⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:8

My Dad rarely went swimming.  Whenever he was in a pool, he swam as fast as he could to the other side and then got out. Swimming was scary for him; he  told the story of how he almost drowned as a boy, saved by his older brother.

In the beginning of the book of Genesis, the Spirit of God breathes over water, making it “behave itself,” so that dry land could appear. St. Mark has the waters of chaos in mind when he begins his Gospel with the story of Jesus’ baptism.  Once again, the Holy Spirit hovers over the waters of the Jordan, coming to rest upon Jesus as he rises from the waters onto the dry land of safety and freedom.

Picture yourself sitting beside Jesus on the banks of the Jordan after his baptism.  Just as my uncle sat next to my Dad after he was pulled to safety from the water, so does Jesus save you and me from any scary “waters” that might be out to drown us.

Examples of Bible Breaths Learn More…

 Mark 1:4-11

I confess my sins to You. v. 5
You’re more powerful than I. v. 7
Though unworthy, You love me. v. 7
Holy Spirit, fall on me. v. 8

Tap on “Study” which is connected to the passage in BibleGateway.
Scroll down to “Matthew Henry’s Commentary”
which I recommend.
Tap to read more: Matthew Henry in Wikipedia.

The Sunday Gospels follow the Revised Common Lectionary.
This being Year B, we are dedicated in this season to the Gospel of Mark.

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