TUESDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2018 MORNING
Mark 1:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”[c]—
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”[d]
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with[e] water, but he will baptize you with[f] the Holy Spirit.”
Mark’s Gospel does not begin with the birth of Jesus Christ but with information about the ministry of the adult John the Baptist. He was chosen by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. John called Jewish people to return to their God and to be baptized as a sign of repentance of sins and commitment to God. He told about the Messiah who would come with a different baptism. Jesus commanded Christian baptism just before He ascended to heaven after completing His ministry on earth. During Christian baptism we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you are a baptized Christian the Holy Spirit lives in you. Listen to The Holy Spirit and obey His guidance every day.
JUMANNE TAREHE 18 DISEMBA 2018 ASUBUHI MARKO 1:1-8
Marko 1:1-8
1 Mwanzo wa Injili ya Yesu Kristo, Mwana wa Mungu.
2 Kama ilivyoandikwa katika nabii Isaya, Tazama, namtuma mjumbe wangu Mbele ya uso wako, Atakayeitengeneza njia yako.
3 Sauti ya mtu aliaye nyikani, Itengenezeni njia ya Bwana, Yanyosheni mapito yake.
4 Yohana alitokea, akibatiza nyikani, na kuuhubiri ubatizo wa toba liletalo ondoleo la dhambi.
5 Wakamwendea nchi yote ya Uyahudi, nao wa Yerusalemu wote, wakabatizwa katika mto wa Yordani, wakiziungama dhambi zao.
6 Na Yohana alikuwa amevaa singa za ngamia na mshipi wa ngozi kiunoni mwake, akala nzige na asali ya mwitu.
7 Akahubiri akisema, Yuaja nyuma yangu aliye na nguvu kuliko mimi, ambaye mimi sistahili kuinama na kuilegeza gidamu ya viatu vyake.
8 Mimi niliwabatiza kwa maji; bali yeye atawabatiza kwa Roho Mtakatifu.