Mark 1:9-11 - Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan

Mark 1:9-11
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Message: Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Thus far, the first 8 verses has been about John, his message and ministry, leading up to Jesus. Now, here is the first visibility of Jesus in Mark's Gospel. John prepared the way, even baptizing some, but now Jesus comes to be baptized by John. If Mark preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, then why did Jesus need to be baptized when the idea of him being sinless is central to His purpose and history? John called people to be baptized and Jesus was simply being obedient to that which every other person was called to do. Jesus was different, but he also wanted to identify with His people and be the same. Thus, he is not being baptized for repentance for the remission of sins, but with the baptism of consecration to the work that lay before him.

This baptism occurred in AD 28, as Jesus was 30 years of age, coming from Nazareth, a town of about 3,000 population. This is where Jesus had lived for the past 30 years and now he was embarking on his ministry. I believe the phrase coming out of the water means that his baptism was by immersion, but other gospels are less clear. I think the act of baptism is what is important, not the form, so sprinkle and immersion don't really matter to me, but to me the immersion provides a better picture of the transformation that happens in the believer' life. I always heard these words when someone was being baptized, "Buried with Christ, raised to walk in newness of life." I even heard a pastor say that we don't immerse a person and then hold them under and send them to glory - as we could, but we are meant to be raised to walk a life in yielded service to our Savior and Lord. Mark's account does not clearly denote prayer having occurred at the baptism. Following baptism, as he came up out of the water He saw and I believe John seeing from above the heavens opening. With Jesus there was a special view into heaven, beyond what the natural vision could see. So Jesus' baptism was different for sure. 

The Spirit like a dove descending upon Him. To me, the Spirit is coming from heaven, flying down as a dove to fall upon him, thus commissioning and ordaining him for his ministry.

A voice came out of the heavens, thus heard by all. God speaks forth the title gave to Jesus, You are my beloved Son. It expresses the nearness of God to Jesus. His obedience is recognized by in You I am well-pleased which implies not just a momentary pleasing, but constantly being well pleased of Him.

The baptism of Jesus shows three persons in divine nature:

1. The person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, baptized in Jordan
2. The Holy Spirit descending in a form upon the Savior.
3. The Father, addressing the Son, and declaring that he was well pleased with him. 

Promise: As Jesus begins his life of ministry, so my life in Christ began with being baptized in the 1983, after trusting in Christ in the summer of 1982. My only regret of this was not alerting my mom of the baptism (one of many regrets I have that often include my mom, unfortunately).

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for commissioning Jesus and reminding me of the important of obedience and following you. Thank you for the unity of Spirit, Jesus, and the Father. Continue to bring meaning to the message of Jesus and his life.