June 4, 2005
1. Baptism and Temptations
Study:
Mark 1:4-13
Background:
Mark 1:1-18
Devotional:
Matthew 12:17-21
Key Verse
A voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased” (Mark 1:11).
Heart of the Lesson
What credentials and qualifications and understanding does Jesus demonstrate for those who would minister in his name? Jesus’ authority was declared at the time of his baptism. In facing and responding to temptations, Jesus established his understanding of our human condition.
Questions for Studying the Text
- Mark 1:2-3 quotes Isaiah and who? How does Mark use the quotes? What do the quotes establish?
- What does Mark tell us about John the Baptist? How did people respond to John’s ministry? Why is the quote that Mark records important (vv. 7-8)? What role did John play in the life of Jesus?
- From where did Jesus come? Who baptized him? What happened immediately after the baptism? Who saw and heard these things? Who spoke from heaven? Explain what you think Mark wants us to learn from this set of events.
- What did the Spirit do to Jesus after the baptism? Did Jesus have a choice? Describe what happened when Jesus arrived at the destination.
- Is there a significance to the 40 days mentioned (v. 13)? Why is the record of temptations important? Why were the wild animals worth mentioning? What does it mean to have angels minister to Jesus? (Was their ministering something like teaching, physical help, or something else?)
- Was John arrested only 40 days after the baptism of Jesus? Does Mark record everything that happened to Jesus? What was the purpose of Mark’s gospel? Did he include a rationale similar to the ones found in Luke 1:1-4 and John 20:30-31? If not, how can we discern his purpose?
Daily Bible Meditations—Jo Anne Kandel
Sunday—Psalm 2:7-12
As a coronation Psalm for Israelite kings (who were figuratively adopted by God), this passage outlines the rights and responsibilities of the king and his subjects. As the true Son of God, these rights and responsibilities are also applicable to Jesus. Both Jesus and the kings will have “the nations as Thine inheritance” (v. 8), and must “worship the Lord with reverence’ (v. 11). As children of God, through Christ, we also share in the responsibilities of the subjects of the king and we receive the protection promised to them, “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” (v. 12).
Monday—Mark 1:4-8
When President George W. Bush briefly visited the city of Buffalo, New York, extensive preparations were made by local planners and federal security agents. The event was announced in the news media well before his arrival. These proclamations and preparations are appropriate for a visiting dignitary such as the President of the United States. The arrival of Jesus, the greatest man who ever lived and the only Son of God was likewise announced well before his arrival. His coming was foretold in the Old Testament, announced by angels at his birth and, as reported here in Mark, proclaimed by John the Baptist. Even with all the signs of the coming Messiah, many still did not believe.
Tuesday—Matthew 3:7-12
The Jewish leaders must have thought that John the Baptist was a very strange individual indeed. He lived in the desert eating wild honey, wearing strange clothes and proclaiming crazy ideas about the kingdom of God. He lived like the prophets of old (see Isaiah 40:3, Jeremiah 2:2), yet he had a more urgent message of judgment. The Sadducees and Pharisees were probably angry when they went to see John and were called a brood of vipers. Jesus would continue to challenge their assertions of ethnic and social superiority, affirming that “there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11).
Wednesday—Matthew 3:13-17
Why would Jesus, who was without sin, need to be baptized? The New Jerome Biblical Commentary offers three reasons.
First, in contrast to the Pharisees and Sadducees who wanted to distance themselves from the common folk, Jesus may have wanted to identify himself with the people who had come to John to be baptized. Second, Jesus was fulfilling God’s will by being obedient to his command. Third, Jesus was establishing a model of Christian baptism for his believers to follow.
Thursday—Mark 1:9-13
The baptism of Jesus was no ordinary baptism! What a thrill it must have been to witness the opening up of the heavens (signifying a new phase in the communication between heaven and earth), the decent of the dove (a symbol of gentleness and peace), and the voice of God identifying Jesus as his beloved son with whom he is well pleased! Jesus’ obedience by being baptized was affirmed by the reassuring words of his Father. God still affirms and reassures us today. Try to notice the times this week when God expresses his love and pleasure in your actions.
Friday—Matthew 12:17-21
By applying the words of Isaiah to Jesus, Matthew is reaching back to the past, affirming present events and giving hope for the future. Quoting from the Old Testament (v. 17) provides a foundation for the life of Jesus. Verse 18 refers to the present (first century) baptism of Jesus when the Spirit of God, signified by the dove, rested upon him. In verse 21 Matthew places emphasis on the future “and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” This future includes those of all generations who believe in Christ, including you and me!
Sabbath—Matthew 4:1-11
As we have seen in the above passages from Isaiah and the Psalms, the arrival of Jesus was foretold, proclaimed and confirmed. However, even the Son of God was not yet ready for ministry. Like a raw Army recruit preparing to go to war, he needed to be rigorously tested first. In our own Christian lives it often seems like spiritual highs are often followed by times of severe testing. It should help us to remember that Jesus went through the same struggles that we do and that he walks with us on our way.
Understanding and Living
I could see the look of disbelief in the faces of the other students. Here we were at recess, waiting to play kickball, and the teacher chose me as one of the team “captains.” The look of disbelief on the faces of others was probably mirrored on mine. Both they and I knew the next hour was going to be miserable. What went wrong? Everything—I picked a poor team, put people in the wrong positions, chose a poor kicking order, and otherwise led a team that lost by a mile. Because of the choices I made, no one believed that I shared the goal of winning. No one enjoyed “following” me onto the field.
