Mark 1:9-13

One of the things that makes Mark an interesting read is that he writes in relatively short sentences, and moves the reader right along with his frequent "at once" or "immediately" phrases. This is probably the fastest paced gospel of the four, so it makes a fun study.

We were briefly introduced to John the Baptist in Mark 1:1-8--now we see the one John spoke of, that he pointed to--Jesus of Nazareth. I like the phrasing in the NIV in verse 10--"As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove." This was no mild, common event--a bird calmly settling on a man's shoulders in a river. This event defined history--God became man, and heaven was "torn" open so Jesus could make a way for us to God. The Father made it very clear that Jesus was his Son--he must have gotten the attention of all who were present that day.

But this pronouncement was only the beginning of God's revelation. Jesus had three years of work on earth before his supreme sacrifice on the cross. And to prepare himself for it, after being declared God's Son, Jesus went to face temptation and the devil in a 40-day wilderness experience.

It must have been amazing for Jesus to see the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove, for all the crowd present to see. We may have highs in our life, too--not divine like that or dramatic, perhaps, but wonderful times when we know God sees us and loves us. Then the wilderness times come, when He may seem far away. Maybe we feel we are "with the wild animals" and Satan is attacking us from every direction.

Jesus knows what it's like to be in the wilderness. He is with us through all our temptations. And, on the other side of difficulties, he can send his angels to attend us.



- posted by Suzi @ 7:02 AM