Mark 1:9 ( ESV )
Of all the places in the world why would anyone want to come from Nazareth? Even the future apostle Nathanael would ask, “Can anything good come from there?” It was such an obscure little place that the O.T. makes no reference to it as well as the Talmud. One of the things that I cherish the most though about my Jesus, is how He was always willing to take something obscure, and make it great. Many people would call His followers the sect of the Nazarene. Jesus and His followers though would seem to carry their mocking as a badge of honor. Our Lord, was always more concerned, about taking the foolish things of this world and turning them around and using them for His glory.
His cousin John would have the honor of baptizing Jesus. This was not an easy thing for John to do. We are told of how John felt about baptizing Jesus in the book of Matthew. John would say, “I need to be baptized by you and yet you come to me?” Here was the one that John did not even feel worthy to take his sandals off. This perfect Lamb of God now comes to him to be baptized.
Why was Jesus baptized though? We know that by comparing the other Gospel accounts He never confessed any sins. He was the perfect and sinless Son of God. He was a lamb without one blemish or spot. So while all the others who were baptized, were confessing their sins, this was not done by our Lord. I think the answer is found in Jesus reply to John’s question in Matthew 3:15. “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he (John) consented.” Though Jesus was sinless, He now identified himself with sinners as He would bear our sins upon the cross. His righteousness would be placed upon us. The righteous one would suffer for the unrighteous.
Mark 1:10 ( ESV )
10And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Isaiah had cried out in Isaiah 64:1 to the Father, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountain might quake at your presence.” When the Father saw that His Son was willing to begin His public ministry, the Heavens burst wide open with the Joy that the Father had.
In just a few weeks I will be saying goodbye to one of the greatest loves of my life. My oldest girl will be leaving our home to go to Bible College. I have to be honest, I do not want to say goodbye. I know that this is also true of her mother and sister. She has been a joy and a light in our home. She will be missed. Yet, I have also never been prouder of her than I am today. I do not know what is ahead for her. In all likelihood she will be faced with trials and tribulations at times. I will not be there to catch her or to hold her. The reason why I am so proud of her is because, she is now willing to do, whatever the Lord has called her to. She has always been willing to serve our Lord but now she is ready to do it on her own. I cannot even begin to understand how great the Father’s joy must have been at this moment. The road to Calvary was now just over the horizon. Redemption would now be offered to all of mankind.
Not only was the Father filled with joy, as we will see in the next verse, but here in verse 10, we see how that the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus, like a dove. I believe that the Spirit’s presence came upon Him as He was well pleased also. A new world would now be opening up to man. The hope of all time was now upon earth.
The Spirit descending upon Jesus like a dove was also a sign to John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah as recorded in John 1:31-34. From this point on John would point men to Jesus and call Him the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. John 1:36
Mark 1:11 ( ESV )
The voice of the Father now came forth from Heaven. Isaiah would declare in Is. 42:1, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” Jesus was the chosen one who would free His people from their sins. By His willingness to be baptized He acted not only as an obedient Son but as the Servant King. Our Father was delighted in His son at this moment. His official role now began.
Now this is where it all seems to begin as far as who Jesus was to the world. For right after the Father says, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” Notice what happens in the next verse. The temptation of Christ would begin immediately. The Father would be well pleased, as Jesus would be able to declare to the world, that He was tempted in all matters like we have been tempted, but He on the other hand WOULD NOT FAIL.
Mark 1:12 ( ESV )
The incredible part of the story is that it was the Spirit of God who drove Jesus immediately out into the wilderness. Jesus had identified with Israel and their need for a Savior by being baptized. Now through the temptation He would be able to declare that He was the perfect one who could forgive them of their sins. Another quick lesson to be learned for me from this verse is the reminder that God will not allow any temptations in our lives that He does not believe that through His Spirit’s power that we cannot say no to. I Cor. 10:13 I do not believe that the Spirit of God would allow that to happen. He wants to give us victory over temptations.
The wilderness was a dry region that was largely uninhibited. It was a place that was known for its desolation and loneliness. It was a place with a lack of a food supply, as we are told that Jesus was hungry. I like what R.C. Sproul brought up about Jesus temptations as compared to Adam and Eve. Adam had a partner with him. Jesus was alone. Adam was in the beauty of Eden with food all around him. Jesus was in the desolate wilderness hungry for food. Adam would fail in the temptation. Jesus would prevail.
Mark 1:13 ( ESV )
13And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
Moses before he would receive the commandments would be upon the mountain for forty days without food. Elijah would not partake of food for forty days in I Kings 19. Now Jesus the greatest of all the prophets, would be faced with a similar but an even greater challenge. He could make bread for himself but He would not. He could have heard the applause of the world but He would not. He could have fallen into the trap of pride but He would not. He would prevail over the Adversary in his temptations.
He knew what was ahead of Him and the redemption that He would bring to fallen man. He was tempted and by prevailing, He would one day soon, be able to give to us His righteousness. He proved to the world and to His Adversary, (Satan) that He was the perfect one. He was the one in whom His Father was well pleased.
 |
| HANNAH |
Only Mark brings up that Jesus was with wild animals. Like Daniel of old He would be kept safe. He was found blameless just like Daniel before the Father. Daniel 6:22 This hour of darkness would pass for now, but the Adversary would look for an opportune time again as recorded in Luke 4:13. Yet, our Lord would prevail time and time again. He will prevail always for He has come for fallen man.
No comments:
Post a Comment