Day 86
Today’s reading: Mark 1: 1-20
The Salvation Framework
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The Salvation Framework 〰️
Reflections
The first message of the gospel that Jesus proclaimed in the book of Mark was repentance. John the Baptist preached it, and after John's imprisonment, Jesus continued with the same message. But He did not just preach it, He laid a foundational pattern for us through His own life.
The first thing we observe about Jesus is His obedience to the Father. He willingly submitted to God’s plan, demonstrating humility and surrender by being baptized though He had no need to repent Himself. This act wasn't for His sake, but to model obedience for us. Similarly for us, John declared that Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit. Just as water baptism signifies purification and repentance—marking a transformation and renewal of heart—the baptism of the Holy Spirit signifies rebirth and purification. Following the baptism, as Jesus emerged from the water—a visible expression of belief and surrender—the Holy Spirit descended upon Him.
This all illustrates the pathway of salvation for every believer: it begins with repentance, a turning of the heart toward God in total surrender, a visible and inward acknowledgment of His redemptive plan. Only after this surrender do we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and only then are we truly empowered to overcome temptation and live a transformed life—just as Jesus overcame in the wilderness. Transformation and renewal are only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit within us and not by our own efforts.
Study Questions
Who wrote the book of Mark and who were the primary audience of the book?
What are the themes, background, and structure of the book?
What does it mean to you that Jesus is our Messiah?
What is baptism? Why was John’s baptism necessary?
