Anointed & Tested

Introduction/tension

We’re back in our series in the Gospel of Mark. And we are met with Mark’s brief mention of two events that other gospel writers give a great deal of explanation to. The baptism of Jesus and the temptation of Jesus. We must remember Mark’s sense of urgency in getting the gospel to Rome. So, here we see Mark introduce our Lord, the one John said he couldn’t adjust his shoe laces. And there was really not much fanfare, Mark gets right to it. He skips over any mention of the family form which Jesus comes. He just says, Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee, was baptized by John. We don’t see John’s protest. We just get straight to the dunking.

But if you think about it. The fact that the Christian Lord was baptized by a Jewish prophet isn’t a story anyone would have invented. It didn’t need explanation or defense. Mark in a way is saying, I’m mentioning this because it happened, and it is no advantage to me to mention it if it didn’t. There’s a lot in the gospel accounts that are like that.

So in his being brief, Mark is getting straight to the main point. Jesus is who he said he is and he can be trusted. In this case because he was anointed by God and tested by God and as a result he came out triumphant and we can trust him and align our lives with him.

A need we all have

And that’s what we need to do. Who I am and should be is based on who Jesus is and what eh accomplished for me. The question, isn’t can I trust him. The answer is I can trust him and the question becomes, will I give him my all. We can’t do this without Jesus’ help.

"Lord help us to be humble enough to hear your word and help us to respond to you in joy as we apply your word to our lives.”

What God Says: Biblical Truth

If you’re able, please stand to honor the word of the Lord.

Mark 1:9–13 CSB

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.

Remember who you are

Whole our text is about Jesus and how he was anointed, ultimately we need to remind ourselves of who we are in light of who he is. So, let’s review who he is.

Anointed - Jesus being dunked in the water in a way was an anointing for his ministry. Anointing was usually done with oil. David was anointed by Samuel. Fun fact, I had the opportunity to be anointed in the same place when I went to Israel as an 18 year old. The oil is poured over someone to symbolize them being set apart for a task or a position. Jesus’ baptism is like an anointing. And it came with a declaration.

Son - God the Father, from heaven booms a very important statement for all to hear.

Mark 1:11 CSB

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

We don’t have time to get into all the implications today but I invite you to join our discussion on the Trinity on Wednesday nights. But, here we see definitively the Triune God present in this moment. God the Father’s voice, God the Son’s presence and ministry beginning, God the Spirit like a dove settling on Jesus, showing he’s set apart for a specific task.

In Christ - if we are in Christ. If we’ve trusted in him as our savior, then what is true about him gets transferred to us, because of him.

Romans 8:16–17 CSB

The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Galatians 3:26–29 CSB

for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus. For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.

We are sons and daughters of God through Christ. So, we must remember who we are.

Remember how to fight

The second event John introduces us to in a very to the point manner is the temptation of Jesus. After his anointing through baptism, Jesus is taken to the wilderness to encounter Satan’s temptations. And Jesus fought them and overcame them and we can come to terms with this in how we can fight sin and temptation.

Hebrews 4:15 CSB

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 knows what it’s like for us. And we have, in him, someone who can stand in the gap for us. And as a result, we can overcome the power of temptation.

Sin is a sneaky thing. It is so easy for a committed Christian to be duped into believing the enemy’s lies. But we have a way to fight sin and temptation in our lives and we must always fight it, it has no place in our lives.

We need not do this alone, we can run to Jesus.

Closing

He’s inviting you to come to him today.

Matthew 11:28–30 CSB

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Romans 10:9–10 CSB

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

Romans 10:13 CSB

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.