Mark 1:9-13 - The Baptism & Temptation of Jesus

The gospel of Mark is a fast paced gospel in comparison to the others. Generally, the book is written in short and simple sentences, but don’t confuse that with simple meanings or understandings. His short sentences raise lots of deep questions about just who Jesus is and what his life was about. In this passage, Mark packs a lot of punch into a few short verses.

In this short passage three amazing things occur that have significance for our own faith.

First – In verse 9, Jesus came to John to be baptized. Yesterday, we considered how the baptism that John conducted was a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin (Mark 1:4). In 2 Cor 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22 and 1 Jn 3:5 it is clear that Jesus was sinless. As an additional challenge, consider what Jesus says of his own baptism in Mark 10:38-39 or Acts 19:1-6 and Romans 6:1-4

If Jesus was sinless – why was he baptized by John?

Some have suggested that it was to provide an example that all of his followers should be baptized.

Or, a way for him to identify with humanity; Or, an example of Christ’s submission to the Father

Read Matt 3:14-15 – He was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” – what does that mean? Wasn’t he already righteous?

Question one that you can reply to me about – Why was Jesus baptized, and more importantly, what does that mean for your faith?

The next amazing thing that Mark tells us is that as Jesus was coming out of the water we have a picture of the Father and Holy Spirit bearing witness of Jesus, one of the great Trinitarian passages. This is one of the few places in scripture where we see the entire Godhead at the same place at the same time. As in Genesis 1, here we see God speak his Word and the Spirit ‘hovering’ over the water. In Genesis, God was creating. Jesus was already God’s Son according to Mark 1:1, so God was not endowing a human Jesus with divinity (as some might wrongly derive), but what was going on? It is interesting the next time we hear God's voice is at the transfiguration and in Mark 9:17 the Father says the same message.

Question 2 – What is the significance of the appearance of the Trinity at Jesus baptism, and more importantly, what does that mean in regards to your own relationship with him?

The last amazing thing that happens in this passage is immediately after his baptism, the Spirit sends Jesus into the desert to be tempted by Satan. We see the Spirit of God in two very distinct lights, one as a gentle dove that is hovering over him in the water and then next as a powerful and demanding force that is sending him into a wilderness to be tempted. To the first century readers of Mark, the wilderness was no fun or glamorous camp trip, but a place of great danger and anxiety. To the first century person, the wilderness was the place of evil spirits, danger and wild animals who would see you as either danger to themselves or food. It would be in someways as if Jesus were to be lead to spend 40 days homeless in the streets of the downtown eastside, though not to minster to the inhabitants but to survive alone.

Considering that Jesus was both man and God, Question 3 - Why would the Spirit lead Jesus into a place of great risk, danger and temptation? If the Spirit would lead Jesus to this place would he not lead you to times of great testing as well? Why does it not seem Jesus was anxious to get out of the wilderness, could you rely on that same strength and resource?