Daily Thoughts from Mark: Beloved Son (Mark 1:9-11)

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11, ESV) 

Jesus identifies himself with the ministry of John the Baptist, saying, in effect, that he too is expecting the kingdom.  Mark does not explain whether Jesus needed to confess his sins, though we know that he did not.  He endorses John’s message and then something extraordinary happens.

God the Father makes it clear that this baptism is His anointing of Jesus for his ministry.  The coming of the Spirit upon him signals that he too, like John, is being equipped for serving, just like all priests, prophets and kings typically were.  What we will learn in Jesus’ case is that Jesus has all of these roles.  He is the coming king whose prophetic voice is unparalleled and whose high priestly sacrifice will take away the sins of the world.

The Father speaks directly out of heaven to endorse Jesus.  In Psalm 2 God calls the king of Israel his son.  We will learn that Jesus is even more unique than that, being God also, the second person of the Trinity.  He is the beloved Son of the Father.  The Father is testifying that Jesus does not need repentance.  The Father is in all ways pleased with His Son.

We, too, have found ourselves well pleased with Jesus, our Savior, and our love for him has no equals.  What he does and how he does it constantly amazes us and bonds us to him.  He is our Lord and our model who is in every way for us, as he was for John.

From this day on Jesus begins garnering disciples to prepare for the kingdom.  But first he must be tested.