What Jesus Did! 'A Life in Service' — Mark 1:6-7

Friday, January 5, 2024

[John the Baptist's] 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."

— Mark 1:6-7 NLT

Key Thought

John's whole life was defined by his service to God and to God's Son. His clothing, his food, and his tasks were all defined by his mission - to prepare the way for the Lord. How could he live his whole life for someone else? He could do it because he defined himself as unworthy to be even the servant or slave of this someone else, this coming one who was so much greater than he. Jesus comes to us in our day and asks us to let him define our lives as well. That's what it means to call Jesus Lord - we see ourselves as unworthy to be even his servants and slaves; yet, because of his grace, we are called his sisters and brothers. For such blessings, we offer him our lives in service to him and his Kingdom.

Today's Prayer

Gracious Father, thank you for being so gracious to me. Please accept my life in service to you as my thanks and praise. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Holy Spirit
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am... I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!""
Preparing Hearts for Jesus
Article by Phil Ware
The sequence of grace — serving before saving! Phil Ware shares insight on the beginning of Mark's gospel and how salvation is preceded by service, serving comes before saving, and the gospel always begins with a servant.
The Good News of Jesus Begins with a Servant
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus emphasized that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is a servant, and then defined his personal mission as serving those who are lost. Phil Ware continues his reflections on his gospel studies and shares how we can become JesuShaped by becoming servants like John the Baptizer and four friends.
God's Good News Always Begins with a Servant
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Servant of God, I love the way Mark begins his good news story about Me:This is the beginning of the good news of Jesus, the Anointed One, the....."
See All 6 Related Resources about Mark 1:6-7

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:6-7 NLT — "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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, January 5, 2024

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 Samuel 16:7
"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Pray for Eyes to See Ourselves as God Sees Us'
"I know what you do, that you are not hot or cold. I wish that you were hot or cold! 16 But because you are lukewarm—neither hot, nor cold—I am ready....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 1:26
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'We Are Only Messengers from God!' (Acts 14:14-18)
"But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard [that the priests of Zeus were about to offer sacrifices to them], they tore their clothing in dismay....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!