Jesus is tempted in the wilderness — a place of both promise and testing in the Old Testament — by Satan for forty days — a number that recalls important moments in the ministry of Moses and Elijah.
Satan and the wild animals are on one side, while Jesus and His attending angels are on the other. This spiritual battle will continue through Mark.
After His baptism and anointing, Jesus is “driven out” into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. The wilderness was not only the place of the prophetic promise fulfilled by John the Baptist, but also the place of Israel’s previous testing. Soon, Jesus will square off with Satan — who will have somewhat of a home field advantage
In just a few words, God’s voice from heaven provides heavenly confirmation that Jesus is the Son of God (the royal Messiah of Psalm 2:7), the Beloved Son of God (as Isaac was the beloved son Abraham whom was willing to sacrifice in Genesis 22), and the Servant of the LORD (the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 who would bring salvation to the ends of the earth through His sacrifice.
After Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, he sees the heavens being torn open — likely indicating a divine arrival (cf. Is 64:1). He also sees the Holy Spirit descending into Him like a dove, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that the Anointed One (i.e., Christ, Messiah) would be anointed by the Spirit (Is 11:2, 61:1).
Jesus is permanently indwelt and empowered by the Spirit, perhaps foreshadowing how followers of Jesus are (to a lesser degree, of course) indwelt and empowered by the Spirit today.
Though scholars debate the length of the prologue, Mk 1:1-8 is largely about John the Baptist while Mk 1:9-15 is largely about Jesus. The transition from John the Baptist to Jesus the Christ (i.e., the Messiah) indicates the transition from the old era to the dawning of a new age in redemptive history.
John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of the Stronger One — one of whom he was not even worthy of being a slave. John’s repentance-baptism paved the way and prepared people for the greater baptism of Jesus Christ — who would metaphorically immerse believers with the Holy Spirit, whom Christ would send (cf. Jn 15:26, 16:7, 12-15 cf. Jn 14:26).
John the Baptist has a popular ministry of repentance-baptism in the wilderness at the Jordan River, a location with a rich Old Testament history. The people of Jerusalem were coming out in droves, confessing their sin.
Moreover, John is dressed like a prophet — likely the prophet Elijah, who was prophesied to come before the coming of the LORD Himself (as John comes before the Lord Jesus).
John the Baptizer appears in the wilderness as the prophesied messenger of the LORD who would prepare His way (cf. Mk 1:2-3) — a way for a new exodus, a new divine encounter, a new deliverance via the LORD the King.
This preparation for the way of the Lord Jesus entails the proclamation of a preparatory baptism for those who had turned away from sin and turned to God (i.e., repentance) for the purpose of the forgiveness of sins (by God). This forgiveness will ultimately be made possible through the work of Christ on the cross.
Though Mark does not quote the Old Testament as much as the other gospel writers, he begins with a combination (testimonium) of three Old Testament quotations which foretell of a messenger sent by the LORD — who will prepare the way of the LORD. This person will be calling out in the wilderness in order to roll out the red carpet for God Himself — who will save and reign over His people as King.
As one reads Mark, one comes across many people who struggle with the identity of Jesus — the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God. Yet, from the first line, readers know exactly who Jesus is…
Copyright © 2024 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes
