Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 271
MARK
This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began
just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way.
He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’”
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and
preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented
of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all
the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they
confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes
were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his
waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
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. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit!”
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in
the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens
splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a
voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me
great joy.”
The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was
tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and
angels took care of him.
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