On other days, the class enjoyed playing kickball. Other captains chose the right mix of people, put them in the right positions, created good lineups, and listened when good advice came. We were happy to follow our captains onto the field. Children follow best when convinced that the leader is competent, qualified, and understands the followers’ situation. This is also true for adults.
Someone Special
One goal of the Gospel of Mark is to encourage people to follow Jesus. The author rapidly lays evidence before readers that Jesus is worthy of trust. As the Gospel unfolds, Mark makes the case that Jesus is someone special, someone we should follow.
Instead of beginning with events that lead to the birth of Jesus or with lyrical language that describes Jesus as the light that has come into the world, this gospel immediately introduces Jesus as the Son of God (v. 1) and expects us to begin to trust and follow him. This expectation of trust is built on several layers of evidence.
Mightier than John
First, Mark shows that Jesus is greater than John the Baptist. He claims that God’s prophets explained the role of John the Baptist (vv. 2-3) and showed that the role was important: it announced to the people of Israel the contemporary presence and work of God. The role was also preparatory: John the Baptist came to proclaim the arrival of God’s Anointed.
The prophets were clear, and John understood his role. Even as large crowds (“all the country,” “all of Jerusalem”) were attracted to the message and ministry and were responding to his call for repentance and baptism, John the Baptist began to point to another person. John the Baptist, prophet of God, proclaimed that Jesus was coming and was greater than John could ever be.
Pleasing to God
Jesus was one of the people who came to see and respond to the ministry of John. While we know that John objected to the idea of baptizing Jesus (Matthew 3:14), Mark did not record the objection. Instead, he simply showed that when Jesus responded to John’s call for baptism (v. 9), the heavens were opened and a heavenly voice proclaimed, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased” (v. 11). With these words, Mark demonstrated another layer of evidence for trusting Jesus: he was pleasing to God.
Driven by the Spirit
Jesus knew the presence of the Spirit of God and obediently responded to the will of God communicated through that Spirit. Mark used this to show us that Jesus, like both King Saul (1 Samuel 10:6) and King David (1 Samuel 16:13), was part of God’s plan for his people. The author shows that the leading of the Spirit was strong—modern translations work at expressing the strength of that leading with words like impelled, compelled, drove, and even pushed (v. 12). The author creates the impression that Jesus did not in any way resist the direction the Spirit gave. Instead, with Mark’s matter-of-fact statement, we are led to believe that this is how Jesus responded to the Spirit throughout his life. Mark presented Jesus as one who was always led by the Spirit of God and, therefore, as one who was worth following.
Tempted by Satan
Jesus was driven from the wilderness (where the baptism occurred) into the wilderness (where the wild creatures roamed). While he was there, Satan tempted him. Other gospels provide details of the temptation (Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11), but Mark does not. Part of the reason for that seems to be that Mark wanted us to quickly relate to Jesus “who has been tempted in all things as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). By avoiding detail, Mark allows the reader to imagine what happened in the desert and allows all of us the opportunity to trust fully that Jesus knows what it means to be tempted. Jesus is able to understand what our life is like.
Fit to Lead
As our study passage ends, Jesus was sitting in the wilderness. However, the gospel doesn’t stop there. In the next four verses, this gospel announces the arrest of John the Baptist (v. 14), the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (v. 14), the message of Jesus (v. 15), and the call of Jesus to “Follow Me” (vv. 16-17). The first verses of this gospel lead us to the call of Simon and Andrew. When Jesus asked them to follow him as a leader, they jumped at the chance.
We should not be surprised at the reaction of Simon and Andrew. Mark had already established Jesus as one who was fit to lead. He was qualified (greater that John, pleasing to God), competent (obedient to God’s Spirit, taught by angels), and could understand those who would follow him (tempted by Satan).
Just the Beginning
The rest of Mark reveals many episodes in the life of Jesus, each showing that Jesus is worthy of our devotion. Mark did not want the people who heard his gospel to be dispassionate as they listened; he wanted them to respond as Simon and Andrew did—jumping at the call of Jesus and agreeing to follow him.
Mark titles his work, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (v. 1). He did not expect us to think that the gospel ends with the last words in chapter 16. The gospel of Jesus Christ continues today in those who have agreed to follow him. He is fit to lead. How well will you follow?
Hints for Teaching
Lesson Goals
- Review the story of Jesus’ baptism and temptations.
- Show how these events established Jesus’ credentials as the Messiah.
- Identify your own qualifications for ministering to others.
Teaching Activity
Some people find it hard to follow when they think the leader doesn’t understand the follower’s life. Share for a few minutes about times when a leader issued a command that demonstrated a lack of understand for followers. (A Dilbert™ cartoon may do a better job of illustrating this situation in a short time). Contrast this with the kind of leadership we expect from Jesus.
Be aware: some people may feel that Jesus cannot understand what modern life is really like. Be prepared to explore what the Bible teaches about Jesus’ ability to relate to our experience.
Looking Forward
Jesus uses healing to confirm that his authority is from God and to challenge the inadequate teaching of the leaders of his day.
