The Grands Letter (Mark/GLJ)

Dear Grands,

Mark 1:1-8. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; 3 THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, “MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.” 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he was preaching, and saying, “After me, One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 “I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

All of us come into this world as sinners. Ultimately, we come to know that we are sinners and need forgiveness for the sins we have committed. Eventually, we learn that Jesus died and arose from the dead to save us from our sin. When we accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior of our lives, the Holy Spirit indwells us. We have become His children and are heirs of all that He possesses.

I was baptized in the river when I was seven years of age. I had accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior and was testifying to that fact by being baptized. My baptism did not save me from sin – Jesus did that! – but it signified that I had turned from sin and become a Spirit-born child of God.

In the day and time of Isaiah’s prophecy, Jesus had not yet come. But Mark is telling us that Jesus has now come and wants to be our LORD and Savior. Have you trusted Him as your LORD and Savior? You need Him; and He can change your life for the good! But until you trust Him, you cannot imagine the change He will make in you! Trust Him today! You’ll rejoice and always be thankful for His love and forgiveness.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom