Mark 1:9-15
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Reflection
By the unusual circumstances of his baptism, we learn that Jesus is the unique Son of God the Father, and specially blessed by the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:11; 9:7; 12:1–6). At Christ’s baptism we see that God eternally exists in three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity; 1:10–11).
Jesus is tempted in the desert because Satan, a powerful fallen angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), tries to hinder Christ’s mission to save his people. Throughout the life of Jesus, he overcomes Satan by relying on his Father and obeying his will, even in his greatest hour of trial, in Gethsemane (see Mark 14:32–42). The message of Mark 1:1–15 is that God is achieving what human beings cannot achieve by themselves: forgiveness of sin against God and restoration to a relationship with God. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind has waited for this moment. In God’s holy love and righteousness, he relentlessly pursues human beings to reconcile them with himself through Jesus’ life and death for sinners. At the heart of God’s love and grace is his desire to place us into a lasting relationship with him.
1 Corinthians 14:26-40
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
Reflection
When we know God’s character (1 Cor. 14:33) we will desire to honor him in our worship. This will express itself in humility, as we listen to others (v. 27), consider their evaluation of our words (v. 29), and sometimes remain silent— even when we have something worthwhile to say (vv. 28, 30). When the Spirit is truly at work in us (v. 37), we will bear the fruit of self-control, submitting our desires to God and to the authority and communication structures he has established (vv. 23, 27–29). This calls us to embrace the teaching of the apostles (v. 37) and God’s design for the husband-wife relationship (vv. 34–35; it is likely that these verses only forbid women to publically evaluate prophecy in the church service, since 11:5 does allow women to pray and prophesy).
The patterns Paul describes are all reflections of Christ, who lived in both the power of the Holy Spirit and submission to God.
Psalm 100:1-2
100: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Because of Christ’s death for sinners, we are reconciled with God through faith. We can now enter into his very presence as those in a right relationship with him. Spend time talking with him today and draw near to his throne of grace (Heb. 4:16; cf. Heb. 10:19–22).