The Christ Has Come: God's Son Steps Into Our Story

INTRODUCTION

We are back in our second message as we began the gospel of Mark. Mark did not begin with genealogy as Matthew did. He did not begin with birth encounters as Luke did. He did not begin as John did with who Jesus is and always has been always will be.

John 1:1 “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

“The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Mark begins with the gospel, the good news!

Mark wastes no time. No manger scene, no Magi, no genealogies — just a man walking out of Nazareth into the waters of the Jordan.

“The Christ has come” — not as royalty on a throne, but as a Redeemer in a river. The baptism of Jesus isn’t about His repentance, but His identification — the moment when Heaven publicly confirms who He is and why He came.

Let’s see three truths about the coming of Christ that unfold in these three short verses.

Mark 1:9-11

Mark 1:9–11 NKJV

9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Prayer

Message

1. His Arrival for Ministry V. 9

Mark 1:9 “9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

A. The Humility of His Origin

“It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee…”

Now, that may sound like just a line of geography — but it’s much more than that. Nazareth of Galilee was not a place people bragged about being from. In fact, Nazareth was so unremarkable that it doesn’t show up anywhere in the Old Testament or early Jewish history books. In other words Nazareth was not on any ancient maps.

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It was small, rural, tucked away in the hills of Galilee — a working-class community, full of ordinary people doing ordinary things. You wouldn’t go there for fame, fortune, or influence. You went there to work hard, raise a family, and live quietly.

So when Mark says Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, it’s not just geography — it’s theology. God’s Son came from nowhere special to show that He came for everyone.

He didn’t grow up in Jerusalem, where the priests and scholars debated religion. He didn’t come from Rome, where the emperors wielded power. He came from a dusty little town with a population you could probably fit inside this sanctuary.

A Modern Picture: “Undercover Boss”

You’ve probably seen the TV show Undercover Boss. The idea is simple — a CEO or owner of a major company disguises themselves as an entry-level worker in their own business. They wear the uniform, they sweep the floors, they eat lunch in the break room, and they listen to the everyday stories of their employees.

By the end of the show, when the boss reveals who they really are, the employees are stunned — “You mean you’re the CEO? You’ve been right here with us this whole time?”

And here’s the beautiful part — when the boss humbles themselves to see life from the bottom up, they understand their people better. They make wiser, more compassionate decisions because they’ve walked where their workers walk.

Now think about this: that’s exactly what Jesus did — but infinitely greater. The King of Kings took off the robes of glory, laid aside the crown of heaven, and put on the uniform of humanity. He didn’t just visit earth; He became one of us. He didn’t just disguise Himself; He became flesh (John 1:14).

John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

He experienced hunger, fatigue, rejection, and temptation — yet without sin. He worked a blue-collar job, lived in a small town, and walked among common people.

So when you and I go through hard times — when we say, “Lord, You just don’t know what it’s like down here” — He can say, “Oh yes I do. I’ve been there. I’ve walked your road.”

This is the humility of His incarnation. Philippians 2:6–7:

Philippians 2:6–7 “6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

That phrase — “of no reputation” — fits perfectly with Nazareth. He came from a no-name town to give us a new name — child of God.

Child of the King lyrics

Once I was clothed in the rags of my sin Wretched and poor lost and lonely within But with wondrous compassion The king of all kings in pity and love Took me under his wing

Oh yes, oh yes I'm a child of the king His royal blood now flows in my veins And I, who was wretched and poor Now can sing praise god, praise god I'm a child of the king now I'm a child With a heavenly home my holy father Has made me his own I am blessed by his blood And I'm clothed in his love And someday I'll sing with the angels above

Application

Maybe you feel as you grew up in a “Nazareth.” Not the big city, not the wealthy neighborhood, not the famous family. You might feel like you don’t have much to offer, that your life is off the grid for God — but hear this:

If Jesus could come out of Nazareth, God can work through you right where you are. And...by the way, He knows where you are this morning.

He delights in using ordinary people and ordinary places to do extraordinary things.

