The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

Following the Servant
Mark 1:9-13

Colossians 3:13, 14

Jesus is the sacrificial servant who obediently submits to John’s baptism and is affirmed by His Father in preparation for the ministry of service.  He is then tested by His greatest enemy, Satan, in His final preparation for fulfilling His mission.

1.     The presentation of the Servant (vv. 9-11)

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”                                                                                                                                          Isaiah 53:6

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, not because He needed to repent from sin but to with sinful humanity.

Three key events happen in quick succession:

A.    Jesus saw heaven being “torn” open

B.     The Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove.

Luke 4:18

C.    The Father speaks: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 1:1

The Trinity

Isaiah 11

GOD THE FATHER – It was God the Father who sent Jesus.

GOD THE SON – You receive Jesus into your life as your Savior – He did the heavy lifting for us on the cross.

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT – Jesus, before He left, said He would send the Holy Spirit who would convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.

John 16:8

John 17

“In Christianity, God is not an impersonal thing or a static thing. He’s not even just one person, but a dynamic, pulsating activity, a life, a drama. Almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a kind of dance.”        -C.S. Lewis

2.      The of the Servant (vv. 12, 13)

Exodus 24:18

Trials and temptations

1 Corinthians 10:13

 We have to begin by acknowledging our before God.

“Greater is He that is in You than He that is in the world.”                                                                            1 John 4:4

Satan is afraid of .

Truths to Apply:

A.    Receive Christ as your .

Romans 8:16

Romans 5:5

John 1:12

Hebrews 11:16

Philippians 3:20

B.    The best way (really, the only way) to understand who God is, that He is community within Himself, is for us to understand Him in the community .

C.    Make sure your prayer life is .

“Praise is inner health made audible.”                                                           -C.S. Lewis “Reflections on the Psalms”

D.    God unconditionally.

Daily Meditations

 
Memory verse: “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” 
Mark 1:9 
 
Monday
Read Mark 1:1-13.  Also read Colossians 3:12-14.  As you reflect on the events of this past week in our country, what are the lessons you believe God wants to teach you?
 
 
How can you apply the Colossians passage above to the lessons you learn from this past week?
 
 
Tuesday
Read Mark 1:1-13. What is unique about Mark’s gospel when compared especially to Matthew and Luke?
 
 
Why would we describe baptism as necessary for membership?
 
 
Wednesday
Read Mark 1:1-13. How do you know (based on the Bible, not your feelings) that God is well-pleased with you?
 
 
How would you respond to a friend that said, “I don’t feel like I am well-pleasing to God”?
 
 
Thursday
Read Mark 1:1-13. The Trinity is a mystery, and we will never be able to fully wrap our heads around it.  How, though, would you describe it to a child?
 
 
How does the Trinity all show up at Jesus’ baptism?
 
 
Friday
Read Mark 1:1-13. Mark uses the name “Satan” (adversary) to describe the devil and the other gospel writers use the term ‘devil’ (accuser)  What is the significance of this? 
 
 
Mark says that Jesus was sent by the Spirit into the wilderness.  The other gospels use the term ‘led.’  What’s the significance of why Mark uses the term ‘sent?’
 
 
Saturday
Read Mark 1:1-13. Review the application points at the end.  How will you take God’s Word that you heard and, that now you’ve reflected on, and put it into practice?
 
 
If you haven’t yet memorized our key verse for Mark, Mark 10:45, work on writing it out on an index card and memorizing it.