QUESTIONS FROM MARK: WHO ARE YOU?

5 DAY DEVOTIONAL 

Day 1: Faith Is Now About Grace, Not Law
The coming of John the Baptist marked a turning point in the story of God’s people, as he called the crowds away from the old system of sacrifices and temple rituals and toward a new way of relating to God—one rooted in grace rather than law. No longer were people to rely on outward acts or the purity of their offerings; instead, they were invited to receive forgiveness as a gift, through repentance and faith. This shift can be unsettling, especially when it challenges long-held beliefs or traditions, but it is also an invitation to experience the freedom and joy that come from God’s unearned favor. [07:40]

Mark 1:4
"John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you still try to earn God’s approval through your own efforts, rather than receiving His grace as a gift?


Day 2: Salvation Is Personal, Not Merely Corporate
John’s message called each person to take responsibility for their own sin and to seek forgiveness personally, rather than relying on the collective rituals or heritage of their community. The crowds who came to him were invited to confess their sins and be baptized as a sign of their own repentance, marking a move from corporate atonement to individual accountability before God. This personal call remains for us today: salvation is not inherited or achieved by association, but received through a personal encounter with Jesus and a heartfelt confession of our need for Him. [34:53]

Mark 1:5
"And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." (ESV)

Reflection: Can you remember a specific moment when you personally confessed your need for Jesus and received His forgiveness? If not, what is holding you back from doing so today?


Day 3: Humility Is the Mark of True Servanthood
John the Baptist modeled profound humility, refusing to draw attention to himself or claim honor that belonged to Jesus. Even as crowds gathered and some wondered if he might be the Messiah, John pointed away from himself, declaring that he was not worthy even to untie the sandals of the one who was coming after him. True spiritual leadership is marked by this kind of humility—recognizing our own unworthiness and directing others to Christ rather than to ourselves. [47:08]

Mark 1:7-8
"And he preached, saying, 'After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'" (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility today by pointing others to Jesus rather than seeking recognition for yourself?


Day 4: Jesus Changes Us from the Inside Out
While John’s baptism was an outward sign of repentance, Jesus brings a deeper transformation—He baptizes with the Holy Spirit, changing hearts and desires from within. This inward renewal is not about mere behavior modification, but about a new life that God creates in us, making us want what He wants and empowering us to live differently. Many find that, after encountering Jesus, old habits lose their grip and new desires take root, evidence of the Spirit’s work within. [48:48]

2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (ESV)

Reflection: Is there a habit or desire that God has changed in you since you began following Jesus? How can you thank Him for that transformation today?


Day 5: Following Jesus’ Example in Baptism and Faith
Jesus Himself was baptized, not because He needed repentance, but to identify with us and to set an example of obedience and humility. His baptism was a public declaration of His mission and a model for all who would follow Him. For those who have not yet taken this step, baptism is an outward sign of an inward change—a way to publicly declare faith in Christ and to follow in His footsteps. Assurance of salvation comes not from church membership or family tradition, but from a personal response to Jesus through repentance, confession, forgiveness, and faith. [52:47]

Mark 1:9-11
"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.'" (ESV)

Reflection: If you have not yet been baptized as a believer, what is keeping you from following Jesus’ example? If you have, how can you encourage someone else to take this step of faith?