Mark 1:9-13

Mark 1:9-11 – 9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

I think it is interesting how it says, “at that time Jesus came…” I have often wondered why Jesus waited until he was thirty years old to start his ministry. I believe that God had appointed a certain time for him and at that time Jesus began. John had been preparing the way, and God the Father made it clear to Jesus when was his time. So, Jesus waited until the appointed time, and then came to begin his ministry.

Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. Why did Jesus get baptized? Did Jesus need to be baptized? In Matthew 3:13-17, we have another account of Jesus’ baptism. John told Jesus, “I need to be baptized by you!” but Jesus replied, “…it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus apparently was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.

For Christians, baptism is done as an outward symbol of an inward change, that being the changed heart and life that is a result of accepting Jesus. I think the baptism of Jesus was also a symbol, showing that he was God’s son. When a person accepts Christ and begins to follow him, they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a symbol of this, which is why in Mark 1:8, John said, “I baptize with water, but he (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” After Jesus was baptized, the Spirit came down from heaven and rested upon him, and thus began his ministry. This was also a sign to John, who had been told that the one on whom the Spirit rested was the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. (John 1:33) This was a sign to John, showing him that Jesus truly was the Son of God.

In verse 11, a voice from heaven (God the Father) tells Jesus: “You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” As Jesus begins his ministry, God the Father encourages him with a statement of WHO he is, how much he is loved, and how pleased his Father is with him. I think it had to be important for Jesus to hear this. Although being all-God, he was also all-man. Knowing what he was about to begin, and where it would eventually lead him, and I can think of no better words to hear from his Father. He came to please the Father and glorify the Father, and being reassured that is what he was doing had to be a huge encouragement to him, as well as preparation for what would happen next.

Mark 1:12-13 – 12At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

I think it very interesting that immediately after the high point of Jesus’ baptism and the Spirit descending on him, and the Father speaking to him, his is sent into the desert to be tempted by Satan. Many times we see spiritual high points as ends in themselves, when God is actually using them to prepare us for trials, temptations, or tough times that lie ahead. Two important points…first, Jesus was prepared before he was sent into the desert to be tempted. The Spirit came and rested upon him, and the Father spoke to him and encouraged him. Second, following all of this preparation, he was tested. The Spirit actually sent him out into the desert, where he was tempted. God prepares us so that He can then send us out. God didn’t send Jesus just to get baptized in the Jordan. God sent him to defeat Satan, sin, and death. That was no easy task. He was prepared, and then he was sent out.

Mark doesn’t really give us many details of the temptation of Jesus. We can find that account in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13. Just a couple of passing thoughts…When Jesus was tempted, he was alone. When I find myself being tempted, it is almost always when I am alone and vulnerable. Jesus was in the wilderness, alone and vulnerable, and that is when Satan came to tempt him. Also, after Jesus was tempted, but did not succumb to temptation, angels attended him. When we stand firm against temptation in the power of the spirit, our needs will be provided for as well, just as the angels provided for Christ.