's children. And, how they should live -- as redeemed people to bring honor to God.

A portion of the Corinthian believers argued that everything was permissible for them! They raised such slogans as, "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food!" They pointed to the mortal nature of the physical body. They seemed to believe that because the body was mortal and passing away, what they did physically had no bearing upon them spiritually. That which is sin will pass away with the body. It cannot stain one's spirit. Therefore, everything was permissible for them because everything was passing away along with their bodies. Even sexual immorality was permissible.