Do you remember that:

Moses had a stuttering problem.

David was limited to a simple slingshot.

Mary was nothing more than a poor teenage girl in a small village.

And Jesus came from Nazareth.

God does His best work through people the world overlooks.

So in verse 9, we see the humility of His origin — the King steps into the water from the dust of Nazareth. Now in verse 10, we’ll see the heaven-sent anointing of His mission — the Spirit descending and the skies parting.

“He came from a humble place, but Heaven was about to declare a holy purpose.”

B. The Intent of His Baptism

“and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

Now, right here, a question immediately arises: Why would Jesus — the sinless Son of God — need to be baptized? John’s baptism, after all, was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). So what could Jesus possibly have to repent of? The answer is — nothing. Absolutely nothing.

But that’s precisely what makes this moment so beautiful. Jesus wasn’t baptized because He needed cleansing. He was baptized because we did.

A. Jesus’ Baptism Was About Identification, Not Repentance

When He stepped into those muddy Jordan waters, He was identifying Himself with sinful humanity. He was saying, “I’m here to stand where you stand.”

He’s not repenting of sin; He’s representing sinners. This was His first public act of obedience — His visible “Yes” to the Father’s plan of redemption.

Matthew 3:14–15 helps us understand this. John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You!” But Jesus replied, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

In other words — “John, this is the right thing to do. This is part of God’s plan. I’m identifying Myself with the people I came to save.”

B. His Baptism Foreshadowed His Mission

Every step Jesus took into the water pointed toward another place He would go — the cross. The Jordan was a picture of Calvary in miniature. He went down into the water, symbolizing death. He came up out of the water, symbolizing resurrection.

That’s why later, in Luke 12:50:

Luke 12:50 “50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!”

He wasn’t talking about water that time — He was talking about the baptism of suffering, His death on the cross. So His baptism here in Mark 1 is a public preview of His ultimate purpose — to save sinners.

Illustration:

Ill. In May 2024 the Office of the Governor of Alabama announced that Meta plans to build a $800 million data center in Montgomery: a 715,000-square-foot, AI‐optimized facility “off Interstate 65 … across from the Hyundai automotive assembly plant.” They are expanding it to 1.3 million square feet and a $1.5 Billion project. It’s like the ribbon-cutting before a major project begins. The ceremony itself isn’t the construction, but it signals that the work has officially started. Jesus’ baptism is Heaven’s ribbon-cutting ceremony — “The redemption project has begun.”

C. His Baptism Affirmed John’s Message

By submitting to baptism, Jesus was placing His divine approval on John’s preaching. John had thundered, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matt. 3:2). Now Jesus steps into the water as if to say, “Yes, John — you’re right. The kingdom is here, and I am its King.”

That’s why this moment also signaled a transition of ministries. John’s ministry — calling people to prepare the way — was now giving way to Christ’s ministry — showing The Way. John was the forerunner; Jesus is the fulfillment.

D. His Baptism Demonstrated His Obedience

The Father had not yet spoken; the Spirit had not yet descended. But Jesus obeyed before He was affirmed.

He didn’t need applause, proof, or confirmation. He simply obeyed the will of the Father. And that’s a lesson for us: obedience comes before affirmation.

Sometimes we want God to show us the blessing before we take the step He calls us to take— but Jesus models the opposite. He took the step first. Then Heaven opened and affirmed Him.

Illustration: It’s like standing at the edge of a diving board as a kid — the water looks cold, the height looks high, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. But your father is in the pool, smiling and saying, “Jump — I’ve got you.” When you finally take that leap of trust, you discover the joy that comes after obedience.

That’s what Jesus did — He stepped into the water because the Father said, “This is the way.”

Let’s be honest — sometimes obedience doesn’t make sense. Maybe the Lord is asking you to forgive someone, to serve in a ministry, to trust Him financially, or to step out in faith — and you can’t yet see the outcome.

But remember this:

“Jesus obeyed before the heavens opened — and we must too.”

