5 Day Devotional: The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11)

5-Day Devotional: "The Baptism of Jesus"

Day 1: He Stood Where We Should Stand

Main Point: Jesus’ baptism reveals His humility toward us.

Though Jesus was sinless, He humbly stood in the sinner’s place. His willingness to be baptized was a powerful act of obedience to the Father, not because He needed forgiveness, but because He cared only about pleasing God. By participating in John’s baptism—a baptism for the repentance of sins—Jesus demonstrated His deep humility and His desire to obey God’s will for the purpose of restoring all things.

Jesus' example starkly contrasts with the Pharisees, who refused to repent because they cared only about what others thought. Their outward righteousness hid their internal pride. Jesus, on the other hand, wasn't concerned with public perception but with His relationship with the Father. His humility is an example for us, teaching us that true freedom comes through repentance, confession, and a humble heart before God.

Scripture: Read Through These Scriptures and the Verses that Surround Them In Your Bible and Respond in Your Heart

• Philippians 2:5–8 – "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
• Hebrews 4:15 – "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

Disciples Always Learn and Respond:

• In what areas of your life are you tempted to care more about what others think than about pleasing God?
• How can you follow Jesus' example of humility and obedience today?

Prayer: 

Father, thank You for the example of humility that Jesus set for us. Help me to put aside my pride and live in obedience to Your will, no matter what others may think. May I always desire to please You above all else. Amen.

Day 2: He Stood Where Only Sinners Belong

Main Point: Jesus’ baptism foreshadows His death for us.

 When Jesus stepped into the waters of baptism, He was not only identifying with sinners, but He was also pointing to the ultimate sacrifice He would make on the cross. The baptism symbolized what He would endure at the end of His ministry: taking the sinner’s place on the cross. The Father asked Jesus to be treated as a sinner, so He could treat sinners as sons and daughters. This is the gospel, and it’s something we should reflect on daily—thankful for His sacrifice and committed to living lives of worship in response.

Scripture: Read Through These Scriptures and the Verses that Surround Them In Your Bible and Respond in Your Heart

• Mark 10:38 – "Jesus said to them, 'You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?""
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Disciples Always Learn and Respond:

• Jesus took your place on the cross. How does this change your perspective on sin and sacrifice?
• How can you live a life of gratitude and worship for His great sacrifice?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for taking my place and bearing the weight of my sin. I am humbled by Your sacrifice. Help me to live in the light of Your grace, fighting sin and living a life that honors You. Amen.

Day 3: The Trinity Touched Down

Main Point: Jesus’ baptism reveals God in three persons and God’s love for the Son—and us.

At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened, and God the Father declared His deep love for His Son. The Spirit descended upon Jesus, affirming that God is one in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This moment not only shows the divine unity within the Trinity but also reveals the incredible love the Father has for the Son—and the love He has for us. In John 17, Jesus made it clear that the Father loves us with the same love He has for His Son. This truth should deeply encourage us as believers.

Scripture: Read Through These Scriptures and the Verses that Surround Them In Your Bible and Respond in Your Heart

• John 15:9 – "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."
• Romans 5:8 – "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Disciples Always Learn and Respond:

• How does knowing that God loves you with the same love He has for Jesus impact your life?
• In what ways can you more deeply experience and share God’s love with others?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love, which You share with Jesus and extend to me. Help me to rest in the security of Your love and to live out that love to those around me. Amen.

Day 4: What Happened to Him, Happens to Us

Main Point: Jesus’ baptism mirrors our spiritual transformation.

Jesus’ baptism symbolizes the spiritual transformation that we experience when we receive Christ. Just as He was cleansed in the water, claimed by the Father, filled with the Spirit, and loved by God, we too are forgiven of our sins, filled with the Holy Spirit, and adopted as sons and daughters of God. This imagery should bring us great joy, knowing that what happened to Jesus in His baptism mirrors the new life we have in Christ.

Scripture: Read Through These Scriptures and the Verses that Surround Them In Your Bible and Respond in Your Heart

• Romans 8:15–17 – "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."
• Galatians 4:6 – "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!'"

Disciples Always Learn and Respond:

• How does the truth that you are adopted as God’s child impact your relationship with Him?
• What changes can you make in your life to live more fully as a beloved child of God?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family. Help me to live with the full assurance of my identity as Your child. Fill me with Your Spirit, and let me walk in the fullness of the life You’ve given me. Amen.

Day 5: The Invasion Has Begun

Main Point: Jesus’ baptism launches heaven’s war on hell.

When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were torn open, marking the beginning of His public ministry and the start of God's war against sin, Satan, and separation. Immediately after His baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to face temptation. Jesus' victory over temptation demonstrates that, as His disciples, we too have victory over sin and the enemy. While sin and temptation still fight against us, we are promised victory in Christ.

Scripture: Read Through These Scriptures and the Verses that Surround Them In Your Bible and Respond in Your Heart

• Mark 1:12–13 – "The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 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."
• 1 John 3:8 – "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."

Disciples Always Learn and Respond:

• Jesus’ victory over Satan and sin is our victory as well. How does this truth strengthen you in the face of temptation?
• In what areas of your life do you need to claim the victory that Jesus has already won for you?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for declaring victory over sin and Satan. Help me to walk in the freedom that You’ve won for me and to resist temptation with Your strength. May I live boldly, knowing that You have already won the battle. Amen.