Mark 1:9-13 Prepared for Purpose

Prepared for Purpose: The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

Bible Passage: Mark 1:9-15

Are you a prepared person?

Anyone who spends time outdoors learns quickly that preparation matters.

You do not wait until you are lost in the woods to learn how to use a compass and map You do not wait until the storm hits to set your tent up for the first time. Or what about athletes. They spend all year preparing to work hard for a game once a week. Or here locally, You do not wait until winter to split firewood for the wood stove. Perhaps for myself, it would be rather unwise to start my sermon prep Sunday morning. The people who panic most are usually the people who assumed preparation was unnecessary, that they’d figure it out on the fly. And often the hardest part about preparation is that it feels slow and hidden. Nobody applauds checking your gear. Nobody celebrates the repetitive practice Nobody posts pictures of the early wake ups.

But preparation determines whether you are ready for what lies ahead. And in Mark 1, before Jesus publicly begins His ministry, the Spirit leads Him into preparation: first through baptism, then through the wilderness. Before the preaching. Before the miracles. Before the crowds.

The Son of God is prepared for His mission.

Mark 1:9–13 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. As soon as he came up out of the water, 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.” Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.

May God bless the reading of His Word.

Lets Pray

Father in heaven,

We come before You this morning humbled that You have spoken to us through Your Word and through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank You for this passage in Mark that reveals Christ so clearly to us — the beloved Son, the Spirit-anointed Savior, the One who stepped into the waters for sinners like us and stood victorious in the wilderness where we so often fail.

Lord, as we open Your Word now, prepare our hearts the way You prepared Your Son for ministry. Strip away distractions. Expose our sin. Strengthen our faith. Teach us what it means to identify with Christ, to obey You even when it is difficult, and to stand firm against temptation by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Help us not merely to admire Jesus today, but to trust Him, worship Him, and follow Him. For those who do not know Christ, open blind eyes to see the beauty of the gospel. For weary believers walking through wilderness seasons, remind them that our Savior has gone there before them and stands ready to help.

Father, let us leave here delighting more deeply in Your Son — the One with whom You are well pleased.

We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

1. Beloved Baptized (v. 9-11)

Mark 1:9–11 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

Imagine if you will, that you find yourself as a bystander to this scene unfolding before you. Out of curiousity, youve been watchinging this strange man named John. He dresses in camel hair, eating bugs and honey. His words challenge the authorities of his day. And he is gaining quite a following talking about the kingdom of God and His grace.You find yourself amongst the crowds, wondering if you too should be baptized. When you hear him speak of “one who ius coming after him.” One so great that John does not feel he is even worthy to untie his sandals. One who would baptize not with water, but with the Holy Spirit of God. When John seems to pause and fix his eyes on one man and exclaims with great excitment as John 1:29–30 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’”

As you turn, you see Him too. You learn his name is Jesus, of Nazareth. Nazareth was a fairly unremarkable and quiet town. Perhaps looked down upon slightly by its neighbors for its history and independent spirit. And Jesus appeared to be just as unremarkable, that is to say he appeared as just a normal man. This was before he had started his ministry. Before the miracles, the healings, the crowds. This man who John clearly reveres asks him to be baptized. Listen to John’s response Matthew 3:14 “But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?””

John is indignant. I have been baptizing people for a repentance of sins. Ive been telling them about your kingdom. Ive been telling them how much greater you are than me. The spotless lamb who will take away the sin of the world. I should be getting baptized by you.

Back to the present. John was certainly right to have some reservations about baptizing Jesus. Why was Jesus, the sinless son of man, wanting to be baptized? something that represented turning away from sin and being washed clean. He responds in Matthew 3:15 “Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.”

Its as if Jesus is responding, John, now is not the time, I can explain it all some other time. For now, can you please just allow this.

