Humility. Royalty. Victory. Mark 1:9-13

Introduction

Brother and sisters in the Lord, regular guests, and new comers, we continue our journey through the book of Mark. In it we have already learned the gospel is about Jesus, who is the Son of God, Messiah of God, Israel of God, and content of preaching. John, though a great prophet, was aware of someone greater than him was coming after him. In today’s text, Mark directs our sights from John the Baptist and his ministry, to the Lord Jesus and the beginnings of His earthly ministry. Mark answers the question of who we should trust in and what that person is like. The answer is likely already known by most of you, but it will become more clear as I lead is through the narrative and conclude with some points of application. As we go through this text I will encourage you to behold three aspects of the beginning of Jesus’ early ministry.

Narrative

To begin with, behold Jesus’ humble baptism: 9

9: During the days of John’s preaching and baptism ministry Jesus came several miles to be baptized by John. Jesus as the Son of God and a sinless man didn’t need a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Also, Jesus was greater than John as the one who would come after Him. He was baptized to obey His Father’s will, to identify with His sinful people who He came to redeem, and to begin His earthly ministry. Baptism is a sign of judgement and salvation. Christ would save His people by coming under the judgement they deserve.

Next, behold Jesus’ royal coronation: 10-11

10: After being baptized by John, Jesus came up out of the waters. He and John were witnesses of what came next. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove. Why like a dove? A dove is a gentle creature. A dove also played a key role in the redemption of a new people, namely the redemption of Noah and his family. The dove was sent from the Ark to receive a sign that the flood waters had rescinded. It did by retrieving an olive-branch and brining it back to Noah on the Ark. The branch signified peace. With Noah there was a reset on the human race, a new beginning. The Holy Spirit gently brings peace. When the Spirit descended upon Jesus anointed or marked Him as the redeemer who gently brings peace between God and His people. When the Spirit came upon the Judges in Isreal, He empowered for them for their work as redeemers. In a similar way the Holy Spirit coming upon Christ, marked the beginning of His ministry and the power that His ministry would have.

11: Not only did the Holy Spirit descend upon Him, but the Father spoke from heaven. He declared that Jesus is the son with whom He is well pleased. Jesus is the very presence of God with His people and the anointed servant King from David’s descendants who would redeem His people. The Father’s words communicate His love for the Son and His acceptance Son to serve as Messiah and Redeemer.

J.C. Ryle writes, “There is a rich mine of comfort in these words, for all Christ’s believing members. In themselves, and in their own doings, they see nothing to please God. They are daily sensible of weakness, shortcoming, and imperfection in all their ways. But let them recollect that the Father regards them as members of His beloved Son Jesus Christ.”

There is a rich mine of comfort in these words, for all Christ’s believing members. In themselves, and in their own doings, they see nothing to please God. They are daily sensible of weakness, shortcoming, and imperfection in all their ways. But let them recollect that the Father regards them as members of His beloved Son Jesus Christ. He

Christ is the beloved Son of God, those who trust in Him are given His righteousness. God sees them no longer as sinners, but as those clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. Jesus is the Spirit filled redeemer of sinners. Jesus is the King of God’s choosing and the His beloved Son.

Now, behold Jesus’ victorious triumph: 12-13

There is a rich mine of comfort in these words, for all Christ’s believing members. In themselves, and in their own doings, they see nothing to please God. They are daily sensible of weakness, shortcoming, and imperfection in all their ways. But let them recollect that the Father regards them as members of His beloved Son Jesus Christ. HeNow, behold Jesus’ victorious triumph: 12-13

12: The first work of Jesus’s ministry was to be taken into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and do battle with the Devil. He would undergo the test that Adam failed in the garden and Isreal failed in the wilderness. Adam succumbed to the Serpent’s temptation by eating of the forbidden fruit. Israel gave into the temptation of the Devil by not entering the promised land for fear of the nations God had promised remove through them.

