All four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) are written at the prompting and divine inspiration of Yahweh. However, they are influenced by the men through whom Yahweh worked to write them and by the audiences they were intended to reach (e.g. Jew or Gentile). There are common threads throughout all the gospels which unite them and demonstrate consistency, and yet they cover history from different perspectives and with different focuses.
Mark begins his gospel by first telling us quickly about John the Baptist and then moves immediately to the baptism of Jesus. He does not dwell on the birth of Christ or even His eternal existence, the word of God that existed in the beginning, as the other gospels do. Mark begins with Jesus’ earthly ministry as a starting point.
The Baptism of Jesus
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; 11and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
12Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. 13And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.
Let us pause, then to reflect, that the baptism is significant as it symbolically indicates the start of Jesus’ ministry on earth. Jesus did not need to be cleansed or make a public commitment in order to obey the Father or serve Him, but Jesus is showing us that there is value in publicly declaring your faith before witnesses.
It is interesting to note that the Father was well pleased with Jesus even before He started His public ministry. The Father knows our hearts and is pleased with us based on our love and desire for obedience to Him… our faith. He does not wait for us to demonstrate great works to be pleased with us, though works done consistent with God’s word and for His glory are wonderful and do please Him.
We could cross reference other gospels to get more information about the baptism and about the temptation in the wilderness, but Mark moves through these items quickly… though he does indeed include them here.
One observation I believe to be true is that, as with the case of Jesus, Satan will come against those who are trying to surrender their lives to Yahweh by following in the example of Jesus. Satan came to tempt Jesus when He was weakened (fasting) and alone (in the wilderness) and quickly after Jesus publicly declared His submission to the Father through baptism. Satan will try to derail and discourage new believers in this way. We must take heed to support them at this vulnerable moment as they begin their journey with Christ.
Keep a sharp eye out and pray the Holy Spirit would guide you to find and support those new believers when they need your help most. Then choose to take the time to help them, even if you are busy and it is not convenient.
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
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