Mark does not give us a clear reason in the text. Mark just says it happened. But I want to give you a few reasons that seem wrapped up in this message. The first and most simple is that this is Jesus putting His stamp of approval on John the baptist’s ministry. The next reasoning is that this was a moment of dedication for Jesus. Becasue right after He is wisked away into his ministry. A sort of commisioning ceremony. Or perhaps this was a way for Jesus to identify with man. If you want to identify with Jesus and get baptized please talk to me. The last reason I think is the most important but perhaps the most theological. The New Testament will often refer to Jesus as the new adam, second adam, or last adam. That is to say that Jesus is the fufilment of everything Adam was supposed to be before the fall. Adam in his disobedience doomed mankind to a life of toil, sickness, and sin. Jesus through his life of perfect obedience and sacrifice has bought for us a new life. In order for Jesus’ death on the cross to be effectual, he also had to live a righteous life. And the grace of God looks at the cross and sees my dirty, sinful works. But He looks at me and sees the beautiful righteousness of Christ.

As Messiah, Jesus had to submit himself to every word that proceeds from the mouth of the law. He had to obey the law in every way. Even though Jesus was not a sinner, in humility he identified with sinful man and was baptized.

Mark communicates all of that by simply saying, In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. As an aside, in the greek it says Jesus was put into and out of the water, showing that baptism was done by immersion.

The verse goes on.

As soon as he came up out of the water, 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.””

What a sight this must have been. The text says as soon as, or immediately, a word mark uses over 40 times. As soon as Jesus is raised up from the water, The heavens are torn open. Moses, Joshua, and Elijah were known to part water. but Jesus tears the very fabric of heaven. This signifies not only that the doors of heaven are now open (Ezek. 1:1; Rev. 4:1) but also that the new kingdom age has begun with cataclysm. It is the same language used by the psalmist and the prophet Isaiah when we see God BREAK into human existence. He intervenes and rescues His people. What did this exactly look like, I dont know. But it must have been awe inspiring. For God has entered into human History, and intervened on behalf of His people.

Then we see the spirit of God descend on Jesus like a dove. A dove is often used to depict the Holy Spirit in Christian art. But I dont think the emphasis here is supposed to be on the bird. Instead it is on the Holy Spirit descending on Christ. It brings pictures of Genesis 1:2 where the spirit of God hovered over the waters of creation. Or the dove returning to Noah to show that the waters had receded after the flood. It was a sign of God’s works in the world. And Jesus came to work. In luke, Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1–2 “The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn,” The Holy Spirit is essential to the works of God on earth. Both actions against evil, and for good.

This is a sign that Jesus really is God. And God the Father has anointed Him with the Holy Spirit.

But in case you are still not convinced by this crazy experience that Jesus is really portrayed as God and is really sent here on a rescue mission, the text goes on.

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.””

It is a rare thing for God the Father to speak audibly. Even rarer still is it for God to speak audibly before a crowd. This is the first time that God has spoken since the days of the prophets. What is so important? nothing short of a divine declaration that Jesus is God and that He has had an eternal relationship with the Father.

See the grace and tenderness of the Father. The love and gentleness.

And notice how the Father delights in His Son. He takes pleasure in. God finds satisfaction in the son.

The words spoken here are taken from two distinct Old Testament passages. The first is from Psalm 2:7 “where God declares you are my son.

Psalm 2 was often read at the coronation of a Jewish kings but it is really a messianic psalm. It tells of the eternal king that would ultimately be Jesus Christ, conquering His foes through the cruxifixction and the establishment of His kingdom. That kingdom is higher than any the earth could ever hope to create.

The other passage is

Isaiah 42:1 ““This is my servant; I strengthen him, this is my chosen one; I delight in him. I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring justice to the nations.”

The chapter describes the Servant-Messiah who would suffer and die as he served God and fulfilled his mission of atoning for sin on behalf of humanity. Thus, in the two phrases spoken, the voice from the throne of heaven described both Jesus’ status as the Servant who would suffer and die, and as the King who will reign forever.

Here in these verses we see a display of the trinity all acting together at the same time. God the Father speaks, Christ the Son is Baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends. When we confess the trinity we say that God is three in persons but one in essence or being. To deny the trinity is to deny the Christian faith. The trinity is a complex topic that our human words often fall short when we try to describe it. Whenever someone comes up with a metaphor I cringe. Because I know they are well intentioned. But it always confesses a long dead heresy. And I dont mean to destroy your favorite one. But we must have clarity when we discuss the things of God. The two most common errors are partialism and modalism. Partialism looks like this. God is like an egg, make up of a shell, white, and yolk. Father, son, and Spirit, But God is not 3 parts of one whole. He is one being. Another illustration sounds like God is like water, sometimes ice, liquid, or Gas. But God does not change. He is not sometimes the Father and sometimes the son or spirit. He is all these things, always.

Well thanks pastor Joe, now what do I do? I could just move on to the text point but I wont do that to you. Sometimes it is best to simply say God, I dont comprehend all your mysteries. And thats a good thing. God is so much more vast than our minds can comprehend. That doesnt me that we throw up our hands and give up a deeper study either. The good news is our brothers and sisters of the past have wrestled with these same questions we do. We dont need to start over when trying to explain these topics. In the third and fourth century, questions about the trinity were dividing the church. And a man named Athanasius fought back against many of the false ideas. The Athanasian Creed was not written by him, but was heavily inspired by his teachings. I do not have time to go through the whole thing today. But its not too long. If you wrestle with this doctrine please go read it, or even commit it to memory. But it opens this way.

Now this is the catholic (meaning universal) faith:

    That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,     neither blending their persons     nor dividing their essence.         For the person of the Father is a distinct person,         the person of the Son is another,         and that of the Holy Spirit still another.         But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one,         their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.

Now maybe that confused you more and I apoligize. But it is so important that we get the nature of God right. Because we sere an awesome God. And He is so far above the realm of man.

So what do we do with all this?

So what do we do with this powerful scene and this heady theology? First, identify with Christ as He identified with you. Jesus, the sinless Son, humbly stepped into John’s baptism of repentance to identify fully with sinners like us. He didn’t need cleansing—He did it for us. I know I talked about this last week but  If you have never been baptized as a believer, this is your invitation. Jesus publicly identified with us; will you publicly identify with Him? Baptism is not about having your life together first. It is about declaring you belong to the Lamb who takes away your sin. It is an essential step of obedience. And it is a celebration with your brothers and sisters over what Christ has done.

Second, delight in Christ as the Father delights in Him. The voice from heaven declared, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Because you are united to Jesus by faith, the Father’s delight in His Son now rests on you. Yet the gospel calls us further: if the Father delights in Christ, we must learn to delight in Him too. Move beyond cold duty. Fix your heart on the beauty of the One who humbled Himself in the Jordan for you. Meditate on Him, sing to Him, rehearse the gospel, and ask the Holy Spirit to kindle fresh affection. Delight in Jesus fuels obedience, sustains us in trials, and makes our faith attractive.

Third, obey even when it doesn’t make sense. Jesus submitted to a baptism He didn’t need “to fulfill all righteousness.” Sometimes God calls us to humble, odd, or costly obedience. Follow Jesus anyway. Those seemingly small steps of obedience often become the launching pad for greater things in your life, just as this moment launched Jesus into His public ministry.

Finally, worship and trust our triune God. At the Jordan we see the Trinity acting together: the Son baptized, the Spirit descending, the Father speaking. This same God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is at work in your salvation and daily life. The Father plans it, the Son accomplishes it, and the Spirit empowers it. Rest in this God who is far greater than our minds can fully grasp.

Jesus went down into the water so sinners could be raised to new life. Delight in Him. Identify with Him. Obey Him. And worship the triune God who has rescued you. Jesus did all of this as a way to prepare for His future ministry. And He is not done being prepared. The baptism inaugurates Jesus’ ministry. Now He is about to be Tested.

2. Trials and Temptations (v. 12-13)

Mark 1:12–13 “Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.”

Immediately. This word in the greek also carries the idea of inevitably. As if this was unavoidable. And we see the Spirit who is often portrayed as gentle and meek now driving Jesus out into the wilderness. Drive is a strong word here. Its the same word used for casting out demons. This is not to say that Jesus was unwilling or reluctant to go. Rather it is communicating to us that Jesus was utterly determined to go. Theres a match up, a fight between Jesus and the forces of evil about to take place. And Jesus is charging straight ahead. This battle is one that is seen time and time again bu God’s people. And His people often fail. But Jesus is greater.

This temptation of Jesus happens in the wilderness. We talked last week about the symbolysim contained by the wilderness. It is often the place of testing for God’s people. And this number 40 seems to also cary that same conotation. Israel was refined in the wilderness for 40 years. If you recall the exodus story you know that Israel was given every oppurtunity to choose obedience and choode God. But they failed time and time again. Moses and Elijah both had 40 day fasts in the wilderness. Whats notable about Elijahs fast is the angels also ministered to him there. In the story of Noah it rained for 40 days. As we discussed last week, Mark is trying to show here that Jesus is greater. He is greater than satan and the forces of evil. He is greater than Moses and Elijah. And He is the new and greater Adam.

The Temptation of Adam in the Garden looked different than that of Jesus in the wilderness. Adam and Eve were in a lush Garden with full stomachs. Their work was easy. They had perfect companionship. Sin had not yet fractured their relationship with each other or with God.

Jesus, the second Adam was in a desolate wilderness. He was alone. He fasted, that is he did not eat for 40 days. Jesus the Son of God was hungry, alone, and weakened when the father of lies came to Him.

But the temptation offered to both of them was exactly. Think back to Genesis 3. Satan goes to Eve and asks “Did God really say …. Did God really say you cannot eat from any tree. No God is keeping something from you. He knows that if you eat from the tree you will become like Him, knowing good from evil.” Are you really going to take God at His word and obey? That temptation. That deception fooled Eve, and Adam likewise.

Matthew and Luke record three specific temptations that Satan threw at Jesus. But its likely that Jesus was being attacked and tempted the whole time.

And each of them have the same thrust behind them Matthew 4:3 “Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.””

Satan did not come to Jesus and say hey, show me your power. No he was sneakier than that. He instead tried talking Jesus up. Are you really the son of God? why are you here surounded by such humiliation and deprivation. If you really are the son of God you should have the easy life. Go on Jesus, turn those rocks into some nice bread for yourself. See just a few verses before the voice of God the Father declared “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” And here is satan saying, is that reaaaaly true? Jesus replied quoting from the Old Testament Matthew 4:4 “He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.””

Satan you misunderstand this whole situation. and you certainly misunderstand God’s word. There is no sin in eating when you are hungry. But right now I have committed myself to this fast. And I cannot break it until my Father says so.

The next temptation Satan brings Jesus to the top of the temple. Here Satan actually twists and misuses Scripture, which is a tactic He still uses today. He says If you really are the son of God throw yourself down and the angels will protect you. Jesus responded with Scripture saying that You shall not put the Lord to the test. He made it clear that He trusted the Father and had no need to test Him.

The last temptation was perhaps the most tempting. Matthew 4:8–9 “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.””

Satan, as the prince of this age, runs rampant amongst the kingdoms of this world. And this offer must have been tantalizing. Jesus, dont you want to avoid the hardships of this world. Dont you want to avoid the shame and pain of the cross. You can still have this world. You can still have it all. Just one little thing. Just one little thing. Just bow to me. You know we are all alone. You dont have to grovel. No one will know. Take the easy way.

Matthew 4:10 “Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.””

Go away. I will not bow. I will not have an Idol. What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul. Jesus may be lonely, hungry, tired, and weak, but none of those are worth bowing.

Satan threw everything at Jesus those 40 days, far more than we can comprehend. And Jesus withstood it all. So Satan flees for a time.

People like to object when they are exhorted to resist temptation as Jesus did in the wilderness. Of course Jesus resisted. He’s God. How could he really know the struggles I face as a man battling sin. Yes Jesus is God. Yet He also is man. Truly God. Truly Man. He really was tempted as man. CS Lewis says this on Temptation: “No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness — they have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means — the only complete realist.” ― C.S. Lewis

Jesus fought temptation to a degree that none of us have ever come near. I do not go a day without giving into sin. If we are honest with ourselves, we give in far more frequent than that. But we have a hope.

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.”

