Beginning the Journey

Mark 1:9–15 ESV

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.” The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Season of Preparation

The season of Lent invites us into reflection, remembrance, and deepening our relationship with God as we prepare to celebrate Easter.

Today, on the First Sunday of Lent, we turn to the Gospel of Mark 1:9-15, where we witness the launching of Jesus' earthly ministry through His baptism, temptation, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

This narrative offers us a rich parallel to explore during our Lenten journey.

Journey Metaphor

Imagine embarking on a long journey to a foreign land.

You desire to learn the culture, the history, and the people.

Would you go unprepared or seek out guides and resources to inform your exploration?

As Jesus began His public ministry, He too entered new territory.

His baptism was not due to sin, but an act of initiation into this next phase of His mission.

Indeed, it is best stated that Jesus’ baptism was an act of identity and purpose.

Jesus' Baptism: An Act of Identity and Purpose

Identity with Israel

Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River connected Him to the people of Israel and their crossing with Joshua as they entered the Promised Land:

Joshua 3:14–17 ESV

So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Christian theologians have often viewed Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land as a typological foreshadowing of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan.

Joshua's crossing marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Israelites as they entered the land God had promised them.

Similarly, Jesus' baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry.

The waters of the Jordan were parted for Joshua, signifying God's miraculous provision and presence

The heavens opened during Jesus' baptism as a sign of divine affirmation and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Joshua was affirmed as the leader of Israel and the one who would lead his people into a new covenantal relationship with God in the Promised Land.

Jesus' baptism affirms His identity as the Son of God and the Savior, inaugurating the new covenant and leading people into the Kingdom of God.

The Israelites' passage through the Jordan River symbolized a transition and purification, a theme central to the concept of baptism.

Jesus' passage through the waters of the Jordan symbolizes the purification and redemption He brings to the whole world, not just the people of Israel.

Time and time again in the Bible we see that water represents both a barrier and a passageway…

…a symbol of purification, and a sign of transition to a new life.

In addition to affirming his identity with the Jewish people, Jesus’ baptism also affirmed His identity with God.

Mark 1:11–12 ESV

And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.

For the Jewish mind, this reality would take them back to both Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1, both of which serve a prophetic purpose.

Psalm 2:7 ESV

I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

Isaiah 42:1 ESV

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

At Jesus' baptism, the heavens open and God's voice affirms His divine sonship, echoing Psalm 2:7's kingly decree and Isaiah 42:1's servant prophecy.

This connects Jesus' messianic role with His identity as God's beloved Son.

This act of baptism, then, becomes a fulcrum of Jewish messianic hope, and Christian revelation of Jesus as both servant and sovereign.

It encapsulates God's redemptive plan for humanity and in our baptisms, we are invited to find our identities in Him.

Purpose

When Jesus stepped out of the Jordan River, it wasn't just a personal moment of spiritual significance.

It was God's green light for Him to kickstart His mission.

Right there, with the backdrop of the heavens parting and God's voice stating, "You are my beloved Son," Jesus was handed His divine mission statement.

This wasn't just about fulfilling ancient prophecies like those in Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1; it was about setting the stage for everything Jesus was about to do next.

Think of it as His official introduction before He hit the ground running, teaching, healing, and flipping the script on what people thought they knew about God's kingdom.

Wilderness

Isn’t interesting that the first thing Jesus does is go into the wilderness to experience temptation.

Mark 1:12–13 ESV

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

It has often been said that in baptism, Jesus entered into the world’s sin without sinning.

In the wilderness he reversed the curse of Adam by refusing to eat anything at all for 40 days.

Just as Adam and Eve brough sin into the world through eating, Jesus bring healing by fasting.

Has anyone in here ever fasted?

The longest I’ve ever fasted was 3 days.

It was not easy.

I can’t imagine 40 days without food.

Jesus must have been utterly famished and, yet, unlike Adam and Eve, he did not take the bait of Satan.

Instead, through faithfulness, Jesus reversed the curse.

Jesus’ baptism, and his temptation, were His way of entering into the world…

His sinlessness through temptation in the wilderness was his way of reversing Adam’s curse.

Best of all, Jesus baptism and His faithfulness aren’t just for him.

They are for us.

Like Jesus, we are called to receive our identity and purpose in both our baptisms, and in wilderness seasons.

Our Identity & Call in Baptism

As it was for Jesus, baptism is like our own starting line, inspired by Jesus' plunge into the Jordan.

It's not just a ritual we go through; it's a moment where we get our own mission, echoing Jesus' call to bring love, healing, and hope into our corners of the world.

So, as Jesus went from His baptism to get down to business, healing the sick and teaching about love and justice, we're also called to take our baptismal splash as a sign to get moving.

Romans 6:3–5 ESV

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Our baptism calls us to mirror Jesus.

We're called to follow Jesus's teaching, even when challenging (Mark 8:34-35).

Similarly we all face "wilderness" seasons where our faith feels dry, and temptations try to lead us astray.

Lent challenges us to fortify ourselves spiritually through deep prayer, fasting, and meditating on Scripture.

By leaning into these resources, we prepare ourselves to overcome obstacles and emerge from testing closer to God.

Lent: A Season for Turning to God

Lent calls for inward examination, confessing shortcomings and sin and then seeking forgiveness from God and those we may have wronged.

The story of Jesus's baptism, temptations, and proclamation are more than theology; they offer practical ways to approach Lent.

Here's how to apply them:

Embrace Baptismal Identity: Dive deeper into your understanding of baptism.

Reflect on its personal meaning for you as God's child.

Renew your commitment to live your baptism, not just for Lent, but daily.

Resist Temptation: While Lent involves fasting, genuine resistance extends beyond simply giving up certain items for short periods.

Identify areas where you're drawn into temptations that lead you away from God.

Then as, the Holy Spirit for inner strength, looking to Scripture for wisdom and guidance during weak moments.

Repent & Believe: Make honest repentance a priority by confessing your sin and seeking forgiveness, both from God and from anyone you've wronged.

Don't stop there - go and commit to making your life more reflective of the Gospel's values.

Be transformed in how you view others with a focus on kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness.

Your life should be a reflection of faith in action.

Proclaim the Kingdom: Sharing our faith doesn't always need to be a large statement.

Consider daily, simple acts of service ways to demonstrate God's love

Conclusion

Friends, in Jesus's baptism, temptations, and initial ministry, we see a model for our Lenten journey.

This season invites self-examination, repentance, and preparation for Easter.

May each of us choose to embrace an even deeper relationship with God, reaffirming our identity in Christ, and live the Gospel life each day!

Let Us Pray

Hymn of Reflection: Have Thine Own Way Lord