When we obey, God often reveals more of Himself on the other side of that obedience. Faith isn’t waiting for everything to make sense; it’s trusting that God makes sense even when life doesn’t.

Jesus didn’t need baptism — but He chose it. He did it not to show His need for grace, but to show the depth of His humility and the extent of His identification with us.

So in verse 9, we saw His Arrival for Ministry — the humility of His origin and obedience. Now in verse 10, we move to His Accordance for Mission — when Heaven responds to His obedience, and the Spirit of God descends like a dove to empower Him for what comes next.

“Obedience opened Heaven — and Heaven opened opportunity.”

2. His Accordance for the Mission V. 10

Mark 1:10 “10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.”

Now, this verse is short, but it’s thunderous. When Jesus obeyed, Heaven responded.

A. The Heavens Were Torn Open

Mark uses a vivid word — schizomenous — “torn apart.” He doesn’t say the heavens “opened politely.” He says they were ripped open.

That’s not just a weather report — that’s a spiritual statement. For 400 years, Heaven had been silent since Malachi. But now, in a single moment, the silence is shattered.

When Jesus obeyed, Heaven spoke. When Jesus stepped into the water, Heaven stepped into history.

Illustration:

Ill. In The Greatest Showman, P.T. Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman) features Jenny Lind, the famous “Swedish Nightingale,” and takes her on a national tour of the United States — not a world tour.

When Jenny Lind came on stage and open that beautiful voice with Never Enough she was captivating. By the way, Loren Allred sang the song. It’s like a curtain being pulled back on opening night — suddenly the spotlight shines, and the story begins.

B. The Spirit Descended

Mark says the Spirit descended “like a dove.” Not a hawk or an eagle — not a symbol of aggression, but of peace and purity.

This was His anointing for ministry. Isaiah 61:1 “1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” That prophecy is now being fulfilled.

The same Spirit who hovered over the waters at creation now hovers over the waters of the Jordan — signaling a new creation.

And notice: the Spirit comes after obedience. Jesus didn’t receive power and then obey; He obeyed and then received power. Obedience is always the doorway to anointing.

Application: If you want Heaven’s blessing, start where Jesus started — obedience first, anointing follows. The Spirit still descends where hearts are surrendered.

Transition: Now, if verse 10 shows Heaven’s response to the Son, verse 11 gives Heaven’s voice about the Son — His public authentication.

3. The Authentication of the Messiah V. 11

Mark 1:11 “11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.””

A. The Father’s Declaration

This is one of the few times in Scripture when God the Father speaks audibly — and every word matters.

He says three things:

Identity – “You are My Son.” (Psalm 2:7 – The Messianic King) Psalm 2:7 “7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”

Affection – “My beloved.”

Approval – “In whom I am well pleased.” (Isaiah 42:1 – The Servant of the Lord) Isaiah 42:1 “1 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.”

This is Heaven’s public endorsement of Christ’s ministry — before a single miracle, before a single sermon.

Illustration: A father at his child’s ball game stands up in the crowd and shouts, “That’s my boy!” That’s what the Father does here — “That’s My Son!”

This moment confirms what we’ll see throughout the Gospel: Jesus is not just a messenger from God — He is the message of God.

B. The Trinity Revealed

In this one scene, we have all three Persons of the Trinity:

The Son in the water,

The Spirit descending,

The Father speaking.

Three Persons — one God — acting in perfect unity to redeem mankind. Mark may write fast, but he writes deep.

Application: The Father’s voice over Jesus is the same voice that speaks over every believer in Christ:

Ephesians 1:6 “6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

You don’t serve to earn His approval — you serve because you already have it.

Closing

From Nazareth to the Jordan, from humility to glory, the Christ has come — to identify with us, to obey for us, to be empowered by the Spirit, and to be affirmed by the Father.

Heaven tore open that day to declare:

“This is My Son.”

And because of His obedience, Heaven opens today for you and me.

Final Scripture: Hebrews 12:2 — “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…”

“The Christ has come — not to stand above us, but to stand with us, and to lead us into the open heavens of God’s redeeming grace.”