13: Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days and was tempted toward the end by Satan. Satan tempted Him to make bread and not trust His Father, throw Himself off the top of the temple to test His Father, and to submit to Satan and reject His Father. Jesus overcame these temptations and would overcome all the ones that the Devil would throw at Him during His earthly ministry. He succeeded where Adam and Israel failed. The Devil couldn’t break God’s Son Jesus. He was in the wilderness with wild beasts, who were kept from destroying Him like Daniel. After the long fast and temptations, Angels aided Him who was their Lord and Master. Jesus is the humble king who triumphs over the Devil.

Main Points

Main Points

Trust in the one who is the true substitute

Jesus is the federal head of the New Covenant people, meaning that He represents His people before God. God the Son became man. As a man, He lived obediently and died sacrificially. He shares the payment of His righteousness and His payment for sins with His people. When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you are declared righteous in Him, your sins are forgiven, and his eternal inheritance is promised to you.

A: Christian, when you look at yourself and your deeds, you should see nothing worthy of God’s love or forgiveness. However, when you look at Christ you see one who is loved by God and you see God’s love for you. Your ground for assurance and encouragement in this life is the substitutionary work of Christ. Jesus has identified with your sin, not by becoming a sinner but by coming under the punishment for your sins. To all of you, no sin goes unpunished in God’s perfect justice: either by Christ or by you. Trust in Christ for salvation.

Trust in the one who is the true king

Jesus at His baptism is announced as the Son of God and anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Christ and Redeemer. He is the true king who reigns His people with gentleness, grace, and justice.

A: We are all reigned by something sin or Christ. Christian, obey the commands of God. This includes the Moral Law summarized in the ten commandments and other commands like making disciples and observing baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Tonight we take of the Lord’s Supper as a Church family. One way you might demonstrate your trust in the true King is by obeying His command to take of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus’ commands aren’t burdensome they are liberating and life giving. The Holy Spirit uses the Lord’s Supper to convict us of sin, draw our attention to Christ, and strengthen our faith. If you love your Redeemer you will obey His commands, even the one’s you don’t at present think are a big deal.

Trust in the one who is the true victor

Jesus, unlike Adam, Israel, or David, didn’t fall to Satan’s temptations. He wasn’t overcome by the Devil in life or death. Jesus is the victorious one.

A: We live in a time and culture where people put their place and trust in things that cannot bear the weight. Money and entertainment comes to mind. Is it of value to ponder the character and attributes of God? Is it of value to contemplate redemption accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ? Is hearing the Word of God preached on the Lord’s Day a waste of time? Is praying with God’s people unimportant? The Lord’s Day, Sunday, is the time designated by God for His people to gather and observe the Word of God preached, pray together, and observe Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These things don’t have as much appeal to some as a football game, party, or a few extra hours of work to many of you. Jesus lived, died, and rose victoriously. He has overcome sin, death, and Satan. He has secured eternal life for all who have trusted in Him. He is the only treasure and joy that will not disappoint you. Politicians, coworkers, friends, family, and sports team will all fail from time to time. Jesus never failed and will never fail. Consider how you spend your time. Consider how you spend your Lord’s Day.

Conclusion

Brother and sisters in the Lord, I encourage you to keep trust in this one who is the true substitute, king, and victory. Don’t stray from him to depend upon false saviors, poor rulers, or habitual losers. The Lord Jesus lived, died, rose, and ascended for you and your salvation. Keep trusting in Him , call others to trust in Him, and live for Him.

Regular guests and new comers, have you trust in the Lord Jesus? If not, do it now for your next moments aren’t promised. If so, have you been baptized in a baptism like his? If not, speak with me about baptism. Do you have a church home in which other believers may encourage you and hold you accountable? If not consider, then consider becoming a part of this church family.

Children, trust in Jesus if you have not already. If you have trusted in Him, live your life for Him now. You are bombarded with so many lies every day and many beg for you trust and promise you salvation and joy. There is no one greater than Jesus and there is no one who can give you more joy now and eternally. If your friends tempt you to disobey or forsake Jesus, then get new friends. Jesus, alone, has laid His life down for you and given eternal life.

To all of you, I conclude with a final charge trust in the one I have told you to behold, who is the true substitute, king, and victor. Trust in Jesus.