Though ontologically and morally perfect , Jesus’ earthly life was one of learning, growing, submitting, obeying and perfecting (Luke 2:52). Jesus is and always has been God, but it was necessary for Him to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15) undergo a process of trial, temptation and suffering to become our Savior and Great High Priest, and the Head of a new humanity. This is especially true as Jesus begins His earthly ministry, and for Mark, this is where His “hero’s journey” begins.
Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Mark 1:9-15 NIV
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus’ Ordination (vv. 9-11)
- Jesus’ baptism by John was His ordination into ministry. The waters of the Jordan provided His ritual bath (Leviticus 16:4; Exodus 29:4). The Holy Spirit descending on Him as a Dove was the true anointing that the oil poured on Aaron was only a mere shadow of (Exodus 29:7).
- Jesus was counted among the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12). Though He was sinless, Jesus underwent a “baptism of repentance” to identify with us in our weakness and temptation (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus leads by example, showing sinful men how to turn to God and live a life wholly surrendered to Him.
- Jesus leads His people to the Promised Land. The Jordan River is where Joshua led the children out of the wilderness and into Canaan (Joshua 3-4). Through the miraculous parting of the waters, God exalted Joshua and confirmed him as the true successor of Moses (Joshua 3:7, 4:14; cf. John 1:17-18). Now, the Father rends the heavens to exalt Jesus and confirm His Sonship (Isaiah 64:1).
- Jesus is revealed to Israel as the Son of God (John 1:31). Mark deals with the “open secret” that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. The demons knew it (Mark 1:23-25), and his disciples knew it (Mark 8:29-30), but He would not allow anyone to declare it publicly, except His Father in heaven.
Jesus’ Temptation (vv. 12-13)
- Jesus is the model Israelite and the perfect Man. Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness is compared to Israel’s forty years of wanderings (Psalm 95:7-11). At every point the children of Israel failed- immoral, idolatrous, and treasonous to the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:6-10)- Jesus remained faithful. Even Moses failed and died in the wilderness, showing even the best of men are weak sinners, but Jesus was more than a man. By the power of the Spirit and the Word of God, Jesus overcame the temptations posed by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Genesis 3:4-6; 1 John 2:15-17; Luke 4:1-14).
- Jesus overcame Satan. By the power of the Spirit and the Word of God, Jesus overcame the devil and his schemes. Jesus had to first resist the devil, otherwise He would have no power to condemn Him (Luke 4:5-8; John 14:30, 16:11; Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10).
Jesus’ Inauguration (vv. 14-15)
- John was put in prison. John was thrown into prison for his condemnation of Herod’s adulterous marriage, which would end in his beheading. The great prophet was not thrown a retirement party or allowed to live out his days in peace living off of pension, but suffered the same gruesome fate as many of God’s best men. Nevertheless, John finished the work God gave him and his reward awaits him (Matthew 25:21).
- Jesus went into Galilee. Galilee of the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 8:28) was an area of the Promised Land that historically remained under Gentile subjection. Though it had been recently resettled by Judeans in the time of Jesus, Galilee was very “Gentile-adjacent” and was considered unclean by the Pharisees.
- The time has come. For our purposes, verse 15 and the topic of the Kingdom of God will get its own sermon. But for now, note that Jesus is proclaiming the Good News that His Kingdom has come, that He is the King, and He is ready to conquer!