Mark 1:9-13

Mark 1:9–13 KJV (WS)

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Introduction

Mark’s fast-moving gospel jumps immediately to the introduction of Jesus.

The most important figure in the entire story of the universe is introduced 9 verses into the book.

If we could remove ourselves, if we could somehow look at this passage with fresh eyes, it wouldn’t take us long, based on these verse to figure out who Jesus is.

Mark’s introduction is brief, and yet he and Peter leave no doubt in these few words as to the unique glory of Jesus.

Let’s follow Mark’s example and move right into the story.

The Baptism of Jesus. vss 9-11

Jesus is introduced with the basic pertinent information.

Mark’s gospel makes no mention of his birth or previous years.

No manger, shepherds or wisemen.

No mention of getting lost in the Temple.

Mark brings a common man with a common name, from a common town, to participate in a common experience.

There were thousands of Yeshua’s in Israel.

Nazareth looked like dozens of other small towns.

Nobody outside the area gave a hoot about Nazareth.

Nazareth “of Galilee” added for the gentile readers.

As I said last week nearly a 1/2 million people had already been baptized by John, and he wasn’t the only one practicing baptism in those days.

With all of this commonality, how does Jesus so clearly stand out?

Throughout the book, the story will be the same.

His actions will tell who he is.

Jesus is baptized.

Mark records none of the conversations or explanations connected to the baptism of Jesus.

There is no behold the Lamb of God!

We know it happened.

John was prophesied to act as the herald of the Christ.

On that day, he announced to the crowds that had come to hear him, that the Messiah had come.

John’s life was wrapped up in this one task.

Regarding the actual baptism…

A very simple statement is made, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan.

In, under, and out.

As Jesus comes out of the water, the common is replaced by the heart-stopping.

Mark says Jesus saw the Heavens opened.

The literal phrase would be that he saw the “Heavens in the process of being ripped apart.”

It’s a more dramatic description than the ones given in the other gospels.

Mark uses the same verb that is used when the temple veil was torn.

Through the opening into heaven, a voice speaks.

Did he thunder, or was it the still small voice?

Matthew presents the voice from heaven speaking of Christ.

Seemingly the affirmation of Christ is made for all to hear.

Mark presents the voice speaking to Christ.

An intimate moment between Father and Son.

Contrast the power of God’s voice (thundering or whispering) with the gentleness of the Spirit descending as a dove.

Here at the baptism, we see the entire trinity present.

vss 10-11 are a great trinitarian passage.

Many may wonder why Jesus was baptized.

The simple answer is good, he set the example for us.

Jesus baptism was a symbolic declaration and identification of his future death burial and resurrection.

Our baptism is the same but in a past sense.

He was declaring what he would do, we are declaring what he did.

By being baptized, Jesus placed himself next to the sinners.

In baptism, he gave himself to the work of sin-bearing, and the Father accepted him for this work.

It is a great, victorious moment, but it is short-lived.

Mark immediately moves into the temptation of Jesus. vss 12-13

He says Jesus was driven by the Spirit.

From the cheers of baptism to the dead of the desert.

The Spirit’s gentleness and power is on display in this passage.

With so few words, Mark is making a big statement.

We see the character and interactivity of the Trinity exposed.

The fact the Spirit drove him into the desert paints a different picture than if he had said the Spirit led him or drew him.

He did not go to his temptation against his will.

He was influenced and empowered by the Spirit throughout his ministry.

Here, we see an early example of the Spirit’s role in Jesus’ life.

BTW, we learn about the Spirit’s role in our lives through the way He worked in Jesus’ life.

At his baptism, Jesus had been commissioned and his sonship had been affirmed.

Commissioning meant conflict.

Sonship means struggle.

After 40 days of fasting, Jesus is tempted by the devil.

Notice that Satan attacked Jesus personally.

How long had he desired this moment.

Satan is a deceiver and he is also deceived.

He no doubt thought he would be able to overcome Jesus.

He wasn’t about to let any other fallen angel take this shot.

He had watched and waited for this moment all of Jesus’ life.

Weak from 40 days alone and hungry, Jesus was at his physically weakest point.

Satan had proven his abilities in the past.

The first Adam was tempted in a beautiful garden and failed.

Jesus was tempted in a wilderness and won the victory.

Jesus’ humanity made it possible for him to feel the affects of temptation.

There is a unique and interesting inclusion in Mark’s gospel.

He tells us that part of Jesus time in the wilderness included being in danger of wild animals.

The Judean wilderness was home to many dangerous animals.

Caracals, leapards, hyenas, and even lions.

The wording implies that he was surrounded by wild animals.

This is not a paradisiacal walking next to a wild beast.

This isn’t a Disney movie.

Jesus isn’t Snow White.

His earthly experience is filled with examples of Jesus going through things that are common to man.

Hunger, Pain, Sorrow, Traveling, Working, Growing,…

Why does Mark include the fact that Jesus was in danger of wild animals?

Jesus among wild beasts is a comfort to Roman Christians facing death by wild beasts.

Served by angels.

This absolutely referred to the angels bringing Him food.

Beyond that, we can only guess what the ministration of angels included.

No doubt worship.

No doubt service.

They cared for his human body.

Jesus would immediately begin his public ministry after this.

Miracles and preaching would follow.

But, before all of that, Mark took time to introduce Jesus in this way.

Interpretation

Mark’s readers have learned that this Jesus is a figure that cannot be ignored by the great forces of creation.

Announced by man.

Affirmed by God.

Acknowledged by Satan.

Served by angels.

Given the grandness of this introduction, it sure seems like we should pay attention to Jesus.

How well do you know Jesus?

I mean like his actions and his teachings?

Is he the most important figure in your life?

How can we have a good relationship with him if we aren’t studying who he is?

I want to challenge you, Easter is in 3 weeks.

Read a gospel between now and then.