Jesus faced real temptation in the wilderness—hunger, loneliness, exhaustion, and the full force of Satan’s schemes—yet without sin. He understands your struggles. When you are tempted, run to Him. He has been there. He sympathizes, and He is ready to help you stand. When Satan tempts us, it is meant to destroy our faith, our witness, our very life. But what Satan intends for our harm, God intends for our good, the testing and strengthening of our faith as we stand firm in the Lord.

James 1:2–4 “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

Hard times will come. That is a garuntee. So what will you cling to. Where will your hope be found?

Mark is writing to a group of believers in Rome who would have been familiar with the pattern seen in the text. They receive the Holy Spirit. Theyre baptized and go public with their faith. And immediately they are thrown into trials. Some internal and spiritual. And we may be very familiar with those. But some very real and physical that we have so far been protected against in this part of the world. They were hosting their church meetings in catacombs. Fully realizing that tomorrow their wilderness could very well be the colleseum. Many of our brothers and sisters around the world face similiar realities. In most of the world, Christianity is a very costly thing. What is their hope? The simple but profound words of the Gospel. Their savoir who has himself been through the fires of temptation and even death. The savior who came out victorious and stated I will never leave you nor forsake you. That is where their hope was found. And that is the only sure ground we can stand on today.

Jesus was prepared for His purpose. Before He ever preached the kingdom, before one miracle, He was baptized and driven into the wilderness. In the waters He identified with us. In the wilderness He fought the fight we fight. And now He stands ready to save us.

Conclusion

So what will you do with this Jesus?

First, if you have never been baptized as a believer, lets talk Jesus, the sinless Son of God, humbled Himself and was baptized to identify with sinners like us. He didn’t need it — you do. Baptism is your public declaration: “I belong to Jesus. I have died with Him and I am raised to walk in new life.” Don’t put it off. Talk to me after the service. Lets plan the day you publicly identify with the One who identified with you.

Second, repent and believe the gospel. This is exactly where Jesus began His ministry: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Maybe you’ve been religious but never truly surrendered. Maybe you’ve been running, delaying, or trying to clean yourself up first. Stop. The Lamb of God has already taken away the sin of the world. The Beloved Son has already lived the life you couldn’t live and died the death you deserved. Turn from your sin today and trust Him completely.If you want to know you are right with For, please don’t leave here without talking to someone. We would love to welcome you into the kingdom. 

Third, learn to resist temptation by the power of the Holy Spirit. You will face wilderness seasons. Some of you are in one right now. We all have sin in our lives. Perhaps there is one in particular that has its grips on you. The same Spirit that drove Jesus into the desert now lives in every believer. When Satan whispers lies, when the world offers easy shortcuts, when your flesh grows weak — run to Christ. Fight with Scripture. That’s how Jesus did it. Start memorizing just a verse or two to give you hope. Cling to your sympathetic High Priest who was tempted in every way yet without sin. He knows exactly what you’re facing, and He is ready to help you stand. You don’t fight alone. The same Jesus who defeated Satan in the wilderness gives you His Spirit.

Jesus went down into the water so you could come up forgiven. He went into the wilderness so you could stand victorious over temptation He rose from the dead so you could have eternal life. accomplishes it, and the Spirit empowers it. Rest in this God who is far greater than our minds can fully grasp. Jesus went down into the water so sinners could be raised to new life. Delight in Him. Identify with Him. Obey Him. And worship the triune God who has rescued you. Lets Pray.

Father,

Thank You for showing us Your Son today.Thank You that Jesus willingly stepped into the waters to identify with sinners. Thank You that He stood firm in the wilderness where Adam failed and where we fail so often. Thank You that He obeyed perfectly, suffered willingly, died sacrificially, and rose victoriously so that sinners like us could be forgiven and made new.

Lord, help us now to respond rightly to Your Word. For those who need to repent and believe the gospel, draw them to Christ today. For those who need to follow You in baptism, give them courage and joyful obedience. For believers walking through temptation and trials, strengthen them by Your Spirit and remind them that they do not fight alone.

Teach us to delight in Christ as You delight in Him. Teach us to trust You when obedience is costly. Teach us to worship You rightly as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Christian Standard Bible Jude

Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.